Miles for Love Series Box Set, page 118
“You really think so?”
“If all the people that I’ve known had gone through half of what you have in the last year, they would have slit their wrists, buying a ticket out of here. Not you. Instead, you motor on. And at least this, this is something good. You’re not sick, Tyler’s going to go bonkers if you make him a daddy, and I know you’ll make a fucking fantastic mother. You’ll put me to shame.”
She looks at me like I’m some fabled character. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”
“Good or bad, Rip, you and I, we’re it. Ain’t nothing or nobody can break us apart, no matter what. Positive or negative, babe, we’ll get through this.”
We both pause, looking at each other. I’m the first to break the silence. “Are you ready to go look? It should be done.”
She exhales deeply. “God, I feel like I’m in a scene from a really bad after school special. This is too real.”
“Hey, it’s one day at a time, just like everything else.” I say, taking her hand, dragging her to the bathroom. The test stick is facing up. We both look at it. The ghost of a smile is on her face. “I knew it.” I say, smiling. “I knew you’d be happy.”
Lifting the strip, she inspects it. There is a clear pink ‘t’ in the window. “Holy shit.” She gasps, hugging me.
“There you go.” I hug her back, feeling my friend’s happiness. We both start gasping, blubbering like it’s high school all over again.
“There’s a little person growing inside me.” she says, touching her stomach. “It’s…too weird.”
“Hard to believe, huh.” I say, patting her belly. “When are you going to tell Tyler?”
“I think I should wait, Frankie. I mean, half the time these things don’t work out, anyway, right?”
“I don’t think it’s fifty percent, but yeah, it’s possible that it might not pan out. How long are you going to wait?”
“Christmas?” she says as though asking me.
“Sure. Hey, do something really cool with it.”
“Got any ideas?”
It takes me a second, but my eyes light up. “Oh yeah.”
Chapter 12
Stacey
Even though Marcus and I are still a little tense around each other, we’ve managed to keep it together. Tina and I have been busy little beavers taking advantage of the upcoming holiday season. Turns out that she was right, this company has way more pull here than in Canada. I’ve already got a few clients of my own and a few prospects as well. Never realized I had it in me to get leads and leverage people to buy my products. It’s a great feeling. With Christmas just a week away, I’m so busy with the business and with buying gifts for everyone, that I don’t realize that I haven’t spoken to Grant in a while. The poor guy is probably wondering where I am. Truthfully, it doesn’t hurt that I haven’t seen him. It negates the whole question with Marcus as to why I haven’t told Grant the truth. It’s hard to level with someone when you haven’t even seen them.
Other things are in the works as well, and lots of things will happen soon enough. For one, I’ll have somewhere else to live, and Marcus doesn’t even know about that yet. It seems like everything is finally falling into place, when mere weeks ago, I thought that my life was completely hopeless. My therapist has commented on how much progress I’m making, too. Marcus keeps asking me if I’ve shared with her what nuttiness I have going on in my life, but I don’t answer him. Marcus is out with a friend, buying Christmas gifts, so I have the house to myself. I’ve got the Christmas music cranked up, and I’m wrapping presents.
But I’m interrupted by the doorbell ringing. When I get to the door, I see that nobody is there, but there is a box on the front stoop. I pick it up and read the label, seeing that it’s a package from work. As I’m about to bring it in the house, I see a pickup truck pull up out front. Grant waves to me from the driver’s side, and I slide the box inside the house, leaving the door open.
“Hey, did Santa come early this year?” he asks as he walks up the driveway.
“No, it’s just a package from work. How are you? Come on in.”
Grant comes in and takes off his shoes. “I’m good. Are you all ready for Christmas?”
“Just about. I was actually wrapping gifts.”
“Okay, I’ll close my eyes.”
I smack him playfully, rolling my eyes. “Funny. That’s one thing I don’t miss about you. You were always so hard to buy for.”
“Oh yeah? Nobody’s ever said that about me before.”
“Maybe you’ve changed, but when we were together, everything I bought you I don’t think you ever used.”
“That’s not true.” He licks his lips. “You bought me a few shirts that I still have.”
“Do you wear them?”
“Well, not in a while, no. But I still have them.”
I smirk. “Because you hated them, but they had sentimental value.”
“Sentimental value or not. I still have them.”
“So you have one up on me, because I don’t have anything that you ever gave me. But then, I was also married. That’s not allowed.”
“Really? Last check it was okay to have a past, Stacey.”
“Maybe for most, but not for Mark. Especially when my past involved you.”
Now it’s his turn to smirk.
“Can I offer you something? Tea? Coffee?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks. I just thought I’d come by and see how you were doing.”
“It’s funny, because I was just thinking about you before you showed up.”
“Were you really?”
“Yeah.” I look at him and smile.
“How would you like to ditch all this Christmas wrapping and go out for dinner?”
Oh no… “I’d love to, Grant, but I really can’t. Marcus is going to be home soon, and I still have to do my share of the cleaning after I finish wrapping.”
“Are you sure? You don’t think he could make an exception? When was the last time you went out for dinner?”
I smile but my eyes are pleading. “Grant, I really can’t. Maybe after Christmas, when the dust has settled.”
He bows his head in defeat. “Okay. Why don’t I let you go, then. I don’t want to keep you.” He gives me a half smile. I’ve offended him and I feel awful.
“I’m sorry.”
He raises his hand. “Hey, it’s cool. You’ve got stuff going on. I get it.” I walk him to the foyer and he holds his hands out. “At least let me give you a Merry Christmas hug? Since I won’t see you now until after Christmas?”
I walk towards him and put my hands on his shoulders. I’m careful not to hug him too hard. He’s gentle, just like he always was. It feels so good hugging him, but I fight with myself to not let it give him the wrong impression. I don’t want to lead him on in any way and something tells me that I already have. He gives my back a rub and then pulls back, kissing me on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Stacey.”
I kiss his nose. “Merry Christmas, Grant.”
***
Grant
Driving away from Stacey’s house, I’m baffled. Did I say something wrong? Did I come on too strong? What? My mind is once again reeling, when I notice that my gas tank is almost empty. I pull up to the gas station just around the corner from Stacey’s house, and I see Marcus, Stacey’s brother, filling up. “Hey, Marcus. How are you?” I ask.
“Oh, hey, Grant. I’m good. How are you?” he’s looking at me strangely, like I’m walking around in my underwear or something.
“Good…I think.” I shake my head, scoffing. “I’m not trying to be an asshole or anything, but your sister just blew me off and I’m not sure why. I offered to take her out for dinner, and she told me that she had to finish wrapping gifts and clean up her share of the house before you got home. I mean, if she doesn’t want me to come around anymore, I don’t understand why she doesn’t just come right out and say it.” I’m rambling, but I don’t care. “I get it that she’s got stuff to work through, man, but she’s been really coming around lately. I thought she was making progress, and I thought that taking her out for dinner would be a nice gesture, but I think I somehow offended her.”
I pause as I select the grade of gas I want and open the valve. Marcus removes the nozzle from the tank and hangs it back on the holder. “Is she in some kind of trouble, man? Does Mark have some kind of hold on her? I’m trying to help her, but it’s almost like she’s afraid to take my help.”
He looks at me and shakes his head apologetically. “Look, man, I can’t say anything. As much as I’d love to, I can’t. She’s my sister and I can’t betray her like that.”
I lift a hand. “No, I get it. I’d never ask you to do that.”
“Mark doesn’t have a hold on her and legally she’s not in any trouble, if that’s what you mean. She’s just…stubborn and being stupid, and as much as I’d love to tell her to hit the road, I can’t. My parents would roll over in their graves if I kicked my sister’s ass like that.”
“Like I said, man, I’d never ask you to do that. I have a sister too, and I’d never fuck her over.”
“Thanks, man.” He shakes my hand. “Maybe after Christmas this shit will settle.”
“That’s what she said. Maybe I ought to just listen to her for once. Let her come to me when she’s ready.”
“I don’t know how long you’re going to be waiting for, man. She knows your family hates her. That’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
“They’re coming around.”
“I wouldn’t put too much stock in it, Grant.” He looks up at me as though he’s about to tell me the meaning of life. “If I were you, I’d just move on. Trust me.”
I purse my lips together. “Not ready to do that yet.”
“Okay.” He tilts his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He shakes my hand again. “I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, man. See ya.”
***
Aleks, Mallorie’s husband, is standing next to me, as we chat with my dad. Aleks is very similar to me in stature, and he has his hair cut shorter than the last time I saw him in the summer. He’s munching on some trail mix while dad and I chat about work, when Tyler enters the kitchen.
“Hey, dad.” Tyler says. “Can we steal some egg nog?”
“Sure, son. Help yourself.” Dad says.
“Work been busy?” Tyler asks me, clearly fishing.
“Yeah,” I nod perfunctorily.
Tyler tries again. “Have you had any leads on a roommate yet?”
“No, not really.”
“Did you advertise?”
“Nope. But I will.”
“You want me to help spread the word?”
“Nope.”
“You can come by whenever you want.” Tyler offers. “We outfitted the hot tub so that we can use it during the cold months.”
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about putting one in the backyard, actually.”
Tyler is interested. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I haven’t decided yet.” I say as Dad goes over to lend a hand to Mom, who looks like she’s struggling to hang a banner.
“Let me know if you need a hand.” Tyler offers.
“Yeah,” I nod but offer no eye contact.
“You okay, man?” Tyler asks.
“Fine.”
“You ever going to be cool with me again?”
“I don’t know. You ever going to fix this family so that I can have a proper relationship with Stacey?” I ask evenly. “It’s tough enough with her divorce to try and solidify things with her, without having to tip toe around the family. I know she’s not perfect like all the other women in the family, but hey, we’re trying to make a new beginning, and it’d be nice to have some support.”
“We’re all trying to be supportive, buddy.” Tyler says. “It’s the distance that’s the killer. We give an inch, you go back a foot.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Not really, man. Aside from Mallorie, we’ve all been getting one-liners out of you for months. If you and Stacey are so solid, why didn’t you bring her here tonight? You didn’t even ask.”
“Because I know what’s going to happen. We’ll be able to cut the tension in the air with a knife. She’s got enough problems, that’s the last thing she needs, especially her first Christmas away from her ex.”
“If it weren’t for the tension, would you have brought her?”
I consider my answer carefully. “Probably not. We’re not there yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s…complicated. She and I aren’t really a couple yet. I’ve been trying, but she’s got so much going on with her family and the divorce.”
“So what was her bracelet doing at the house the day I moved out?”
“Look, you wouldn’t understand. And if it weren’t for your preconceived notions about her, I’d try to explain, but it would be for naught, so just drop it.”
“You mean you’re not sleeping with her?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.” I say somewhat coldly.
“Well, I apologize then.” Tyler says solemnly. “I thought you were. I thought you’d dove in deep with her. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I say, nodding, pursing my lips together into a smile.
Tyler tries again. “Hey, man. Don’t let this…come between us. We’ve been close for way too long. It’s Christmas. Just…forget about it.”
“Sure.” I say, only semi-convincingly.
“You kids want to open a gift?” Mom calls from the living room.
Tyler looks at Ripley, who is trying to look busy rearranging things on the counter. “It’s tradition. One teaser gift only on Christmas Eve.” He takes her hand in his and leads her to the living room. Both Daniel and Christopher look at Tyler. He shrugs. As we all sit peppered through the living room, waiting for Mom to hand out a gift to everyone, all I can think about is Frankie, and the fact that she’s probably alone with her mother, drinking that shit we were drinking on Thanksgiving.
As Ripley is handed a box with a gift label that says ‘from Santa’ she smiles. Tyler is handed one, too. He opens his box first, and sees a pair of leather gloves, which he’d asked for, and he grins. “Thanks, mom…err…Santa.” He says, and then he looks at Ripley expectantly. “Open it, babe.”
He watches Ripley open the box. Inside is a hand-made knit stocking with her name, date of birth, and a large apple on it, signifying the fact that she’s a teacher. Tyler points to the mantlepiece above the fireplace, where stockings are hung, each one with every family member’s name, date of birth, and an image signifying each person’s interests. “See? You’re part of the family.”
Ripley leans in and kisses him, and I can feel my heart ache. “Thank you, Santa.” she says, and I hear her voice crack with emotion.
“Oh, you’re welcome, dear.” Mom says. “I hope you like it. And I hope that you don’t mind if we keep it here with the rest of them.”
“No, not at all.”
“Do you want to come and hang it, sweetie?” Dad offers, setting aside his gift, which is unopened.
“Sure.”
Ripley goes to hang her stocking, and everyone claps a little, like she’s been initiated into the family. Tyler gives her another kiss as she sits back down, watching everyone gush and make jokes about their gifts. I open a set of beer steins from Santa and smile. “Thanks, Santa.” I say, giving mom a kiss on the cheek in thanks. Only my mom would buy me beer steins and think that it’s a totally cool Christmas gift.
“Do we get to open more?” Christopher teases.
Mom smiles. “Not until Christmas.”
“But we’re grown ups.” Christopher protests.
“Says the man who’s whining.” Daniel points out.
“Quiet or you get coal.” Dad says.
***
Christmas
The kids tear around the house, playing hide and seek, and I join them for the most part. It’s a great tactic to avoid talking to the adults, who I know are chatting about me at some points, because they look up at me from the corner of their eye. Part of me can’t wait to eat so I can get out of here, and part of me wishes that it didn’t have to be like this. Not everybody meshes well with people that come into the family via relationships, and I always hoped that for me, it would be different. Everyone else in this family has been accepted, so why can’t Stacey be, too? Sure, she’s made mistakes, but haven’t we all?
“Grant, you want a beer?” Dad offers from the kitchen.
“Sure, dad. Just one, though.”
“Oh? You’re not going to stay the night?”
“No, not tonight, dad.”
Mom overhears as she bastes the turkey. “You seeing Stacey tonight?”
I sigh. “No, she’s…got her own stuff going on. I thought I’d swing by and see Frankie. Her and her mom are alone and…” I laugh, knowing that mom and dad will get a kick out of this story. “They got tanked on Thanksgiving, so I figure someone needs to go over there and rescue them.”
“Were you over there on Thanksgiving?” Dad asks, smiling, enjoying the little story.
“Yeah, I went over. Her mom was passed out from this stuff that Frankie calls ‘Turkey Punch’. I got trashed from a couple of cups of it. Wicked shit.”
“Well, then I’ll make sure you eat plenty, so you can hold up.” Mom says, patting my shoulder.
“You don’t…drink and drive, do you, Grant?” Dad asks cautiously.
I crane my neck. “Hell, no. I stay over there.”
Mom and dad exchange a look. I catch it but I let it go. I’m not up for an argument. The rest of the family are busy chatting in the living room, completely oblivious to the conversation going on in here. “Mom, can I help you with something? I’m starved.” I offer.
“Sure, Grant. We can get the leaf in the table and get it set. We’ll get all the fixings ready so we can serve the turkey in a half hour or so.”
“Here, let’s make it a team effort.” Dad says, as we both lend a hand in the kitchen. Dinner is fabulous, and I make it my business to sit next to mom and dad and avoid my brothers. “How long are you staying, Mal?” I ask as I take my last bite of supper.
