“Except for Wednesday nights,” I said. “And karaoke.”
“Yes, because I can still watch the driveway. And Fridays when I go watch the boys at the football game, but even then I check all our security feeds while I’m gone. I checked the feeds while we were at karaoke,too, even though Zeke was home. The logical part of me knows it doesn’t make a difference whether I’m here or not, but that other part, the irrational part, worries the whole time I’m gone because I just know that bad things only happen when I’m away. If I never leave, then I don’t have to walk in on an intruder ever again.”
“If I’d known, I never would’ve asked you to come to the station with me today. I’m so sorry.”
I swallowed hard. Did this mean Abi wouldn’t be able to come along on the makeover trip? The thought had never crossed my mind that she might say no. I hadn’t even worried about how my intent to ask her and Rachel had been derailed by the Lice Incident.
Finally, she answered. “No, I wanted to meet Alavita Hodges, and I told myself I could do it. I even believed it for half the time that we were gone.”
I reached across the table to squeeze Abi’s hand. “I still would’ve never done anything to make you so uncomfortable.”
“Maybe it’s time for me to get my Therapy Badge like Rachel keeps saying.”
Jealousy twisted inside me. Rachel had known all about Abi’s fears, but I hadn’t?
Vivian, get a grip. That’s not important.
I forced myself to smile. “Julie Andrews says we all need therapy.”
“Well, who am I to argue with Dame Julie Andrews?” Abi asked as she took a sip of tea.
Mom also said that everyone needed a therapist, but Dame Julie Andrews wasn’t as likely to tell me, “I told you so.” I couldn’t handle a therapist right now. Getting a lawyer had been bad enough.
Maybe someone should start a package deal for therapists and divorce lawyers, half off each if you purchase your services together. It would be a huge hit.
Abi was saying, “All I know is that I can’t keep living like this. No, I don’t want to.”
“If you want me to go to therapy with you, ask anytime.”
“I just might take you up on that offer.”
We sipped our tea quietly.
“But how do you do your private investigating?”
Abi shrugged. “Most of what I do is online these days. On the rare occasion I have to do a stakeout like I did for you, I make sure it’s when Zeke will be home. I know someone could break in on him, too, but I just feel better.”
Zeke was over six feet four, so I understood that. I also knew he was a teddy bear of a man, but the average burglar would not.
But how was I supposed to ask Abi to come with me to New York for an entire weekend now that I knew a morning trip could upset her this much?
Because you’re being selfish, that’s why.
Self, cut me some slack. I’ve been busy. And sad. But mainly busy.
“What’s got you so wound up?” Abi asked.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Vivian.”
So I explained to her all about the makeover, even bringing up the email and showing her the line of cosmetics and hair products, all the clothes and shoes we’d be able to choose from.
“Are those Jimmy Choos?”
I squinted at the tiny pixilated picture on my phone. “Maybe?”
“And you want me to come with you?”
