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“What’s the big news?”
“Big news?” I scratch my head like I have no clue what she could be asking.
“You popped by to just have lunch on a Monday afternoon? Nope. You’ve got something to tell, so spill it. Did you hook up with Logan?” she inquires in her best faux-sultry voice.
My eye roll and head shake are an automatic reaction. “God, Iz. I think you need to get some action of your own, because you’re way too invested in this ‘love life’ you’ve created between Logan and I.”
I over-exaggerate the air quotes I create with my fingers to emphasize just how batshit crazy I think she is. Every conversation with Iz since my dinner meetup with Logan has included at least a few probing questions about him. She can’t accept the fact we’re friends. Just friends.
“Whatever, Noah,” she chimes in, rolling her own eyes. “Answer my question, then. Why are you here?”
“Fine,” I huff, frustrated that this isn’t going how I mentally crafted it. “I got the call.”
“Yougotguardianship?” Iz’s words run together into an almost imperceptible question.
“I got guardianship,” I confirm, as a new round of tears rip loose.
Iz tucks in close beside me on the couch and holds my curled up body, encouraging me to let the happy tears flow. Eventually, her own intertwine with mine to create a cathartic river.
“I’m thrilled for you. I mean, I knew it was going to be alright, but fuck if this isn’t the best news.”
We clink our iced coffees together in celebration, and a good portion of mine splashes onto Iz’s floor when the plastic lid pops off. She’s ecstatic for me, but I know my best friend to the core and something is awry. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. This is a great day!”
“It’s thebestday.” I correct her. “But I know you, and you can’t sneak anything past me.”
Izabeth runs her hands through her ashen blonde hair and her shoulders slump.
“My boss wants me to take over a new account. It’s one of the biggest clients we’ll have ever represented.”
“Iz! That’s amazing. I’m proud of you.” Now it’s my turn to attack her with a tight hug. “You’ve worked hard for this. I’m glad your boss realizes what they have in you.” I hold my iced coffee up for another round of cheers, but she just looks at me gloomily.
My heart drops into my stomach when it hits me. If Izabeth has to move away from Northern Kentucky, I might die. I followed her back home to Alexandria, but I can’t follow her out. I have a life and career here—and now a child relying on me.
“Are you moving?” I croak out the words as the fresh contents of my stomach climb their way up my throat.
“No!” she exclaims. “But this new account will require a lot more attention and evening meetings. I won’t be able to help you with Rainey anymore. At least, not consistently. I’m so sorry.” Iz squeezes my hand.
The next bit of news I’d been saving—that the State will compensate her for all the help she’s providing after school—is a moot point. Her news deflates my amazing mood, but I’m determined to celebrate her accomplishments.
“I’ll figure something out.” I say, faking my optimism for her sake. “I’m freaking proud of you. And also, really fucking happy you aren’t moving. I was close to throwing up all over your couch for a second.”
“I would have murdered you.” Izabeth glares at me, and I know she’s not joking; she likesnicethings and she keeps her stuff pristine.
Leaving Iz’s place, I have an hour to kill before I can pick Rainey up from school. Impulsively, I text Logan to grab a coffee while I wait. He lives just a few blocks over from the cafe and arrives first. I greet him with a friendly hug—a first for us—but it feels as natural to me as curling up on the couch with a book on a rainy afternoon.
I’m taken aback that he not only remembered my coffee order, but placed it for me and was about to pay when I arrived. He ordered a glass of water for himself.
I toss my credit card on the counter. “Order something.”
“I’m good.”
“Logan. Order something.”
He begrudgingly complies, and I can’t help but notice he orders the cheapest item on the menu—a tall drip coffee with just a splash of cream. When he shared his financial struggles yesterday, my mind immediately went to the dark place where my brother mooches and begs for my ‘help’ anytime he runs out of cash. Maybe I’m naïve, but it doesn’t feel like that’s what’s happening here. Hell, he’s not asked for anything from me.
“I have good news,” I say, as we take a seat at the same table we shared on the girls’ first day of school.
