“This is what you want?” I asked her.
She nodded her head enthusiastically, “Yes. Please, Daddy? I mean, it is so bad. I just love it,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll get that for you,” I said.
Rachel found a poster of the image of the little girl, and she picked that out. I offered to buy it, but she wouldn’t let me. Soon, she wasn’t paying attention, so I told them to bring hers up as well. The cashier lady did with a smile. When Rachel stepped up to the register to pay, she found out. Rachel looked at me, shaking her head.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
“I know, but I wanted to.”
“Well, thank you, James.”
I pulled her in, and we kissed.
“How long have y’all been married?” asked the lady at the register.
Rachel and I looked at each other, and we laughed a little bit.
“We aren’t,” Rachel said, matter-of-factly.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. Maybe y’all should get married; you sure to look just like a married couple. Happily married, of course,” she added with a chuckle.
We thanked her for that and made our way out of the museum. I couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d said though. Something about it had really stuck out to me. She’d kinda been right. I always felt like Rachel belonged with me and Nell. Like the three of us belong together as one family unit. Every time I spent more time with her, I was more and more certain of my feelings.
We got back to the house finally after we had stopped for sandwiches, and Nell got a bath. After her bath, I went and tucked her into bed. Rachel read her a story, and then said she needed to head home to handle some the things at her place. I was a little sad and would have liked for her to stay again, but I knew she had her own apartment and her own things she needed to take care of.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, sweetheart?” I responded.
“There’s a parents’ dinner at my school next weekend. But, I don’t want to go unless Rachel can.” It seemed like it took a lot for her to say that.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll ask Rachel for you.” I said to her. I knew Rachel would say yes.
“Thank you, Daddy,” Nell said.
I gave her a kiss, told her goodnight, and quietly left her room. When I went to bed that night, I thought about the day’s events. I thought about how great it felt, the three of us being out together like that. I thought about what the lady at the cash register said. Everything felt so good; I didn’t want any of it to change. I reminded myself to talk to Rachel about the parents’ dinner on Monday morning. I fell asleep peacefully, remembering our day.
Chapter 32
Rachel
I woke up the following morning with happiness in my heart. I’d hung up the picture of the little girl the night before. I loved having her in my home, and I was so glad I’d come across that painting. It was just what I needed to put in my apartment. It made it feel more like home.
I decided to go see Sadie this morning. It was a shame that I could really only see her while she was working, but that’s just how things went. She didn’t hire too much help her bakery. I think it had more to do with the fact that she didn’t want anybody else making or touching the things that she had made. I could understand that, but I wondered how she’d handle it with another location opening.
After a quick shower, I got dressed and quickly did my hair and makeup. I skipped breakfast, but I knew I could get something at the bakery.
When I got there, I took one look at Sadie and realized she looked very hung over. She did not look good at all.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
“Stop shouting,” she whispered.
I laughed and then quickly covered up my mouth because my laugh was loud. Then I laughed again. I didn’t mean to laugh at her, but I hadn’t been shouting, and I knew she was really hung over.
“What happened last night?” I asked her.
“I met this guy. He’s an artist, and he took me out for drinks. We had a few too many, but it was seriously the best time I have had in a very long while,” she said.
“What was his name?” I asked her.
“I can’t remember. I think it started with a D,” she said.
I laughed at my friend. It was totally like her to not remember the guy’s name that she had just hung out with the night before.
“Can you tell me anything else?” I asked her.
“Well, he just had an art show recently. One of his pieces was called ‘Infinity’ I think.” She got a funny look on her face, “or something like that. Anyway, it sold for like $450,000. Can you believe that?”
I wanted to tell her that I knew exactly who it was. The person she was describing was Derek. He had a piece called Infinity, and it had sold for $450,000 at his latest art show. There was no way to deny it, but I decided to play it off like I had no idea who the guy was. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that he was kind of a scumbag, or a player anyway. Who knows? Maybe this one would work out for her. I really didn’t know Derek that well, so I really couldn’t judge him.
“Well, it sounds like you had a nice time. He sounds like an interesting fellow,” I said.
Sadie laughed at me, “Fellow?” she said. “Since when do you talk like that?”
I laughed. I hadn’t really thought through about my choice of words. But it was because I was flabbergasted by who she was even talking about in the first place.
“How are things going with you and the art gallery owner?” Sadie asked.
“Yeah, it’s James,” I told her. “Things are going really good, actually.” They really had been. So good that I was really starting to envision a future with him. Even though the thought scared me a little bit, it made me even more excited.
A customer came into the bakery. Sadie looked like she was going to hurl any moment so I got up and I helped the customer. She ordered a chocolate croissant to go, so I got it ready, gave it to the customer and rang it up.
“Thank you for that,” Sadie said.
“Well, we couldn’t really have you throwing up all over the pastries, now could we?” I said with a laugh.
Sadie looked at me for a moment as if she was thinking, and then she said, “How are things with the little girl?”
“Nell?” Sadie nodded her head, and I continued, “Well, the other night she asked me to put her to bed. So, I did. I could tell something had been bothering her all afternoon. So, I asked her about it, and she told me about girls bullying her. You want to know why?” I asked her.
“Why?” Sadie asked. Just then another customer walked in, so I got up and helped them as well. This one wanted coffee and a muffin. I poured them a black coffee and put in the creamer they wanted. After bagging up the muffin, I ran the credit card and sent him on his way. Then I walked back over and sat down with Sadie once again.
“Where were we?” I asked her.
“Bullies,” Sadie said, and put her head down on the table as if it were a pillow.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. So, she is getting bullied because she doesn’t have a mom,” I said, and folded my arms across my chest, hoping to make my point that this was absolutely ridiculous.
Sadie looked shocked, “Are you serious? Who would bully someone over not having a mom?”
I nodded my head in agreement. “I have no idea. And I don’t know quite what to do. I haven’t told James; I didn’t want to worry him. Obviously, she wanted me to know and not him. There’s gotta be a reason behind that. I’d hate to ruin the relationship we're building because I went and told her dad something that she didn’t want him to know.”
“You’re right, Rachel. But, at the same time, it is his daughter. Maybe if it’s really concerning you should sit down and have a talk with him about it.”
I knew Sadie was right; I just needed to find the time to do it. I also really didn’t want to hurt Nell. We were just starting to have a great relationship together, and I didn’t want to scr
ew it up.
“God, that’s terrible. It breaks my heart for her. Kids can be so mean,” Sadie said, sincerely.
“I know what you mean. It’s just absolutely ridiculous that children are that thoughtless. I just really wish there were something I could do for her,” I said.
Someone else came in and I took care of their order. This customer wanted to stick around and enjoy his coffee and look at the newspaper. Thankfully, he chose a table far enough away from us that I didn’t feel like I had to be too quiet when talking to Sadie.
I decided since I was so hungry, I should grab myself a chocolate croissant. I did and popped it in the microwave. Then I went back and sat down next to Sadie, just in time for more customers to come in. I got up and waited on them despite Sadie’s protests. But I was there and capable, and I’d done it before. I knew what I was doing, and Sadie could trust me. I had everything under control. I wanted to help a friend, so I did.
When those folks were gone, I sat back down with my chocolate croissant, which was cold now, but I still ate it, and it still tasted delicious. No matter how many times I ate her treats, they still continued to taste better and better.
“Why don’t you go home early?” I asked her.
“I can’t. This is my business,” she said.
I shrugged, “It’s always an option. People will understand. Everybody has a bad day once in a while, right?” I said. Sadie didn’t say anything in response, and we spent the next few minutes sitting in silence. I could tell she really didn’t feel good because usually she was so upbeat and talkative.
After a few more minutes of silence, I thought I would ask her more about Derek. “Do you think you’ll see this guy again?” I made sure not to use his name, as that would give me away for sure.
“Yeah, I’m hoping so. I really like him. He was so funny and smart. You know how I feel about those artistic type guys. I’m just blown away by how amazing he is. He’s like the full package. I know I just met him, but something is just different about him.”
I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. She had no idea who this guy really was. I didn’t want to be the one to break it to her. Besides, there was a chance that he could turn out to be a really great guy for her, and I didn’t want to ruin that without her finding out for herself. She hated my ex-husband and yet she hardly ever said anything about it.
“Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. But if he hurts you, I’m kicking his ass.”
Sadie laughed at me and then put a hand to her head and made a pained face. I tried not to laugh at her.
“What?” I asked her.
“It’s just… I tried to picture you kicking someone’s ass. It didn’t work out,” she said.
“For me? Or for them?” I knew she was talking about me, but I wanted to mess with her.
“For you, sweetheart,” she said in a sarcastic tone. I hated it when she used the word ‘sweetheart.’ It drove me nuts, but I left it alone because I knew it was in good fun, and I didn’t want to be ‘that friend.’
“No, I’m pretty sure that it wouldn’t work out for them. It won’t work out for him if he does hurt you. I promise I got your back,” I said. It was my warning of sorts for her to be careful.
Sadie looked up at me, “I really appreciate that. You’re a good friend, Rachel,” she said.
I smiled at her, and then I helped her close up the bakery. She finally took my advice and since her morning rush was about over anyway, she agreed to just go home and get some sleep. It wasn’t good for her to try to work through a hangover like that. Her customers probably would prefer it that way anyway.
“Thank you so much for helping me today,” she said as we were saying our goodbyes.
I leaned in and gave my best friend a hug. “I’m glad I got to do it. It was fun. We need to hang out more often. I can’t wait to hear more about this newguy,” I said.
“I can’t wait to hear more about James,” she said.
We parted and went our separate ways. I walked slowly and thought about different things. I thought about how things had turned around for me. And how things seemed so different. Everything seems so much brighter the last couple months. I thought about Sadie and Derek. I thought about James and Nell. And I thought about the one thing that had been holding me back from really enjoying life.
When I got into my house, I walked over to the picture frame, the one I’d hidden away from Nell and James. I picked it up and held it close to me. No matter what, I think a piece of me will always be torn apart about what happened. I looked down at the picture of the little baby girl, and a single tear rolled down my cheek as I held the picture to me. I wrapped my arms around it and pretended like I was rocking the baby girl. I missed her so much, and the only thing that had helped me get through was James and Nell.
Chapter 33
James
On our way to school that morning, Nell seemed extra quiet. Every time I tried to ask her what was bothering her, she refused to tell me, and my concern for her only grew more. I knew that Rachel had talked to her, and I’d hoped that it would fix things, and it had over the weekend, but this morning, she obviously had something on her mind.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
I looked in the rearview mirror. She just shrugged. It drove me nuts when she did that. It was like she was shutting me out.
“Nell, you can talk to me, you know. Something bothering you?” I asked her in a gentle voice. I wanted her to know that I could be someone she could lean on. I could be someone that she could talk to about whatever she was going through.
“I don’t want to go to school.”
I turned in the school parking lot and pulled behind the other parents that were dropping kids off. I stopped the car and looked behind me at her.
“Why not?” I asked her.
Once again, she shrugged.
“Sweetie, if you don’t tell me what is going on, I can’t help you,” I said to her. I’d hoped that this would bring her out of her shell. I wanted her to just tell me what was going on with her, so I could fix whatever was bothering my little girl.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said.
“That’s okay too, sweetie.” I got out and walked around to help her get out of the car, then gave her a big hug and told her I was going to miss her. I told her that I’d see her soon and that I hoped she had a good day. And I really did hope she had a good day. I didn’t want her coming home sad anymore. I knew something was bothering her at school, but I just didn’t know what it was.
“I’ll ask Rachel about the parents’ dinner, okay?” I said to her, and for the first time that morning, a huge smile lit up her face. She wrapped her little arms tightly around me and gave me a big hug.
“Thank you, Daddy. I love you,” Nell said.
Then I watched as she made her way over to where her class was standing. Still worried, I walked back around and drove away.
“Hey, beautiful,” I said to Rachel when I got to work. I loved how she would get up from sitting at the desk and greet me every day when I got there. It was a simple gesture, but it was sweet.
“Hey, handsome. Thank you,” Rachel said, taking the coffee from me. I gave her a kiss.
“So, I have a question for you,” I started. I wasn’t sure how to invite her to the parents’ dinner. I was nervous, but I kinda figured that since it was for Nell, she would love to do it. There was something about Rachel that still made me nervous. Maybe it was my own insecurities about losing someone else I’d loved so much.
“I might just have an answer for you,” she said, with a laugh.
I laughed along with her and then decided I better just come out and ask her. “Nell’s school is having a parents’ dinner this weekend. She wants to know if you’ll come?”
Rachel’s eyes lit up right away, and that told me she was more than excited to join us. “Of course! I would love to join you both for that,” she beamed.
I smiled and wrapped her in another hug. The
n I gave her a soft kiss on her lips.
“I was hoping you would say that, but I just didn’t know what you might’ve thought,” I said to her.
“You don’t ever have to be nervous about asking me to those types of things. I’d love to go. I adore Nell and care deeply for her. Anything she needs me to do, I’m in,” Rachel said.
I loved how she was open to everything regarding Nell. She wanted to do just about everything Nell had ever asked her to. And she did it with a smile on her face. I’d never once heard her complain about Nell even being around. We got time alone together when Nell went to spend the night with friends, and I think that was just enough for Rachel. I love that about her, how she just went with the flow. She understood that I had a child and that Nell needed to come first.
“She’s going to be very happy,” I told her.
My phone started ringing, and I looked down to see it was a number I didn’t recognize.
“Who is it?” Rachel asked. She must’ve seen the confusion on my face.
“No idea,” I said to her. Figuring it was probably a client, I answered.
“This is James,” I said into the phone.
“Hello, James. This is Trisha Williamson. I’m the principal at Nell’s school. Nell is currently in my office, and I need you to get here right away,” the voice said.
“What is this about? Is she okay?” I asked. I had no idea what had happened, so there were a thousand things running through my mind.
“There’s been a fight, and you need to come to the school. That’s all I can say over the phone, thank you,” Trisha said.
“I’ll be there soon as I can,” I said to her. I hung up the phone, grabbed my jacket and gave Rachel kiss.
“Is everything okay?” Rachel asked.
Bless her heart for caring and thinking something might have happened.
“I think so, but I’m not sure. That was Nell’s principal, and I’m gonna go find out what it’s all about right now,” I said. “Can you cover things here? The pieces for the—"
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