Orchid ended up between the Walker brothers, Caleb on her left, Phoenix on her right. The tempo of her heart as he settled beside her told her that his dismissal had done little to cool her ardor.
Prayers weren’t awkward. Orchid didn’t experience the nonchalance Veronica exhibited during the previous day’s benedictions.
Instead, holding Phoenix’s arm was as intimate as holding his hand.
George made his rounds balancing the fat bottom of the green bottle. “No empty glasses,” he admonished.
“Happy Easter,” he said as he refilled Orchid’s flute, waiting for the bubbles to subside.
“You too.”
Betsy observed them. “What do you normally do on Easter?” she asked Orchid as George moved to Caleb’s glass, perpetually empty.
“Um, sometimes I go to my friend Mandy’s house.”
“Where do your parents live, dear?”
“My parents died when I was younger.” Based on experience, she tried to keep her tone matter of fact.
“Oh dear! I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“Surely you have other family. Grandparents? Siblings?”
“I’ve got an uncle in California and an aunt and grandparents in Florida,” she said, gesturing expansively to make it sound like more than it was.
“Well, that’s good.”
“I actually just became reacquainted with my uncle. He was pretty young when my folks died,” she said. “He’s invited me to move to LA to work on a family business.”
“Are you moving?” Caleb asked.
“Maybe,” Orchid said, realizing all options were viable now. “Except, my company’s offered me an assignment in China.”
She could sense Phoenix staring at her profile.What does it matter, since there’s no ‘us’ anyway?
“Well, that’s exciting,” Betsy said. “Which will you pick?”
“I’m pretty excited about both,” she admitted, hit afresh with the memory that nothing held her in New York.
“Definitely, go to China,” George boomed. “LA for family, or working in the fastest growing economy? No contest.” He launched into stories of deals he’d made in Asia, and the talk turned away from Orchid.
Following the meal, Caleb stood to thank his aunt and uncle. He and Orchid would be the first to leave. “We’re going to ride in daylight,” he said.
Each person offered a hand or a hug in farewell. Except Phoenix, who’d disappeared into the underbelly of the house.Goodbye.
RidingbehindCaleb back to the city, Orchid compared her expectations for the weekend with reality. She’d hoped to see Phoenix,check. She wanted to speak with him,check. She needed to apologize for misunderstandings,check.Most of all, she’d mined deep, sifted through the wreckage of her past to find the best person she could offer, and opened every last vulnerability to hold back nothing, to give all.Every . . . last . . . dream.
Hopping off the bike in front of her building, Orchid expressed her gratitude tinged in melancholy. “Thanks. You did your part, but I guess it wasn’t enough.”
Caleb looked at her from under bushy brows. “No?”
She shook her head, looking down. “I told him how I felt, and he had nothing for me in return.”
“Sorry, babe. You were expecting more?”
“Yeah. I thought there was more.”
