Page 21 of Chalk It Up

“So you mentioned that your family used to vacation at Pine Lake and you met the Vons while swimming?” I need to distract myself.

“Yeah, I hit it off with them so easily. I feel like even as a kid I knew I only wanted to be in Pine Lake. When it was time to head home at the end of our vacations, I always felt so depressed. I felt like I kept leaving the biggest part of me behind and there was nothing I could do about it.” It almost feels like he’s talking about more than just the lake and the friendships. As if he’s really, seriously talking about his heart.

“It’s so weird to think of you as a little kid.” I laugh trying to imagine all these huge men as skinny, scrawny teenagers wreaking havoc on Pine Lake and its citizens. That mental image gives me the perfect reprieve from my nerves.

He chuckles a little, probably picturing it too. “We were definitely some little troublemakers back then. All of us except August. Even then he seemed like the dad of the group. Probably some eldest kid syndrome.”

“Are you not the eldest in your family?” We meander easily enough to each of the photos and the still lifes around us are gorgeous. The photos in this gallery are captivating and unique. This particular section has photos with bold, dynamic colors and shadows you wouldn’t expect. Being a photographer, I can thoroughly appreciate how difficult each of these images are to capture.

“Worse. I’m an only child. Spoiled, irresponsible, and loves to have way too much fun.”

“That honestly sounds like an incredible time. And it sounds like you and August are complete opposites. How did you even become friends?”

“Haven’t you heard? Opposites attract? I guess that applies to bromances too.” Emmett isn’t his usual, flirty self right now. He’s actually keeping a little more distance than he has before and I’m wondering what changed. I’m not offended, just curious. “He needed someone to help him lighten up a little, and I needed someone to keep me grounded and help me stay out of trouble. Queue Daddy August.

“Daddy August.” I repeat on a chuckle. “I guess that fits him.

“Yup. He was always the one to keep us all in line, he was there for serious conversation, and anticipated our needs before we even saw them coming. He’s a great guy.” Emmett and I make pointed eye contact now, and I feel like he’s deeply trying to communicate something to me. I clear my throat, not sure what to say. Are we starting our own August Von Fan Club? Because I’ll happily be its president and co-founder.

“From what I’ve seen between him and Adeline, all of those qualities definitely line up perfectly.”

“They really do. I just hope there’s someone taking care of the caretaker.” He looks at me again and I can’t breathe, and for an entirely different reason than the gallery we’re currently in. It seriously feels like Emmett is trying to pitch his best friend to me. On our date. And I love that idea.

“Yeah, hopefully.” I can already see us moving into a portion of the gallery that I don’t think I’m ready for. I can feel my head starting to swim and vision going blurry around the edges. “Will you please excuse me? I need to run to the restroom.”

“Of course. Take your time. I’ll be here.” I really don’t want him to wait in that exact spot but I can’t tell him that.

“Thanks.” I rush to the restroom at an embarrassing speed. He probably thinks there’s something seriously wrong with me. I pull out my phone the second I’m through the restroom door and call Thea. “Thea,” I get her name out through short breaths, “I need you to come get me. I’m having an attack. I feel it coming.”

“Evie, no. Where are you? I can’t come right now. There’s a slight emergency here at the house.”

“Is Maple okay?” Great, panic on top of panic.

“Yes, don’t freak out. She just got into some of your cheese.” She pauses and there’s a horrible sound on the other side of the line. “Okay, well, a lot of your cheese. Cielos. She’s throwing up now. But also, is she lactose intolerant? Because…this is so gross. It’s not just vomit, if you get what I’m saying.”

I really do know what she’s saying and I know it’s not pretty over there. “Okay, that’s fine. Take care of Maple, but can you call someone? Anyone? I feel like I’m going to pass out.

“Gotcha, don’t worry. Help is on the way. I gotta go. Cuidarse.” She ends the call immediately. I work myself over the sink and flip on the cold water. Splashing my face helps a little, but now I have to dab some of my make-up. Honestly, that’s the least of my concerns right now especially given that this date is probably over.

I get myself calmed down enough to walk back out to Emmett, and as promised, he’s in the same exact spot. It doesn’t help me at all. I subconsciously rub at the scar on my hand, and that does it for me. I’m done.

It happens again, my vision narrows, my head swims and pounds, and my chest feels like a giant has a vice grip on it determined to kill me. It all happens so fast, then my legs give out along with my vision.

chapter 15

August

Today was a more challenging day than usual and I always feel guilty asking Miss Wilma to watch Adeline longer on my more difficult days. But I have to tell myself that if Adeline had a mom with us, a partner to help me, then I wouldn’t feel guilty having her mom take over while I decompress. It’s not wrong for a single parent to ask their village for help, especially when the one person who was supposed to be their support selfishly decided that they no longer wanted to be that.

Everything that could’ve gone wrong today, absolutely did. Batteries weren’t charged, bids not going through, small office supplies not coming in or not working which genuinely is a drain on resources, and all around sour attitudes at work. I know, pot meet kettle. But everyone’s happier dispositions always help to balance mine out.

I sink into my large leather recliner, tea in hand, and gazing at the sunset through our floor-to-ceiling windows is my favorite way to decompress, especially after a day like today.

I used to feel ridiculous being such a large man steeping myself a mug of tea at night, and not turning to something stronger to bring me back down. But aside from my parents, addictions runs rampant through both sides of my family. I’ll never run the risk of depending on a substance and not being able to be there one-hundred percent for Adeline. So with my tea and my dogs around me, I decide I’ll give myself thirty minutes before I head out to pick up Adeline.

That is, until my phone starts ringing incessantly, which is very unusual. The only people who call me are Alana and Reid and they were both very busy when I left the office not too long ago. The name staring back at me makes no sense, but I decide to answer it anyway.

“Thea?” I answer confused.