by Aimee McNeil
“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, Lucinda. I just wanted to be left alone,” Sophie interjected softly.
“I know. I was a bitch. Fuck it, I’m still the biggest bitch ever but I know I needed to do this. Ashton doesn’t deserve this and…neither do you.” Lucinda looked a little pained at her confession.
“The day you saw me and Ashton together at the coffee house, we had come from the clinic. I recently found out I’m pregnant. The guy I was with took off when he found out. My mother doesn’t want anything to do with a daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock because it doesn’t fit into her life plan. I am no longer her perfect little girl. I have no one…except Ashton. He said he would help me out. He drove me to the clinic but I couldn’t go through with it. He promised to keep my secret until I can wrap my head around what I’m going to do. He doesn’t love me, Sophie, he never did. Not in the way I wanted, at least. I have always felt like a little sister to him that he wanted to protect because he saw the sad, damaged girl on the inside. I knew you were in the coffee shop, that’s why I kissed him. The part you missed was when he told me that his heart belongs to you.” Lucinda took a deep breath. “He’s miserable right now because of me.”
“Lucinda—”
“Let me finish before I come to my senses and say something about your ridiculous shoes or something,” Lucinda cut her off. Taking a deep breath, she continued. “I have always come between him and what he wants and I don’t want to be that girl anymore. I know he loves you and that I have once again gotten in his way. Despite what you might think, I do want him to be happy.”
“I appreciate you coming here and saying this, Lucinda. I have to admit this seems very strange to have a conversation with you that was not intended in some way to bring me harm, but I definitely could get used to it.” Sophie smiled sincerely. She knew how difficult this must be for Lucinda. “I don’t know if it is even possible to fix the mess I made between Ashton and me, but I would like to start over between us.”
Lucinda looked at Sophie with a confused expression. “Do you really mean that?”
“Yes, of course. We aren’t in high school anymore. Let’s leave the past in the past.”
“I would like that.” Lucinda eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You probably think I deserve the mess I have gotten myself into.” Sophie was taken aback by Lucinda’s confession. There was desperation in her words that scared Sophie. Lucinda felt lost and alone, it was written all over her. “Why are you being nice to me after all I put you through? This is your chance to hit me while I’m down.” Lucinda took a shaky breath.
“My mother raised me as a single mother, so I know how hard it can be. No one should be alone.” Sophie reached over and put her hand over Lucinda’s. “You are strong and you will get through this.”
Lucinda stared at Sophie’s hand touching hers. “I don’t have any friends, you know.” A tear fell down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. “Or family anymore…”
“For what it’s worth, you have me,” Sophie encouraged.
Lucinda looked at Sophie with a shocked expression, like she couldn’t believe what Sophie just said. Lucinda leaned over and hugged Sophie tightly. “That means a lot. Do you think you can ever forgive me?”
“I already have.” Sophie was surprised by Lucinda’s affection but she could see that she was broken and Sophie wanted nothing other than to help her. She let go of all the pain Lucinda caused her, letting it fall away. She was amazed to see how deep the relief ran as the weight lifted off her shoulders.
“Ashton will wait for you. He has always been waiting for you since he first saw you. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. You’re a good person, Sophie.”
They were interrupted when Lori approached their table with a cake in hand and a big bright infectious smile. “Sorry for interrupting but we wanted to wish you good luck, Sophie. We’re going to miss you here.” Behind Lori’s beaming face was everyone else from the restaurant standing behind her, surrounding their table. Sophie looked at everyone who was standing before her to wish her well. She was surprised to see Megan in the group since they hadn’t spoken since the incident.
“Thank you. This is so nice of you guys.” Sophie laughed as they set the cake down in front of her.
“You’re always welcome back, Sophie,” Sam offered brightly as he wrapped his arm around Lori’s shoulders. Sophie looked at Lori, who winked at her. Things had progressed between Lori and Sam and Sophie could tell from the looks on their faces that they were happy.
“I love you guys, and don’t take this personally, but I hope I never have to come back,” Sophie teased, causing everyone to break out in laughter.
“We knew you weren’t a lifer.” Sam patted Sophie on the shoulder. Lori leaned in and hugged Sophie tightly. “I’m gonna miss you. Don’t worry about Megan—she already found a new obsession.” Lori nodded toward Megan, who stood beside a new server who had started last week. He was handsome with a rugged appeal, reminding Sophie of a good old fashioned farm boy. Megan had her sights set. If only the poor boy knew what he was in for.
Lucinda stayed while everyone shared the cake and had a few drinks. She seemed friendly and made an effort to mingle with Sophie’s friends. When the evening wrapped up, Sophie walked Lucinda out to her car. “Thank you for tonight, Sophie.”
“You’re welcome. You will stay in touch, right?” Sophie asked, still a little unsure about this new development between them.
“Actually, I have an ultrasound tomorrow…” Lucinda trailed off. She suddenly lost her nerve.
“I’ll be there. Let me give you my number,” Sophie jumped in, hoping it was what Lucinda was fishing for.
A bright smile spread across her face. “Really?”
“Really.” Sophie confirmed.
Lucinda wiped tears from her eyes. “Stupid pregnancy has me all emotional.” Sophie was surprised when Lucinda suddenly wrapped her arms around her, squeezing her tightly.
“I honestly never thought we would be here,” Sophie confessed.
“I know. It’s weird but nice.” Lucinda pulled away. “Am I still allowed to tell you how horrible your shoes are, because they really are horrid?”
Sophie shook her head and smiled.
***
“Have you totally lost your fucking mind? You can’t be serious…tell me you’re not serious.” Wide-eyed disbelief pulled at Mel’s features as they stood outside their cookie shop.
“I’m serious. That’s why I’m late.” Sophie said. She knew that Mel would have a hard time processing the fact that she had a change of heart where Lucinda was concerned.
“Are we talking about the same cold hearted bitch who made your life miserable? That Lucinda?” Mel was waving her hands around dramatically. She looked at Sophie like she had just grown another head.
“Yes, the same Lucinda. I want to help her and I really think we can be friends. Just give her a chance,” Sophie insisted.
“What? Are you expecting me to go to her next doctor’s appointment with her too and hold her hand? Be all buddy-buddy with her after what she did? I don’t think so,” Mel fumed. “Now there is no question you lost your mind.”
Sophie grabbed her hand. “Mel, you are my best friend. I need you to understand. I forgave her for the past and I told her that I would be her friend. She’s pregnant and alone without any family to help her. This feels right and I need to do this. Please be supportive. Everyone deserves to be loved.”
“Argh…don’t look at me like that…fine. As long as you promise to love me the most and she won’t weasel her way between us. ’Cause if she tries to steal you away from me, it doesn’t matter if she’s pregnant. There are plenty of places to hit a pregnant woman without harming the baby, like that bitchy face of hers.” Mel stomped her foot.
“That’s all I ask and who could possibly replace you?” Sophie smiled.
“So true.” A smile took over her angry composure and melted it away. “It’s funny that yo
u think everyone else deserves to be loved except yourself. You deny yourself the one thing that will make you the happiest.”
Sophie didn’t know how to respond. Mel was right. She was denying herself the love she felt for Ashton for no other reason than for fear of things she could not control. When Sophie sat beside Lucinda in the hospital room, holding Lucinda’s hand, watching the new life growing within her, Sophie realized that she had it all wrong. Love was not something to be scared of. Looking at that little baby she knew it deserved to be loved. That strong little heartbeat was ready to take on life. Sophie knew she shouldn’t live her life in fear of what she might lose but instead she should live it for what she could gain. That little baby was proof that hearts were strong and should fight for love because it was what gave life.
“Anyway, we have lots of work to do.” Mel climbed up the ladder and pulled down the tarp that was covering their sign. “What do you think?” Mel waved toward their café triumphantly.
Sophie looked up at the sign that was on display for the world to see. “Wow. It looks amazing.” Bold lowercase letters spelled ‘eat my cOOkie!’ It made her smile to see their vision brought to life. The two o’s in the word cookie looked like two large chocolate chip cookies.
“We will talk more about the whole Lucinda thing later but we have a store to put together before your Mom’s wedding tomorrow. Come on.”
Sophie grabbed a sign they had made up with the opening date and set it out on the sidewalk before she walked back inside to tackle the set up now that the renovations and painting were complete. They were ready to put the final pieces together and make it presentable for opening day only a week away.
***
“That’s it. I’m buying a car!” Sophie announced when the bottom of the box gave out and all of the contents dropped onto the floor of the bus on their way home.
“For the love of god, yes!” Mel agreed as she began collecting their papers scattered around their feet. Mel and Sophie had worked all day and the store was now ready to open. The shelves were stocked with supplies and everything was lined up and prepared for opening day.
“What a day…so tired,” Mel moaned as she sat down and leaned her head on Sophie’s shoulder. Sophie looked around the bus and noticed the other people sitting around them. Most kept to themselves, tuned into their phones and computers and oblivious to anyone else around them. She made eye contact with a man sitting on the other side of the bus, whose eyes were already on her when she looked his way. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a ragged looking T-shirt. Sophie gave him a polite smile but turned her attention away quickly when he in exchange gave her a very suggestive, creepy expression. It was all she needed to put her plan into motion.
When the bus pulled up to the next stop, Sophie stood up. “Come on.”
“What are you doing?” Mel gasped in surprise. “This isn’t our stop.”
“I’m going to buy a car,” Sophie said in a determined tone.
“Right now?” Mel questioned in confusion.
“Right now,” Sophie confirmed.
“Okay. This is exciting!” Mel said, following Sophie off the bus. “This is so unlike you…but I like it!”
“Yeah.” Sophie smiled at Mel. “Someone told me that I need to do what makes me happy. Right now, a car would make me happy.” She winked at Mel.
“Does that mean you’re gonna call him?” Mel asked hesitantly, her eyebrows raised in anticipation.
“One step at a time,” Sophie said.
“What happened to using Mrs. Money’s car?” Mel skipped beside Sophie.
“I feel guilty using Margaret’s car when I’m not working. She pays me way too much as it is, I’m not taking her car. Besides, that thing is worth more than I’ll make in my entire life. I’m nervous driving it down the street when I have to pick up her dry cleaning.”
“What does guilty mean? I don’t think it’s something I have ever experienced before.” Mel smiled her signature mischievous smile.
“I’m going to give Peter a call and see if he has any advice for buying a car. I think the pair of us will be the perfect equation to be deceived by a sleazy car salesman.”
“Sophie? Is everything okay?” Peter spoke quickly on the other end of the line. Sophie had never called Peter before, so she understood his initial response to assume something was wrong.
“Yes. Everything is good. Are you busy?” Sophie suddenly felt nervous.
“No, Sophie, what’s up?” She heard the relief in his voice.
“I am standing in Dan’s Cars lot, trying to buy a car but I realized I don’t know what I’m doing. Mom is as clueless as me when it comes to cars…I was hoping…”
“I’m actually not too far from there,” Peter broke in. “Give me twenty minutes.”
“Thanks, Peter.”
“Sure thing,” he said before he hung up.
“Peter said he would stop over in twenty minutes. Well, we might as well go see what Dan has for us today,” Sophie said as they walked into a car lot with a banner ‘Dan’s Cars’ overhead. There were rows and rows of cars in every color and make lining the square of pavement that designated the used car lot. It looked strangely out of place surrounded by tall office buildings.
“Ooh…look at this one.” Mel leaned down and ran her hand seductively over the hood of a faded gold colored car. It looked decades old with oversized dice hung from the rearview mirror. “We would look like porn stars driving around in this beast.”
“It looks more like a boat than a car.” Sophie shook her head. “I’m going for more of a sophisticated look.” Sophie laughed as she continued to eye the cars. It wasn’t long before a man in a suit sauntered out to ask them if they needed any help. He wasn’t that much older than them. His charm was turned on and he was ready to impress.
“Hello, beautiful ladies. How can I help you today?” The man’s face was covered with a few days’ growth and his thick wavy hair would make any girl jealous. He had a slyness about him that seemed appropriate for the typical car salesman persona she pictured.
“I was hoping you could show me what my options are.”
“It would be my pleasure. I’m Dan.” He held out his hand and Sophie took it.
“I’m Sophie, this is Mel. Would you be the Dan from the sign?” Sophie pointed behind her.
“That Dan is my father. I’m the new and improved version.” He winked playfully.
Sophie followed Dan around the lot as he showed her different options. Mel loved Dan’s attention and she made sure he noticed her. Sophie tried not to giggle at Mel’s attempt to seduce the best deal from him. Sophie didn’t know the first thing about cars or whether to trust the smooth talker in front of her. She was grateful when Peter’s police car pulled into the lot.
“Hey kiddo.” Peter stepped out of his car in full uniform.
“Hey, Peter. Thanks for coming.” Sophie smiled.
Peter engaged with Dan and quickly narrowed Sophie’s options down based on what she had in mind. Before Sophie knew it Peter had found her a great deal. Peter insisted on having his own mechanic confirm the condition of the vehicle. He was the closest thing she ever had to a father. It was nice having his support.
Once the deal was finalized Sophie opened the door of her new car and slipped in behind the wheel. “It’s official. I am a car owner.” Sophie beamed.
Peter chuckled. “You look good behind the wheel but no speeding,” he warned jokingly.
“Yes, Officer,” Sophie laughed. “Peter?” Sophie’s tone suddenly turned serious. Sophie looked in her rearview mirror to see that Mel had moved on to flirting with Peter’s partner. She had to admit Mel had a talent. She turned back to Peter. “I wanted to say thank you for being there for my mom. I know how much she loves you.”
Peter reached in through the window and placed his hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “I love your mother very much and I will always be there for her as long as she’ll have me. That goes for you too, Sophie. I like tha
t you called me today.”
“Me too.” Sophie squeezed his hand, still on her shoulder.
“I have to get my partner out of here before he gets in trouble,” Peter chuckled, nodding toward Mel and him.
“Good idea,” Sophie laughed. “Thanks again.”
Peter smiled. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I was nearby. Be safe and I’ll see you tomorrow for the big event.”
“Bye Peter!”
Mel jumped into the passenger’s seat a moment later. “This is awesome,” she squealed.
“I know.” Sophie ran her hands over the steering wheel before she turned the key in the ignition. She buckled her seatbelt.
“I forgot how delicious a man was in uniform.” Mel looked back at the police car pulling out of the parking lot.
“He’s married, with a baby on the way.” Sophie raised her eyebrows.
“I know, he told me. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna jump his bones. I just appreciate hot men. Besides, I gotta keep my options open in case Dustin and I don’t work out.” Mel’s enthusiasm waned.
“How are things going with you two?” Sophie asked with curiosity. It seemed like it had been awhile since Mel said anything about their relationship.
“We had a fight,” Mel blurted.
“And…” Sophie encouraged her to continue.
“I told him to fuck off and I ran out on him. That was a few days ago. I don’t even remember how it started. I haven’t answered his calls.” Mel sulked and collapsed back into her seat.
“Maybe it’s time you should,” Sophie gasped.
“Yeah, you’re right. I miss him like crazy and I want to get laid.” Mel sighed. “Drop me off at his place?”
“Definitely.” Sophie turned the music up in the car and a big smile spread across Mel’s face as well. They sang along with the radio and laughed until they pulled up in front of Dustin’s.
“Thanks, Sophie. Do me a favor and call Ashton. It’s nice to hear you laugh again but you still look so sad. I feel like you’re gonna shatter at any moment.”