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“So nothing new with you and Colton?” Savannah presses as I stir the straw around in the tea, completely uninterested. “Okay, sore subject. So why are you spending the day with his daughter?”
“It’s complicated, Savannah.” I sigh chewing on my lip. “We got close when Colton and I were together. She looks up to me I guess.”
“I get that. But what led to you having her today? You said y’all weren’t speaking, but you obviously didn’t just kidnap his daughter for pedicures.” She giggles to herself.
“I never said we weren’t speaking, Savannah. I actually didn’t comment at all when you asked about Colton.” I point out very matter-of-factly. “But since my dilemma is like Days of Our Lives to you, I’ll bite. He invited me over for supper the other night and Heidi Jo said she missed spending time with me. I had nothing better to do today, so why not.”
The waitress brings over the cheese and bacon fries appetizer saving me from Savannah’s further inquisition. I pile a glob of cheesy, greasy goodness on each of the girls’ plates, and dab a fry in some ranch dressing before tossing it in my mouth. The warm creamy goodness tastes like heaven. I drag a chunk of fries to my plate, pouring a dollop of ranch on the side. Savannah knows that I hate talking while I eat, so she stows the interrogation and we eat in silence. “Carly?” I hear a deep voice from behind me. Looking up, I see Savannah’s mouth drop open as I glance up to see Luke.
“Hey, Luke. What are you doin’ down this way?” I ask as I pull him into a hug. Mmmm, always so warm. “Wanna join us?”
“Yeah, for just a minute.” He says sliding in the booth next to Savannah. He wraps an arm around her shoulder and embraces her in a friendly hug. “Hey Savannah, nice seein’ you again. How you been?” She winces at his touch and draws in a deep rugged breath at his closeness. I roll my eyes at her pitiful attempt at staying calm.
She smiles brightly, flashing her perfectly straight pearly teeth, “I’m wonderful, Luke. How have you been?”
“Been good. Came down to spend the week with my momma, see some old friends.” He says as he glances around the table from Savannah to the girls then back to me. He cocks an eye brow up at me when he sees Heidi Jo and a sly smile tips up on his lips. “So what have you ladies been into today?”
“Eh, you know. Girl stuff.” I reply.
“Y’alls been out with these two little princesses all day and still have your sanity?” He laughs, pointing to Brailee and Heidi Jo.
“They’ve been stuck to each other’s hips so much I don’t think they even acknowledged us until it was time to eat.” Savannah laughs nervously. Luke stares at her curiously for a minute. She drops her head, her hair hiding her face. Luke scoots away, giving her room to breathe as he picks up on her discomfort.
Leaning in to me and he whispers, “Good sign seein’ Heidi Jo here with ya, beauts.”
“Not really. It is what it is.” If our love could strengthen just by the faith of our family and friends, Colton and I would be unbreakable. But it just don’t work like that. It’s sweet that everyone is concerned for our relationship, but honestly I hate that everyone is watching our drama unfold like a cheap daytime soap opera. There’s so much more to Colton and me, but it’s all hidden by the pending doom of ‘who’s the daddy.’
Luke pulls his phone from his pocket, glancing down at the screen quickly. “Well, Momma just showed up, so I’ll leave you ladies to your supper.” He says rising tall to his feet, f
lexing his arms at his side. Savannah gazes up at him shamefully, with a sad look etched in her eyes and it worries me. “Call me this week and we’ll do lunch. Maybe Savannah can join us again.” He smiles brightly, turning on his heels as we call out goodbye to him.
“You okay, Sis?” I ask Savannah. She always seems off kilter around Luke and it worries me. I don’t want her to feel unease with my best friend.
“Peachy keen, sweets.” She smiles sweetly, but her voice is low.
“Can we get cupcakes yet?” Brailee asks.
“No, I want frozen yogurt! Only Carly Jo let’s me have the good stuff when it’s cold. Please, please, Carly Jo.” Heidi Jo shrills, piercing Brailee with a rotten scowl.
“Let’s have both!” I announce excitedly, pouncing up from the table. Both girls laugh and scoot out of their seats to follow behind me.
We finish our evening back at the mall food court to appease the girls’ sweet tooth. Acting ‘grown up’ the girls sit a few tables ahead of Savannah and me clear within sight, but far enough away for privacy. Savannah is swirling her spoon around in the yogurt cup with her head resting on her hand. She’s distant, almost on another planet even. She hasn’t talked much at all since we left Jaxson’s. “Hey,” I whisper laying my hand on her wrist and she flinches at my touch. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She stammers.
“Savannah, you know you can talk to me if something is bothering you, right? I sure load enough of my own drama on you. So if you need to talk, just let it out.” I try to grip her hand in mine, but she pulls away instantly. Red flags start to fly up and I’m concerned about why she doesn’t want to be touched.
“Thanks, Sis. Nothing to worry you with.” She mutters quietly, keeping her face down. I can see the pain etched on her face, but whatever is eating at her I don’t think she’s ready to let it out just yet. I argue with myself internally over whether to push her to talk or if I should let it go. Being persistent and impatient, I press her to talk.
“Savannah, what’s up with you drawing away every time someone touches you?” She wrings her hands together in her lap, chewing on the side of her lip just like I do when I’m nervous. I tilt my head down so I can look at her and when our eyes lock, she know’s she’s been made. Anguish is smeared all over her beautiful face, but I don’t know why. “Talk to me. I can see that something is hurting you, but I can’t help you until you tell me how I can help.” I plead with her, scared for my big sister. I know the depths that we bury our secrets and the lengths we go to hide that shame that we carry.
She turns to me slowly, her eyes filled with heavy tears that are threatening to spill over at any moment. “What draws you to Luke?” She asks quietly. What the hell? Luke?
“Luke? Savannah, what does Luke have to do with anything? You’ve only met him a handful of times.”
“Just answer me, please.” She begs, wiping the rebel tear from her cheek. I sigh, deciding to play along with her. I tap my fingers on the table for a moment, deciding the best way to answer.
“He’s sincere.” I state, thinking hard about the best qualities Luke carries. “He’s comforting, he know’s just what to say when the words are needed the most. It’s almost like he’s Superman and can see straight through me. No matter how hard I try to cover up the pain I carry, he sees it, feels it even.”
