On the Verge (Sisters Series Book 3)

by Karen Lenfestey

  Anna’s infancy flashed through Joely’s mind. Sometimes her daughter didn’t sleep because she wanted to stay awake and explore, but other times, she’d screamed bloody murder for no apparent reason. With babies it was so hard to tell. “Does she have a fever?”

  “No. I keep checking every morning and throughout the day. I think I’m going to call the pediatrician tomorrow.”

  “That might give you peace of mind. Does she seem sick?”

  “She cries off and on. But other times, she smiles and tries to roll over. God, there should be a twenty-four hour hotline for new moms.”

  “That’s what sisters are for. Call me when you need to talk.”

  “That’s nice of you to say, but I don’t want to wake you. You already have such a hard time getting a good night’s rest.”

  Joely nodded to herself. “Lately it hasn’t been so bad.” An idea came to her. If pain kept her awake, maybe that was Brianna’s problem. “Could Brianna be cutting a tooth?”

  “How should I know?” Kate sounded exasperated.

  “Does she put her hand in her mouth a lot?”

  “Of course. That’s what babies do.”

  Joely took a breath, trying not to let Kate’s mood rub off on her. “You could give her a cold washcloth to suck on. Why don’t you leave Brianna at home with Mitch and come visit me?”

  “I’m so tired, I don’t know if it’s safe for me to drive.” The baby started crying in the background. “Oh, no. I can’t take much more of this.”

  Empathy surged through Joely. She remembered how a few nights without rest could make you crazy. Feeling helpless to soothe your own baby ratcheted up the pressure even more. Anna had been a handful, always moving at breakneck speed through the milestones: crawling, walking, talking. Kate had been a lifesaver and Joely wanted to return the favor. “Kate, ask Mitch to take over tonight so you can get some sleep.”

  “But I’m her mother. I should be able to comfort her.”

  Apparently, emotions had already replaced rational thinking for Kate. “Put Mitch on the phone.” She wanted to ask on her sister’s behalf for help, but Brianna’s wails intensified.

  The high-pitch crying demanded immediate attention. Kate snipped, “Gotta go” and hung up.

  Disappointment filled the gaps where joy once lived. After all, Joely hadn’t cheered her sister and she hadn’t had the chance to share her own news either.

  # # #

  Monday morning Val groaned when her alarm clock buzzed. She hit the snooze button and rolled over. Then she remembered. She was Mrs. Nathan Sullivan. One eye opened to peek at the man lying beside her. Only he was sitting on the edge of the bed, stretching his arms over his head. The muscles in his back seemed to be putting on a show especially for her.

  “Morning, hubby.” A small pain pushed inside her skull. Spending all day yesterday with her difficult mother had spurred quite a headache. Tossing aside the covers, she forced herself to sit up. Because if she slept in, Chip would miss the bus.

  Nathan pulled on a white T-shirt and crawled across the haphazard comforter to kiss her neck. “Stay in bed a while longer.”

  “I can’t. Chip--”

  “Tell me your routine and I’ll take care of Chip.”

  Turning her head, she looked at him with disbelief. “Really?” Already her mind swirled with possibilities and doubts. Chip moved like a sleepy bear in the mornings and she sometimes had to help him pull on his socks or spoon-feed him breakfast or risk his being tardy. She’d been so looking forward to a few days focused on being a bride rather than a mom. Those plans had been put on hold because Chip’s teacher insisted they needed to talk face-to-face this afternoon. Val’s shoulders slumped just thinking about it.

  Nathan climbed out of bed, cinched the belt of his navy robe and inserted his feet into his sheepskin slippers. “I know Chip eats Lucky Charms for breakfast, but maybe next time we’re at the grocery, we should pick something healthier.”

  She shrugged. It was hard to make her son eat nuts and twigs when she liked her shredded wheat frosted. “Maybe. As far as getting ready for school, he needs to dress first, eat cereal and drink some oj, careful not to spill any on his clothes. Then brush his teeth and make sure his library books are in his backpack. The bus comes at 7:30.”

  At this point, her mind ran through worst case scenarios, like Chip deciding that he wants to wear shorts even though it’s only fifty-some degrees outside or her son deciding that he isn’t hungry for breakfast. She was awake now and might as well get up.

  Nathan put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back into bed. “No, no. This is our first week as a married couple and I want to pamper you. Make sure you don’t have any second thoughts about marrying a grease monkey.”

  She giggled and kissed the hand still on her shoulder. “No regrets. I hope after a morning alone with my son you don’t start to wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  He shook his head. “Not a chance.” Out the bedroom door he slipped and soon she heard him telling Chip it was time to get up. On cue, her son protested, and she pictured him pulling the pillow over his head. She felt the same way in the mornings.

  She found herself eavesdropping on Nathan and Chip’s interactions as she lay in bed with her eyes closed. How lucky was she to stay in bed past six thirty on a Monday morning? Even though she wasn’t leaving town, she was still on vacation from work. Maybe she could take another look at that Spanish-style house with the fountain out front. Her eyes checked the clock. Suddenly she wished it was later so she could call the real estate agent. From the kitchen she heard Chip’s young voice: “Today I don’t want juice. I want what mommy drinks.”

  She cringed. Surely Nathan wouldn’t allow that. Sugary cereal for a kid was one thing, caffeine was another. That was where she drew the line. Straining to hear Nathan’s response, she heard a deep voice say, “Drink your o.j. or you won’t get to bring your Matchbox car to school for show ‘n’ tell.” Her son brought the same yellow Mustang every week. She smiled to herself. Nathan had successfully navigated his way through the irrational mind of a tired seven-year-old.

  After she heard the loud engine and the squeak of the school bus brakes, she ran to the window to watch Chip climb aboard. She waved, hoping he would notice her, but he was busy chatting with the neighborhood kids. Spending the morning away from his mother hadn’t scarred him in any way. In fact, he’d put up less of a fuss with Nathan giving the orders than when she did. Relief and defensiveness wrestled inside her. Having a man around would be good for Chip, but she didn’t like the thought that someone else could handle her son better than she could.

  She shook away the negative thoughts and listened to Nathan rattling around in the kitchen. Then she heard the glass door to the patio slide open. What was he doing outside?

  Finally, she propped both pillows behind her back and flipped the remote control to the Home & Garden channel. Watching TV in bed seemed so indulgent. About twenty minutes later, she discovered another indulgence. Nathan walked into the room carrying a tray with an orchid from her bridal bouquet and French toast with funny black lines across it.

  She sat up a little straighter and turned off the TV. “What’s all this?”

  “Breakfast in bed, of course. Surely you’re familiar with the concept.”

  “Only in Hallmark Mother’s Day commercials. Not in real life.”

  “Well, what’s this tray for then?”

  She shrugged. “Decoration.” The truth was she’d bought a sterling silver tray for one of her clients and liked it so well, she’d purchased another for herself.

  Her mouth started to water. She hadn’t had a hot breakfast in a long time. Since she wasn’t exactly a morning person, she never cooked this early. Chip wasn’t old enough to use the stove and her ex hadn’t bothered to do anything helpful around the duplex. “What were you doing outside?” Then it hit her. The black lines. “Did you grill this?”

  He grinned. “Of course. I grill e
verything.”

  Curious, she cut into her grilled French toast. The first bite didn’t disappoint. Crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. A little squirt of syrup and it was perfect. Her lips turned upward with an “mmmm.”

  “You like it?”

  Nodding, she took another taste. “Who would’ve thought you could make breakfast on a barbecue grill?”

  “Give a man a stove and he’ll order pizza. Give a man a grill and he’ll cook.” He cozied up next to her with his own plate—sans tray—and started cutting. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He left her side and from the sound of his footsteps, he went back to the kitchen. When he returned, he held a coffee cup.

  So, they didn’t know each other that well yet. They had a lifetime to learn. That was the fun part. She offered the obligatory smile and took a sip. But it wasn’t coffee in her cup. It was Dr Pepper. Now she gave him a real smile. “You’re my knight in shining armor.”

  After breakfast, he kissed her on her left cheek, right cheek, and lips. Then he gave her something even more to smile about.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Pay backs are hell, they always say. Around ten a.m. Joely picked up the phone, but didn’t dial. She put down the receiver and paced around her tiny office. Finally, she sat down, took a deep breath and called. “I have something to say and I need you to be happy for me.”

  Val’s voice sounded gravelly, like she hadn’t spoken much yet today. “Sure. What’s up?”

  Joely’s knee bounced up and down. “Jake and I are getting married.” She held her breath, waiting.

  “You said yes this time? Congratulations!” Kindness laced through her voice.

  Joely leaned back in her chair. “I’m glad you’re happy for me. I don’t know how I’m going to tell my sister. She’s definitely not one of Jake’s biggest fans.”

  “That’s only because he hurt you in the past. But he’s Anna’s father and she should understand the need to make it work. I stayed with Chip’s dad longer than he deserved, for Chip’s sake. Two artists should never get married.” She paused and Joely envisioned Val shaking her head. “Of course, we’re not talking about me. Congratulations. Oh, I said that, didn’t I?”

  Her friend was trying to be supportive, which was more than Joely deserved. After all, Nathan had never cheated on his wife, never left Val heartbroken. Nathan was like a rock. A boring, brown rock. And Joely worried his dullness wasn’t a good fit for someone who went skydiving on her twenty-first birthday. Perhaps Jake was right. Val wanted something different these days. “Hey, Val, best wishes to you and Nathan, too. I know that I see sides of Jake that you don’t and it’s probably the same with you and Nathan. I’m sorry if I rained on your parade.”

  “You didn’t.” Through the phone she heard a muffled male voice talking to Val, but she couldn’t make out the words. Then Val uncovered the phone and continued their conversation. “So, are you excited?”

  “Definitely. I was thinking I’d go look at wedding dresses. Are you planning on staying in bed with your hubby all day or would you want to come along?”

  Val giggled and Joely suspected it had more to do with the guy sharing her bed than with her question. Another giggle. “Nathan is thinking about going into work, so I’ll be free.”

  # # #

  On her lunch hour, Joely waited for her friend on a bench outside of the “I Do Bridal Boutique.” She watched Val park her tomato-red Accord.

  Val paused for traffic to let up and crossed the street. “Are you sore today or can I give you a hug?”

  She looked at her friend whose shirt matched the pink streak in her hair. “I could handle a gentle one.” They embraced then squealed like schoolgirls who’d just been asked to go to the prom.

  Val’s face glowed. “It’s been less than forty-eight hours, but I have to report that being married to the right man is better than sleeping alone.” They both laughed. “I’m so excited. Now you and I can be newlyweds together. Maybe we’ll get pregnant at the same time, too.” As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, her expression fell. “I’m sorry. Can you have more kids? I mean, perhaps you don’t want any more. . . .”

  Joely wasn’t sure how to answer. “I would like more, but getting pregnant with Anna was a bit of a miracle. I’d have to go off all of my meds if I got pregnant again.” And that would allow the lupus beast to gnaw at her joints nonstop. She could end up bedridden and in constant pain. She tried to leave those negative thoughts behind as she pulled open the glass door to the boutique. “Let’s go shopping!”

  They looked around a bit before a sales woman, dressed in a peach dress, approached them. She smelled of rose perfume. “Which one of you is the lucky bride?”

  Even though she hadn’t felt especially lucky for a while, Joely raised her hand. Something about chronic pain chipped away at her optimism and made it a challenge to stay her normal, bubbly self. What used to come naturally, now came from conscious effort.

  The sales woman looked Joely up and down through her rectangular-shaped glasses. “I’m guessing you’re a size--.” She threw out a number.

  Joely sucked in her breath. Several sizes larger than she expected. She corrected the sales woman.

  The woman slid her glasses down her nose. “Are you sure? I’m usually spot on.” She studied Joely’s frame a moment longer. “What style do you like?”

  “Do you have anything bohemian?”

  Again, the woman’s face scrunched together disapprovingly. “I have traditional and modern. White-white, candlelight or ivory.”

  Joely looked to Val for guidance. Her friend shrugged.

  The saleswoman adjusted her glasses. “I tell you what. I don’t think we have that many plus-size dresses, so I’ll gather them all and you can try them on.” She led them toward a dressing area with a long, white curtain instead of a door. Joely and Val sat on a big round ottoman while they waited for the woman to return. A few minutes later, she appeared with her arms full of billowy satin and lace.

  Joely took the gown on top and went to change behind the curtain. She squeezed her hips into the mermaid-style dress. Unfortunately, it hurt her shoulders to reach around to the back zipper. Holding the bodice against her chest, she walked back into the waiting area where her friend sat. Thank goodness, the lady in the peach-colored dress had left to assist another customer. “Can you help me?” She turned and Val came over to zip.

  As each tooth of the zipper connected, Joely crossed her fingers tighter. “I feel more like a mummy than a mermaid.”

  Val seemed to struggle with the zipper. “Can you suck in your breath?”

  Joely complied.

  “There.” Val stepped away so they could both check out the front.

  Waddling to the three-way mirror, Joely hated what she saw. Her skin spilled over the sides of the strapless dress. Her once hourglass figure looked as if all the sand had sunk to the bottom. “This is hideous.” She shook her head, remembering how she’d been a size eight before spending years on prescription steroids.

  “It’s not that bad. If you like it, they’ll order a bigger size and it will fit you perfectly.”

  With her head hung low, Joely grabbed the next dress and made her way to the tiny dressing room. This dress had lace sleeves that constrained her movements. She walked out so Val could see. “I don’t know that this is any better.”

  Her friend offered a restrained smile. “Have you set the date?”

  She shook her head. “I thought shopping for dresses would be so much fun, I decided to do it first.”

  “Well, if you knew the season, you’d know whether you could go sleeveless or not.”

  Joely nodded. Did she want to rush into this like Val had? “Was it difficult doing everything in six months?” She looked at Val, remembering how she’d looked so slender and perfect in her wedding gown. Envy poisoned her thoughts for a brief moment.

  Val crossed her tiny legs. “It was a little challenging, but I’ve been married before so I was more relaxed
this time. If you have a certain location in mind for the ceremony or reception, you’re limited if it’s already booked.”

  Joely shrugged. “I don’t have any place picked out. The truth is, once I had Anna, I stopped dreaming about getting married. I just focused on being a good mother.”

  “Of course.” She paused. “It wasn’t ideal that our reception was in a basement, but it doesn’t really matter now that the day is over. In exchange, we have more money for kids’ clothes, family vacations, a house. Speaking of houses, I called the real estate agent today about that 1920’s hacienda and the owners have already accepted an offer.” Her posture slumped a little.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Val shook her head. “I knew we couldn’t afford it anyway.” Her eyes stared off into the mid-distance for a moment. Then her focus returned to Joely. “As far as your wedding goes, figure out what you care about and don’t sweat the other stuff.”

  “That’s good advice. Thanks.” Although she wasn’t sure what mattered. She didn’t belong to a church, so she couldn’t envision where the ceremony would be held. She hadn’t been raised to care about appearances like Jake had. Some place small and intimate would be nice. “I don’t think I want a fancy wedding. Especially since I hardly have any family.”

  “But you have a lot of friends.” Val grinned at her.

  “Thanks.” Forgetting her tight dress, Joely rushed over and gave Val a hug. When she lifted her arms, the lace ripped at the shoulder seam. “Oh shit.” She gawked at the split.

  Just then the saleswoman walked into the dressing area. Her fake friendly expression fell. “You’re going to have to pay for that.”

  Joely changed back into her peasant skirt and blouse as quickly as possible. Before leaving, she allowed the clerk to scan her Visa for the repairs. Hopefully it wouldn’t cost too much. Once outside of the store, she didn’t stay to chat with Val on the sidewalk. Instead, she waved goodbye and went to buy some SlimFast.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Later that night, Val sat next to Chip, still in his race car pajamas, in the ER waiting room. Miserable-looking men, women and children held their bodies where they hurt--their stomachs, their heads, their elbows. She struggled to fill out the clipboard of paperwork the admissions desk had handed her. They wanted to know any and all medical conditions that Nathan had suffered from. Chicken pox, depression, headaches, polio, shingles, substance abuse, whooping cough, etc. What did she know? She didn’t even know the address of his apartment, only how to get there. It was on Cherry Blossom Street. It was on the first floor. A one-bedroom that didn’t have laundry facilities, which was why they’d been staying at her place. So Chip would have his own room until they could agree on a house.