by Nance Sparks
“Syd, come here and sit by me.” Andrea continued to rock Olivia in her arms hoping she’d relax and let go. She finally did, five minutes after Riley disappeared down the hall. Andrea carefully set Olivia in the chair next to her and stood up, pulling Sydney into her arms.
“I’m grounded for the rest of my life, aren’t I?” Sydney asked when Andrea finally released her from the long embrace.
“We’re not deciding any of that tonight. I’m just so thankful that you’re safe. I can’t imagine my life without you and your sister. You two are my treasures, you know that don’t you?” Andrea cupped her daughter’s face in her hands. “I beg you to never do that again. You scared the living shit out of me.”
“I know, I’m sorry, Mom. I won’t do it again. Is Dad still totally psychotic?”
“I have no idea. He’s back at his house and we’re going home to our house. I’ll go talk with him tomorrow and we’ll go from there.” Andrea pulled Sydney into her arms again.
“Mom, stop, you’re squeezing all of the air out of me.”
“Funny, because that’s how I felt when I went into your room and found Olivia sitting next to an open window in a full-blown panic attack. All of the air squeezed out of my lungs and my heart stopped beating. She thought someone had kidnapped you. By the way, all of your friends and their parents aren’t very happy with me tonight. I woke everyone up looking for you.”
“I’m sorry, but everything Dad said was so nasty. I couldn’t sit there and listen to it anymore. Why would he say such mean stuff about you and me? And why does he hate Riley so much? How could you ever love him? I hate him!”
Andrea couldn’t blame Syd for feeling that way, since Scott truly had been way out of line. “Syd, please don’t say that. He’s still your father. His behavior earlier was absolutely unacceptable, but that’s something you need to let me take care of, okay? You can hate the behavior, but not the person. Do you hear me?”
“Yeah, I know, but can I hate him, the person, for just a few more hours?”
“Only while we’re here at the airport. We’ll call it Switzerland. What happens in Switzerland, stays in Switzerland, got it?” Andrea shoulder bumped Sydney and smiled when she got a faint giggle.
“Since Livy is sleeping and it’s just us, can I ask you something?”
Andrea glanced at Olivia, who was sound asleep, curled up on the hard wooden chair. “What the hell, we’re in Switzerland. Ask away.”
“Why did Dad say that bi was bullshit and you stopped being queer when you two got together?”
“Heard that, did you?” She should have had this conversation with them after they’d met Riley. Or before, even. But it hadn’t seemed necessary. In truth, she could see she’d put if off because she didn’t want to face the uncomfortable stuff. Just like she always did.
“Oh yeah, I heard a lot of stuff. A lot! You said I could ask. Why didn’t you ever tell me you were bi?”
“And how exactly would you suggest I bring something like that up with my two young children? At what age is that an appropriate conversation? When you’re two, five, or ten? Moms don’t get a handbook. We’re all just winging it, baby girl.”
Syd tilted her head, studying her. “I never thought of it like that. I always thought you knew how to do everything.”
“I’m glad you think so, because right now, I feel like I’m screwing everything up.” Andrea picked up Sydney’s hand and held it. It was time to be honest. “Syd, until I found Riley again, there wasn’t a reason to explain that I was bi, but I planned on talking with you about it after the arcade. You just kinda stole my thunder. Why didn’t you ever tell me you were a lesbian?” Andrea asked. Syd winced. So much for honesty.
“I was getting ready to. We talked about coming out to our parents at club. So, does Dad hate all gay people?”
“Aw, sweetie, I don’t think your dad hates gay people. I think his ego took a big hit.”
“What do you mean?” Sydney asked.
“I don’t think much of tonight had anything to do with you or you being lesbian. Your dad is mad at me because of Riley. Riley’s a sore subject with him.”
“How come? Riley’s awesome.” Sydney’s face was twisted with confusion.
Honesty. Now. “Riley and I were together before your dad and I got together. I missed her a lot and sometimes I’d cry about it. Okay, a lot of times I’d cry about it. You know what a crybaby I can be.”
“That’s why we freak if you watch the Hallmark Channel. You cry the entire time.”
“True.” Andrea smiled and squeezed her daughter’s hand. “So anyway, I think that my feelings for Riley always bothered your dad because even after we were married and even after we had you, I still missed her and sometimes I still cried for her. I think your dad felt like I loved Riley more than I loved him, and he could never compete. And that’s why he’s so mad right now. It’s not because I’m bi and not because you’re a lesbian. It’s because it’s Riley and she’s back, and to him, it proves that I was in love with her all along. He thinks I never, ever loved him. It hurt his feelings. Does that make sense?”
Sydney thought about it for a minute. “I think so. So, if you had fallen in love with a different woman, he wouldn’t be mad, but because it’s Riley, he’s mad.”
“Exactly.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you and Dad scream at each other like that. Do you think he’ll get over it?”
“He’s going to have to deal with it one way or another, if I haven’t totally scared Riley away.” Andrea leaned her head against Sydney’s. “All I know is that my most important job in the whole wide world is to be a mom, first and foremost. I feel like I lost sight of that for a second because of how much I want to be with Riley. Everything was such a mess tonight, and I can’t help but feel like some of it is my fault.”
“Seems to me that all of it is Dad’s fault, not yours or Riley’s. He’s the one being a dick. I can say that, we’re still in Switzerland.”
“How is it you’re only fourteen? You give advice like your aunt Sara.”
“Not even close, I’d get grounded if I said the f-bomb anywhere near as much as Aunt Sara.”
“Indeed, you would.” Andrea smiled. Her daughter was proving to be an incredible woman and she was so proud of her.
“How far away are the suitcases? Is Riley coming back?” Sydney asked.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like it. She’s been gone a long time.”
Sydney looked up. “I could wait here with Livy if you want to go find her.”
“Not a chance in hell. Wherever I go, we go together. I’m not leaving either one of you alone at an airport at, God, it’s two thirty in the morning. Help me get your sister into my arms, she’s like a sack of potatoes when she’s asleep.”
“Why don’t we just call her?”
“You’re so smart. What would I do without you?” Andrea ruffled Sydney’s hair. She shifted Olivia into one arm and pulled her phone out of her pocket, tapping the phone icon next to Riley’s name.
“Hello.” Riley answered on the second ring, sounding despondent and tired.
“Did you find your suitcases? Are you ready to go?” Andrea asked.
“Before we go, I have to know something. What do you mean by rain check? If you mean that I need to get a hotel room, then I can find my own ride.” Riley’s voice was almost echoing. Where was she?
“No hotel, please no hotel. That is not what I meant by rain check. Come home with me, I need you,” Andrea whispered into the phone. The phone beeped. Andrea looked down. Call ended.
She felt like her legs were going to give out. Everyone had a breaking point and she wondered if this was hers.
“Syd, would you take these for me so I can carry Livy?”
Riley’s voice was behind her and then hands were
on her shoulders slowly spinning Andrea around. Without a word, she held her arms open and Andrea gently handed over Liv, who snuggled into Riley’s neck, still fast asleep. The sight made her heart stutter and she wanted to let go of the tears of relief that welled up, but she held off. They still had to get home and then maybe she could let the emotions of the day go. Once she was at home, in bed, wrapped up in Riley’s arms. She had stayed, even after all of the day’s events.
Chapter Thirty-one
Riley opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was still in her dress clothes. They’d fallen onto the bed and must have fallen asleep while holding each other, both of them exhausted. She was in Andi’s bedroom, but there was no Andi. There was a note on the bed next to her.
Good morning sweetheart,
I hope you were able to get some rest. I have to take care of a few things this morning, but I shouldn’t be too long. Syd’s with her friend Amelia, and Livy is home watching TV. If you need to go anywhere, she can call Heather, who lives next door, to stay with her. The coffee pot is all set up for you. Just press start.
I’ll see you soon.
Andi
She sat up on the edge of the bed and noticed her luggage in front of the dresser. She didn’t remember bringing it in here but was happy she didn’t have to go look for it. She made the bed and then enjoyed a hot shower. Once she felt a bit more human, she made her way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, Olivia,” Riley said as she passed by the living room.
“Good morning, Riley.” Olivia popped up and skipped into the kitchen. “Do you know how much longer my mom’s going to be?”
“Not a clue. What’s up?” Riley poured a cup of coffee. It felt weird to be in Andrea’s home without her.
“I’m supposed to go to a party this afternoon. I signed up to bring cupcakes. Will Mom be back in time to make cupcakes?”
“What time is the party?” Riley asked.
“I don’t know. It’s on the fridge.” Olivia grabbed Riley’s hand and pulled her across the kitchen.
Andrea wasn’t kidding when she said she had a calendar on the fridge that was jam-packed. Every square was filled with at least two or three events. It looked like the party started at four and it was already half past noon.
“Can we buy cupcakes?” Riley asked.
“No, we have special sprinkles for Annie. Strawberry is her favorite flavor.” Olivia put her hands on her hips.
Riley could see Andrea’s personality in the miniature version standing in front of her. “Well then, it looks like we’re making cupcakes. Which cupboard has the stuff for baking?”
Olivia walked out of the kitchen. She returned with a step stool and plopped it on the floor to the right of the sink. She climbed up two steps and opened a corner cabinet. She handed Riley two boxes of cake mix, three cans of frosting, and several bottles of sprinkles. Thank goodness they wouldn’t be making them from scratch. Boxed cupcakes she could handle.
“Bowls? Whisk?” Riley asked.
Olivia smiled. “On it.”
She opened yet another cupboard and handed Riley bowls and measuring cups. She pulled open a drawer and offered a spatula, whisk, and measuring spoons.
“Let’s do this!” Olivia looked up, smiling.
Riley picked up the box and looked at the instructions. The store always baked the best cakes for the two birthdays they celebrated each year at the studio. Cupcake liners? What the hell? Oh boy, she was in over her head.
“Do you know what cupcake liners are?”
“Um, yeah, it’s the paper that you peel off when you eat a cupcake!” Olivia’s little face twisted.
“Got it. Do you have any? What about special cupcake pans? Do they make special cupcake pans?” Riley asked. She did her best to ignore the wide-eyed expression aimed her way.
“Are you serious or are you joking?”
“I’m totally joking!” Riley wasn’t joking, but she didn’t want to look like a complete fool. “But you have to find it all because I don’t know where anything is.”
Olivia moved the step stool and opened another cabinet next to the stove. She pulled out a small plastic tub that read “cupcake liners” and held them up, pointing at the words like a game show host before tossing them to Riley. She stepped back down and dug in a lower cabinet. Most of the cabinet’s contents were spread out across the kitchen floor when she held out a stack of what Riley guessed to be cupcake pans. Olivia spent the next couple of minutes fitting everything back into the cabinet.
“Okay, there are two different kinds of mixes, strawberry and vanilla. Are we going to mix them together?” Riley asked.
“No way, you’ll ruin everything! We make each one in its own bowl. We don’t mix them until we put them in the pans, then you do a little bit of one and a little bit of the other. Oh, you’ll see. I’ll show you.”
Riley dumped the contents of the strawberry mix into the first bowl. Olivia grabbed the eggs from the refrigerator and vegetable oil from above the stove.
“We need to get the oven warmed up,” Olivia said. “You have to press this button that says bake and then the up arrow until the screen says three hundred and fifty degrees.”
Fortunately, all Riley had to do was follow instructions. It was clear Andrea did this with them often. Once the oven was set, Olivia handed Riley a small bowl.
“What’s this for?”
“Umm, you crack the eggs in it,” Olivia said.
“Why dirty another bowl? I want the eggs in the cake, right?” Riley asked.
“Yes, but you don’t want eggshells in the cake. The little bowl is where you crack the eggs so if you get shells in it, you can get them out before they fall in the cake and are lost forever. Mom taught me that. She says, ‘Nobody likes crunchy cake!’” Olivia moved the step stool over by Riley and climbed up one step.
“Your mom is one smart lady!” Riley smiled.
She cracked the eggs into the small bowl. Sure enough, a small piece of shell fell in from the second egg. Olivia grabbed a spoon and fished it out.
“See?” She held the spoon up for Riley.
“I’ll never doubt you again.”
Olivia poured in the measured amount of vegetable oil while Riley whisked up the strawberry batter. They repeated the process for the vanilla batter. Once both batters were ready, Olivia grabbed two pouring measuring cups.
“Okay, you put some strawberry batter in this one and some vanilla in this one.” Olivia pointed to each measuring cup. She pulled the cupcake pans apart and placed one liner in each cupcake spot.
“Now, we pour some strawberry in each liner, but not too much. Both kinds together can’t be more than halfway full or it will be a big mess. I did that once.”
Riley carefully poured some strawberry in one liner and then added in some vanilla to make sure the total per cup was acceptable to her tiny instructor. Olivia grabbed a spoon and turned it upside down. She stuck the handle of the spoon in the cupcake, holding the liner with one finger. She swirled the spoon around about a three-quarters of the way around the cupcake until a line of strawberry showed through the vanilla.
“That’s pretty neat. Did your mom show you that, too?” Riley asked.
Olivia nodded her head up and down with a big smile on her face. “I like to help my mom cook.”
Riley and Olivia set up two pans’ worth of cupcakes and then slid them into the oven. Olivia set the timer for the number of minutes Riley read off from the box.
“Now, where would we find toothpicks?” Riley asked.
Olivia looked confused. “Why do you need a toothpick?”
“It’s the only way I know to tell if the cupcakes are done. You poke it with a toothpick and if it comes out clean, then they’ve cooked long enough. If not, they’ll need another minute or two. It’s what my mom used to do.”
“My mom just touches the top with the tip of her finger. She says they have a bounce when they’re done.”
“I’m afraid I’ll need a toothpick. I have no idea how much bounce a cupcake is supposed to have.”
Olivia shrugged and pulled the step stool across the kitchen. She dug in a cabinet next to the stove and found a box of toothpicks.
“Will these work?” She asked.
“Perfect!”
For the intervening minutes, Olivia sat on the floor in front of the oven, watching the cupcakes rise. Riley leaned against the counter, wondering what the hell she was doing. She was growing more attached to the girls every day.
“I hate fighting.” Olivia kept staring at the oven, but she didn’t seem to be looking at the cupcakes.
“Me too. But sometimes fighting is just part of being human. Emotions get really big and come out like giant waves.” Riley took a deep breath. “But the ocean always goes back to normal, after. It doesn’t mean people don’t love each other.”
Olivia nodded, not saying anything else.
When all of the cupcakes were cooling on the counter, Riley washed round one of dishes. Olivia dried each dish and helped put everything away.
“Now, I think it’s time for frosting. Why do we have three frostings and only two flavors in our cupcakes?”
“Some cupcakes get white frosting and some get strawberry frosting and then some get chocolate frosting. Everyone has a favorite,” Olivia explained. She moved her step stool next to Riley and returned to the first step.
Riley opened each of the three frosting containers. Olivia handed Riley a small spatula and then took one for herself.
“What color do you want?” Riley asked.