Tripped Up Love

by Farley, Julie

  “Out to dinner, huh? Better back up and start from the beginning…like Saturday night.”

  “Dinner was great. We were hooking up - is that what it’s called now?? I got scared and didn’t want to go further. He gave me a tour of the apartment. We ended up in the shower, got out and had sex twice.”

  Jenny shook her head in disbelief. “WHAT?!”

  “I know. I kind of can’t believe it either. He brought me home after, and I was still asleep when Donna and Phil brought the kids home. Then he was watching his nephew play baseball at Rockwood Park too. So, he met my mom and the kids.”

  “Promise you’ll tell me before you get married?”

  “My head is spinning because it’s moving so fast, and I am moving faster than I ever have in my life. Can you believe I had sex twice in one night??”

  Jenny laughed. “That’s not so surprising. Anything can happen after reading Fifty.” Fifty was their abbreviation for 50 Shades of Grey, the novel that changed the sex lives of thousands of suburban housewives.

  “There’s more.”

  “Ok…”

  “He had his assistant bring a dozen cupcakes to the kids last night. I went over there to thank him this morning, and we took another shower.”

  “Ok. Where’s the real Heather? Who are you? You ditched the Lonely Housewife in Midlothian title and became Sexy and Hot in the 23113.”

  “I wasn’t in our zip code either time.”

  “Ha! Was it good?”

  “What do you think? You saw him!”

  “Looks can be deceiving. He could be a really drooly kisser or could be crazy with his hands.”

  “He’s neither. And I was a pretty klutzy girl with a cast on.”

  “It comes off on Friday, right? Then you get the boot thing?”

  “Hope so. It was not like having one of my Uggs on.”

  Jenny laughed. She was so happy to see Heather having fun. She could hear the happiness in her voice. It was a sound she hadn’t heard for a long time. She was worried Heather would get hurt, but Jenny had gotten a good energy read off of Peter. Jenny was all about reading energy and seeing auras. It usually made Heather’s skin crawl, so Jenny tried to keep it in check when she was around Heather.

  “I’m so nervous about tonight though. What if Henry is completely inappropriate, and what if Hayes is rude?”

  “Well, Henry will be inappropriate. That’s part of his charm. I don’t think Hayes will be rude. He may give you a hard time, but I don’t think he will to Peter’s face. Where are you guys going?”

  “He asked the kids if they liked The Hard Shell. Henry was all over it. Not our usual pizza go-to.”

  “He wants to impress them. That’s cute. I wonder why he isn’t married with kids?”

  “He said he hasn’t found the right person yet. He’s been caught up in his career.”

  “That makes sense.”

  Heather and Jenny talked for a while longer until the car was ready. Heather shared details about Peter’s apartment and his assistant. They parted ways, and Heather went to Starbucks to get her daily dose of caffeine. She went home, showered and attempted to remove the smell of Peter and any incriminating evidence. She was anxious about the kids getting home and telling them about their dinner plans. Hayes got home first, which was good because she was most worried about him.

  “Hey, Bud. How was your day?”

  “Fine. Pretty boring.”

  “Peter wants to take us out to dinner tonight.”

  “Do I have to go?”

  “Yeah. I’d like you to. He would like to get to know you better.”

  “I just don’t feel prepared for it Mom.”

  “Honey, you’re never prepared for things that happen in life. We weren’t prepared for Dad to leave us. I wasn’t prepared to meet Peter. But it all happened. He seems like a good guy, and he wants to get to know us better.”

  “I’ll try it, but I may not talk a lot.”

  “That’s fine. I totally get that. You know, when I was little, my parents were divorced, and Grandpa dated a lot of people. I definitely know how you feel, and I wouldn’t let you meet anyone unless he was a really great guy.”

  “So, you met a lot of Grandpa’s dates?”

  “Yes. One of them was so dumb she got her tongue stuck to a light pole. Someone dared her to do it on the street in New York and she did.”

  “That’s pretty dumb.”

  “Let’s hope Peter’s never done anything like that.” They both had a much needed laugh together.

  Henry and Gracie came home. Heather had them do their homework quickly, and they all got cleaned up to go to dinner. Henry was beside himself with excitement because of the crab legs, not Peter. Gracie picked out a super cute skirt and shirt. She didn’t say she was excited, but if Heather had to guess judging from her outfit choice, she would say she was happy to be going.

  Heather got a text from Jenny wishing her luck. She would need it. She knew that. Heather was desperate for this to work out well. She could feel herself falling for Peter, and she hoped the kids would fall for him too.

  Peter was prompt as usual. Henry went to meet him at the door.

  “So, I get to have crab legs, right?” Henry was not a shy five-year- old.

  “Henry, at least say hello!” yelled Heather from the kitchen.

  “Hello,” said Henry.

  “Hello Henry, and yes, you can have as many crab legs as you want. As long as you don’t throw up.”

  “Sweet. I never throw up!”

  Peter walked into the kitchen to say hi to the rest of the crew.

  “Hi Hayes and Gracie. How are you guys?”

  “Hey,” said Hayes. “Thanks for taking us out to dinner.” Heather smiled. That was a big step for Hayes.

  “Hi, Peter,” said a very shy Gracie.

  “You look great, Miss Gracie.”

  “Thanks,” said Gracie with a sweet smile and a slight blush in her cheeks. Just like her mom, thought Peter.

  Peter went over and gave Heather a quick kiss on the cheek that did not go unnoticed by the kids. Gracie blushed again, and Hayes turned his head away quickly. Henry let out a catcall.

  “Everyone have a good day at school?” asked Peter, almost like he had known them for years.

  “It was Art today. Mondays are my favorite days,” said Gracie.

  “I had Spanish, and I do NOT like Spanish,” said Henry.

  “Did you have a good day, Hayes?”

  “Yeah, it was ok. Kind of boring.”

  “That’s just what my nephew says. You guys ready to go?”

  “I think so,” said Heather, anxious to get this show on the road.

  The kids loaded into the van. Heather got in the passenger seat. She rarely sat in the passenger seat anymore. There were a couple of times right after Hank died that Phil, Donna or her mom drove them all somewhere. Heather assumed everyone was afraid she would fall apart and crash the car. It felt strange to have Peter driving her car. But, it probably felt strange to him to be driving a van full of kids.

  “How do you like driving a mini van?” asked Heather.

  “I can honestly say this is the first time I have driven a mini van. Feels good,” said Peter as he smiled at Heather. She wished she could reach over and kiss him. But that would be a little too much for the kids.

  Peter had made a reservation for them. Not that he really needed one on a Monday night, but he didn’t want to take any chances. They were shown to a round table in the back of the main dining room. As soon as the waitress handed them their menus, Henry notified the waitress he wanted crab legs. Heather shushed him and asked him to wait a minute until she read the menu. Monday was lobster night, and Heather was sure Hayes would want that. She should have had him take them to River City Diner or somewhere less expensive. Heather felt awful this dinner was going to cost him a fortune. Granted, he had a small fortune, but it still didn’t seem right.

  Peter could see the wheels turning in Heather’s hea
d. “Guys, you can order whatever you want. This is my treat. If you want lobster, get lobster. Henry, I heard you want crab legs. Get a bunch.”

  Heather looked over at Peter. He was definitely trying to score points. Heather’s guilt about him paying for dinner, or guilt about anything for that matter, was going to drive her nuts. When the waitress took the drink order, she ordered a beer to take the edge off. Peter ordered a Coke, clearly trying to be responsible.

  “So, tell me what you guys like to do? Hayes, I know you play baseball. Any other sports?”

  “Mom said I could try lacrosse this winter if I want. I’ve never played it before.”

  “I played in college. It’s a good sport. I can show you some tricks sometime if you want.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Gracie, your mom says you like to ride?”

  “Yes, I love it. It just costs a lot of money, so I only take lessons in the spring and fall when the weather is really good.”

  “That’s a good plan anyway because it’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter,” said Peter.

  Heather smiled watching her little Gracie talk to Peter. Gracie was tiny and shy. Henry was younger but his enormous personality made him seem older and stronger in some ways.

  “Henry, what do you like to do?”

  “Well, I’m going to play soccer in the spring. I played football this fall. I’m really good at sports too.”

  “I imagine you’re pretty awesome at anything you try.”

  “I totally am. Except reading. I am not good at that.”

  “Buddy, you’re only 5 and in kindergarten. Don’t worry, you’re learning to read right now,” said Heather.

  “Peter, I was thinking about trying out for one of your movies. Can you help me?” asked Henry. Heather blushed. He was the definition of incorrigible.

  “If we ever need a kid like you, I will definitely recommend you.”

  “Thanks!” Henry was all smiles now.

  Their food was delivered. Henry’s eyes lit up. His crab leg meal was huge, and he dug right in. Hayes was eating his lobster, and Gracie had settled for an order of mac-n-cheese. Everyone was happy. Watching them from any table in the restaurant you would have thought they were a family, a perfectly happy family. The pain and the newness were not visible on the outside, but each one of them was dealing with it in a different way.

  “How’s everyone’s meal?” asked Peter.

  “Awesome.”

  “Good.”

  “Great.”

  “Peter, tell me about your tattoos,” said Henry.

  “Well, I got my first one in college. And I’ve added to my collection bit by bit.”

  “Where’d you go to college?” asked Henry.

  “I went to Notre Dame.”

  “Sweet! Dad liked them didn’t he, Mom?” Henry didn’t have as many memories of Hank. He was only three when he died. But that made it easier for him too.

  “Yes, he did very much.”

  “Where did your dad go to college?”

  “He went to Tech,” said Hayes.

  “Cool. And Heather, where did you go?”

  “I went to UVA.”

  “Ahhh…rivals. Have you guys ever been to a Tech or UVA football game?”

  “No.” They said in unison.

  “Maybe we should go sometime. Do a little road trip. Check out where your dad went to school.”

  “Are you going to be my new dad?” asked Henry.

  Hayes rolled his eyes, and Heather said, “Henry, you’ve only just met the guy. Let’s give all of this some time.”

  Peter laughed and kept his mouth shut. Peter was not competing with the ghost of their dad. He was embracing him. It scared Heather a little bit because she wasn’t sure how the kids would take it. But they were all smiling, so she thought that was a good sign. They finished dinner, and it looked as if Henry left just the slightest bit of room so he didn’t throw up. Heather suggested they go home and have a cupcake before bed. Everyone agreed and Peter drove them home. The kids each had their cupcakes, and Heather sent them up for showers and pjs and said they could come down after.

  “I think that went well,” said Heather. Heather was relieved no one was rude or threw up.

  “It was amazing. I was prepared for anything, but they were great. I really enjoyed it.” Heather smiled as Peter snuck a quick kiss.

  “I have a question for you,” said Peter. “I need to go to New York on Saturday for a banquet. I’ll be there until Sunday. I would love for you to be my date.”

  “This weekend? Um, let me see what I can do. New York’s kind of far.”

  “We’d fly up on Saturday morning and fly back on Sunday afternoon. The flight’s easy and quick, and I have an apartment there.”

  “I’ll have to check with my mom and see if she can stay with the kids.”

  “I wish she could have come tonight.”

  “Yeah, she was hosting her book club. She’ll see you again another time. I didn’t tell you she teased me about smelling like you. I took it as a good sign. At least she didn’t make any derogatory comments.”

  “I like when you smell like me, but I like your dirty socks smell even better.” Peter kissed Heather a little longer this time, and it made him remember this morning and their fabulous shower together.

  The kids came down one by one from their showers. Peter said good-bye to each of them, and they all thanked him. Everyone went to bed happy and full. Heather would set to the task of seeing if her mom could babysit in the morning.

  Chapter 19

  Jenny came in after the bus, and Heather told her all about dinner and Peter’s invitation to New York. Jenny was thrilled and offered to take the kids if her mom couldn’t. Hayes didn’t have a tournament, so it would be an easy weekend for her mom to watch the kids, assuming she was free. Before Jenny left, Heather got a call from the middle school. It was the clinic. Heather hung up looking completely pissed.

  “You’re never going to believe this - Hayes has freaking lice. I have to go pick him up.”

  “Oh no. You go get him, and I’ll strip his bed and throw it in the wash. It will be one less thing you have to do.”

  “I’m not even going to say no. Thank you.”

  Heather left, and Jenny stayed to help her. Heather called her mom on the way up to the middle school and explained what she was doing and then dared to ask her if she could stay with the kids overnight on Saturday. Her mom seemed a little surprised Heather was planning a trip with Peter so quickly. Or maybe it was Heather who was so surprised and was projecting her own fears and insecurities about it into all of her conversations. Nonetheless, her mom said she would be happy to do it. Heather planned to text Peter after she took care of Hayes.

  Heather limped her way into the clinic and found an itchy Hayes. The nurse gave Heather the lice lecture. Hayes’ hair would have to be checked for live bugs tomorrow before he was allowed to come back to school. They found it after going through each kid’s hair in his English class. Five of them had lice, and they had all been sent home. Of course, the whole class then knew who had lice, so it was like they had been branded. A branding in middle school was a tough thing to get rid of. Hayes and Heather headed home after they stopped at Rite Aid to pick up a lice kit. The rest of the morning was spent ridding Hayes’ head of lice and washing everything in the house just in case.

  Heather was so busy she missed two texts from Peter.

  9:30 Peter: Good morning. Dreaming of NYC with you.

  10:07 Peter: Everything ok there? Have you showered yet today?

  11:03 Heather: Wishing we were in NYC right now. Mom will watch the kids. What do I need to wear for the banquet? Haven’t showered yet.

  Heather didn’t want to share the lice news with Peter. It grossed her out, so surely it would gross him out too. She needed to sit down and rest her ankle for a few minutes, so she grabbed her iPad and took a break. Heather jumped on Facebook, which, as always, proved to be a mistake. Ta
nya had already written on Heather’s wall about the lice. I HEAR HAYES HAS THE CRITTERS TOO. BETTER CHECK THE LITTLE GUYS TOO!!! Heather was so relieved to know she had so many people looking out for her and helping her parent her kids. The statement already had three likes. It took every ounce of energy for Heather not to write something snarky back. She knew Tanya had her own problems, mainly she drank at least a box of wine a day. Everyone knew, but for some reason no one did or said anything about it.

  Meanwhile, Peter received a text from his sister.

  11:15 Janie: Her son has LICE! I am checking your head next time you come over here. You better not bring them into my house.

  11:16 Peter: Relax. I’m sure Heather has it under control. I’ll stay away from your house though if that makes you happy.

  Peter hoped his annoyance came through with the text. He wished he could drop some lice off for her, but her kids would never get lice because he was sure Janie went through everything with a fine-toothed comb.

  11:17 Janie: Well, thanks. I can’t have the kids getting lice. That would be too much for them to bear.

  It was only too much because Janie made it too much. Peter suspected Heather rolled with it and didn’t make it a big deal so her kids wouldn’t either.

  11:30 Peter: Hear you’re having a rough morning. News travels fast. How can I help you?

  Heather was humiliated. Peter knew. How did he find out though?

  11:31 Heather: How did you find out so quickly? Was going to mention it later. Think it’s under control. Jenny helped me out this morning.

  11:32 Peter: My sister knows everything that happens in the 2-3-1-1-3. I’m here if you need me. Not scared of any bugs.

  Heather wondered what else she was going to add to the list of humiliating things that have happened since she met Peter. Lice was a pretty good one. Jenny was going to check Heather’s hair for her later just to be on the safe side. The joys of motherhood are so many, thought Heather.

  The other two got home, and Heather checked their hair. As she looked at Henry, she noticed he had marker all over his arms.