“Not sure. Depends on if anyone else is around that I need to talk to.” He pushes away from the island, meaning if someone else is more important than you, you can fend for yourself. “I’m not sure if I’m coming home tonight or not.”
“Okay. Maybe I can come stay with you in the city, then.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I have an early flight to New York in the morning, and we both know you disturb my sleep with all the noise you make.”
“How long will you be in New York?” I ask him, again ignoring another dig he throws my way.
“Why? You going to take off again and not be here when I come home?” he snaps. He reminds me of the time he said he was going to be gone for two days, so I snuck out and went to my best friend’s baby shower. Only for him to call me in the middle of it and tell me to get my ass back home because we had dinner plans he never told me about.
“I have too much to do with the auction to take off, so I’ll be here.”
He seems satisfied with my answer as he stops beside me. “Poached eggs are a perfect breakfast for you,” he says cheerfully. “Do you need me to pick out your outfit for today, or can you do it yourself?”
“I was going to wear my white summer dress with the blue flowers on it.”
“Isn’t that one sleeveless?” He tilts his head to the side. “Your arms are not the best part of you.” He smiles. “How about you wear something to cover those flappy arms. Besides, you aren’t going for tea; it’s a meeting, you dress accordingly.”
“Okay, I’ll wear the green pencil skirt with the white wraparound cotton shirt,” I tell him and he smiles.
“That sounds beautiful.” He nods. “Now, don’t forget to put your best foot forward.” He kisses me. “Have a good day.”
I nod at him as he grabs his iPad and walks out the front door. The pot of water is boiling on the stove now, and I think about making the poached egg but opt to not eat anything and grab a cup of coffee instead.
Settling in with my cup of coffee, I make my round of texts to my family members.
I text my father first.
Me:
Hey, Dad, just touching base. Hope you and Mom are well.
I press send before I tell him how much I miss him some days, and pull up the text thread with Ariella, my best friend. I speak to her more than anyone because she is the one who asks me the least questions, and I don’t have to lie to her constantly.
Me:
How is baby Jagger? Send me some cute pictures.
I smile before pulling up the text thread with my sister, Zara, and the last time she messaged me was two weeks ago. She sent me pictures of the twins, and I had a small breakdown at how big they have gotten and then hated myself for not being around more.
My last message to her was me telling her I hoped I could visit soon. Trent won’t approve, but I should still try.
Grabbing my cup of coffee, I walk up the stairs and toward my bedroom. Trent and I have had separate bedrooms for the last three years. He just couldn’t sleep properly with me in the bed. Apparently, I tossed and turned too much and woke him each time. So we have bedrooms at the opposite ends of the house.
Walking in, I see the bed already made since I make it as soon as I get up. I start the shower and take off my gym clothes, putting them in the donate pile that I make once a month, before stepping into the shower. It’s always full of the clothes Trent doesn’t like me to wear.
I take my time doing my hair, parting it in the middle and then smoothing it down. I got my black hair from my mother, who has the same color. I tuck it behind my ears before doing my soft, everyday makeup. My crystal-blue eyes pop even more when I apply the black mascara.
Stepping into my walk-in closet, I see all my clothes tucked away neatly behind see-through cupboard doors to keep the dust off them. All my clothing is sorted by type and then by color. I walk over to the middle of the room and grab a matching white-bra-and-panty set before I slip the green skirt on. I zip up the side zipper before grabbing the white shirt and tying it in a bow on the side. I then go to grab the pair of sky-high nude pumps I usually wear, with a peep toe since it’s summer outside.
By the time I switch my things into a matching-colored Hermes bag, I’m right on schedule. My car is still outside and it’s even more ridiculously hot out, so I start the car and leave the door open for a second before getting in.
My stomach rumbles as I make my way over to the hospital and I think about stopping and quickly grabbing some egg whites from the local coffee shop, but then I might be late and I will never, ever risk being late. I pull up to the hospital and scan the visitor card I use.
Holding my purse in my hand, I walk into the hospital, the cool air hitting me right away. The atrium is filled with plants and the ceiling is all windows, making it extra bright and cheery. I make my way toward the elevator, but stop when I see Cheryl standing laughing with someone. His back is to me, but he’s wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. I can see he has tattoos on his arms. Cheryl spots me over the stranger’s shoulder, and I can hear her softly say, “There she is.”
I put on the smile I have to have on. The smile I’m trained to have when I’m in the hospital or anywhere around Trent or his friends. It happens in slow motion, or maybe that’s the way I think it happens in my head. Everything around me stops, feeling like even the people stop in their tracks. The sound of my own heartbeat thumps in my ears when I see his side profile and the smile on my face almost falters, but I quickly recover it.
“Kirby, I’d like for you to meet my co-chair,” Cheryl says with glee. “Lexi Yoder.”
