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“Let’s go to the Roadhouse,” Zach said, grinning. “Barbecue and line dancing. It'll bring out your inner Tennessean, no matter how Yankee you are.”
Barking out a laugh, Lisa nodded. “Oh my God, I really need it. Yes, let’s go. I hope Dan and my mother aren’t there. People circle around them and clap when they are up on the dance floor. It’s embarrassing.”
“I bet you’ll get some attention. I’ve seen you run around with your daughter. Your body doesn’t stop.”
“Zach, are you objectifying me?” she asked, laughing.
“Well, sort of. I’ll stop if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine. I think that was a compliment.”
“It was definitely a compliment.” He sighed. “We sure are taking it slow.”
“Ha! We are, but I think it’s the only way. Too much can happen in the next six months.”
“Five,” Zach said.
“Right. Enough! Roadhouse, driver!” She pointed south.
Once Kassandra got the confirmations she’d hoped for, she didn’t waste any time planning for what she hoped to be a gala Thanksgiving dinner. Saturday morning, she made it a priority to reach out to Tony.
“I don’t even remember how we left things, but I’m extending an olive branch.”
“And to that,mea culpa.”
“I’ll take it under consideration. You let a week go, Tony. That’s a long time in an early pregnancy.”
“I am truly sorry. Are you and the baby okay?”
“We’re great. You’re invited to Thanksgiving dinner. I invited the neighborhood.”
“Oh, wow. I guess that’s something you’ve always wanted to do.”
“It really is. So I did it, and it looks like everyone is coming.”
“I’ll come. I guess that means Andy, too?”
“Andy and Sandra and their children. I didn’t invite Igor.”
“No, I understand. It’s not our tradition to do holidays with my family.”
“So, we’re doing it early because of all the children. Hopefully, everything will be ready by two.”
“Sounds great! I’ll see you before then. Anything I can bring?”
“A case of beer.”
“Beer it is. Thanks for the invitation, Kassie.”
They said goodbye. Kassandra felt empty when the line went dead. She was playacting because that was the easiest way to get through pain. During medical school and residency, she’d discovered it was better not to focus on what she couldn’t control. And she couldn’t control Tony. Returning to Janine’s bed so soon after she’d asked him to leave meant he could not be trusted, and she couldn’t rely on someone she couldn’t trust. It was just easier to be friends with him.
Eventually, they’d have to figure out some kind of visitation for the baby, if he even wanted involvement, and it would be so sad if he didn’t. Her father had been her biggest champion, encouraging her through some of the toughest times of her life. She’d soon get to tell him that not only was she pregnant, but the father of the baby might be history.
“Stop it!”
She got up from the counter stool and grabbed keys for a Saturday expedition to Organic Bonanza. Visiting the store was like going on a vacation, with the fun autumn décor in the produce section and the rest of the place in holiday mode. Buying items for Thanksgiving dinner would hopefully help her move beyond the angst.
There wasn’t any way she would tolerate being in a relationship with Tony if he continued to see another woman. This resonated through her mind repeatedly. Couldn’t she just look the other way?
