Hope.
Hopefulness.
“What are you up to for the rest of the weekend?” We crossed over into the residential neighborhood where we lived.
“Today, some grading. Tomorrow, I told Mary I’d come to her house for a pool party for one of her kids. You?”
“Some website work. The dairy farm wants me back out next week for a demo.”
“It’s probably cool to see…their place. All those cute, big, not-so-cuddly cows.”
“Hence the shitkickers.”
“Really?”
“No, just kidding. I like them. They remind me of home.”
For the briefest moment, a wistful look passed over his face, and I could tell he missed his own farm.
“And, turns out, this dairy farmer knew my grandparents. He mentioned he knew someone whose kid married a guy with my last name, and we got to talking. Maybe they have some information for me about my mom, but I want to finish the job first.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, though. I know you want this badly, but still. Take your time.”
He nodded and took a sip of his coffee.
When he was about to say something more, my name rang through the air.
“Claire!”
Turning, I found David barreling up to me on a bike.
“Oh, hey, David. What’re you doing over here?”
“Sylvie has me on a fitness jag, wants me to get rid of my tire. I mean, my waist.” He’d pulled over next to the curb and pinched the blubber around his waist.
“Good luck with that.” Back when we were together, he was always eating too many cookies and candies. It would be an uphill battle for him, but I didn’t really care. It wasn’t my worry anymore.
“Glad I’m running into you. I was thinking of going to the cemetery. I haven’t been since the funeral. Should I take anything?”
“David, please. I’m out for coffee. It’s my morning. I’m enjoying it. I don’t want to discuss the cemetery or anything to do with it.”
I felt the life ooze out of my pores. David’s dry, chilling personality was like a cold shower in the middle of January. Add in the cemetery chatter, and it was like I’d been doused in an ice bath.
For damn sure, he didn’t need to start invading my sacred spot with Abby. He’d already tarnished us enough.
“What’s the sudden interest?” I couldn’t help myself.
“It just seems like I should. The partners at work asked…”
“No need to explain any further.”
“Hey, I’m Aiken. I live next door to Claire.” Aiken extended his hand toward my ex, cutting the tension.
I watched David take him in, raking his gaze up and down him like he was the competition.
Funny, he’d left me a long time ago.
All of a sudden, I felt more confident. For the first time, I had the upper hand. It was foolish and a bit teenagerlike, but I didn’t care. I was standing there with someone who liked me, and he didn’t need to work off any tires around his waist.
