After Josh and Roger left for work, Riley managed reasonably well alone for the next few hours, sticking to the RICE—rest, ice, compression and elevation—protocol for her ankle.
It already hurt less than yesterday to hobble to the bathroom on the walker. She reminded herself to be grateful for small favors as she dosed herself with ibuprofen.
Macy called at 11:30. “I heard from Joe, who heard from Josh that you fell down the stairs at the hotel?”
“I did. But I’m okay, resting comfortably at home, as they say.”
Macy was onto her. “You’re faking it. I’m on my way over, and I’m bringing lunch.”
Ten minutes later, Macy let herself in the front door with the key Riley had given her years before. “I’ve got just what you need,” she announced, holding up the to-go bag from Carmelita’s.
As they sipped iced tea and ate burritos gigantes, Riley shared all the gory details of her fall down the basement stairs and her ambulance ride to the hospital.
“Wow,” said Macy. “I’m so sorry about your ankle—and your poor head. But look at it this way—you’re one lucky pregnant lady.”
Riley laid a hand on her belly. “Yes, I am,” she replied with a sigh. “Josh is the best. He’s staying here, taking care of everything until I can get around a little better.”
“You really should marry that guy, you know?”
Riley lowered her burrito and shook her head. “Haven’t we already beat that subject to death?”
“So what? Some things bear repeating. I know you. You’re going to do what you’re going to do, and I will always love you no matter what. But, Rile, you’re already in love with him. I don’t understand why you won’t just admit that.”
“I’mnot,” she said and hated that she sounded like a petulant child. “I mean it. I am not in love with Josh—and if one more person tells me that I am… Look. Can we please not talk about this any longer?”
“Who else knows that you’re in love with Josh?”
“Stop. I mean it.”
Macy gave a slow shake of her head. “Love will bring you everything—both joy. And heartbreak.”
“Is this going be a lecture or are you telling me my fortune?”
“A little of both.” Macy waved her burrito. “Now, shh. Let me finish.”
“You don’t need to continue. I know exactly what you’re going to say.”
“It won’t hurt you to hear it again.”
Riley slapped her hand to her heart. “Oh, it just might…”
“Silence.” Macy put a finger to her lips. “Just do what I say. Listen. And it will be over soon.”
“Fine. Go ahead.”
“Okay, then. You can’t escape the heartbreak with denial. If you deny your love, you just break your own heart before you get to the good parts. The only viable choice is to give your heart gladly, take the joy. Then build a good life and teach your children to do the same. That way, when the heartbreak comes—which it will because we are human and fallible, and eventually, we die—you hold on to the joy inside you, you remember every loving moment. And you go on as best you can.”
“May I speak now?”
“Of course.”
“Iamgoing on as best I can, Mace.”
“Uh-uh. That’s what youweredoing. Before you fell in love with Josh.”
“But I’m not in love with—”
“Don’t.” Macy put up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. We’ve been friends for too long to tell each other lies.”
