by Alicia Rae
There is hope yet for my cooking skills.
The three of us took our seats. Pearl chose the place setting next to me while Jason sat at the head of the table on my opposing side. We each dug right in to our meals. Questions started filling my mind about why this little girl had shown up at my door so early in the morning. It wasn’t that I minded in the slightest. I couldn’t help but wonder what this Diane woman had been up to so early that she would leave a seven-year-old home alone. I wanted to give Pearl some time to settle in and feel comfortable with Jason and me, but I couldn’t help my growing concerns. So, I decided to make light conversation to see if she would open up to me.
“So, Pearl, where is Diane today?” I asked gently in the middle of bites.
She swallowed a huge mouthful of pancake before shrugging. “I don’t know. Diane said she would be back sometime later.”
My eyes widened, utterly horrified with her answer. How could a grown-up just leave Pearl unattended? And Pearl has no idea where Diane is in case of an emergency? That was preposterously wrong on every level in my books.
I looked up at Jason, seeing his expression mirroring my own. His jaw was set, and a forkful of pancake was stopped midair.
“Does she leave you home alone a lot?” I asked. My gut churned, fearing I already knew the answer.
“Yep,” she answered. Then, she turned to look at me. “It’s okay though. I’m used to it.”
I had to fight the sudden urge to go over and voice my opinions to this Diane woman. For one, she wasn’t even home, and two, it would not help the situation at all. I took a deep breath. I longed to directly ask the one question Pearl had always seemed to avoid in previous months by changing the conversation to a different topic.
“Is Diane your mom?” I asked her softly.
Her posture went rigid in her seat, and she was silent for what felt like an eternity, the question hanging in the air between the three of us. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t have a mom…or a dad,” she trailed off.
Tears blurred my vision, and a profound pain unbearably seized my heart for this little girl who I had come to love like one of my own family members.
Before I could form a careful response, Pearl jumped up from the table. “Excuse me,” she nearly cried before running in the direction of my bedroom.
I watched her until she disappeared around the corner, knowing she had been back there before while helping me make scrapbooks during happier times. I felt like the room was spinning, and I lowered my head while forcing myself to breathe in and out as my blood pumped harshly inside of me. That poor girl was experiencing something no child should ever have to bear. There seemed to be so many missing parts from her story.
A warm hand enclosed over mine, gently squeezing. “Are you okay?” Jason asked quietly.
I met his stare, overwhelmed with so many emotions. His body was as tense as mine, yet his eyes were filled with compassion and sympathy.
“Yes,” I lied, trying to keep my voice strong, not wanting him to see my weakness. I was lost, and I had no idea how to help Pearl, but I wanted to anyway. I wanted to help her find her way—and it wasn’t fair to drag Jason through this. “I never should have asked her that,” I murmured more to myself than him. I rose to my feet, breaking our hands apart. “I think you should go,” I whispered.
I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew it was for the best. Pearl needed me, and it was my fault that she was so upset.
“Abbey…” Jason countered. His tone didn’t sound like he accepted my request.
I knew it wasn’t a solution, but it was all I had right now.
I turned on my heels, not able to look at him again or I’d cave. A new set of tears filled my eyes. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow,” I replied, striding toward my room without a backward glance.
I reached my bedroom, but the door was shut. I gently knocked. It was time for Pearl and I to have one of those heart-to-heart talks. I prayed I wasn’t overstepping any invisible boundaries, but at this point, my heart was in too deep, and I had no other option. I could not walk away from her.
“Pearl, sweetie, can I come in?” I asked tenderly.
I could hear her sniffle through the closed door.
“Yes,” she replied.
I turned the knob and opened the door to see Pearl curled up in a ball on my bed, her face buried in my pillow. I strolled over to the bed and sat down next to her. Emotions clogged my throat as I cautiously lifted my hand and started stroking her back.
“I’m so very sorry, Pearl,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s okay,” she said, keeping her face concealed from me.
“I just…” I hesitated, trying to process my thoughts. “I care so much about you, and I worry about you. I never meant to hurt your feelings.”
She rotated her head, so I could see her face. I inhaled sharply, seeing her tear-stained cheeks. It made my chest clench all over again.
“You didn’t hurt my feelings,” she said, releasing a small smile. “But every other grown-up always seems to though.”
“What do you mean by that, Pearl?” I asked carefully, wanting to finally understand.
For such a young age, she was far beyond her years.
I lay down on my side next to her, placing my elbow on the mattress and propping my head up with my hand. “I can’t help you if you don’t let me in.”
She bit her lip, pondering. “Diane is my aunt. My adopted mom, Christine, went to heaven a few months ago, so I had to move in with her sister since she was the only family member that would take me.”
“What about your adopted dad?” I asked, trying to understand what she was telling me.
She shook her head. “They weren’t together anymore. He didn’t want me.” She paused. “And I don’t remember my real parents. Christine told me they were in a car crash when I was only two years old.”
I exhaled soundlessly at the anguish in her voice. It was breaking me in two. From what I could gather, it sounded like this little girl had endured more heartache than anyone should ever experience in a lifetime.
“I’m so sorry, Pearl,” I responded, reaching forward to brush her blonde strands over to the side of her face while wishing I could give her some kind of solace.
After a long silence, she cried, “Diane doesn’t want me either. She only took me because I had nowhere to go…but she doesn’t love me.”
I lifted my hand to wipe away her tears, and then I pulled her into my arms to hug her affectionately. “I’m sure she does, sweetie.” I willed myself to believe my words for her sake and my own, unable to bear otherwise. “Things will get better,” I murmured, stroking her long blonde curls down the length of her back. “I promise you, I’ll do anything in my power to make things better.”
Now, I just had to figure out how I could keep my promise.
After another hour of sitting on my bed with Pearl—talking about happier things in her life, such as school and grades—we walked out of my room together, planning to make popcorn and watch Cinderella. I came to an abrupt halt when I saw Jason shifting to an upright position on my couch. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.
He stayed.
“Hey,” he said.
His considerate, warm smile melted my heart into a heaping puddle. His eyes darted back and forth between Pearl and me.
“Hi, Jason!” Pearl squealed with joy, happy to see him. She bounced her way over to him and plopped on the couch at his left side. “We are going to watch a princess movie and eat lots of popcorn. Do you want to join us?”
He looked up at me, and I smiled affectionately at him. Then, he brought his attention back to the seven-year-old seated beside him. “Sure. Who is your favorite princess?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Cinderella, of course.”
Jason and I chuckled at her.
He raised his brow at me. “Do you even have that movie?”
“Of course I do. It’s a
classic!” I playfully rolled my eyes at him, too.
Pearl giggled, and I was elated to see her in better spirits.
I gestured to the enclosed entertainment center. “It should be in there.”
“Alrighty”—Jason laughed—“Cinderella it is.” He winked in my direction and rose to find the film.
Eyes beaming, I watched him as he opened the cabinet and began his search. I couldn’t believe he was going to sit and watch a girlie Disney movie with us. He could have taken the easy way out, but he hadn’t. He was here, and my heart pulled him in a little more.
“I’ll start the popcorn,” I said, heading to the kitchen. I opened the upper cabinet, pulled out a bag of extra butter popcorn, and set the microwave timer before hitting Start.
“Okay,” Jason called out after a minute, “I found the movie. Ready when you are.”
When the popcorn was done, I pulled it out and divided it into three bowls. I strolled over to the couch. Jason scooted to the right, so I could sit down in between him and Pearl.
I handed each of them their bowl of popcorn.
“Now, no pillow fights until after the movie,” Jason teased before hitting play.
Pearl and I looked at one another and giggled quietly.
As the opening credits started to play, Pearl glanced back to the TV.
My eyes remained focused on Pearl, taking in her youthful beauty, while I reminisced over all the fond memories we had shared in the months I’d known her. Pearl’s eyes and smile appeared to brighten whenever she was here with me. And now, she was quickly taking a liking to Jason, too.
Jason draped his arm over my shoulder. I shifted my gaze over to meet his eyes, and I smiled at him.
When the movie finally started, we both shifted our attention to the television.
I could not imagine a better way to spend a Sunday than curled up on a couch, watching Cinderella with Pearl and Jason, each of who brought so much laughter and joy into my life.
It was nearly six in the evening by the time Pearl left, saying she should get home in case Diane arrived.
After watching Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, Jason had started a pillow fight. I’d watched in awe as he let a seven-year-old jump on him and repeatedly hit him with the pillow as he’d playfully surrendered to her. I couldn’t help but join in at that point.
After I shut the door, I leaned against the back of it. My house was instantly quieter without her here. Over the last several months, my visits with her had become more frequent. I was nervous that my heart was emotionally bound to hers.
But how could I just walk away?
I couldn’t.
I tipped my head up to see Jason propped against my kitchen counter, his left leg crossed over his right. He regarded me while seeming to be deep in thought, too. The silence was thick between us.
“You stayed,” I murmured, stating the obvious.
“Of course I stayed,” Jason replied. He gracefully pushed off the counter and slowly began striding toward me. One of his hands came to my waist as he rested his other arm on the door above my head, caging me in. “Did you really think that I would just leave after what happened this morning?” he asked, sounding hurt. He shook his head. “I’m not the type of man to walk away when the going gets rough, Abbey.”
“I’m sorry. I panicked. I just didn’t know what else to do,” I said sincerely, gathering my arms around his shoulders.
His expression softened. “It’s okay, Abbey. Next time though, please trust in me enough to know that I wouldn’t just leave you when you need me.”
I melted into him and nodded. “Okay,” I said, smiling up at him. Reaching on my toes, I kissed him tenderly. It was then that I realized I had this gorgeous man all to myself once again.
Within seconds, our passionate embrace escalated, and another minute later, I was in his arms as he swiftly carried me to my bedroom. I only had one hour until Gail arrived for our girls’ night, and I planned to spend every minute of it in Jason’s arms.
Wine glasses in our hands and knee-deep in girl talk, Gail and I were at opposite ends of my love seat, sharing my favorite large navy blue blanket that I’d had for as long as I could remember.
“So, the last few weeks of dating hot and buff football star, Zach, were a total bust,” Gail sighed heavily.
My eyes widened as I nearly choked on my wine. “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed.
She had seemed to be so into him. The look on her face told me this story was going to have a bad ending.
“What happened?”
“I was just there to warm his bedsheets.” She shrugged and polished off the wine in her glass. “When I asked him if he ever saw things getting serious between us in the future, he ran for the hills.”
I frowned at seeing the hurt in her eyes. I wanted to reach over and hug her, but Gail wasn’t one of those touchy-feely types. She was so strong and independent, and I admired her.
“I’m sorry, Gail. That sucks.”
“It’s all right. Can’t force something that isn’t meant to be, but it was good while it lasted. And I’d rather know now than later on down the road.”
“True,” I agreed. “So, how’s work going?”
“Dreamy as always,” she responded. Her eyes twinkled with humor and a little mischief.
“I can only imagine since you work with gorgeous football players all day.” I smirked at her.
She grinned at me. “My favorite part is when I get to do examinations, and I glide my hands across their lovely thick muscles. As for dating any of them, I’m done with that.”
“I bet!” I agreed. “I can see how their egos might get in the way of having an actual relationship.”
“True,” she huffed. Then, she perked her brows at me. “So, what about you and Jason? Do you like working with him?” she added with a snicker.
My cheeks flushed, and Gail laughed.
“That’s an understatement.” I chortled. “He single-handedly ripped out all the carpet at the building on Lakeview Avenue. The man is a machine. He’s always taking his shirt off.” I shook my head, envisioning his sculptured shoulders that I now had the privilege of caressing beneath my fingertips. The feeling was forever seared in my mind. “It’s a distraction but a welcomed one nevertheless.”
“Mmm…there should be a warning sign in front of a hot and sweaty man at work,” Gail said.
I took a sip of my drink and chuckled into my glass.
“I think it’s about time you filled me in on all the details you’ve been hiding from me.”
“It’s been an amazing week.” I smiled. “He’s fun and sexy, very kind and caring, and compassionate. Not to mention, he’s always making me laugh. He’s the total package. He even took me to my favorite dock on Saturday.”
Gail’s eyes widened in shock. “Whoa, that must be serious. You hardly take anyone to the dock.”
I shook my head. “That’s just it. I didn’t take him. He remembered the painting from the second time we met at the art gallery, and he surprised me on our date yesterday by taking me there.”
Gail’s expression looked thoughtful. “Whoa,” she repeated.
“You said that already.” I chuckled.
“That’s because you stunned the words right out of me.” She suddenly righted herself, tucking her feet beneath her, and she lifted one hand to cup her ear. “What’s that noise?” she asked with somber eyes.
I sat up slightly, too, as I carefully listened, but I couldn’t hear anything. “What are you talking about?”
“Shh…I hear it again,” she said with a serious expression.
I listened again, still not hearing the faintest noise. I was beginning to think she was losing her mind. I raised my brow at her. “What do you hear?” I probed.
“Wedding bells,” Gail said with a goofy grin plastered on her face.
My mouth dropped open, and I gasped. I lifted a pillow at my side, wanting to chuck it at her. I would have if she didn’t have a wine glass in
her hand while she was sitting on my couch. That had disaster written all over it.
“Are you crazy? I’ve only known him for a couple of weeks!” I exclaimed. “I think all that wine is going straight to your head!”
Gail tipped her head back, her body shaking with laughter. “Sorry!” She snorted. “Once the thought entered my mind, I had to say it out loud!”
“Well, I think you’ve lost your mind. Besides, as much as I feel drawn to him, it’s all happened so fast. I can’t help but feel worried that it might not last for the long haul.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked with a puzzled expression.
“You ever get that feeling that it’s too good to be true?” I asked, answering her question with another one.
“Yes.”
“That’s how I feel,” I said, knowing I could tell Gail my innermost thoughts without apprehension. She was my best friend, and she wouldn’t judge me.
She shook her head from side to side. “Abbey, life is too short to live your life by what-ifs.” She paused, observing me with sincere eyes. “Do you like him? I mean, really like him.”
“Of course.”
“Then, I say go for it. Block out those persistent qualms of yours, and give him an honest chance,” she said before maneuvering herself to grab the bottle of wine off my coffee table. She refilled her glass and mine before setting the bottle back down. Then, she plopped back into her former spot.
Gail always had a way of putting things into perspective for me. She was one of those people who always knew what she wanted without reservations. I respected her ability to make quick decisions before taking charge and striving forward.
“You’re right.” I sighed and lifted my hand to rake it through my hair. “If I let myself, I can picture a future with him. But today, that vision was rattled by Pearl. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Pearl?” she asked. Then, her eyes softened when recognition must have dawned on her. “Oh, the little neighbor girl who comes to visit you?”