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After I hit send, I question whether or not it’s okay to still call Autumn and Clementine “my girls.” But as soon as the three dots dance in the gray bubble, my doubt gets shoved aside.
Autumn:Clementine is a grump. Me too. I have another appointment with my attorney Thursday. Hoping for good news.
I don’t know much about attorneys and the timetables for legal matters, but two weeks have passed since Autumn last spoke with them. Shouldn’t there be updates already?
Jonas:Fingers crossed. I’d love to see you. No pressure, though.
Adding the last part was painful. As if I have ever pressured her into spending time together. If anything, I have been more relaxed than most.
Autumn:Me too. I promise. Soon. Gotta go - client.
I want to text her back and say more, but I stop myself. She wouldn’t see it until later anyway. Maybe I should write her another letter. Her work hours are earlier now, so I would have to either drop it at her apartment or give it to Penny or one of the guys at the shop. Maybe I will just leave it at her door.
In the meantime, I should get all the advice I can right now. With my phone still out, I open up another text history and type.
Jonas:Busy tonight?
Cora:No, what’s up?
Gavin:Just watching Lord of the Rings for the 361,722,908,639th time.
Cora:Shush, mister.
Jonas:Mind if we hang? Could use some advice.
Cora:Come over when you’re done with work. I’ll cook.
Gavin:Eat meat ahead of time, if that’s your thing.
I laugh out loud, and it feels good to smile a moment. Although my time with Cora isn’t as frequent as it once was, I still remember her no-meat diet.
Jonas:Not worried about it. I’ll be there a little after 5.
Cora:See you.
Gavin:It’s your stomach. Later, bro.
I stuff my phone back in my coveralls and amble out of the office. Work is the last thing I want to do, but I need to pass the time with distractions. Later, I will ask Cora and Gavin the hundreds of questions brewing in my head. Hopefully, they will have answers.
* * *
After going home to let Spartan out and feed him early, I ride over to Cora and Gavin’s house. At times, I still find it odd calling ittheirplace.
Not a full year has passed since Gavin returned to Florida, and yet it feels as if several years have flown by. So much has happened since last April. Most of the monumental moments have occurred in the last two and a half months. In my eyes, anyway. Between Cora and Gavin getting married and me falling for Autumn and Clementine, life has been a whirlwind. And now with the custody case, seems I can’t catch my breath.
I pull onto the paved driveway and park my bike behind Cora’s car. Kicking the stand out, I rise off the bike and remove my helmet. For a beat, I stare at the small patio area just outside the back door. Most of the decor is small pieces Cora had before Gavin returned, but every now and then I spot new touches. Pieces that reflect Gavin’s taste or their combined taste. As similar as the two of them are, I notice the small nuances after knowing my best friend for a decade.
If I get lucky, one day I will see pieces of Autumn in my life.
Taking a deep breath, I head for the back door. Although my family would be more than happy to give me advice with what’s happening, my friends are what I need. People who are family, but in a different light. That have no bias because they know my childhood or want to soothe my wounds. Cora and Gavin may not have experienced the same hiccup in their relationship, but they have had hardships.
Just as I lift my hand to knock, the door swings open and a smiling Cora stands on the other side. “Hey.” Without warning, she lunges toward me, grabs my hand, and hauls me forward. Her slender arms wrap around me and squeeze with unimaginable strength.
I welcome the embrace and return it. A year ago, Cora’s hugs held different meaning. They once held the hope of something beyond friendship. Now, hugging Cora is like hugging Jasmine or Jillian. Full of warmth and tenderness and love, but familial.
“Hey,” I say as I peel my arms away.
Gavin steps past Cora and pulls me in for a half hug and shoulder slap. “Hey, man. Come in.”
