“Oh, I know you’re not cool. You sustain yourself off grandma hobbies. It’s just that you go for it. I admire that. And of course you’re worth it. If anything, I’m the one who’s not.”
“Stop that. You have to stop telling yourself that.”
“As long as we’re being vulnerable here…I was feeling…I pulled away when we were at Gran’s because I’m feeling the weight of us being together. I don’t understand why you’re giving me the time of day. Trust me, I’m not complaining, I’m just not used to it.” I bring his face to mine and kiss him, gently. He pulls back, brushes his lips against my forehead, then leans his against mine. “I met your ex today. He seemed less thanimpressed about us being together, and then hearing about you fighting with your dad. Addie, are you sure this is worth it?”
“You met Dan? He kind of sucks so I wouldn’t put any merit into his words.” I sigh, deeply. “You are worth it. I promise. I’m in for this if you are.”
“I think I’ve been in since the moment we met.”
Chapter Fifteen
Adelaide
Addie
I need your help. Can you convince my dad that my boyfriend isn’t evil?
Tabitha
Okay first of all, boyfriend?? We’re official now??
Tabitha
Second, I fully trust you but you’re sure he’s safe?
I groan, out loud, in the bead aisle of the craft store. I swear I’m going to explode if I have a conversation like this one more time. Sure, I guess it’s nice that my community cares for me, but they should also accept what I say the first time I say it.
Addie
We’re official now. As of yesterday. And I am 100% sure he’s safe. Don’t tell Willow tho. She’d never believe it
As expected, the second Willow got home and saw Zander, she ignored him. Did not say a word and headed upstairs to her room. Behind that slammed door, she called my dad and told him I had a criminal in my house. So. That’s how my life is going right now.
Tabitha
100% is a big percent!! I trust you. You’ve been around him long enough that you would have gotten some major red flags by now and I know you dump the red flags. Even Dan was just generically stupid, not evil. Double date sometime?
And now I’m about to cry in the bead aisle of the craft store. I shove my phone into my tote bag and continue my shop. All I need is red yarn and white fabric, for two separate projects, but I’m weaving my way through all the aisles just in case. I keep walking until something catches my eye: a wooden fairy door that would look perfect attached to the oak tree in my backyard. I pick it up and consider. There’s a daisy on the window in the centre of the door.
I need more daisies.
I drop it into my cart that still does not hold either of the things I came here for. I run my hands along the floral circle skirt I made years ago. It felt right after bearing my soul to Zander in the garden last night. If I’m being honest, everything feels right around him.
My phone buzzes in my bag, but I don’t take it out.I need to get what I came for and leave. Or buy the whole store. Either works.
I finally find the aisle with spools of fabric. Late last night, I had an unhinged idea come to me in the form of a silly goose belt bag. I sorted through all my fabric scraps in my pyjamas, hair wet from my shower. The scraps were not enough so now I’m here. I pull out soft, white fabric with little swirls patterned throughout. This is it. I add it to my cart to be cut to size at the front desk.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Peggy Browning says.
I jump violently and remind myself to stop daydreaming about her grandson in public.
“Peggy!” I rush to hug her. She adjusts her glasses as I pull away. “What are you working on?”
“I always paint for Zander’s birthday. Give him something to make that bland apartment a little more colourful.”
“That’s a good idea,” I say, even though I haven’t seen his apartment. He’s been hesitant to take me out of town. He doesn’t want anyone crying foul, like he’s kidnapped me. I would love to say it’s an unfounded fear…but I know he’s right. I’m just determined to prove everyone wrong. “Wait, when’s his birthday? Is it today?”
Peggy smiles tightly and taps the hand I have wrapped around the handle of the cart. The question somehow ages her ten years. I have the urge to hug her again and ease the guilt grandmother and grandson have over a past they can’t change.
