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“You sure? I know how private you wanted to keep this.”
I stare at my feet with my hand gripped around the back of my neck. “I’m sure. I need to know who I can trust.”
“All right then. I’ll call or text you as soon as I know something.”
“Okay.”
“Listen… are Lilah and Monica doing okay?” he asks.
“Thanks for asking. They’re shaken up, but they’re somewhere safe now.”
“Glad to hear it. Talk soon.”
I spend the next hour pacing the deck, and once I can’t stand the silence any longer, I go to face Adelaide. I can’t believe she’d think I wouldn’t go be with my daughter in a time like this because of some stupid interview she’s set up for us to discuss the color theme we chose for the wedding or what designer she’s wearing.
Things between us have grown more and more strained in the past couple of months. I’d like to think it’s because Monica entering our life means Lilah's back in my life. I'd like to think she’s being this way because she’s scared but thinking that feels like I'm lying to myself.
When I come in through the sliding doors, she’s in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine. She looks at me and sets the wine glass and bottle on the counter.
“I’m sorry,” she says with sincerity. She walks over and steps into me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her cheek to my chest. “This wedding has been such a big undertaking and I want everything to go perfectly for the start of our lives together. Sometimes I lose sight of what’s most important. Of course you have to be with your daughter.”
Slowly I bring my arms around her back and return the hug. “This is a big change for her. If I could be here with you, I would, but Monica has to come first.”
She nods, her cheek rubbing up and down my chest. “I know. I get it. I really do. It’s just been hard with you so absent right before our wedding.”
I pull away so I can look into her eyes. “I’m sorry for that. If I could’ve been here helping you decide who sits where and how big to make the ice sculptures, I would have, even though all of that sounds like a form of slow torture.”
She smiles. “I know. Do you forgive me?” The hope in her eyes pricks my chest.
“Of course.” I place a chaste kiss on her lips. “Want to watch a movie or something until it’s time to knock off?”
“Only if I can choose.”
“Deal.” I smile, and she heads back to the kitchen to finish pouring her glass of wine.
When we're on the couch, Adelaide leans her back into me, her feet tucked under a blanket and wine in her hand. As much as I hope Adelaide can get past her animosity with Lilah and welcome Monica into our lives with open arms, I have to remember this is new to all of us. It’s uncharted territory, and I can’t expect her to react like I would.
She peeks up at me, and when I bend to kiss her forehead, she smiles. I have to keep fighting. Eventually everything will even out with all of us.
* * *
I’mout on the deck, nursing a beer and staring at the stars, while I think about everything and nothing. How, in a matter of months, has everything constant in my life changed?
My phone buzzes in my hand. I unlock it and press Keane’s text message.
Keane: He says the tip came in from the number 213-878-1023 via text. I’ll get someone on trying to figure out whose number it is in the morning.
Shit. I’d hoped for something more solid than a vague number. I sold my soul in exchange for some magic beans.
Thanks. Talk to you in the morning.
I take another pull off my beer and stare into the darkness. I feel as though everything in my life is swirling around me and I’m in the center of the tornado, unable to grasp hold of anything as it spins me out of control.
A couple hours later, I look at the time. I should head to bed, but my head is pounding with a stress headache. I’ll never be able to sleep, so I head into the main bathroom to hunt for some Advil.
Shit. There isn’t any. All of the local stores are closed right now.
Then I remember Adelaide taking one on the plane the other day. Maybe there’s some in her purse.
