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Gemma: I’m just…I dunno. Questioning everything again.
Everleigh doesn’t reply for a little while, but she’s also in the process of closing the boutique.
Everleigh: Want to hang out and talk about it?
Gemma: I’d rather drink myself stupid and go to bed.
Everleigh: Adulting at its finest.
I want to ask her if she knows if Tyler’s dating someone or that there was a woman at her house, but I don’t want to start anything.
Gemma: I’m a hot mess.
Everleigh: What did Robert do now?
Honestly, I haven’t talked or texted him all day. It’s proof that he’d rather do other things than be with me. I didn’t sleep over last night like usual since he had a late business meeting, and I didn’t want to be at his house alone. Normally, it wouldn’t bother me that there’s been no communication, but it’s like the filthy curtain covering our relationship has been removed, and I’m noticing all the things I don’t like.
Gemma: Nothing. He hasn’t done anything.
The alcohol is swimming, and I type out another message.
Gemma: It’s Tyler. I thought I’d be okay being around him, but I was wrong.
Everleigh: Do you want me to talk to him?
Gemma: No! Absolutely not. Please don’t. I don’t need things to be any more awkward between us. It’s just…I don’t know. I’m dumb.
Everleigh sends me an eye-roll emoji.
Everleigh: Dumb? Or you realized there’s still something between you and my brother?
I suck in a deep breath and frown.
Gemma: There can’t be, though.
Everleigh: You’re right. Robert already hates him. And he kinda has that serial killer vibe, so it’s probably best you keep them away from each other.
Gemma: Gee, thanks. Now I’m marrying a future murderer. Great!
I lock my phone and stare at the TV. After ten minutes, it dings twice. I have a text from Everleigh and one from Robert. When I see his name, I expect to feel some sort of excitement, but all that remains is a suffocating feeling of dread.
It’s not supposed to be like this.
I think back to Dad telling me how in love he was with my mom and how they never wasted a single moment together. Then I think about Robert, and how he puts me on a pedestal but only when it’s convenient for him. Perhaps some women would be into that, but it makes me feel like a prize he’s won and wants to show me off like a trophy.
I check Everleigh’s message first.
Everleigh: I’ll keep my mouth shut and won’t talk to Tyler, but if you want me to say something to him, I will. Although I’ll always be Team Gyler getting married and having all the babies, I’ve always got your back.
She sends a winky emoji, and I laugh at the ridiculous couple nickname.
Gemma: You’re TERRIBLE!
Next, I open Robert’s message.
Robert: Have you made a decision about moving in? I really would’ve loved having you next to me this morning when I woke up since you didn’t come over last night.
Here we go again. I’m not even surprised at this point. He refuses to listen to me or validate my feelings. I set my phone down on the table and open another bottle of wine. Once my glass is full, I go outside for some fresh air and sit in one of the patio chairs under the small awning. It’s the middle of September, and even though the humidity hasn’t completely vanished, at least there’s a cool breeze.
The evening silence draws on as I hear the faint sounds of birds and crickets chirping. The sky is a bright pink and purple with the sun sitting lazily in the sky. I take another drink just as my dad walks outside whistling.
“Hey, sweetie,” he says before glancing down at my wine glass, then back at me.
“Hey, Dad. How’s it goin’?”
“I’m good. You okay?” He takes the empty seat next to me.
“Fine, just peachy,” I lie.
Dad glances at me. “Before your mother and I got married, she suggested we run away together and elope.”
I snort at his random comment. “What?”
“Yeah, she couldn’t wait to get married and wanted to start our lives together right away. Plus, planning the wedding with her mother’s input was stressful. She always joked that it’s what caused her first gray hair.”
I smile thinking about it. “Well, Grandma is super particular.”
“Everything became an argument. Chocolate or strawberry cake. Red or white roses. Inside or outside ceremony. I didn’t care as long as we were married at the end of the day. Whatever she wanted was good enough for me.” He grins as he reminisces. I know he misses her every single day, and I do too. They were soul mates.
“But you didn’t elope, did you?” I ask, wondering if they got married before the date we celebrate as their anniversary.
“No, but she nearly had me convinced when she complained about her mom wanting her to wear her wedding gown. It was awful looking.” He leans back and looks up at the fluffy clouds in the distance just as the cicadas start.
