Old Palmetto Drive, page 17
The front door to the diner opens and I turn to look. It’s someone I recognize. Rushing in and pulling an apron over her neck.
“SORRY LIZ!” She shouts and grabs a coffee pot and starts at one end of the booths and starts working her way down. My cheeks flush for a moment. Because the one thing Dad and I haven’t talked about today is about to present itself, if I know how these southerners are.
“Hey, you’re Justine’s girlfriend,” Tara says. Yep, so this conversation is happening.
“Yeah,” I say to her.
“You better treat her right. That girl is a survivor. She don’t need no more bullshit,” Tara says and fills up our coffee cups and walks away.
“What was that about?” Dad asks softly.
I shrug.
“Rian, I thought we said no more secrets,” Dad reminds me.
So, I tell him everything about Justine. I spill my freaking guts. I’m so nervous how Dad will react, because back home in New York he always laughed and said me liking girls was just a phase. That I would grow out of it. He said according to his colleagues at work, all teenage girls crush on each other, but eventually marry their male college sweethearts.
Eye roll.
But, I’m proud to feel this way about Justine and I can’t see it changing anytime soon. I don’t want it to change anytime soon. She’s my snowflake. Completely original. A sparkle in the night sky.
Tara walks back and puts the check on our table and gives me the eye. I smile at her and she winks. Dad leaves a fifty on the table, he always was a good tipper, and we get up and walk back to the car. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he says, “I’m happy to know you are finally deciding who you really are, Rian. I think if Justine makes you happy and she respects you, then, she’s probably someone worth calling your girlfriend.”
“Really, Dad?”
“Really, Rian.” He beeps the unlock on the car and we hop in. “I know you think you are, or were, a New York Princess. And there were certain expectations that came along with that title. But, honey, that was never a crown me or your Mom placed on you. I think, we both worked so much and you had a Nanny and we just–” Dad pauses and takes a deep breath. “I just hope we didn’t screw you up too much. At the end of the day, all me and your Mom have ever wanted is for you to be happy.” Dad wipes the sweat from his brow. The A/C in his rental isn’t keeping up with the swamp heat.
I look at him and purse my lips. The man next to me is not the same Dad I grew up with. I’m jealous my new siblings are going to get this man. This reasonable, understanding, compassionate man!
“Dammit, Dad. I’m jealous of the twins,” I say laughing and trying not to cry. I think I surprise him. Because he bursts out laughing too.
“What exactly does that mean?”
“It means, who are you and what have you done with my self-absorbed, Wall Street Dad? If you are the Dad the twins get, they are the two luckiest babies in the world.” And I mean it with all my heart. Dad smiles as we drive out of the diner parking lot and get on the highway towards home.
28
Me, Happy? Obviously!
“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” I ask when Dad pulls up to the Big House.
I want him to meet Justine and get to know Sam and Travis and everyone. I want him to have a real glimpse of my new life at Cullier Manor House.
“I’m sorry, Rian. If I’d known how much we both needed this, I’d have arranged our trip to stay longer. But, I really should get back or we will miss our flight. Heather can only travel for a few more weeks before it’s not safe for her or the twins,” he explains.
“Well, I’m going to take you up on the offer, to come see you after the twins are born. I’m sure it will be chaotic at first, so maybe when they are a few months old,” I suggest.
“I can’t wait, sweetheart. Heather is adamant we get some pictures of you and your siblings when they are little.”
“I’d like that, some new family photos. Oooh, I’ll go shopping in Miami and pick up matching outfits for the twins before the flight! They will be the most fashionable babies in Germany.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you Rian,” Dad says. “I was thinking you might like to bring Sam and Travis and Justine with you. We’ve got plenty of room at the house. I’ll feel less guilty about keeping you entertained if you have your cousins and girlfriend with you. I bet your Mom would appreciate a break from all of you teenagers. I can only imagine the trouble you four get into,” he says with a smile and shakes his head.
“Thanks, Dad. I Love you.”
“I love you too, Rian. Happy Birthday.”
I get out of the car and make sure to take my gift, the picture frame of the twins mural. Probably the best gift I’ve ever been given; and that includes the time Mom gave me and the NYP’s tickets to see Sam Smith at Madison Square Garden.
I watch Dad drive away and wave until his car is out of sight. Wait until I tell Mom about this. She will never believe me when I tell her how mature and supportive I behaved. Hell, how mature and supportive Dad behaved!
“Was that your pops?” It's Big Jackie coming from around the corner of the house. He’s covered in sweat and dabs at his head with a rag.
“Yeah, at least he remembered it was my birthday,” I say and turn my nose up. It makes Big Jackie laugh. That deep warm laugh, the one I love. The one that stays with you for a long time. I’m not mad at him, he knows I’m teasing.
“Love that sass, little Miss Rian,” he says and laughs again.
“You know, you are the happiest person I have ever met. I’d hate it, if I didn’t like you,” I tell him before running up to the porch.
“Ain’t got nothing to complain about! You know Miss Rian, happiness is contagious.” Then he heads back out to do whatever job he was working on before I got home, but he pauses. “And who said we forgot it was your birthday?” He winks at me.
I knew it!
My heart swells and I let out a sigh. He’s right. So I look around, I don’t see anyone. “HAPPINESS IS CONTAGIOUS!” I scream it as loud as I can.
“Ain’t that the truth!” Big Jackie shouts back and follows it with one of his swamp noises. “SSSKKEEESKKOOOO!”
God, how embarrassing. I thought he was far enough away not to hear me.
“I’m home,” I shout when I get inside. I hear people and things happening. But, no one comes to say hello or to tell me happy birthday. So, I run upstairs to my room and I put the picture from Dad on my desk. When I pull it out of the box, I see there is a note in the bottom of the box, I’m not sure how I missed it in the car.
Rian,
I’m sorry if I ever made you feel less than perfect just the way you are. Paint the world as you see it.
Love, Dad
Before I can choke up and cry, again, there is a knock at my door.
“Come in,” I say. I’m expecting Sam.
“Where did you take your dad? You’ve been gone most of the day!” Justine says and walks into my room.
“I took him for a nice long brunch.” I smile at her.
“Oh, I see how it is.” She comes over and puts her arms around me.
“What? I was hungry! And we had a lot of catching up to do.” I hug her back. She smells like home. I breathe her in. I want to pull her over to my bed and flop down and hold her close to me. But instead I say, “Did you miss me?”
“Maybe.” She lets me go slowly and picks up the picture from my desk. “What’s this?” She asks. Nothing slips by her.
“It’s from my Dad. That’s the twins’ room.” I go over to my closet and take off my shoes and start looking for something else to wear.
“Twins?” she asks.
“Yeah, I guess Dad and Heather are having twins. Surprise. It’s cool though, he’s actually happy for the first time in like forever. And like your brother says, happiness is contagious. So, I’m excited for them.”
“Rian, that mural, behind the cribs, is that?” she asks.
“You noticed faster than I did. They hired an artist to paint one of my sketches in the babies’ room.” I smile and pull the first dress from my closet. It looks like the one I wore on my first day here; the green and blue Dolce&Gabbana sundress. But, it’s not the same dress. This one is slightly different.
“I told you I had one that looked the same as the one you ruined. I brought it up here while you were gone and hung it in your closet. A little gift.” Justine takes it gently from my hands, pulls it off the hanger, and smiles. “You’ll look better in it than me.” She steps in closer and holds the fabric up to my body.
“You don’t have to give me this,” I say quietly, my breathing quickens.
“Yeah, I know, but I want you to have it.” She bites her lip. “Will you put it on?” Her eyes sparkle.
“Right here?” I squeak. We are inches from one another. My body comes alive with the thought of getting undressed for Justine. She leans in and gently kisses my lips.
“As much as I’d love to watch you change, I can’t stay. I have a few things to finish up before–”
“Before what?”
“It’s a surprise. You have some time. Take a bath, fix your hair. You know– all the Rian things you love to do.”
“What are you up to?” I say and frown at her. But, she’s already walking away. I just follow her with my eyes as she puts the picture from Dad back on the desk and goes to the door. I’m scared to look away, like I might miss a second of her. She is so perfect and I want more, I want to scream at her to turn around and come back.
Before I can stop myself I rush across my bedroom and grab her and kiss her.
“I told my Dad you are my girlfriend,” I say after we come up for air. “I hope you aren’t mad at me. I don’t know what this is between us, but it feels like something real and–”
“Stop talking, Rian.” She kisses me again. “Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”
29
Sweet Seventeen
I turn on music in the bathroom and sing along while I take a long bubble bath. It feels good to get the remaining bandaids and medical tape off of my feet and soak until my skin is pruned. After an hour I slowly climb out, a little woozy from all the steam, but I manage to lotion everything and blow dry my hair. The dress from Justine looks so much better on my frame than the original one did. This hugs my body in all the right places and even though I know it came from a discount store, I don’t hate the way the fabric feels on my skin. Plus, it still kind of smells like Justine. I can picture her sliding it over her own head and the material touching her body.
The thought gives me shivers.
I pull my hair into a high ponytail so I can wear dangly earrings. I top it all off with a sweep of glittery eyeshadow and about twenty coats of my favorite Dior mascara. Yeah, Ava, glitter shadow. I snap a quick selfie to send her, just to see what she says. But then I change my mind.
She hasn’t told me happy birthday.
Come to think of it, none of my girls from back home have said anything to me today. God, they are such bitches! I mean, I thought Ava might send flowers. And Gina and Maggie would have at least sent a text message. But it has been completely silent on the friend front. Is this how it will be from now on? After being best friends for our entire lives, they’ve completely forgotten me on my birthday.
Before I can get worked up and seriously annoyed I hear the bell for sweet tea on the porch. Is it really 4 p.m.? Wow, the day has flown by!
“Rian, slow down,” Darcy says as we nearly collide in the hallway.
“I’m late,” I exclaim. “Come on.” I grab her arm. I can’t help but notice she’s dressed up and wearing the sandals I bought for her with Justine.
“Jesus, Rian, take it easy. You’re going to make us fall,” she shrieks as we go flying down the stairs. The faces on the wall of my dead relatives are staring at me, the corners of their mouths turned up with smiles.
“Today is my birthday. I’m going to have a mint julep on the porch instead of stupid sweet tea.”
“Oh really? You think Victoria will let you have a drink?”
I give her a look and she laughs. We both know Mom will cave after I ask once or twice. The house feels eerily empty as we rush past the library into the kitchen. Strange.
“Where is everyone?”
That’s when I hear Mom laughing. She’s out on the sun porch. Darcy opens the double doors for me and says, “Well, what are you waiting for? Go join your party. Happy Birthday, Rian!”
I rush through the doors and standing in the middle of the sun porch are three faces I wasn’t expecting. Ava, Gina and Maggie. They didn’t forget me! “SURPRISE!” They shout.
Before I can react, someone pops a bottle of champagne and music starts playing. Sam and Travis lead the crowd in a very country rendition of “Happy Birthday” and I can’t help myself and burst into tears.
“RIAN!” Ava prances over to me.
“NYP’s in the house!” Gina shouts.
“Your cousins are so hot,” Maggie says, without even trying to hide her voice.
I wipe my tears and smile and laugh. “Sorry, I’m a mess. I didn’t expect to see you. I kind of thought you forgot about my birthday,” I admit to my friends.
“Your mom planned it all. She called our parents and flew us here on a private jet. Super posh,” Ava gushes and gives me a big hug.
“I love your dress! Who is it, Escada?” Gina asks.
“It’s mine,” Justine says and walks up and puts her arm around my waist. “I’m Justine, Rian’s girlfriend.” My friends all take a step back.
“You’re even hotter in person,” Ava says first. Maggie elbows her. Gina shoots her an evil eye. “Well what? Those shitty pictures Rian sent didn’t do her justice. Same for those two. I call dibs on the one with the cowboy hat. He’ll fit nicely in my carry-on.” Ava points at Travis and Sam.
Justine and I look at one another and start laughing. “See I told you she’d want to take Travis home with her.”
Mom makes her way over after I’ve had my reunion with my friends. “Well, honey, are you surprised?” she asks. She looks a lot better than she did a few weeks ago. Like she’s finally been getting some sleep. Darcy approaches with two wine glasses and hands one to Mom.
“It was so hard to keep this a secret,” Darcy exclaims.
“I knew something was up this morning!” I slap at her shoulder. “Sam was acting all nervous and you wouldn’t look me in the eye. But I did not expect a party like this!”
“I told you we could pull it off, Tori,” Darcy clinks her glass with Moms.
“I cannot believe you flew the NYP’s here to celebrate with me.” I’m trying not to cry again. “Seriously, thank you Mom. Thanks Darc. This is amazing.”
I take another moment to look around. On the edge of the outdoor patio, there’s a bunch of tables set up. One of them boasts a four tiered birthday cake with white and pink frosting roses. Another holds a huge pile of presents. The rest are covered with food. There's ribs, chicken fingers, and salads. Servers dressed smartly in black and white suits walk around, some with puff pastry appetizers on silver platters and others hold trays of champagne. There’s even a wooden dance floor, assembled on the side lawn, under a cascade of twinkle lights and border of helium balloons.
“Happy Birthday, cous.” Travis finally saunters over and tips his cowboy hat at my friends. “Ladies,” he says and winks. Oh Lordy. He’s definitely looking for trouble tonight. Ava and Gina giggle and fawn over him. And where did Maggie go?
“Look,” Justine points to the dance floor where Sam and Maggie are dancing. He’s spinning her and I swear I can see little heart emojis floating off of them. “That happened fast.” I look over my shoulder, Mom is still hovering close.
“Mom, I’m not sure you thought this through. Ava, Gina and Maggie with Travis and Sam. I hope you realize the NYP’s might never go back to New York. Cullier Manor House is never going to be the same after this weekend!”
“Rian, this place needs it. It’s meant to be filled with laughter and the joy of young people. There have been enough serious nights and trauma to last us all a lifetime.” Mom takes a few steps closer to me and puts her hand on my cheek. “Go, dance, party with your friends. Have a magical birthday tonight.” She smiles, that wicked happy smile. The one I used to hate. But tonight, I love that smile on her, because it's for me.
“Thanks again, Mom. I love you.” I flash her my best smile, it might not be as powerful as hers, but it’s from my heart.
“I love you too. Now go, looks like the dance floor is heating up.” She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I grab Justine’s hand and drag her with me.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask her.
“Yeah, are you ready? I’ve got some pretty sweet moves,” she teases and pops her hip to the left with the beat of the music.
“Oh, you have no idea. Me and the NYP’s used to go dancing all the time.” I wiggle as I pull her along and she laughs.
“I bet you did,” she says.
“Play Bette Davis Eyes!” I shout at the DJ. “This one’s for you.” I give Justine a kiss and squeeze her hand.
Travis, Ava and Gina are on the floor dancing with Sam and Maggie. Every one of them is laughing and smiling. I literally had no idea either of my cousins had moves like that. Wait until I grill them about their dancing the next time we are out on the boat. I laugh, thinking about them practicing out in the barn. Or maybe Justine gave them lessons. A bead of sweat rolls down the back of my neck and honestly, I don’t care how hot or swampy it is tonight. There is no place I’d rather be than here with all of the people I love, twirling and two-stepping. Who would have guessed the day Mom and I drove down Old Palmetto Drive that I’d find everything that was missing from my privileged New York life.
