“I love you, too.” Addie stared at her parents. She wasn’t ever going to understand them, not her mother hiding in the bathroom to smoke weed or her father thinking that he was qualified to give relationship advice. Shedidlove them, though. “I’m glad you’re still together, you know?”
“Together?” Marlene scoffed. “He’s just my neighbor.”
“Uh-huh.” Lenny rolled his eyes. “She lets me sleep over on weekends.”
“He cooks. It’s nice to not have to cook for myself.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Look at her, Len. Cute as a little bumblebee. We made her.”
He looped his arm around her waist. “Let’s get you down to the car. Eric can bring the bag of dishes.”
“On it,” Eric called, a piece of pumpkin pie in his hand. “I was just transferring the last few into our dishes.” He paused as they started down the steps. “I’m going to have them drop me off at the theater, soifyou wanted to have any guests, you could.”
“Not going to stay and threaten her?” Addie said lightly.
“She loves you, Ads. I can’t exactly criticize that, and she summoned help when you were hurt. And, well,youloveher.You two need to talk, either for closure or getting together.” Eric counted each item down on his fingers. “If you want me stay, I can. I just think you might prefer I’m not here.”
Addie said nothing. He was right. So was her father. She sighed and texted Toni: “I’m free now.”
Toni’s reply was instant.
To call or see?
Either.
On the way.
Addie wasn’t sure what she wanted, but Toni likely had to leave that evening, so it was see her now or not at all. And Addie was certain that “not at all” wasn’t the answer she liked.
When Toni arrived, Addie walked over to unlock the door. She opened it and was met with a face full of flowers.
“Why did you open the door?” Toni looked around the apartment. “Where are your parents?”
“They left with my cousin. I’m home alone.” Addie went back over to the sofa. Her ribs were better today. Still sore but definitely better than the first day.
“Do we need to hire a nurse?” Toni moved a pillow onto a chair. “What if you fall?”
“Toni.”
She looked at Addie. “Right. You can make your own decisions. Did I mention that I didn’t cope well with you being hurt?”
“Yes.” Addie sat back down with a grimace. “Better” did not mean “painless.” She tried to get comfortable and then prompted, “You wanted to talk.”
Toni opened her bag and handed Addie a printed list. As Addie skimmed it, Toni stood patiently, not pacing, but not sitting down either.
Rules To Court Addie:
Tell her you were wrong. Repeat as needed.
Tell her you love her. Every day. (How often is normal?)
Don’t retreat when panicking.
Figure out how to make the schedule work.
Term Break: Either go away together or fly Addie to D.C.
Long weekend in January.
