“Mitch says he didn’t mean any of those mean things,” I said as I scratched between Lucky’s ears. “But I don’t believe him.”
“Wise, because I’m guessing he meant what he said, but ...”—she paused dramatically—“I’ve always loved your chicken salad.”
“Thank you!”
“Granny Smith apples and just a little bit of curry? That’s genius.”
“My chicken salad is ah-mazing.”
“That it is,” she said with a laugh. “And so are you.”
I hoped my conversations with Abi and Rachel would be this easy, but I was too much of a coward to try them now.
No, you’re too busy enjoying your mother’s company,I corrected.
The episode ofJeopardyhad hardly started when Mom shouted, “What is ‘Love Is Like a Butterfly’?”
I reached for the remote and hit pause. “You know, I was thinking about a butterfly tattoo.”
Mom’s head jerked in my direction. Slowly she smiled. “Well, I know what badge we’re going to get next.”
“AfterJeopardy?”
“Of course!” she said.
Chapter 37
The next day I had one important thing to do, and then I paced around the house until it was time for Wine Down Wednesday. Should I go out early since I was restless, or should I wait and see if anyone else showed up? Or would they show up if I didn’t?
I thought of the last time I’d gone to the cul-de-sac alone, the Wednesday before I went to California. I didn’t want to sit there and have no one show up again. I didn’t know if my heart could take it.
You said you would be there.
In the end I took my rolling cooler by the handle and put my camp chair over my shoulder. It was definitely fall now. By this time we’d usually decided to take a break from the cul-de-sac and celebrate in each other’s houses instead until the sting of winter gave way to spring.
But tonight had to take place in the cul-de-sac. I had on my warmest outfit, and my cooler was full of warm foods tonight: a pan of party meatballs, warm rolls, little spinach quiches. I had paper plates and plastic forks, even napkins.
Seven o’clock, and all was not well.
The sun had already set, but no one was in the cul-de-sac. I moved my chair to a spot underneath the streetlight.
At least all the bugs were dead.
I took a deep breath, my stomach rumbling because I hadn’t eaten supper.
“I don’t know about this,” a familiar voice muttered behind me.
I looked over my shoulder to see Abi approaching. I was afraid to ask if she was undecided about me or if she was referring to something else.
But under her arm she carried a brand-new box of Cheez-Its.
“Thanks for coming,” I said, my voice coming out far softer than I would’ve liked.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it, but it is too cold for this. Next week, we meet at my house.”
Her words warmed my heart. With Abi, at least, there would be a next week.
“How’s Barney?” I asked, handing over a chew toy I’d bought for him.
