“So, Caroline, is everything okay with your mom?”
“Yup,” she says, not looking up.
“How about the rest of your family?”
“Fine. Why do you ask?” This time, her eyes break free from the celebrity gossip, and she appears to be concerned.
“No reason. I just remembered you were worried about your mom last weekend.”
“Oh, well, I think things are okay. No one has said anything.”
“Okay.” I pour our coffee and add just the right amount of cream and sugar for both our tastes. “How about things with that guy from work? Is all that still going well?”
“No offense, but I really don’t want to talk about it. I haven’t talked to him in a few days.” Her shoulders tense as she closes the magazine, and when she picks up her coffee mug, she grips the handle tightly. Then, she walks to her room and shuts the door.
Okay, I guess I pushed some buttons there. Note to self: Don’t ask Caroline any more personal questions for the rest of the month. At least, I figured out the likely culprit of her bad attitude.
I take my coffee to my room and get dressed. When I’m done, I find Caroline ready to go. She’s sitting on the couch, staring out the window. Something is seriously wrong with her, but I guess I won’t get any serious details until she’s ready to talk.
We get to my parents’ house around one o’clock. The front yard looks like a pink elephant threw up all her babies. Alternating pink elephants and yellow baby bottles line the sidewalk leading to the front door. A large wreath made of pink, yellow, and purple ribbons with small baby animals interspersed between bows hides the entire front door. I look over to Caroline, smiling, but I realize her normal snide self is still missing.
“You know, we don’t have to go in. We could go see a movie or go back home.”
“No, it’s alright. I’m fine. I’m sure we’ll have fun,” she says, giving me a less than halfhearted smile.
“We should at least get some good laughs.”
Opening the front door is like entering a zoo. Stuffed baby animals are lying around everywhere. A large table with a pink tablecloth sits at the back of the living room, which is already full of baby gifts. A giraffe, almost double the height of my mother, towers in the corner behind the gift table. Thankfully, no children are coming today. The giraffe alone would have scared me to tears when I was young.
I reach into my purse, feeling like a complete loser, and I place my greeting card complete with a twenty-dollar gift card on the edge of the table. I plan to announce that the gift card will be useful toward diapers and other necessities, so no one blames me for being lazy since I didn’t purchase a real gift.
“June, Caroline, you’re early.”
“We are. We thought we would sneak in and grab a bite to eat before the guests arrived.”
“How perfect. We just put out all the sandwich fixings on the kitchen island. Go help yourself.” She gives us both a quick hug, and then she and Addison begin to flitter around the living room as they fluff stuffed animals.
Caroline and I make a sandwich, and then we devour them in a matter of minutes.
Pretty soon after, people start to arrive for the shower, and we join the crowd sitting on the couches and chairs in the living room. The guest of honor, Mary, is having a baby girl in about two months, and she looks like she might be a little bloated instead of seven months along. I’m positive that every woman in the house is jealous of her genetic predisposition to perfection when it comes to carrying a baby.
All the guests ooh and aah over each item as they make Mary hold up every single piece of clothing, baby bedding, pacifier, and so on for pictures. I can only imagine how her cheeks must be burning from all the smiling, but she genuinely looks happy.
When all is said and done, the guests continue to mingle as they eat cupcakes and drink punch. I’m enjoying a red velvet cupcake when my mom stops me.
“June, can you girls come to the kitchen with me?”
“Uh, sure,” I say. I look over to Caroline and shrug my shoulders.
I begin to walk toward the kitchen, and Caroline follows suit. We enter to find Addison and Mom hugging tightly.
“Hey, Mom. Everything okay?”
“Yes. Addison has something to tell you, and I didn’t want to be rude to our guests.”
“Okay. What’s—”
Interrupting me, Addison shouts with excitement, “We’re pregnant! Noah and I are going to have a baby!”
She runs across the kitchen and embraces me in a hug so tight that I feel my spine pop under the pressure. I hug her back, of course, but I have to admit that I have mixed emotions. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for Addison.
She and Noah have always wanted to have babies, multiple babies. I think Noah would like to own a sports team one day, and he would be happy if he could have enough boys to stock the entire team. I know Addison will be a good mother, and with our mom’s help, this child will not suffer from lack of attention.
The honest truth is that I’m dreading the nine months of nagging I’ll get from my mother. When will you find someone to marry? Have you found your Mr. Right? Maybe you should join a club, like a bowling league. That’s not my idea of enjoyable conversation.
“I’m so happy for you, Addie. How excited is Noah? How far along are you?” I ask, giving her a genuine smile.
“Oh, he is beyond excited. I’m only seven weeks along. He couldn’t wait to tell his family though, so we decided to tell family only. We’ll tell everyone else after twelve weeks.”
“We’ll keep your secret. Won’t we, Caroline?” I say, squeezing Addison’s hand.
“Uh-huh,” Caroline states with little enthusiasm in her voice.
When I give her a stern stare, she adds, “I’m really excited for you, Addison. You’ll be a great mom.”
“Eeeee!” Addison squeals, hugging me again. “Okay, enough about me. We better get back out there, or Mary will wonder where we all ran off to.”
Mom and Addison head back into the living room, giggling with excitement.
“That’s pretty exciting, huh?” I ask Caroline, hoping she’ll at least cheer up about a baby.
“It sure is. Do you think you’ll be ready to go soon?”
“Whenever you are. I think they’re done with everything.”
“Alright.”
Caroline walks out, and I’m left in the kitchen by myself. Alone. The happiness that began my week has quickly faded into something I wasn’t expecting. I haven’t heard from Cohen. My best friend is acting like she’s upset about something, but she won’t talk about it. And my sister is moving ahead with her perfect life.
Watching Addison’s excitement along with all the happiness surrounding Mary and her baby makes me realize something. I don’t want a struggle. The past week with Cohen was amazing, but the fact that he hasn’t contacted me is frustrating. I need to put everything that happened between us behind me and move on. If he calls, I’ll be all business. Besides, I don’t need anything distracting me from my work.
After saying what feels like 200 good-byes, Caroline and I head back to the apartment. She is quiet the entire way home, and I don’t push her to talk. Once we’re home, she changes into her workout clothes and then heads out the door without a word.
Saturday
With my earbuds in, I run my legs off on the treadmill. I know I’m being a complete bitch to June, but I don’t know how to deal with everything that’s going on. I haven’t seen or talked to Liam since Wednesday. I know I could call him, but I feel like he should show some interest in me. Not to mention, it’s the weekend, and he hasn’t tried to make any plans with me. I was originally planning to go to the family dinner tomorrow with June, but now, I’m wondering if my fragile brain can handle being around both June and Liam for an extended period of time.
Suddenly, the music from my phone is interrupted. Looking to the screen, I see that I have a text message from my brother. After slowing the treadmill pace
, I pick up my phone and tap the screen to open his message.
Sorry about last week. I’ll be back in Houston on Monday. Can we do dinner? —Cohen
Yes. Is everything okay back home? —Caroline
Not good but okay. I’ll only be in town for a few days.
—Cohen
Are you going to talk to June? —Caroline
We’ll talk about it when I see you. —Cohen
Please text her and tell her you’re okay. —Caroline
I don’t receive any messages back from my brother, but at least I know he’s coming back to Houston. I’m not sure what’s going on back home. I guess I’ll have to wait until Monday to figure it all out.
In the meantime, I’ll have to find a way to be friendlier with June, or she’s eventually going to freak out. I stop the treadmill and wipe off my sweat with a towel as I head to the weight machines. After I spend thirty minutes lifting weights, I decide to call it a night.
When I get home, I have every intention of spending some time with June, but as I walk in the door, I see she has fallen asleep on the couch. I take a quick shower and get into bed. I pick up my phone and decide to make a quick call to check on my mom.
“Hey, Care. Haven’t talked to you in a couple of days.”
“I know. It’s been a crazy week. I was just calling to check on you.”
“Check on me? Well, honey, I’m fine.”
“Are you really, Mom?”
“Care, what are you talking about?”
“Why did you have to go to the doctor the other day? You didn’t sound good. I’ve been worried, but I didn’t want to say anything. Is everything okay?”
“I guess I should be honest with you.”
“Okay.” Oh crap, maybe I shouldn’t have asked.
“I wasn’t really at the doctor’s office for me. Julie’s been sick, so I was helping Laura get her to and from the appointment.
“Oh my gosh, Mom. Is she okay?”
“She is, but that’s why your brother had to come home. Things aren’t going well.”
“How bad is it?”
“Let’s just say that you might need to come home soon, too.”
I feel tears welling up in my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Laura didn’t want to say anything to CJ yet, so I didn’t think I should tell you before he knew.”
“That makes sense, but I still wish I would have known sooner.”
“I know, Care, but there’s nothing you can do. It’s hard on all of us. Just be there for your brother. I know he’s returning to Texas soon. Spend a little time with him.”
“I will.”
“Alright, well, get some rest, and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
We hang up, and I stare at the ceiling. I wonder what Cohen knows. Should I call and talk to him now? Maybe it’s better if I wait until tomorrow. I glance over to the bedside table when my phone lights up.
Haven’t heard from you. You going to
dinner tomorrow? —Liam
Sorry. Been busy, I guess. Yes, I’ll be there. —Caroline
I’ve been busy, too. See you soon. —Liam
I breathe a sigh of relief. At least, Liam seems to be acting normal. Tomorrow will be a new day, and I will find a way to act like I’m happy. Reaching over to turn out my lamp, I know the first thing I’ll have to do in the morning is make up for my bad attitude with June.
Sunday
My back is killing me from sleeping on the couch half the night. I have no clue what time Caroline got home, but I know she saw me lying there because the TV was turned off when I woke up. Groaning as I roll myself out of bed, I hold my back and lean forward like an elderly woman. As I walk slowly toward the bathroom, I think that my senses must be teasing me. I swear I smell bacon and coffee.
“Good morning, June. I’m making breakfast, so hurry up and get dressed!” Caroline shouts from the kitchen.
What the crap? Did she just have a hint of cheer in her voice? I take a shower, running the hot water over my sore back and neck. After drying off and getting dressed, my body is already feeling better.
As I walk into the kitchen, Caroline appears to be back to her old self. She’s wearing cute pink pajama shorts and a matching top with a cooking apron tied around her waist.
“Holy crap! This looks amazing.” I look over the plates full of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. “How in the world are we supposed to eat all of this? Did you invite someone else over?” I ask, eyeing her bedroom door.
“Nope.” She laughs. “Just you and me. I feel bad for how hateful I’ve been over the past couple of days. I’m really sorry, June.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. You weren’t too bad. Just don’t let it happen again, or if you do, make sure to add chocolate milk to the list for breakfast.”
Caroline smiles at me, and I feel like my world is beginning to return to normal. We eat breakfast and then go our separate ways to run some errands.
Meeting back at the apartment, we ride together to my parents’ house.
So far, dinner is uneventful. Liam, being his typical weird self, chooses to sit at the opposite end of the table again. My mom and Addison are talking about all things baby when my dad interjects.
“Addie, you probably shouldn’t do too much planning until you see the doctor. A lot of things can happen before your first appointment.”
“What are you trying to say, Dad?” Addison asks. “Do you think something might happen with the baby?”
“Leave her alone, and just let her be excited. Besides, the baby is just fine. I wouldn’t worry a bit, honey,” Mom says, obviously irritated with my dad’s comment.
Dad shakes his head and takes another bite of chicken.
Caroline and Liam are chatting away about work and life in general. She seems to be in a happy place, and Liam has been genuinely listening to her. The more I see them interact, the more I wonder if I was wrong about letting them hook-up.
The night ends with an amazing double-layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I am so full that I can barely move when it’s time to leave. I’m about to suggest that Caroline and I head out when I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. As I take it out, I wonder who could be contacting me because everyone that matters to me is currently in the same house together. Sliding my finger across the screen, I see Cohen’s name. I close my eyes, feeling light-headed.
“Caroline, I’m going to the bathroom before we leave. I might be a minute.”
I bolt for the bathroom and close the door behind me. Sitting on the closed toilet seat, I read the message.
Sorry for not calling. Back in Houston early this week. Can we grab dinner on Tuesday? —Cohen
Should I answer? No, I’ll let him suffer for at least a few minutes. I count the seconds tick by until I realize I’m being an idiot. Thinking back, I realize it’s only been three days since I’ve heard from him. I don’t know why he had to head back home. Maybe he has a good reason for leaving quickly and for not calling. I should give him an opportunity to explain.
Dinner would be good. See you Tuesday. —June
Although my recent emotions about Cohen have been flip-flopping, I can’t let this go without first hearing him out.
The words from our last conversation run through my head every night. I know he was sincere when he said all those things, and the passion I felt was so intense when he placed his lips against mine. I can’t fully explain it, but when our lips touched, it was like I could envision spending my life with him. I didn’t want to say it then, and I probably shouldn’t be thinking it now.
As he was pouring out his heart to me at dinner that night, I had the urge to tell him that he is worthy of love. Maybe it won’t be me who will show him the love he deserves, but considering the strong feelings I already have for him, I know I have to give him a chance to see where this could go.
So, dinner it is,
and after that, I’ll see if I need to shut him out of my life.
Sunday
Dinner with June’s family is perfect.
Liam and I manage to talk to each other without any question of our motives. Since most of the discussion is centered around Addison’s pregnancy and all the changes the new baby will bring, our side conversation doesn’t draw much attention.
“I’ve been so busy at work this week,” Liam states. “We’re finalizing a new merger, and I’ve got several new projects to complete before that happens. I’ve been going in early every morning and leaving after five every evening.”
“See, that’s why I’m glad I get paid by the hour. At least my efforts would be rewarded if I worked overtime,” I say.
“True. Salaried positions have their downsides. Overall, I like my job though, so it’s all good. I just hope it slows down a little bit, so I can have more time for things I enjoy.” Liam gives me a quick wink as he smiles.
“I hope so, too.” I feel my cheeks blush.
Listening to Liam explain his busy week—and the fact that he felt the need to explain—makes me feel better about not hearing from him on Thursday or Friday. Not to mention, he basically said that I’m something he enjoys.
After dinner, I help June clear the table. As we’re about to leave, I’m sad because I can only give Liam a simple wave good-bye, but then June rushes past me, saying she has to go to the bathroom.
Once she’s out of sight, Liam gives me a sneaky grin before he pulls me by the elbow, guiding me to their guest room that’s just past the living room. We walk in, and he closes the door behind us. Backing me up to the door, he presses his body against mine.
“Well, this is a familiar position,” I say, giggling softly. “Will you always end up leaning me against doors in your parents’ house?”
Crossing Paths Page 12