Chapter Seventeen
Ava
Iround the corner carrying my usual order of coffees, with a few extras in case any of the others show up as they occasionally tend to do.
For as far back as I can remember, Maddie, Regan, and I have met up behind the ice cream shop every Tuesday night at seven. The only thing that keeps us from coming is birth, death, or vacation. And sometimes bad weather—but on those occasions we just move it inside.
I’ve missed the last three. In fact, I’m not even sure anyone showed. Like maybe our standing coffee dates died with Trevor.
On this chilly Tuesday eve, my two very best friends are the only ones sitting at the picnic table. I’m not sure if that relieves or upsets me. I mean, doesn’t every single one of my friends want an update on the chaos that is my life?
Regan’s face splits with a smirk as I approach. “So… how’d the first night go?”
She asks it like she thinks, despite his memory loss, we’d just immediately jump back into bed together simply because we’re married.
I set down the coffees and shake my head, settling on being relieved that more of my friends aren’t here to witness the retelling of my failed first night with him.
Maddie’s arm is around me before I’ve even settled in next to her. “Not the night you were expecting?”
“Worse,” I say, staring sadly into my coffee. “He stayed at his parents’ house.”
I see Regan’s jaw go slack out of the corner of my eye. “He didn’t stay at the apartment? But that’s where he lives.”
“With the party and everything, he just got overwhelmed. He asked me to back off and not inundate him with too much information at once.”
“Was this before or after you told him about the baby?”
My eyes close. “I, uh…”
“You didn’t tell him?” Maddie says with a gasp.
“I couldn’t. You didn’t see how upset he was with everyone trying to tell him about his life.”
“We saw him throw the photo albums across the floor and stomp out like a toddler,” Regan says. “I thought he might have come around after he had time to process it.”
“Yeah, well… he didn’t. Not really. He did come and talk to me a few hours after. It was at the tree.” I look over in the direction of the park, and beyond the park, the tree. But it’s all too far away to see from here.
“I thought for sure when he saw the photos of our wedding that he’d remember. Then after that, I thought the tree would jolt his memories. Then when he said something about me being like a sister, I kissed him, and the way he responded…” I lower my face into my hands and try not to cry for the thousandth time. “I thought that did it. But it didn’t. In fact, I might have made it worse. I think he felt pressured. Like if he did stay at the apartment, he’d have to act like my husband and do things husbands do. Things he’s not nearly ready to do.”
“But…” Regan shares a look with Maddie. “You’re going to have to tell him.”
“I know. I will. I just can’t yet.”
We sit in silence and sip our coffee. I think I’ve really surprised them by not telling Trevor about the baby.
“Listen,” I say, trying to appear optimistic. “He’s probably going to remember everything any minute now. In fact, maybe sleeping in his old room and being back in Calloway Creek is just what he needs, and he’ll wake up tomorrow even with his memory intact.”
“Of course he’s going to remember,” Maddie says. “And then just imagine how wonderful it’s going to be when he finds out he’s going to be a dad.”
“Assuming he’s not mad at me for taking out a loan and going behind his back.”
“He won’t be. Once he knows you’re going to be a family, none of that will matter. Besides, he’s a doctor and will go on to make millions.”
I sigh then reveal some of my worst fears. “What if he can’t make millions? What if he can’t be a doctor? What if he doesn’t want to be? The doctors warned us that even if his memory returns, he could have a personality shift.”
Regan grabs my hand. “Then you’ll work blissfully side-by-side at the coffee shop and raise your middle-class family.”
“I suppose. But what if?—”
