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“I know. Just get here when you can. If you can’t make it, the family will understand. I know you’re busy with the job and, well, David. When’s he going to pop the question? I’d feel better if I knew you had someone in Seattle looking out for you.” Nic prodded.
“I have someone looking out for me. Me.” I almost continued my rant about being independent, then I heard him laughing. “No fair trying to get me to feel better.”
“She wouldn’t want you to be sad, Eddie. She lived a long, good life.” Nic murmured something I couldn’t hear. “Look, I’ve got to go. Let me know if you need picked up at the airport. I could send the company jet for you.”
“I’ll be fine. Let me clear up some things here first.” I said goodbye, then dialed a new number. No one answered. I glanced at my watch. David should be at the hotel by now. I left a short message asking him to give me a call as soon as possible. I set the phone down on the vanity and checked my makeup. It was a total mess, but if I wanted to impersonate a racoon, I had the look down.
My vision wavered and instead of seeing my racoon eyes, I saw the inside of a bar, dark wood on the walls. The large bar had a mirror behind the bottles, making the liquor sparkle in the dim light. David sat at the bar, drinking a whiskey. As the phone beeped with my message, he looked at the display, then turned off his phone, tucking it into his jacket pocket. The woman from the plane came into the bar and sat next to him. He’d made a friend. Then as I watched, he leaned over and kissed her. A knife jabbed into my belly. He wasn’t on a business trip. Or maybe it was, but it was also more than that. He was involved with this woman. An affair. I barely made it to the toilet before my morning smoothie came up.
I’d told Nic I had things to settle here before I could go home. I hadn’t realized that ending a relationship would be on my to do list. There was no reason to stay here now. David and the job had been my main reason for building a life here in Seattle. Now, I didn’t know.
I went to my cubicle and got my purse. I stopped at Mr. Henry’s assistant’s desk. “Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I need to go home.”
“Oh, no.” The older woman dropped her voice. “Did you get a visit from your Aunt Flo?”
“What?” My face heated as I got her meaning. “No, I mean, yes. That’s what’s happening.”
“You poor girl. Put a heating pad against your tummy. It will help.” She leaned closer. “He’ll never know you’re gone. Don’t worry about it.”
As I walked out, I wondered how long it would take to pack the stuff David had left at the apartment. I’d drop it off at his building on my way out of town. I could send Mr. Henry a resignation letter via email. There was nothing in my office desk I needed. Or wanted. Maybe I’d explain how the movie was just the last straw. That my creative juices were being stilted. It would be easier on the people I’d left if no one ever had to watch a video on using a copier ever again.
I could at least do that for my peers.
2
My plane landed in New Orleans just before three in the afternoon. I felt totally wiped. I’d been up since I’d talked to Nic with just a few cat naps in between. I’d slept a little on the plane, but the guy next to me kept trying to chat. Or he had to get up and pee every ten minutes.
I’d had a lot to get done. My apartment was boxed up, waiting for movers to come in next week. My landlord had gratefully let me out of my lease since rental prices had soared since I’d signed. David’s stuff was with his building’s super with a note explaining why I was breaking up with him. I included a description of the blonde. Just in case he was confused.
I’d filed a change of address with the post office. Since I’d never switched banks when I’d moved away for college, I was about done with my to do list. Maybe packing up and moving back home was an overreaction to David’s cheating, but it wasn’t just my relationship problems that was driving me to pick up my life and start over. My job was less than fulfilling. My heart was broken from the loss of my grandmother. All I could think of was how badly I needed to be home.
Nic must have found my travel plans because a driver waited near the baggage claim with a placard with my name on it. I adjusted my tote on my shoulder and stopped in front of the older man. “I’m Eddie.”
“Why of course you are. You’re the spitting image of your mother. I bet you get told that all the time. I guess you don’t remember me, I’m Trenton. I’ve worked with your family for years, but you were so young back then. I drove you to the airport when you went off to college.” He started walking toward the baggage claim. “I’m assuming you have luggage?”
“Sorry, of course I remember you. Two bags, I’m afraid they’re pretty full. I needed enough to get through until my belongings arrive.” Now I was oversharing. Trenton didn’t care why my bags were heavy. Or, I assumed, that I was moving back. I was wrong on that point. He did care.
“Well, isn’t that just perfect. The family will be so happy you’re coming home. Do I take you to the compound first? Your brother and a few others are at the funeral home making final preparation. Your grandmother wanted a second line to take her from the church to the family vault.” Trenton chatted about the funeral arrangements as we waited for my luggage.
“I need to make a stop at Hotel Monteleone to check in and drop off my luggage. I’m staying in town. Then you can take me to the compound. I need to see Nic. Do you mind driving me back into town tonight? If it’s too much, I can get a rental.” I needed to stay in town. The hotel would help me adjust by giving me a break from my Seattle life to my new life in New Orleans. Besides, something was brewing in my head about a new business. I didn’t know what or why but staying in town was important but it was. My gut told me that.
“Of course, we can make the stop, but are you sure? You still have a room at the main house. I’ll get you a car out of the garage to use until you make other arrangements. There’s no need for a rental. We have too many cars just sitting now adays. But you look beat. I’ll drive you back to the hotel tonight if that’s what you want. I’ll leave a car at the hotel for your use first thing in the morning.” Trenton grabbed the luggage I pointed out and put them on a cart. Then he nodded to the exit. “We’re that way.”
“I need to stay in town. At least for a while.” My head hurt from the lack of sleep and all I wanted to do was curl up on a bed and sleep. As much as I needed sleep, I needed to see my brother more. When I got into the back seat, I texted him. I’LL BE AT THE COMPOUND WHEN YOU’RE DONE. CAN I EAT DINNER WITH YOU?
The answering text came fast, like he’d been waiting. WE’RE ON OUR WAY BACK NOW. DINNER’S AT SIX.
I closed my eyes and for the first time in days, I fell into a sleep that didn’t have dreams or nightmares. The next thing I knew, Trenton was gently shaking my shoulder. I wiped a line of drool from my chin. Not my best look. “I’m awake. I’ll go check in and be right back.”
“Miss Eddie, we’re at the compound, not at the hotel. I already took care of checking you in. You were sleeping so hard I didn’t want to bother you.” He reached into his pocket. “I got your keys and put the room on the company card. You’re all set.”
I’d forgotten how easy it was to live here. Everyone took care of me. That had been the one reason I hadn’t come home after college. I needed to know that I could do it on my own. But tonight, I was too tired to fight for my independence. Tonight, I wanted a meal, to talk with Nic and then my bed. Maybe not in that order. I might sleep for days.
Moving through the house to my old bedroom, I didn’t see anyone. I still had a couple of hours before dinner. As soon as I opened the door to my old room, I kicked off my shoes and fell on the bed. Pulling a quilt up over me, I fell asleep.
I woke to the darkened room. Someone sat on the bed next to me. She ran her hand over my hair and made soothing noises. The room smelled like roses, the scent Grandma Andrews always wore. I blinked and no one was there. Sitting up, I rolled my shoulders. I should have expected a visit from my grandmother. Even dead, she wouldn’t have missed the chance to welcome me home.
I picked up my tote where I’d dropped it next to the bed. I had stashed makeup, toiletries, and a change of clothes. I’d known that I’d be short on time when I got here. Being prepared was vital to making a proper showing in this family. The aunts and uncles would be at the table tonight. I’d get away with jeans and a nice shirt, but not the yoga pants and oversized tee I’d traveled in.
