“I’m fine. I’m fine.” I stood up and walked to the row of mirrors, checking my dress. Everything was in order. I turned to her. “Did you actually have to go to the bathroom or were you just trying to get away?”
“My nerves are bad,” she said, shakily. She seemed like she didn’t know where to put her hands and I realized she was shaking and trying to keep herself from falling apart.
I reached out, wrapping my fingers around her wrist and pulling her to me. “Breathe. We’re going to be okay. We’ve got this.” I put my arms around her and hugged her tight.
She exhaled wearily. I felt her hands came up my back and hang at my shoulders. “I hate this,” she whispered.
“It sucks but if we get it over with then we can move on. So, let’s get ourselves together and get back out there before they start wondering if something’s wrong.”
“Fine,” she sighed but I could tell she didn’t really want to go.
She pushed herself off of me and stood. I watch her make fists of her hands a few times before shaking them out and holding them in front of her stomach like she usually did.
Next thing I knew we were walking back out to the table. I could actually see her feet slow as she appraised the situation and hesitated. I walked into her gently, pushing her back just a bit.
“Oh, there you are slow poke,” her mom joked. “The waitress came by and we had to order.”
We sat down and I reached up to take a sip out of my water glass.
“That’s fine,” Olivia said.
Neither of us were going to eat much anyway.
“Are you girls looking forward to graduation?” Her father asked.
Olivia looked like she was going to roll her eyes and then she nodded a little.
“Of course. The end of high school and all.”
A waiter came by and began pouring wine. I covered my cup to keep him from giving me any. Olivia gave me a strange look.
“And where are you going to go to college, Avery,” her mom butted in.
“Well, I got accepted to a few places and I know where I want to go but I just have to try and get the financial problem solved. I’d really like to go to Stanford.”
“Oh, that’s where Olivia is attending! You two can be roommates. That will save us having to pull some strings to get her a single. Not that we mind doing it.”
I nearly choked on my own tongue. She wanted us to be roommates. Priceless.
“I hope so but I’ll just have to see if I can swing it.”
“Oh, you’ll get it figured out and if we can do anything to help we will. You seem like a nice young lady and you should save your money for that wedding. I’m sure you’re already planning.”
I paused a second. That was a strange thing to say.
“I noticed you're not drinking,” her mother smiled suspiciously. “You're not-”
“No Mom. She's not,” Olivia pushed the words out angrily. “Why? Would that be the only reason someone in high school would want to be devoted?”
I didn't even have time to think it before Olivia was jumping down her mother's throat.
“I didn't say that,” her mother teased at innocence. She obviously liked getting a rise out of her. “But that's good it's not the circumstance. Medical developments have changed so much since I was your age.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Olivia asked, fuming.
“Calm down Olivia.” Her mother said, all pleasantness gone as authority took right over. “No need to make a scene.” She looked over at her and I knew the next thing out of her mouth would not be good. “But Avery, tell me, how did you become friends with my daughter. You seem well-adjusted, beautiful too. Olivia’s not the easiest person to have fun with, as you can see. She's kind of a stick in the mud. Her head in a book or always off somewhere. She doesn't make it too easy to connect. Did she help you or something? Now that I'd understand.”
Now, I was getting a little pissed. Her mother was a bitch. To say those things right in front of Olivia and to a virtual stranger. It was insane. “I think she’s a lot of fun.” I grinned, thinking about what her reaction would be if I told her how I had fun with her daughter in their hot tub not two hours ago.
“She interviewed me for the yearbook and we just hit it off.”
“A lot of fun?” Her mother laughed, surprised. I watched her lean into her husband’s shoulder and laugh just a tiny bit.
I could not be disrespectful to Olivia’s mother as much as it pained me.
“Alright, enlighten me then. How does she amuse you?”
“Well, we swim together and get some exercise. You know, I like to get Olivia out of the house. We went to the beach the other day for a while and we went for a hike when we were on the ski trip.”
“Goodness,” her mother laughed. “Olivia, you didn’t tell me you made a friend.”
“Mom,” Olivia said sadly. “You’re being weird.” Her tone now was sort of depressed. All her fire was gone.
“Seriously though, Olivia. You never invite people over. You never talk to me about your life. I come home one day and you’re mad at me for not asking. How am I supposed to care for you at all if you don’t let me in?”
The atmosphere got heavy and the food began to come.
“You pick me apart,” was all Olivia said. “I can’t share with you. You pick me apart.”
“Olivia,” her father warned, no real force in his voice just that warning of what she was going to start.
“You too,” she said, taking a bite of something quickly and looking up at him directly for the briefest and most intense little stare. “I was mad because I finally realized I should say it’s all wrong.”
The wait staff all but disappeared.
“Right,” her mother said, picking up her wineglass and leaning back to stare at Olivia and then over at me. “Poor Olivia. Such a hard life we’ve given you,” she teased, looking to me for concurrence. “And what made you realize Olivia?” It was almost like she fucking knew. “What was it? The straw that broke the camel’s back? There’s always a straw.”
“I dunno,” Olivia said. “Perhaps it was Brian.”
“No,” her mother sighed, looking over at me. “You know, I don’t think it was...”
She let that thought hang there, eye’s dancing meticulously over me.
“If you two are done fighting perhaps we can show Avery a good time instead of a bad one,” Olivia’s father suggested. “If I had a handsome man waiting for me to get home I’d be all about having fun while I was allowed.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. It was a funny thing for a guy like him to say.
I felt Olivia’s hand beneath the table, moving to hold onto mine.
When I looked over at her I could tell she was trying her best not to cry.
“The only man waiting for me at home is my father, Mr. Holbrook.” I smiled and tried to take the heat off of Olivia for at least a second. “He did give me a curfew for tonight.”
“Almost married, yet still a curfew?” Olivia’s mother asked carefully.
“Well, still technically in high school and all and my dad is old fashioned.”
“That’s a horrible thing. We’d never give Olivia a curfew. You’re adults. If you don’t learn now you’ll never learn. Trying for anything different is reaching.”
“He’s not usually home,” Olivia said, looking up at her and staring. “Not used to being a father again. He’s frustrated. It makes sense.”
“And I haven’t been home much since we got back from the trip.”
“Why not?” Her mother asked, looking at both of us, waiting for something. “You know, Olivia,” her mother sat back and set her fork down. “I get the strangest feeling you’re not telling me something.”
“That’s because I’m not,” Olivia said, leaning back in her chair and taking the wine glass up to mimic her mom.
“Alright, you know. I can’t take you like this,” her father said, addressing her. I watched Olivia’s eyes shake an
d her body twitch. But then her father turned his gaze to his wife. “I don’t like this Elizabeth,” he said, standing up quietly and nearly whispering it. “Avery, forgive me,” he said, looking down at me. “I’m going to go have a cigar and maybe some bourbon.”
I drew back, making myself smaller, my posture rigid. It was getting out of control and I felt helpless to do anything other than sit there and watch them battle it out.
“Why should I tell you anything?” Olivia asked once he had gone.
“When did you get like this?” Her mother seemed angry now. “Haven’t we given you everything? Haven’t we been what you needed, what you wanted?”
“What I wanted hasn’t mattered for a very long time. And you’ve made that perfectly clear.”
“Olivia,” her mom seemed shocked.
“Um, maybe we should go,” I suggested.
People were starting to stare and I knew Olivia was about to burst her lid.
“You love her right?” Her mother asked, surprising me. “That’s what this is. I know that ring,” she explained. “You’re afraid to tell me you love her because you think I’ll be horrible. Well, that’s not happening Olivia. I’m not that person.”
Olivia took in a shaky breath and exhaled, tears welling in her eyes.
There was silence and then the smallest little voice.
“I didn’t know how to tell you,” she said quietly.
“Honey,” her mom scoffed a laugh, tears surprising her too.
I watched her mom stand up and pull her up out of her chair.
Like some crazy scene from some horrible sitcom they were actually hugging.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia cried.
“No,” her mom laughed, holding her. “No, sweetie. No.”
I just stared at them, shocked. I thought I was probably going to pass out. We had been dreading this since we got together and now that her mom knew, they were hugging. She wasn't flipping out. Everything was okay. I couldn’t fathom.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia cried.
“No,” her mom kept saying. “I’m happy,” she said, holding Olivia’s face and looking down at her. “You never laugh. You hide yourself away. You’re never happy. Your father and I, we’ve been worried about you, worried we ruined you for mankind but now this...”
“I thought you’d hate me,” she said.
“Honey,” her mom laughed bitterly. “We could never hate you. That’s ridiculous.”
I felt like a weight was gone from me. I didn’t have to pretend or play like I didn’t love Olivia anymore and even though she was crying, I knew she would be so much happier now that this unexpected thing had happened.
“What about Dad?” Olivia asked, her voice breaking.
“I’ll talk to him,” her mother said. “You know he wants you with some old rich doctor. That fantasy for him won't soon come undone.”
“I know,” Olivia laughed through tears.
“Oh Avery,” her mom said, letting go of her and moving to take my hands. “You two are horrible at lying,” she said with teary eyes, pulling me in to hug me. “A judge knows!”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I smiled. “I’m really glad you know now. We hated not being honest.”
“I’m glad I know too,” she laughed, squeezing me. “You must’ve worked some sort of miracle to get Olivia to open up. I don’t quite know what to say other than thank you and I’m glad.”
“It wasn’t a miracle. I think it was just the right place at the right time and we were supposed to meet. She helped me a lot. I wasn’t exactly the most open before I met her either.”
I met the the judge’s eyes, seriously. “I love Olivia with everything that I am and I will never purposefully hurt her. I am just thankful that you brought her into the world.”
I didn't mean to get so weird and sappy but I wanted her to know that I was there to protect her daughter and love her.
“Uh oh,” Olivia’s mom said, looking over at her. “A smooth talker. This isn’t good.”
Olivia laughed.
“And you better not hurt her,” her mother said. “I’m not exactly a person you’d want to piss off. Olivia knows.” It was supposed to be funny but it freaked me out.
“Only when I’m not trying,” I laughed. “Ask Olivia. I’m pretty bad with words otherwise and don’t worry about that. I fully understand and will protect her at all costs.”
“Well, you’ll have to,” she said. “That is how it works. Til death do you part.”
“Can you two please stop,” Olivia asked. “Everyone’s staring.”
“No,” her mother said. “Well, okay,” she decided.
I watched her walk around and return to her seat. Olivia sat down too so I followed.
Like nothing happened, they both got quiet and started to eat.
“I’m sorry I freaked out,” Olivia said, setting her fork down.
“Stop apologizing,” her mother ordered before looking over at me. “Have you thought about the wedding?” She asked, her eyes shooting up.
“No, we haven't even talked about it really. We were more worried about immediate concerns. Like telling our parents.” I felt far more comfortable speaking now, knowing that I wasn’t going to ruin anything.
“I like having Avery around,” her mother said, her tone turning up. “She tells me all the things you’re too scared to say.”
“It’s pretty terrifying,” Olivia said honestly.
“You know I actually thought you were asexual? I rented all sorts of books from the library and talked to a specialist.”
“What?!” Olivia laughed, looking up at her and realizing she was serious. “You could’ve asked me. Avery’s not the first person I…” her voice trailed off.
I covered my mouth to hide laughter and so I wouldn’t spit out my food.
“Oh?” Her mom’s blush was intense, she obviously wanted to know.
“When I first met her she was dating a model,” I said.
“Olivia?!” Her mother nearly yelled in amusement.
I had a feeling Olivia was going to kill me later but it was worth it.
“Just because Avery says something doesn’t mean I want to talk about it,” Olivia said.
“Okay,” her mom said, looking over at me and rolling her eyes. Apparently getting information from Olivia was like pulling teeth for Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook. “What kind of a model?” She asked me, trying to get it all.
“To preserve my future marriage I am going to have to plead the fifth. Well, not the fifth technically, cause that’s self-incrimination but you get the drift.”
“Well, fine, as long as that’s code for: I’ll tell you later when Olivia’s doing something painfully important that can’t wait.”
I cleared my throat and adjusted my seat, waiting until Olivia looked away to send a wink the judge’s way. I had a feeling that sneaking into my house was off now. I couldn’t imagine us tempting fate to spend the night together only to have to sneak around in the morning. At least the possibility of my dad telling her parents wasn’t a big deal now.
“I can’t believe you thought I was asexual,” Olivia said, taking a bite of her food and smiling half embarrassed and half amused.
“You didn’t really leave me any hints,” her mom said.
“Yeah well, hints for something like this? Sort of embarrassing,” Olivia reminded.
“Don’t worry, my parents had no idea either. You’re not alone.”
I finished off the rice on my plate and set down my spoon. Olivia’s father was drifting back toward the table, a glass in his hand. He looked a little happier than when he left.
“Is the fighting done?” He asked. “I came to have a nice dinner with my wife and my daughter.” He scooted down into his chair.
“Your daughter has proposed marriage,” her mom said.
“Marriage?! To whom?!”
Her mom held up her hand and motioned it to me.
“Oh-” He said, almost freezing in time. “A
hhh-Ya know,” his voice was high pitched and that was not normal. “I-I think I’ll go have another drink. Unrelated,” he said, standing up and walking off. “Unrelated,” he muttered to himself.
I watched him walk away again. At least he hadn’t blown up. He just looked a little lost. I hoped he made it back to the bar.
“Thank you for dinner, Judge Holbrook.”
“Stop trying to butter me up Avery, it won’t work.”
When I looked up though she was smiling at me in her sort of devious way.
I didn’t know if I should laugh or not so I just settled for some noise between a cough and a laugh. “And here I thought I was doing so well with the free flow of Olivia information.”
“Well, tell me more. Maybe you’ll win back my good graces. There’s a lot I want to know that she won’t tell me.”
“I am right here at this table,” Olivia said. “I can hear you both.”
“Such a stick in the mud,” her mom teased. “Oh, I have one!” Her mother exclaimed. “How’d Olivia propose?”
“Well, she did it twice really but the second time she took me to this really pretty place and got down on her knees and said a lot of insanely sweet and wonderful things and then gave me the ring.”
I wasn’t sure if Olivia was going to be mad about me telling her mom things about us. This was not the outcome we had planned for.
Olivia ran out of wine and reached over to steal her dad’s.
“You’ve shaken her up,” her mother said. “Your father proposed to me on a dock,” her mom directed the words to her and not me.
“What?” Olivia said, looking over at her with a strange sort of stare.
“Oh my God, Olivia proposed to me on a dock!”
Her mom took a deep breath in and ran her hands over her face from her forehead down.
“I think I need more wine,” she laughed, fanning herself.
It was too strange a coincidence. “Did you know?” I turned to Olivia and saw her shaking her head no.
“Wow, fate.”
So many things kept appearing to us, giving indications that we were on the right path. I didn’t know how to take this one. To mirror her parents proposal? I could only shake my head. My phone buzzed and I looked down. The time was getting kind of close.
Paper Dolls [Book Two] Page 19