“Has to be better than whiskey.” At least that was honest, even if I hadn’t intended to say it out loud.
A quirky smile that was difficult to decipher appeared on her face. “Depends on who you ask.” She sipped her drink. “Tell me about your article.” Meg leaned forward in her chair, eager to delve into the nitty-gritty of my research, probably knowing that was the safest way to handle me.
“Don’t you have a movie to catch?”
Meg glanced at her watch. “Oh! How’d that happen?” She downed the rest of her coffee, and part of me hoped it burned.
I leaned back in my seat, relieved at least that tactic worked.
Meg snatched the journal. “I’ll read this tonight, and if you want, we can get together in a week or two. That’ll give me some time to let the ideas marinate.” She tapped the rolled-up pages against her temple.
Well, it didn’t take long for my relief to turn into an oozing pool of shit.
“You don’t have to.” Seriously, don’t.
She peered down into my eyes. “I want to.”
“Maybe.” I offered a wary shrug, knowing not only didn’t I want to, but Sarah would be adamantly opposed. For good reason. Just like old times, Meg was putting her needs first, and I was letting it happen.
Meg placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “I’d like that. If you can.” She dashed out of the joint.
Why couldn’t I put the brakes on this impending train crash?
So much for having fortune cookie magic on my side. Somehow, Meg had said a few mollifying things and I’d let her weasel her way back in. I buried my face in my hands.
“Lizzie?”
I parted my hands and saw Bailey holding a textbook. “Hey.”
“You okay?”
“Splendid.” I straightened in my chair.
Bailey laughed. “Janice warned me about your aversion tactics. Was that Meg?” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder at the door Meg had recently bolted through.
“Yep.”
“That explains it.”
I had to laugh. “It does?”
“Janice also gave me the heads-up that she might be on the hunt for you. Want to talk?”
I pointed at the book. “What class is that for?”
“I’ll take that to mean you don’t want to talk. Music theory.” She slipped into the chair across from me.
“You’re serious, then? About your band and music?”
She pushed her glasses back into place. “I think so. It’s hard, though, figuring out how to get noticed and build a brand.”
“Sarah’s been reading some books about it. Branding, I mean. Not bands. Ask her for some recommendations.”
“I will.”
I tapped the green pen against the edge of the table. “You know, since the start of school I wondered if you were actually enrolled in classes.”
“Why didn’t you ask me? Or call my grandmother?”
“Sometimes, I think it’s best to wait to see how you can help someone.” I leaned over the tabletop and whispered, “And Dottie scares me.”
“She means well.” She shrugged.
“But…?”
“She has her heart set on me being a doctor or lawyer or something along those lines.” She slumped down into her chair.
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I see. Not that you want my advice, but if you were to ask me, I’d recommend following your own path, but don’t close the door on other possibilities.”
“That’s why I’m considering teaching music.” She smiled, perking up some. “Fred really loves the drums. I know he’s super young, but I see a spark in his eyes when there’s music.”
“Then it’s a good thing his nanny is a music fan, which is not my specialty.”
“Understatement of the century!”
“That’s harsh.”
“Any adult who claims ‘The Monster Mash’ is their favorite song knows nothing about music. But next semester I’m taking Western Civ, so maybe we can work something out. I’ll load up your iPod, and you can tutor me.”
“Deal.” I stuck out a hand to seal the deal. “Are you studying for a test?”
“Yep. Meeting a classmate. Can I borrow a pen?” She glanced down at my stash.
“Take the blue one.” I didn’t want to touch the one Meg had fondled.
She gleefully swiped it. “Thanks!”
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I head home to help Sarah with the twinks.” And fill her in on my inability to cut Meg out of my life.
Yet.
Chapter Nineteen
Two days later, Maddie cornered me right when I stepped through the door from the garage into the kitchen. Grabbing my hands, even the one still clutching my workbag, she said, “Say yes.”
“Thought you knew, but I’m married.” I yanked my left hand from hers and wiggled my ring finger.
“Who’d want to marry you?” Maddie stepped back. “Except for Sarah. Your soul mate. You two are the definition of happily married.”
“Nice recovery,” Sarah chimed in, standing on the other side of the island, holding a coffee cup in both hands.
“Where are the twinks?”
“With Bailey. Can’t you hear the racket?” She cupped her ear.
I mirrored her. “Maracas, drums, and…” I strained to hear. “Triangle, perhaps?”
Sarah nodded. “We may have to soundproof the nursery if the music lessons continue.”
“Freddie does love the drums.”
“Yeah, yeah. They’re musical prodigies.” Maddie hopped up and down. “Can we get back to the matter at hand and, more importantly, to Lizzie saying yes?”
I slid onto the closest barstool, exhausted from teaching, polishing an article, grading, and the latest department meeting. “Enlighten me.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “There’s a weekend retreat for children’s authors. Rose, Troy, and I have signed up.”
“That’s great news!” I reached for her shoulder. In the past, I hadn’t always been super supportive of her passing whims, so I really wanted to make a better effort. “I wholeheartedly support you in this.”
She flicked off my hand. “Sarah says she can’t go.”
I swiveled around to my wife, cocking my head. “Why not?”
Sarah strained her eyes to convey her thoughts. “I can think of two reasons. They go by Ollie and Freddie.”
I crossed my arms. “You don’t trust me with the twinks?”
Her eyes bored further into mine.
“I have been left with them before.”
“For a few hours, here and there. Never for an entire weekend. Alone.”
“News flash!” I waved my hand in the air, pretending to read a headline. “I am one of their mothers.”
Her face wasn’t warming to the idea.
I mulled this over. “Let’s change gears. Do you want to go to the retreat? We’ve talked about you starting a hobby or something more.”
“It’d be a great opportunity to see if this is something I really want to pursue. Right now, the concept is in its infancy, but I don’t know. It could turn into something.” It was clear she was trying to mask her excitement.
“Then go.”
Maddie clamped a hand on my shoulder. “I told you Lizzie would be fine with it. There are only a few hours left to register.” She set to work on her tablet.
Sarah covered the screen with her hand. “Not so fast.”
Maddie pried her fingers away. “I’m signing you up,” she said through gritted teeth.
I skirted the island and took Sarah in my arms. “I’ve got this.”
“This—we’re talking about our children.”
“Oh, I’m aware of their connection to us. With insurance, benefits forms, wills, birth certificates—I now know their names, birthdates, identifying marks, and social security numbers by heart. I may be able to sketch out their fingerprints if needed.”
“This isn’t a joke.”
“And it’s
not life or death, either. One weekend. I can handle one weekend on my own. Throughout history, women have been able to care for their young.”
“I don’t give a damn about women in history.”
“I’ll try not to mention that to our daughter or liberal son.” I flashed a teasing smile. “You’re going. What will make you feel better? See if Bailey will stay with me? Hire a nurse and pediatrician for the weekend?” I grinned. “Recruit the National Guard?”
“Don’t put national emergencies into my head,” she said, the defiance in her expression lessening.
“The way the current administration is operating, they probably don’t have anyone staffing the National Guard phone lines anyway.”
Sarah’s nostrils flared. “Are you trying to talk me out of going?”
“No. I’m telling you nothing bad will happen while you’re gone. I won’t let it.”
“You’ll miss your Sunday morning ride.”
I laughed. “Is that your best last-ditch effort?”
Sarah buried her face in the crook of my neck.
Maddie let out a whoop. “Everyone is confirmed. This is going to be so much fun!” She did a happy dance.
Chapter Twenty
The doorbell rang. It’d been one hour since Sarah had cleared out for the retreat. She’d texted at least a dozen times and called on three separate occasions. When I flung the door open, I half expected to see her.
Instead, it was Ethan and Casey.
“Color me not surprised.”
Ethan hoisted pizza boxes. “Casey and I thought we’d start a Friday night pizza club. Are you and the twinks in?”
Since I had a twin on each hip, I jerked my head for them to enter. “Did Sarah provide you with the excuse for dropping in unannounced?”
“Not verbatim.” Ethan followed his daughter to the kitchen.
I maneuvered Freddie into his high chair and then Ollie. “Where’s Lisa?”
“Girls’ night out. Do you have paper plates?”
I sighed. “As much as I hate to admit it, considering the planet’s days are numbered, yes. It’s best to have them for when my best friend decides to pop in with his daughter. I’m blaming you for me partaking in the ruination of the planet.”
Ethan flicked his hand for me to get on with it.
“In the cabinet next to the microwave.”
He counted out three plates. “At least they’re eco-friendly.” He held one at eyelevel. “I’m guessing not cheap.”
“Not by a long shot.” I heated up dinner for the twins. “There’s milk and other beverages in the fridge. Go ahead and start. I’m used to having cold meals. I don’t think I can remember otherwise.”
He gave a knowing smile. After retrieving milk for Casey and a diet soda for himself, he settled at the table. Flipping the lid to the top box, he said, “Here you go, Casey.”
She dug in.
I sat between the twins, laying out their finger foods. “Is your luggage in the car?”
“I’m only on the hook for Friday night dinner and a movie.”
“We’re going to the movies?” I asked, struggling to picture the twins patiently sitting in a dark theater.
Ethan sipped his soda. “No. We’re going to watch one here. Meaning we’ll put one on for the kids and you and I can talk or read.”
“Daddy always reads when I watch movies.” She slurped up a piece of cheese dangling from her mouth.
“He’s a smart man.” I scooted a piece of chicken closer to Freddie’s hand.
Casey shook her head as if she’d caught me in a lie. “That’s not what Mommy said yesterday.”
“Casey, would you like another slice?” Ethan asked.
She nodded but continued. “Mommy called him a word I’m not allowed to repeat.”
“I’m sure Aunt Lizzie doesn’t want to hear about it.” Ethan squirmed in his seat.
“Oh, I do. Go on.” I motioned for Casey to continue.
“Once, when I said the word, I was put in a time-out. Not Mommy.” Casey gulped her milk, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
Ethan, much relieved Casey didn’t fill me in completely, nodded his sympathy. “The world isn’t fair, kiddo.”
“I have a boyfriend,” Casey blurted. “We have a date tomorrow.”
I smiled at Casey. “Is he picking you up? Make him come to the door. Not just honk.”
“We’re meeting in a park.” Her shrug implied that was how kids did it these days.
I had to stifle a laugh.
“I’m looking for a girlfriend.” She smacked her lips.
“Casey is determined to keep her options open with all things in life.” Ethan placed another slice on Casey’s plate.
“Me too,” I said. “At least when it comes to finding a girlfriend.”
Casey’s face twisted into confusion. “What about Sarah?”
“She’s my wife.” Part of me felt guilty for teasing Casey.
“That means you can’t have a girlfriend,” she said with conviction, adding a flourish of her neck to push the point home.
“Not according to Sarah.” I handed Ollie a piece of steamed broccoli.
Ethan raised an eyebrow but didn’t press.
Casey tossed her crust onto Ethan’s plate. “Can I watch now?”
“After you take care of your plate.”
“Do you recycle or reuse them?” she asked me.
“Unfortunately, grease doesn’t recycle all that well. Just toss them into the trash can under the sink.”
She skipped to the sink and raced past the table into the family room.
“Do you need help with Netflix?” I asked, starting to get out of my chair.
She showed the universal stop sign. “I got it.”
“Last weekend, I locked myself out of my cell phone and she fixed it.” Ethan grabbed another slice from the grease-stained box. “What’s this about finding a girlfriend?”
I finally selected a slice for myself. “Oh, Sarah’s concerned because I don’t have a crush on anyone. She thinks it’s unhealthy not to lust after someone else.”
“Susan Sarandon’s character in Bull Durham. I hate baseball, but after seeing that film, I briefly considered playing.”
“You and baseball? Heck, I didn’t even know you watched films about baseball or any sport.” I shook my head, unable to put the two together. “I should have tossed out a celebrity’s name. Once Sarah gets one of her crackpot ideas into her head…” I circled a finger around my temple, followed by taking a bite of pizza.
Freddie shoved all the food off his tray with both hands.
“I think he’s done,” Ethan said.
“I don’t know how he has so much energy considering he hardly ever eats. The doctor says it’s normal.” I eyed him with worry.
“Children know when to stop.” Ethan licked his fingers. “Unlike adults. Another slice?” He added the final from the first box to his plate, immediately opening the spare pepperoni.
I nodded. “When Lisa called you this name, did you throw me under the bus again?”
“She wouldn’t let me.” He pouted.
“Poor baby. You must have screwed up big time. Does it relate to why your wife is having girls’ night out?”
“Absolutely. If the doorbell rings, don’t answer it. I want to finish dinner before being served divorce papers.”
I held my slice midair, the tip flopping downward. “You aren’t really worried about that, are you?”
His non-reply was damning.
I whistled. “What’d you do?”
“Said no.”
“To sex? When have you ever said yes?” I asked in all seriousness.
He glared at me. “To having another child,” he whispered.
Ollie started to fuss.
“Grab Fred before she really gets going. We can set them up in the room with Casey.”
“We should keep an eye on them, or Sarah will kill me. She was clear with her directive.” He rose.
<
br /> “I can set up the video monitors if you want to talk in the kitchen.”
He shook his head and swept Fred into his arms. “Come on, little man. Movie time with Casey and Uncle Ethan.”
The fight must have been a doozy, hence his reason for killing any chance of discussing it further by moving into the room with Casey.
With Ollie in my arms, I said, “The one thing I’ve learned about marriage is every day, no matter what, is a battle and a victory.”
“Yes, but for whom?”
“History’s written by the winners.” I shrugged.
“Does that mean you won’t be writing the history of the Petrie-Cavanaugh clan?” he joked, but his eyes gleamed with worry.
Casey paused The Little Mermaid, catching the twins up on what they’d missed. Fred, sitting on the carpet, to his credit, looked as if he followed every word. Ollie leafed through a numbers, colors, and shapes chunky board book.
“She takes after you,” I said to Ethan.
He smiled proudly. “Uncles can have a mighty effect.”
“I’ll have to teach her about having the book right side up.”
Ethan didn’t balk. “She’s honing her spy craft skills.”
I put a finger to the side of my nose and then pointed it at him. “Got it. Tell me, my favorite spy, who does Sarah have lined up tomorrow to stop by.” I made quote marks.
“Helen.”
I patted the top of my noggin. “I should have been able to figure that out.”
“There aren’t many options considering most of the people you know are at the retreat. If you had read more books upside down as a child, you’d have better problem-solving skills.”
“Where’s your book?” I made a show of seeking a hidden text in his deep pockets.
“Funny thing, I didn’t bring one. Are you actually going to let me read?”
“What else would we do on a Friday night while the wives are away and the kids are engrossed in quiet activities?”
“I knew there was a reason we got along.” He strode into the library.
I cracked the spine of The Nighingale, a World War II novel I’d picked up two months ago but hadn’t opened until tonight.
A Conflicted Woman Page 20