by PE Kavanagh
“If I remember correctly, I got that delicious green juice as an apology.” He smirked. “But seriously, that’s great news.”
She smiled, satisfied that she’d been able to say it out loud. “So, that’s it.”
“Wait… what’s it?”
She gave him her best are you daft expression. “The decision I made.”
Too much was going on in his face. As if he was trying to solve a really hard puzzle. “What are you saying, Ramona?”
She sighed, exasperated with his lack of comprehension. “I’m saying that it’s going to be much easier than you thought.”
He slid forward in his seat. “Why?”
“I’m coming home.”
Chapter Eleven
Ramona had no desire to cry. In fact, she didn’t even feel sad. She stared out of the picture windows of her apartment, eight flights up, at the scene below her in the loading area. Lucas and his cousin, Jackson, took turns pointing into the moving truck. She imagined them debating the exact orientation of her meager belongings for the safest trip across the country.
Jackson and Camille had come to help, but it was unnecessary. No one realized how little Ramona owned. Nearly all the boxes were filled with clothes and shoes. A few boxes of books, some files and mementos, and a couple paintings barely filled the small truck. She only had two significant pieces of furniture: a red lacquer cabinet she bought in Bali and a wooden totem that her mother had sent her from the Amazon. The actual Amazon. It was supposed to bless her with health and purpose. It seemed to be working.
Camille stepped out from the kitchen and stood next to her, looking out the window. Their friendship had deepened quickly. Ramona let herself receive the small hug from her new friend, who hadn’t been able to hide a worried look all day.
Everyone expected Ramona to be emotional. They hadn’t gotten it quite right, though.
At least it wasn’t an emotion she recognized. A strange emptiness filled her abdomen. The act of leaving someone or something was as familiar as her right hand. But the act of going toward something was akin to a trip to Mars. Not only foreign, but nearly unrecognizable. It had been such an easy decision to make. Leave this place - she could hardly call it home - and move with the man she loved toward the family she wanted to be around. But now that it was happening, some of that clarity, certainty, and anticipation was turning into an upset stomach and a small voice relentlessly saying NO.
“Should we go downstairs and see if the guys need any help?” Camille offered.
Maybe getting out of the apartment, into the warm, sunny day, would be smart. At least something other than staring down at the streets and growing increasingly worried about her choice. Being a good daughter and a good girlfriend required skills she hadn’t acquired but would be needed immediately. “Yes. Good idea.”
The two women walked out of the apartment and into the elevator.
“I know I’ve mentioned it a million times, but I’m so happy for you, Ramona. It’s a miracle how things ended up. I mean, after that night…”
Yes, that night, when she’d drunk herself into a stupor imagining that Lucas was going to marry another woman. “I’m pretty embarrassed about the whole thing, actually. What a drama queen I was!”
“Please don’t say that. Heartbreak has no protocol.”
Ramona squinted and started laughing. “That’s a Jackson-ism, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” Camille spoke through a chuckle she couldn’t cover. “He’s getting to me.”
Jackson had an endless supply of wisdom nuggets. Everyone around him was well acquainted with Dr. King, psychologist to the stars. “That’s okay. Trust me, I understand.”
Camille’s face shifted just enough to remind Ramona that bringing up her experience with Jackson in front of his current girlfriend probably wasn’t the most tactful thing to do. “Shit! I’m sorry, that sounded totally wrong.”
Camille slapped her arm. “You know, normal was never my thing. Being friends with my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend is going to have an occasional awkward moment. Especially now that she’s dating his cousin.”
“Wow, when you say it like that, it sounds so twisted. Let’s not turn into a daytime drama, okay?”
“Deal.”
The two women shook hands before stepping out of the elevator.
Lucas and Jackson, sporting matching broad smiles, turned in unison as the women stepped outside. Camille threaded her arm through Ramona’s as they walked toward the truck. It definitely appeared as if Ramona’s days of being a loner were in her past and she might have to add being a good friend to her long list of things to master.
“How’s it going up there?” Jackson asked.
Ramona shrugged. “We’re done, I think. Anything else will be yours to deal with.”
“I just can’t believe the timing of all of this.” Lucas clasped his cousin. “The fact that you need a place to stay at the same time that Mo is about to break her lease is pretty miraculous, don’t you think?”
Jackson tilted his head up to the blue sky. “It’s a sign.”
The women flitted eyes at each other.
“Of what?” Ramona asked.
“Dare I say, fate?”
Everyone groaned. Jackson, or rather Dr. King, had definitely mastered the art of bullshit.
“Well, I’m with Jackson. I can’t think of anything better than what’s happening.” Lucas pulled Ramona into him and pressed an extended kiss onto her surprised mouth.
For just a few seconds longer than she would have normally lingered, in public and all, Ramona let herself be kissed. Really, really well. She gazed into his eyes after their lips had separated. Everything she needed to know was right there. Relief from any anxiety she hadn’t admitted washed over her.
“You all right, baby?” Lucas whispered.
“I’m great.” And she wanted to mean it.
By the time Ramona turned her attention to the other couple, they had begun their own smooching session. It didn’t matter that there was a whole web of entanglements between the four of them. Ramona had never had couple friends before, and this was fun.
She was honestly happy for Jackson. To find a woman who could tolerate his eccentric personality was surprising. To find one who was as awesome as Camille was nothing short of miraculous. They made her feel hopeful. As if all those terrible marriages and shattered families she’d witnessed in her life could be erased by a single instance of true love. Their success as a couple could mean-
“What are you thinking about?” Lucas startled her out of the wonderful daydream.
“Oh, nothing. Fairytales.”
“Really? I was wondering if it was weird to see Jackson… like this… I mean you two… dated.”
“Ugh. I wish everyone would stop referring to ancient history. Jackson has been a friend, and nothing more, for a really long time.” She looked up at Lucas. “It’s not weird for you, is it?”
“Well…” Lucas gave her a small smile. “I’m not going to let it be. How’s that?”
She nodded in acknowledgment. “And lest we forget your recent situation. AKA the Abigail incident.”
He grimaced. “Okay. I won’t ever bring up your dating Jackson if you promise to not bring up… the incident.”
“You got it.” Ramona almost found it effortless to pretend that was really going to happen.
“So, what’s next?” Jackson asked.
“We’re done, guys,” Ramona said. “You’ve been awesome. Thanks so much for your help.”
“Then, we’re going to head out. Have to clean up before dinner.”
“Dinner?” Lucas’ brows wrinkled. “I was going to take you out. My favorite teacher runs one of the best restaurants in the world. And it’s in this neighborhood.”
Jackson squinted. “That sounds great, but we’re all expected at my parents’ house for family dinner. All of us.”
An invitation from Jackson’s parents, Lucas’ aunt and uncle, was not to be taken
lightly. “Aaah, I see,” Lucas said.
* * *
Goodbyes were brief, now that everyone knew they were on a strict schedule. There was no tolerance for showing up late to the King household.
Stepping back into Ramona’s now empty apartment was surreal. Not because it no longer felt like home, but because of the realization that it had never felt like home. Empty or half full, it was all the same.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Lucas stared at her with his soft hazel eyes. “It’s okay to feel nostalgic. Or sad. Or nervous. You don’t have to hold it together on my account.”
“I know, Luc. It’s just… I’m not really sure how I feel. Maybe overwhelmed.”
He moved the hair that was always falling into her eyes behind her ear. “I know this is a big deal for you. For us. I don’t take it lightly.”
“It’s not that big a deal.” She gave him her best convincing smile. “Really.”
He responded with a shake of the head. “It’s me, Mo. You know I can read you, right?”
She dropped her head.
“I’m not trying to push you to feel or say anything.” He tilted her chin up to face him. “I just want to make sure you know that I’m here, to hold you, to catch you, to listen. You’re not doing this on your own.”
What an unusual idea. She’d done everything on her own.
“I love you, Ramona.”
“Love you, too.” If only her voice hadn’t shaken quite so much.
* * *
By the time they were in the car, on the way to Elena and Jonathan King’s house, Ramona had grown to appreciate the surprise plan. It was a good idea to be surrounded by a large, boisterous family instead of her quiet, empty apartment, her flurry of thoughts, and a curious Lucas. And she looked forward to seeing everyone.
Her childhood had been spent intermingled with the Kings and the Winstons. She and her brother had been included in all the shared activities of the two families. There’d been so much crossover, she had always presumed she was also related. It all fell apart when her mother finally escaped the death grip of her grandfather and took her and Connor to California.
That’s probably when Ramona’s sense of separateness was born. Her mother’s most prized character trait was her independence, followed closely by righteous indignation. Cecilia Barrett had cut all ties to not only family, but also to their friends. She’d wanted nothing to do with any of those people whom she considered all part of the same evil that had destroyed her husband and her marriage.
Ramona didn’t enjoy those memories, the heartbreak she’d felt at leaving the life she knew. The most difficult had been leaving Lucas. Without him, she was sure she’d be alone forever - misunderstood and unloved. It took everything she had not to lose her way. At least she had Connor, but only for a few years before he went back to the East Coast for college. And then she was as alone as she’d ever been.
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in bright pinks and oranges. This was prime time in the Bay Area, when the weather finally warmed and days were perfect. They’d arrive at the King’s in a few minutes.
Ramona touched her hand to Lucas’ arm. Despite an upbringing that would have crushed a lesser man, he’d turned out to be a wonderful person. Strong, loyal, forgiving. Devoted to a fault. Her heart flooded with love. He was everything she’d ever wanted. Even when she’d had to force herself to forget him.
“Hey, love. What’s going on in that brilliant mind of yours?”
“Thinking about the Kings.” It would have been too hard to explain the intense jumble of thoughts she was having about him. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I really appreciate your being such a good sport about all of this. I would’ve been happy to tell them we couldn’t make it.”
“No, I’m happy to go.” She was.
* * *
They were the last to arrive, which caused Ramona to cringe with embarrassment. Preparing for a scolding from Jonathan King, all she received was a warm hug.
“Ramona Barrett. Well, look at you.” He held her arms and beamed. “I remember you running around the yard with all the kids, no higher than my hip.”
“Yes, Uncle Jonathan, it’s been a long time.”
“And I just heard you’ve been living in the Bay Area all these years. Why haven’t we seen you?”
“Well…”
Jackson interjected. “Dad, she may have had a place here, but her travel schedule makes me look like a homebody in comparison.”
“Either way, I’m glad to see you. My condolences on the Governor’s passing, by the way.”
“Thank you, sir.”
A long arm wrapped around her from the back, followed by a kiss on the cheek. “So pleased to see you, sweetheart.”
“Aunt Elena, you too.” She turned to face the smiling woman. “You get more beautiful every time I see you.”
Elena King batted her hand. “Oh, no, dear, it’s you who’s grown into a stunning woman. You look so much like your mother. All that exotic beauty.”
No one in Virginia ever brought up her mother. The compliment was both kind and uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
Elena waved her arm toward the dining room. “Why don’t we take our seats at the table? We can continue catching up there.”
Lucas took Ramona’s hand as they marched to the extravagant room, greetings snuck in on the way, and took their seats around the meticulously set table. She couldn’t stop looking at their hostess.
Even as a young girl, Ramona had been awed by Elena King. She was the counterpoint to her sister, Olivia Winston. It was miraculous how siblings could have ended up so differently. Elena King was warm, gracious, devoted to her family, while Olivia was a selfish, power-hungry snob. She’d lashed out at her husband and son until they’d learned to keep an arm’s length from her. She had no use whatsoever with Ramona’s family - a foreign, outspoken mother and a drunk father.
Elena seemed to master effortless grace without ever giving a hint of subservience to her powerful husband. She was smart - Ivy League educated - and yet had a bunch of kids and what appeared to be a loving marriage. How had she managed all of that? Ramona was at the top of her game, career-wise, but it was at the expense of all her personal relationships. And kids? There was no way she’d be able to handle that. Especially considering what terrible role models she’d been around. Maybe if she’d had more time around Elena King instead of her evil sister, Olivia Winston. Maybe if she’d known it was even possible.
“I’d like to make a toast.” Jonathan King stood at the head of the table, shared with his wife, and held his crystal champagne flute aloft. “We are blessed, as always, to be together as a family, and have the special gift of a surprise visit from my dear nephew Lucas, and our wonderful friend Ramona. Cheers!”
Ramona touched her glass to the ones gathering in front of her, keeping a special clink for Lucas. He really couldn’t look any happier. Coming to dinner was a great idea. It didn’t matter that she was physically exhausted and emotionally tender. The King family, unlike any other family she’d been around, was a safe place to land.
She had just begun the second course of seafood salad when Jonathan broke the silence. “Lucas, my boy, I’ve heard you got yourself involved in a bit of a scandal.”
Ramona swallowed, thankful her mouthful of food went down instead of out.
“Well, Uncle Jonathan, it’s true. But you know how life in DC can be. Scandal is-”
“No need to defend yourself, sweetheart,” Elena interrupted. “No one here has been immune from a ruckus or two.” She turned directly toward her husband. “Isn’t that right, darling?”
Jonathan shared a smirk with his wife. “Right as always, my love.”
A chuckle passed around the table. There was clearly a story Ramona didn’t know. She couldn’t imagine how these folks, the most upstanding people she knew, had any scandals of their own.
>
Lucas rubbed her shoulder. “I’m not sure Ramona knows the story, Aunt Elena.”
“What? I was sure my little sister had been blabbing it to anyone who would listen.”
“To tell the truth,” Lucas admitted, “she did use to talk about it all the time. But Ramona had already left Virginia by then.”
Ramona put her fork down. “Okay, will someone please tell me what we’re talking about? The mystery is killing me.”
Elena, Jonathan, and Lucas all spoke at the same time. The two men deferred to Elena, who paused, tapping a finger on her upper lip. “Thinking about it, I suppose the first scandal was my going up north to go to school. A Yankee school. Everything about that was untoward for my very traditional family. My sister was all about being the best southern belle, but I wanted to learn about the world.”
Although Elena was speaking, Ramona’s attention was on Jonathan who gazed at his wife with such adoration, it almost felt too intimate to watch. It crossed her mind that for the first time in her life, she’d created the possibility of that type of love for herself. Her hand slid down to Lucas’ thigh.
“Then I met this young man, who much preferred machines to manners-”
“-and didn’t have two nickels to rub together,” Jonathan interjected.
Elena shook her head. “Well, as you can imagine, my family was none too pleased.”
“That is an extreme understatement, my love. Your brothers threatened me, your sister ignored me, and your father brought out his guns whenever I came to the house. The only one who stood up for me was Lucas’ father, Robert. And even then, he hardly had any clout in the family himself.”
Knowing Lucas’ family, especially the Pembertons - his mother’s side - Ramona didn’t find any of this hard to believe. In fact, she could nearly see the scene playing itself out in front of her. But instead of the threats and snarls she knew they were capable of, she focused on Jonathan and Elena smiling at each other. Their simple tenderness had her spellbound. “Wow. I can’t believe you survived all that pressure pushing you apart.”