“I wish I could, Serenity. But on the bright side, my friend is supposed to get back to me today with those background checks.”
That piqued my interest. I stopped and stared at William. “Oh!”
“Any calls from Samuel?”
I took a deep breath and sighed. “No, but it’s only been a few days. I wonder if my mom warned him I was coming or something.” I wouldn’t have put it past her. She had sent me a few texts over the last couple days, asking me to reconsider. I wanted to reply to her so badly, but I knew that my response would be brutal and hurt her feelings. She never gave me a straight answer about what made Samuel so bad and why she never gave him a chance. Maybe my life would have been different if she had.
I finished getting dressed as William slipped on his dress shoes. I stared down at my bare feet. Today was going to be one of those days — the I’m-not-going-to-wear-socks kind of day. I grabbed a hair tie from the end table and quickly yanked my disheveled, uncombed hair into a messy bun.
“Are you ready to go?”
I nodded. “What time is it now?”
“Four-twenty.”
I forced myself to the door. Why was my body dragging itself along? Work wasn’t terrible. In fact, I enjoyed it. Maybe it was because I knew that I wouldn’t be spending the night with William. I had become so accustomed to staying over at his place that having to sleep in my own bed seemed foreign to me.
I stared out the window during the short drive to my place.
“I’ll wait for you,” he said as we pulled up.
The lights in my house were on. Did Sophia have a party last night? I had been so busy hanging out with William that I hadn’t even met our new roommate yet. Crystal had moved out a few weeks ago.
I walked inside and found Sophia passed out on the couch with an empty bottle of vodka nearby. I tiptoed around her into the hallway and was making my way toward my bedroom when the bathroom door opened. I jumped.
A woman — my new roommate — staggered out of the bathroom. “Who are you? Party is over.”
I bit my lip. “Um, I live here.” The pit in my stomach tightened. Who has a party on a Tuesday night?
She glared at me, and her mouth twisted as stale booze radiated off her breath.
“I have to get ready for work, so if you’d excuse me.” I walked past her and stopped at my door. A few weeks ago, Crystal announced she was moving out, so I had installed a lock on my door not knowing who was going to be replacing her. Thankfully, my room didn’t seem to have been disturbed in my absence. Not that I had many possessions anyway. I quickly changed into a clean t-shirt and pair of pants. I had been leaving my aprons at work and washing them as needed. Just as when I worked at George’s, I became more relaxed at this new bakery as time passed.
I left my room, locking the door behind me, and headed toward the front door when I was stopped by my new roommate.
“Who are you? If you really live here, how come I’ve never seen you until now?”
“I’m Serenity. And you are?” I asked as politely as possible as I rubbed the back of my neck. The last thing I wanted was conflict.
“Sarah.”
“Well, I’ve really got to go. Tell Sophia I said hi and that I’ll be home tonight.”
She mumbled something that I didn’t catch, but I didn’t care.
I hurried out to the car where William was anxiously waiting.
“Sorry I took so long. I met my new roommate,” I said when I got into the car.
“Oh? How was she?”
“I think she was drunk. So not a good first impression.”
William frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that, hun.”
I shrugged. “Maybe once she sobers up, I’ll have a different impression. I think I might have caught her off guard. Can we just go now?”
He obliged without another word.
After a short drive, William pulled up in front of the bakery. He pulled me into a big hug like always. I smiled, and the embrace lingered. I didn’t want to let go yet. But finally I forced myself to release him.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning, okay?” William said.
“Okay, have a good day. I love you.”
“I love you too.” We shared one last kiss before I headed into work. It was so freeing to say those words without constraint. William checked off every box. I was grateful for him, but I was also proud for staying true to my feelings. I made sure he was for real, before I showed him my true self.
Zina opened the door for me. “Well, good morning.”
“Good morning!”
I nearly floated by her. I was glad to be at work, back where there was a sense of normalcy. After spending a few minutes in the back bathroom and tying a fresh apron around my waist, I was ready to begin my day.
“Did you spend the night with that hunk again?” Zina asked.
I grinned. “Yup. But I also stopped at my place and met the new roomie for the first time.” Though it was unintentional, I let a slight bit of dismay leak into my voice.
“Don’t care for her?”
I shrugged. “When your first time meeting someone is when she’s drunk and acting like you don’t live there, then yeah, I guess I would say that my first impression wasn’t great.” At the same time, I would have probably acted the same way that Sarah did, only I wouldn’t tell Zina that.
Zina kneaded the dough. “I had my share of bad roommates in my day.”
“I’m just waiting for the day I don’t need one.” I knew I’d be stuck with a roommate until I found a better paying job, got a promotion, or the best option, moved in with William.
“It’ll come,” she reassured me.
My hands were on autopilot preparing the day’s cinnamon roll orders.
“Sooner or later,” I whispered.
“So, I take it things are progressing with William.” Zina peeked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.” I smiled. I had been processing everything that had happened over the last few days and keeping my feelings to myself. But why? Zina had been a source of comfort during some pretty shitty days since I started working at the bakery. “I finally told the guy I loved him.”
I thought about when William and I said it to each other. I love you. It came at such the perfect moment: after he went out of his way for me.
“And how does that feel?” Zina asked.
I stopped in my tracks. “Freeing.” I smiled again. I couldn’t seem to shake this damn smile.
“See, I knew you’d say it when the time was right. You two seem like such a cute couple. You obviously put a lot of thought and effort into this relationship. Took things slow and look how it’s playing out for you.”
“He has been there for me so many times. I’m glad I put away my fears wasn’t sure if my thoughts were directed toward Zina or in general.
My mind shifted gears and I couldn’t help but wonder what the background check would come up with. Would Samuel ever text me back? It had been a few days, and I was hoping Claire had passed on my message. She didn’t seem to care for me, but at the same time, I tried to put myself in her shoes. How would I feel if years from now some young girl showed up saying Dayton was her father? Would I be as welcoming?
“Something on your mind?” Zina asked, breaking me out of my stupor.
“Just thinking.”
She had her hands on her hips. “I seen that look out of you before, Serenity.”
I sighed. “It’s just been a busy couple days.”
She nodded. “I’m all ears if you need someone to talk to. I don’t bite.”
I told her about the library, Claire, and what my mom said.
“Wow,” Zina whistled, but took it in stride. “That is quite a journey.”
I pulled a batch of cinnamon buns out of the oven. “I just don’t know what to expect.”
“Hmm.” Zina appeared lost in thought for a moment. “Do you have a list of questions you’d like to ask him? It’s okay to be nervous, but it’s also i
mportant to prepare, at least emotionally.”
My legs trembled. “I have come to accept that if he ever does choose to contact me at all, I may not have a relationship with the guy. But I just need closure. I’ve spent my whole life not knowing who he was.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I couldn’t imagine, dear.”
I forced a laugh. “At least I can say my life isn’t boring and that nothing would surprise me.” I tried to lighten the mood and cheer myself up. Even after the cluster of bullshit I had experienced recently, I wanted so badly for this to go my way. I wanted Samuel to accept me with open arms. I wanted Mom to be wrong about him. I wanted to believe that he hadn’t been there for me for reasons out of his control. It was hard to have one parent who was flaky at best, and then to add a second who, if Mom was telling the truth, couldn’t give a damn about me.
During my mid-morning break, I received a text from William: The background check is done. There is nothing too suspicious. Claire Marrows seems straight, no criminal record, never married, and has lived in the same city for the past twenty years. Samuel lives a few hours from here and has no recent criminal activity within the last ten years.
I grinned. So Samuel appeared to have gotten his life together. That gave me a glimpse of hope. Mom was wrong; people changed, and maybe he did for the better.
Thanks, hun, I responded. I still haven’t heard from him. If only I could find another way to contact him.
I shut off my phone and returned to work. To say I felt relief would have been an understatement, but I still hoped William would have offered some ideas on how to contact Samuel. I had doubts that Claire had passed on my message at all.
As lunchtime approached, the day picked up speed. Work came in waves. It was a nice change of pace since some days dragged on and on, much like life. My life was moving quickly though; there was just so much happening. My mind was filled with so many “what ifs” and thoughts of things out of my control.
“Serenity!” Zina said, coming up to me from the front.
“Yeah?”
“There is a woman here to see you.”
I gnawed at my upper lip. “Oh? Did she give a name?” An empty feeling began to develop in my stomach. My muscles twitched.
“She didn’t specify, but she said it was important. Don’t worry.” Zina leaned in and whispered, “You don’t need to look concerned. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
My nerves lessened a bit. At least she was reassuring.
I walked past Zina to the front. Standing several feet from the till was Claire.
“Hello, Serenity,” she said as I approached.
A rolling flutter erupted from my stomach and shot up to my head and down to my toes.
“H— hi,” I replied.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Yeah, just give me a second.” I turned to go in the back and inform Zina.
I wringed my hands as I passed a co-worker into the back. I approached Zina. “I need to take a quick break if you don’t mind. I really need to talk to her.”
She nodded. “Yes, take all the time you need as long as the order gets done.”
“Thanks.”
I turned and walked back toward the front. Claire had taken a seat by the door.
“We can talk outside.” I whispered.
I got a better look at Claire, my supposed aunt, as we walked out the door. Her hair was very curly, similar to mine. It was slightly darker, but there was definitely a familiarity. I paced a few feet from the front door. “Okay, you have my attention.”
Claire gnawed at her upper lip. “Samuel said he had been trying to get a hold of you but the number you gave me was out of service. I told you I’d pass your number on, but you made me look like a nut, a fool for even entertaining this suggestion.” Claire frowned.
I shook my head. I don’t know why or how he got the wrong number. “I gave you my number.” I shot off my number slowly again.
Claire backed away, her head shaking vigorously. “Don’t blame me. I passed on the number you gave me.”
I wiped the sweat from my forehead. “I’m not blaming you, honest.” I shuffled from foot to foot. Was she trying to sabotage me? I was positive I gave her the right number. “Besides, if I was playing games, wouldn’t I have used a fake name?”
Claire brushed her hair behind her ear casually. “Maybe you’re right.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me your number again?”
I rattled off my number a second time.
“Then it doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “That’s the number I passed on.”
I was so confused. “Could you try again? It’s important.”
She sighed and pulled out her cellphone. “He’s coming to town this weekend, so maybe I can arrange for a meeting.”
I grinned. “Please. I’d love that.”
My heart almost pumped out of my chest. William wasn’t going to believe my luck.
“I’ll text you when I set it up, okay, Serenity?”
I almost reached out to hug her but stopped. “You don’t know how much I appreciate this, Claire.”
She hmphed. “I have to go.”
Without a proper goodbye, she stormed away. I stood there, stunned at what had just happened. What was that? She was an odd duck, that was for sure. Was her brother — my father — anything like her? She was short with me one moment, nice another, then annoyed, and finally abrupt. I couldn’t really prepare for how she would act. I never expected her to track me down to my work. Could she have been stalking me? Something just didn’t sit well with me; she confirmed the number I gave her, and she was sure she had passed it on correctly. Yet it was wrong. Didn’t Samuel double check with his sister when the number didn’t work? I hated all of this. I just hoped that Claire would come through.
I returned to work and wasted no time getting my task done. I had spent longer than I should’ve talking to Claire, and I was behind. Was I in trouble? As I returned to my station, one made eye contact with me Even Zina’s normal cheerful demeanor was flattened even though walk-ins were at all-time high today. Maybe it was all in my head, and I needed to just work.
But finally at 1:20 PM — twenty minutes later than I usually left for the day — I could go home. I checked my phone and still had no new message from Claire. I quickly updated William on what had happened earlier. Then I had to make the journey back to my place. I entertained the hope that Sarah, my new roommate, had gone to work or something. If she was there, I’d have to deal with it though. I just hoped that she had sobered up and was a little more tolerable. I started my trudge back to the apartment.
As I walked toward the front door, I stared absently in front of me, focusing on nothing and everything at the same time as I replayed the afternoon events in my mind. I wondered if Claire was secretly as curious about me as I was about my father. She was reluctant but still made an effort to locate where I worked to pass on a message. But a part of me suspected that she wanted to make me feel just as uncomfortable or awkward as she may have felt when I showed up to where she worked. Or the alternative was that I was simply overthinking it all. I hoped it was the latter.
I walked inside my place. This time, Sarah was passed out on the couch. As I headed for my room, Sophia exited the bathroom. “Hey, Serenity.” Her hair was an uncombed, chaotic mess.
“I take it you and her had quite a fun night last night,” I said, jerking my head to where Sarah lay sprawled.
Sophia frowned. “She really isn’t that bad. She thinks you don’t like her.”
I glared at her. The last thing I needed was to live with a partier. “My first time meeting her, it was evident she had been drinking, so yeah, maybe my first impression of her wasn’t great.”
Sophia matched my angry gaze. “It’s not like that, Serenity.”
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “Then how is it? Enlighten me. Because honestly, before she moved in here, you were never a partier and I—”
; “I broke up with Andre and she thought I needed a distraction,” Sophia blurted out. She bit her lip and looked around nervously.
The tension in my shoulders lessened. “Oh, Sophia, I’m sorry.” In time she’ll realize it was a blessing in disguise. He was no good, and she did deserve better, I thought, but bit my tongue instead.
“It was for the best.” She clenched her fists. “Men are such pigs.”
“Some are, yes.” Sophia obviously hadn’t spent much time around William. To be fair, it was kind of difficult for her to do so since I never brought him around, but she didn’t realize William was one of a kind. He wasn’t a pig or a jerk. He was special to me in more ways than one.
She softened her expression. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. How are things going for you? I feel like we haven’t talked in forever.”
Uh, because you are literally mean to me every time I try to talk to you, I desperately wanted to add. Instead I said, “I’m good.”
“Are you planning on staying tonight?”
I nodded. “Yup. William’s busy tonight.” Please, stop talking to me! I wanted to scream.
“Oh, I have an idea!” Sophia clasped her hands together and then clapped excitedly. “You, Sarah, and I should have a girls’ night!”
I cringed at the thought of spending any amount of time with Sophia, let alone spending a night with her and basically a stranger. That was not my idea of fun. Sophia and I had just started to get along after spending the better part of my occupancy here at odds with her and her shitty attitude. So why did she think we were suddenly friends?
“What do you say?” she asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m kinda tired…”
“Come on, Serenity, please!” she begged.
I swore to myself on the inside, but I didn’t know what to say or how to let her down gently that I wasn’t interested. But there she was, standing there and looking so excited that I didn’t want to turn her down. Plus, I couldn’t think about the last time I went out, and I had some extra money since William had been buying the groceries lately. Still frowning, I just sighed. “Okay, fine, sounds good. But I have to work tomorrow, so we have to be home by midnight!”
Leaving The Pieces Behind Page 14