Picking up the Pieces

by Louise, Michelle

  Instantly relaxed, I placed my hand over his and replied, “I’d love to meet you family, too.”

  It was settled. Preston was coming to Jameson Family Thanksgiving. My mom is going to be over the moon with excitement. And honestly, so am I.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Tomorrow, after my morning class, I am heading back home to Redwood with Preston and Cheyenne. I never thought I would be so excited to get back to the ranch and see my family. However, I am also nervous about my family meeting Preston. Although I am sure they will love Preston, I worry it might be weird for them as well as for me. My family has only known me to be with Austin, so bringing home another guy for the first time has my nerves on a whole new level.

  Originally, Cheyenne wanted everyone to go out tonight for one last hoorah before we leave, but Preston and I managed to get out of it so we could stay in alone for movies and pizza. So instead, she ended up on date number two with the new boy toy of the week.

  Snuggled up on the couch and seriously stuffed from dinner, I began to feel my eyes grow heavy. This had been a long week and my mind was exhausted. After a few minutes of head nods, I finally dozed off into a peaceful slumber only to be awoken by the shaking of Preston’s chest beneath my cheek. We chose a comedy for the movie tonight, which I quickly regretted the choice. This happened a few more times and I almost gave up and went to the bedroom. I really needed some rest.

  Eyes closed and beginning to drift off again, this time I am awoken by a loud buzzing on the coffee table. Preston leaned over, glanced at the caller ID and pressed the top button to ignore the call. Not even five seconds later, another call. He repeats his actions silencing the call. And again, another call, but this time, my irritation gets the best of me and my words come out bitchier than expected.

  “Do you need to get that?” I ask sitting up next to him.

  “No, I’m sure it’s nothing.” He replies.

  “I don’t know. It seems pretty important.” My tone hasn’t changed. What’s the big deal? It is not as if he hasn’t even taken a phone call in front of me. The now annoying sound of the vibrating phone goes off again. “Please. Just take it.”

  With an audible sigh, Preston grabs his phone and heads off to the back door leading to his patio. “I’ll be right back.” He says without looking at me.

  I didn’t mean to piss him off, I’m just so damn tired and I don’t understand why he can’t just answer the phone and tell them he will call them back if he doesn’t want to talk right now. They obviously have something important they want to say or they wouldn’t keep calling back. I pause the movie and start to relax, realizing what a bitch I had just been.

  After a few minutes I glance through the French doors and watch Preston pacing back and forth having what appears to be a heated conversation on the phone. He seems worked up, even pissed off. I don’t think I have ever seen this side of him. Preston has more of a calm, passive personality, and doesn’t get angry easily. It makes me wonder what could be causing his reaction.

  I hear the door open and close rather roughly, and turn to see Preston heading back to the living room.

  “Everything alright?” I ask, moving to sit on the edge of the sofa.

  “Yeah. Well, kind of. That was my mom. It seems that someone unexpected showed up tonight and she wants me to come over.”

  “Oh. Ok. No problem.” I hadn’t yet met Preston’s parents. I was hoping that when I did I would look decent. Since we were just watching movies and relaxing tonight, I simply dressed in yoga pants and a hoodie. Not the outfit I would choose to make a good impression on his family.

  “Sorry I have to cut our night short. I will drop you off on my way.” Preston says grabbing his wallet and keys off the table near the front door.

  “Oh, sure. I understand.” I respond, feeling like an idiot for assuming he would be bringing me with him. It’s obviously some kind of family matter that he needs to take care of.

  The ride from Preston’s house to my apartment was awkwardly quiet. Our car rides together were mostly always filled with music or light conversation. Without the radio, my uneasiness was settling further in my brain. He hadn’t even attempted to reach for my hand to hold.

  Not bothering to park, Preston pulls up to the curb in front of the stairwell.

  “So, I guess I will see you tomorrow? I can just swing by to pick you up after my class and we can head out.” I say reaching down to grab my bag from the floor.

  “Actually, I’m sure now is the best time for me to leave town.” Preston says, turning towards me in the seat leaving his left hand on the steering wheel.

  “Oh, ok.” There is no disguising the hurt in my voice. I was really looking forward to spending this holiday break with him.

  “I am really sorry to do this last minute.” Preston looks down at his lap and back at me. “Believe me, there isn’t anywhere else I would rather be.” His voice is lower this time.

  “It’s ok. I understand and hope everything is alright. Have a good holiday. I will see you after this weekend.” I reach for the door handle to make a getaway before the tears welling in my eyes begin to fall. I hate that this is bothering me so much. It’s obvious he isn’t happy about the situation either.

  Just as I am pulling on the handle Preston grabs my hand and turns me back to face him. “Wait. I don’t know how long this will take tonight but if it isn’t too late, I’d like to swing by and spend the night with you.” With a simple nod, I smile at Preston and my blink causes a single tear to paint my cheek. Preston reaches up and wipes the tear with his thumb running the back of his hand along my cheek. “Either way I will call you tonight. I am so sorry about this.”

  A little choked up, I keep it simple, “Ok, talk you later.” I lean over the center console and kiss Preston on his lips knowing how much I was going to miss them over this break.

  As I am pulling away, he brings his hands to my cheeks and returns his lips to mine and deepens the kiss. All the negative feelings that were swarming were dust the minute his tongue touched mine. There aren’t many problems he couldn’t fix with one kiss.

  After finally pulling myself away from Preston, I hopped out and waved goodbye, making my way upstairs to finish packing. I filled Cheyenne in on the change of plans and she was almost as disappointed as I was. I remained alone in bed that night, never receiving a text or phone call from Preston. I hope everything is ok.

  The beginning of our car ride was nothing short of pathetic. I had allowed last night to put a damper on my mood and was having a hard time getting excited about going home. With or without Preston, I was still going to get to see my family. After about an hour of my silence, Cheyenne turned to the person that she knew would break my mood. The minute I heard Martina’s voice, the car ride went from silent film to Broadway musical. Chey and I hit all the high notes and sang our way home.

  The Welcome to Redwood sign never looked so inviting. My heart lightened more and more as I watched my house grow larger in the distance. Pulling up the driveway, I see mama open the front door and step onto the porch.

  “Alright friend, I will be back later to pick you up for the bonfire.” Cheyenne reminds me.

  Every year, the night before Thanksgiving a group from high school gets together at Jeff Mason’s for a huge bonfire. I never actually counted, but I’d say there is anywhere from fifty to a hundred people there. Kids still in high school and ones who were back at home visiting came out party and catch up. It was always nice being able to get everyone together.

  “Sounds good, and by the way, thanks for the concert. You always know how to cheer me up. Love you.” I reach over for a quick hug.

  “Love you too! And by the way, if my dad’s wife is in one of her moods, I may be back over here sooner than expected.” Cheyenne’s parents divorced when we were younger and her mom remarried a few years later to a really great guy. Her dad on the other hand, married the wicked witch of Rosewood when we were high school. Cheyenne refuses to claim her as a st
epmother and always refers to her as her ‘father’s wife’. Not that I can blame her. The woman really was a witch.

  “You know you are always welcome here. With your mom and Bill out of town I figured you would end up staying with us anyways.” I say, grabbing my bags from the back seat.

  “You know me all too well. Go spend some time with your family. I will see you in a couple hours.” Cheyenne waved goodbye as I closed the door and made my way up to the house.

  Mama meets me half way up the porch and locks her arms around me in the fiercest of hugs. “I have missed you, baby girl. You didn’t sound like yourself this morning on the phone.” I was never able to ever get anything past this woman.

  “I’m okay, just a little sad that Preston couldn’t make it. I was really looking forward to everyone meeting him.” I let the sadness pass, and felt comfort in her arms. “It’s so good to be home, Mama. Where is everyone?” I ask.

  “Your daddy and Ben are in the barn finishing up some work and Martha is closing up the store tonight.” Even after all the calls home, hearing from mama and Ben, It’s still a shock to hear the words Martha and work in the same sentence.

  I head straight to my bedroom, where everything looks the same as I left it a few months ago. Searching for a new start, I only brought the essentials with me to State, leaving the majority of my closet still intact. My bags are light for the trip, so there is not much to unpack.

  Yet to hear from Preston, I reach for my phone to send him a quick text before enjoying time with my family.

  Just arrived, safe & sound. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. Thinking of you. xoxo

  Tossing the phone onto my bed, I hear my daddy’s booming voice from the kitchen. “Where’s my girl at?”

  Coming down the stairs, I round the corner and all but run into his open arms. “Hi Daddy.” I say into his chest where I bury my head.

  “We sure have missed you around here.” He says kissing the top of my head.

  “I am happy to be home. What can I help do?” I ask.

  “Nothing. This is your break from school. You are not spending your time working around here, darling.” We both head into the kitchen, where I hear my mama talking to Ben.

  “Daddy, you know I don’t mind helping out. I kind of missed it, actually.” I say.

  “Yeah, that’s bullshit.” Ben says leaning against the kitchen counter next to mama, who slaps his arm.

  “Benjamin Jameson! You watch your mouth in my house.” she says sternly.

  “Sorry, Mama. Dang, not even here an hour and you are already getting me in trouble, sunshine. Now where’s my hug.” Ben reaches toward me and I wrap my arms around him. He gives the best hugs.

  Smiling at his use of my nickname, I hold the embrace for a moment, soaking in home. Ben’s called me Sunshine for as long as I can remember. Spending so much time outside as a kid the sun had naturally lightened my hair to near platinum and my cheeks were forever sun-kissed. My dad always said I reminded him of sunshine and my brother thought he would tease me with the name. It didn’t bother me in the slightest and after time the name just stuck.

  Hours passed as we sat around the kitchen table chatting about my new life at school and catching up on what’s been going on here at home. Ben’s been seeing a girl and is bringing her to dinner tomorrow. By the excitement in his voice, I get a feeling he is pretty serious about this one. With all that has happened over the last few years, it’s nice to see him really happy.

  Business seems to be going well and all the upgrades Ben incorporated have increased profits by quite a bit. It seems daddy is starting to come around and is allowing Ben to hold more responsibility in the business. He is utilizing his Business degree to the fullest and has innovative ideas for not only the store, but the ranch as well. Ben has worked hard to impress our father, and it’s finally paying off. Although Daddy is making a strong effort to keep up with the new technology, he mostly just lets Ben take care of those things. Stepping back is a foreign concept to a hardworking man like my father, but since the accident, he seems to have found a way relinquish some of the workload and accept my brother as more of a partner.

  As usual, mama keeps busy at the feed store and participating as a member of the city commerce. This is one of her busier times of year as the holidays approach; nonstop event planning for months. But she loves it, especially the Annual Winter Festival, her pride and joy. Mama and Mrs. Davis are the head Chairs for this event and spend months of preparation making it the most talked about event in Rosewood every year. The entire town attends and it usually attracts a number of out of town guests as well. A variety of vendors spread across the fairgrounds along with games and rides for the kids. In the middle, they set up the market square which is reserved for the local vendors and has a stage and dance floor for local artists to share their music.

  Mama tells me Martha has been much focused on school and preparing to apply to colleges, although Ben tells me it’s not the only thing she is focused on. Apparently, he came out to the house to check on his horse, Mabel, caught Martha in the barn making out with a boy. Ben scared the crap out them and hasn’t seen the boy around since. Poor Martha, how embarrassing, I know exactly what that she went through. Not too many years ago, Ben caught Austin and me in the same barn.

  I couldn’t help but laugh as Ben told the story and described the looks on their faces. And, come to find out, the boy was Aaron, Cheyenne’s stepbrother. I can’t wait to tell her what happened. Aaron is the son of Bill, and moved in with his dad and Cheyenne’s mom this past semester, rezoning him to Rosewood High School.

  Mama says Martha’s still mad and won’t speak to Ben. She’s going with the good old silent treatment approach. However, little does she know, we all enjoy it, at least for a little while.

  After dinner, I head upstairs to get ready for the bonfire. I already let Mama know that Cheyenne would be over soon and was more than likely coming back with me tonight to sleep over. But of course, she had already figured that to be the case and even picked up a few of her favorite items from the grocery store. Cheyenne had a serious addiction to pickles, so Mama always made sure to have an extra jar around the house when Cheyenne was in town. She also stocked the fridge with extra sweet tea and butter pecan ice cream.

  I check my phone when I get to my room, seeing I have a missed text from Chey.

  Chey-Town: This bitch is insane. I am on my way. Please get me drunk tonight.

  Looks like I will be driving us home tonight. Lord knows what that woman has done this time. Everyone can see how evil she is, except Chey’s dad. Love must be extremely blind, because I have no idea what he sees in her.

  Seeing her headlights through my bedroom window, I race downstairs to meet her outside. I holler goodbye to my parents and jump her car.

  “Guess it didn’t take long to get you feeling back at home.” Chey says looking at my choice of outfit. I have no argument there. I was back at home and comfortable from head to toe in my naturally warn jeans, Jameson hoodie and boots. Even my hair was at home pulled back in a ponytail.

  “Yes ma’am, I am. And damn comfy, too. This is me.” I nod and shove my hands into the front pocket.

  “Damn right it is, let’s get out of here.” She replies.

  On the way to Jeff’s, Cheyenne spares no detail in the fight with her dad’s wife. Of course, it was really nothing crazy. Or maybe it’s just that I am so used to these stories that they don’t even faze me. Cheyenne was challenged by her at first, but learned to just walk away, usually finding a bottle to drown in for a bit and let off steam.

  We had only been at the party for a couple hours and Cheyenne had already killed half a bottle of tequila and was headed off into the woods with Sam, her old high school hook up. He has been the only one to ever make it past Cheyenne’s three date maximum. As a matter of fact, Sam was around before she ever started it and come to think of it, he is probably the reason it started to begin with.

  The crackle of the fire put
me at ease. I was feeling so relaxed that I didn’t notice Austin approaching. We haven’t talked much since the kiss nor have I seen him lately, especially not by myself. I had seen him around at Penny’s while he was working, but I always had someone with me. Austin called a few times after that night and text me as well, but I kept making excuses to not see him.

  It was as if the whole thing was planned, the two girls across from me stood up to leave which lifted my gaze and I saw him. He came over and sat on the bench next to me. Guess there’s no way out of this one.

  “You’ve been avoiding me.” Austin says, bumping his shoulder playfully into mine.

  “I have not.” I smile, knowing he can see through all my fibs. “We see each other all the time.”

  “Nice try. It doesn’t count if you come to Penny’s and I happen to be working, and you have no choice but to say hello. I’ve been trying to meet up with you for lunch or coffee.”

  “Austin, I just don’t know if that’s appropriate.” I stick my hands back into the front pocket of my hoodie to keep them warm from the sudden chill I feel in my spine. Also, hoping it will mask my nervousness. I completely underestimate the way he affects me. It’s not like the way Preston affects me, but it’s still there…something is still there.

  “Look,” he says turning to his body to face me more directly. “I know you’re happy. Hell, I’m glad you’re happy and smiling again. I would be lying if I said I didn’t wish it was me that gave you you’re smile back and not Wright, but I know he’s a good guy.”

  Huh?! I must be drunk. No way did Austin Davis just say those words.

  “Thanks.” I say, still shocked. “I want you to be happy too. Just not with Alison. Never her again.” I guess that sounds pretty selfish, but truth be told, that bitch doesn’t deserve him.

  Austin starts laughing after my comment. “You have nothing to worry about. The words happy and Alison will never be associated in my vocabulary.”