Vicki’s Gift

by Fischer, Kristin Noel

  I returned to the cilantro I’d been chopping but had abandoned once I saw the house plan book. “Your parents were older when they had you and your brother?”

  “Thirty-five when they had me and forty-two when they had Robbie. That’s why I’m going to get married when I’m young and have a bunch of kids right away.”

  Panic must’ve taken over my face because Seth looked at me with deep concern. “What’s wrong?”

  I stopped chopping the cilantro. “I . . . I can’t have kids.”

  “You can’t?” His eyes shot to my stomach. “Is something wrong?”

  I placed a hand on my belly. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I . . .” Feeling foolish, I removed my hand. “I don’t want kids.”

  “You don’t?”

  The memory of Allie was so strong I felt the weight of her little body in my arms. I remembered how she clung to me, sobbing. How the paramedics—

  “Vicki?”

  I stared at Seth, wanting to tell him. Wanting to confess what I hadn’t confessed to anyone. Carrying this burden alone was too much.

  “What is it?” Seth asked.

  My shame was too much to face, so I shrugged it off, determined to stay as far away from it as possible. “I just don’t want kids. They’re a lot of work and responsibility. I want to be able to travel and have a career. Plus, I wouldn’t be a very good mother.”

  “What are you talking about? You’d be a great mother.”

  I shook my head and warned myself not to tell him. Once he found out how negligent I’d been, he’d never look at me the same way.

  “Here.” Seth took the cilantro from me and sprinkled it on the shrimp and vegetables. “On the bus, coming back from that football game in Houston. You and the other cheerleaders talked about what you wanted to name your kids, remember? You said you liked the name Tabitha.”

  I took a sip of my water and tried to slow my heartbeat. “Did I?”

  “Yes. I was sitting right behind you. I heard you. Also, you used to babysit all the time. If you weren’t good with kids, people never would’ve trusted you with their kids.”

  “Maybe, but babysitting and having your own kids are completely different situations. When you’re a parent, you never get a day off. You have to constantly be on guard, and if something goes wrong—”

  Seth stepped toward me and brushed a strand of hair off my face. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you. We don’t have to talk about this now.”

  Nodding, I pressed my lips together, afraid speaking would cause me to break down. I didn’t know how to explain why I didn’t want kids without telling him about Allie and her brothers. And I couldn’t tell him about the Quinns. I just couldn’t.

  Kissing the top of my head, Seth wrapped his arms around me in a huge protective hug. “It’s okay. You really would be an amazing mom, but we don’t have to worry about that right now, okay? We’re still figuring things out. We’ve got at least another month before I propose.”

  “Seth.”

  “Relax. I’m just joking around. Sort of.”

  I nodded against his chest, wanting to feel safe. Maybe he was joking around about proposing, but I knew having a big family was no joke to him.

  When he released me, we dished up our food and took our plates outside to eat at the picnic table under the oak tree. Sitting across from him, I squeezed a lemon slice over my shrimp and took a bite. “This is delicious. Thanks for cooking again. One of these days, I’ll cook for you.”

  “You helped.”

  “Not very much.”

  He smiled. “I don’t mind. I like cooking for you.”

  “I like that too.”

  For a beat, we said nothing. Then, Seth wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back to take a good look at me. “If we had kids . . . I mean, if we got married one day and you changed your mind about having kids—”

  Blood pounded against my skull. I set down my fork. “I’m not changing my mind, Seth.”

  “Okay, but if you did, I’d do most of the cooking. Or if you wanted, we could hire a housekeeper like Alice so you wouldn’t have to do so much work.”

  I pushed out a frustrated breath and looked away. The optimistic way Seth viewed babies and family life made our differences abundantly clear. The two of us didn’t want the same thing. He wanted kids, and I . . . it wasn’t that I didn’t want them. I just didn’t ever want to put myself in such a vulnerable position like that again.

  If that was the case, then what were we doing here? This wasn’t just some casual fling. Seth and I weren’t messing around here anymore. Whatever Seth and I had between us had suddenly become serious.

  Both of us were way too young to consider marriage right now, but I suddenly remembered something my mother often said. The last person you date is the person you marry.

  Usually, I rolled my eyes at her annoying warning. I mean, what a dumb thing to say. The last person you date is the person you marry? Of course, it was.

  Yet, for the first time, I understood the meaning of those words. You had to be careful about who you dated because dating could lead to falling in love, and once you fell in love, it could be difficult to think rationally.

  Without question, I was in love with Seth. I was irrationally, 100 percent in love with him. Was love enough?

  Our relationship would eventually lead to marriage or end in breakup. That’s what happened to all relationships. If Seth wanted kids and I didn’t, how could we stay together?

  “Hey.” Seth reached across the table and took my hand. “Don’t worry, okay? We don’t have to figure everything out right now. We have plenty of time.”

  I nodded. “You’re right.”

  “Of course, I’m right.”

  We smiled at each other. Then, he came over to my side of the table and gathered me in his arms. As he held me, I clung to him. And when he kissed me, I kissed him back, abandoning all worry about the future.

  It was just Seth and me. Right here, right now. And really, what else mattered?

  *

  When I arrived at work the next morning, I could hear Pavarotti singing at the top of his lungs even before I stepped inside the building. Mrs. Delacroix met me at the door, excitement oozing from her pores. “Vicki, I did it. I finally did it.”

  “Finally did what?”

  Her eyes beamed as she burst into laughter. “I finally found the courage to write to Lorenzo.”

  “You’re kidding?” Writing to her old boyfriend was something she’d been talking about ever since she found his email online last month. I honestly didn’t think she’d ever contact him.

  “I emailed him last night, and he responded right away. I didn’t think he would because of the time change. But he told me he hadn’t been able to sleep since his wife died. Then, he asked if he could call me.”

  “Did you say yes?”

  “Of course. He called a minute later, and talking to him was wonderful. It truly felt like no time had passed between us. We just picked up right where we left off and chatted for nearly three hours.”

  “Three hours. Wow.”

  Nodding, she giggled like a schoolgirl. I was thrilled for her. She deserved to be happy. Even if nothing romantic came from her renewed contact with Lorenzo, at least she’d been able to reconnect with an old friend.

  “There’s more.” Her eyes brightened as a blush crept up her neck and across her face. “He wants me to come to Italy to meet his family.”

  “He does?”

  “Yes. And he said his offer still stands if I’m interested.”

  “His offer?”

  “Of marriage, dear. He still wants to marry me.”

  “Are you serious?”

  She nodded. “I told him he wasn’t going to want to marry me once he saw all my wrinkles and gray hair, but he said he didn’t care about that. So, I bought my ticket.”

  “You bought a ticket to go to Italy to see a man you haven’t spoken to in years?”

  “I know it’s crazy, but ye
s. I’m flying there one month from today.”

  “Oh my goodness. You’re not going to marry him, though, are you?” I suddenly felt like the adult here.

  “Well, I’m going to see him first. If everything goes well, then yes. My sister won’t approve of me going to Italy instead of Florida, but she’ll just have to get over that.”

  I shook my head with disbelief and amazement. Then, worry and reality sunk in. While the whole thing was wildly romantic, I’d seen enough true crime shows to know things weren’t always what they seemed.

  My concern must’ve registered on my face because she laughed. “Don’t look so scared, Vicki. It’ll be fine.”

  I forced myself to remain silent, wishing I had more faith that most things worked out for the best.

  “Anyway, all this is to say that I’m ready to sell the bakery now. If you still want it, it’s yours.”

  “I understand, but . . . are you sure selling the bakery and flying to Italy is the best decision? You don’t really know this guy. Maybe you should just go for a visit first and take some time to think about it.”

  She patted my arm. “I knew you were going to say that, dear. If this was a business decision, I’d completely agree with you. But in matters of love, sometimes it’s best to just jump in with both feet.”

  Was it?

  Didn’t matters of love require even more caution? The possibility of getting hurt, after all, was so much greater.

  “Mrs. Delacroix, I think we should set up a video chat with Lorenzo before you go jetting off to Italy. What do you think?”

  “A video chat?”

  I nodded. “I’ll help you. What’s the time difference between here and where Lorenzo lives?”

  “Six hours.”

  “Six hours. Okay. Why don’t you email him right now and tell him we’ll call to set up a video chat this afternoon after the bakery closes.”

  She clapped her hands and gave a little squeal before dashing off to her computer. I’d never seen her so excited and didn’t know what to make of the whole thing.

  While she was gone, I checked the list of tasks that needed to be done before we opened. To my surprise, Mrs. Delacroix had completed nearly everything. She must’ve been awake all night.

  When she returned, I could feel the energy emanating from her round body. “It’s all set. Apparently, his daughters want to meet me too on this video chat, so all five of them will be there.”

  Relief washed over me. Maybe Lorenzo’s kids were just as worried about Mrs. Delacroix as I was about Lorenzo. If that was the case, then I could relax, knowing he came from a good family that cared about him.

  *

  For lunch, the bakery offered a limited menu consisting of a soup of the day, a garden salad, and a baguette. When I first started working, I was surprised by the number of regulars who bought the lunch special regardless of what soup we served.

  In the middle of the lunch rush, Mrs. Delacroix left me in charge while she went to the salon to have her hair done. A few hours later, she returned with a new hairstyle, new dress, and new makeup.

  “Wow,” I said, barely recognizing her. “You look hot, Mrs. Delacroix.”

  She gently touched her hair. “You don’t think it’s too much, do you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “And this dress? Do you think it looks okay?”

  “I think it’s perfect.” I smiled, touched by her nervousness. This Lorenzo better be deserving of someone as sincere as Mrs. Delacroix.

  When her phone rang, she jumped a mile high. “It’s him.” She answered the call and spoke a few minutes before handing me the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Vicki. It’s so good to talk to you.” Lorenzo’s deep, heavenly accented voice was kind and friendly, making me like him right away.

  “It’s good to talk to you too. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  He chuckled, the sound low and throaty. “Hopefully, it’s all been good things.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  We spoke a little longer, then he turned me over to his grandson, David. Without much trouble, David and I managed to set up the video chat. Moments later, an extremely handsome older man appeared on-screen.

  “Lorenzo,” Mrs. Delacroix said, breathless.

  “Mary. Oh, my sweet Mary.” Tears pooled in Lorenzo’s eyes. The way he smiled at Mrs. Delacroix took my breath away.

  A woman offscreen said something to him, and he chuckled. “Yes, of course. Mary, this is my daughter, Arianna. She wants to meet you because she’s worried you’re only after my money.”

  “Papa.” A woman in her late thirties appeared on-screen, looking like the Italian version of my oldest sister, Jillian. She said hello and proceeded to give Mrs. Delacroix the third degree.

  “Let me say hello,” another woman said.

  Arianna moved aside for her sister Carlotta. One by one, all five of Lorenzo’s daughters and several grandchildren appeared on-screen, eager to question this woman who’d stolen their father’s heart.

  Seeing their concerned and nervous faces relaxed me. They were just as worried about Mrs. Delacroix as I was about their father.

  When the call ended, I felt a deep longing to talk to Seth. Buying the bakery was really happening now, and that was something that both excited me and scared me.

  The fact that I wanted to talk to Seth about this instead of anybody else scared me too.

  Chapter 10

  Seth

  After months of preparation, it was finally the day before Camp Paintball’s Grand Opening. Robbie and I had worked so hard that we decided to celebrate by buying two new kayaks. As we paddled along the shoreline, feelings of gratitude overwhelmed me. God had blessed me so much. Sure, I was in debt up to my eyeballs. And sure, I was worried that we had only one reservation for tomorrow, but the business was going to be okay.

  My only disappointment was Robbie’s lack of enthusiasm for tomorrow. He’d been thrilled last fall when I’d decided to stay on the island, keep the property, and open a business. Now, he seemed moody, distant, and apathetic.

  Part of me knew he was going through the same normal pre-teen stuff I’d gone through at his age. Even now, I still had guilt over how I’d treated my parents back then. Still, I thought he’d be a little more excited about everything.

  Robbie, who was in front of me, stuck a paddle in the water to slow down his kayak. Glancing over his shoulder, he called my name. “Seth?”

  “Yeah?” Was he going to apologize? Was he going to say something about tomorrow’s grand opening?

  “Can you give me a ride back to town right now? I want to meet my friends at the skate park.”

  He glanced down at his iPod touch, which had a texting app he used with his friends. Cell phone service was patchy out here, but ironically that texting app always worked. It was moments like this I wanted to grab his device and throw it into the water. Is that how my parents felt when I got my first phone?

  “Can we go right now?” Robbie asked. “They’re going to be there in five minutes.”

  I pressed down my frustration. “I thought you were going to spend the night out here so you could help with opening day tomorrow.”

  “I’ll come back in the morning. Jacob got this new board, and I want to try it out. If you can take me now, I’ll get Abuela to bring me back tomorrow.”

  I bit down hard, knowing I needed to let it go. My high expectations of Robbie were unreasonable. It was only natural he wanted to spend time with his friends. I’d been the same way at his age.

  “Okay,” I conceded. “I’ll take you.”

  We turned the kayaks around and headed home. On the shore, King paced nervously. He’d wanted to go with us, but there wasn’t room for him in the kayaks, so I had to leave him behind.

  “Poor boy.” Robbie scrambled to shore and gave King an extra good ear rub. “I’m sorry you couldn’t come. Maybe Seth can cut an extra hole in his kayak for you so you can go next time.”

&n
bsp; I dragged our kayaks to shore. “Actually, that’s a really good idea.”

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “I’ll have to ask around, but I think that might be possible.”

  “Cool.” Robbie headed up the trail to the truck with King and me following. As we drove to town, Robbie kept one hand on King and one hand on his skateboard.

  Feeling the need to make a profound statement, I said, “Well, tomorrow’s the big day.”

  “What?”

  “The grand opening of Camp Paintball, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah.” He tore his eyes away from his device and glanced out the window. “Will I have to work every weekend?”

  My heart sank a little. “Don’t you want to be part of Camp Paintball?”

  His eyes shifted down. “I do, but not every weekend.”

  “Fair enough. You definitely don’t have to work every weekend. I just thought it’d be fun to hang out together and—”

  “There they are.” Robbie pointed at his friends standing around the half-pipe. “Just stop here and I’ll get out.”

  “I’ll drive you to the front.”

  “No, I can walk from here.”

  I stopped the truck and looked at the boys who seemed much older. All of them wore helmets as was required by the park’s rules, but not a single one of them had buckled their chin straps, a personal pet peeve of mine.

  “Okay, bye.” Robbie pushed open the door as King whined to go with him.

  I grabbed King’s collar. “Robbie, wait.”

  “What?” He stared at me, impatiently.

  “Wear your helmet, okay?”

  He tapped the top of his helmet. “I am.”

  “Wear it the right way with the chin strap buckled. If you don’t buckle the chin strap, it won’t protect you if you fall.”

  “I know.”

  He started to leave, but I persisted. “Robbie, if you don’t buckle your chin strap, I’m not going to let you stay.”

  “You’re not the boss of me. Abuela is.”

  “Abuela isn’t here right now, so I am the boss of you. Just buckle your chin strap, okay? Safety first.”