Covet thy Neighbor

by Denise Carbo

“I should have called a taxi or service to pick me up. Instead I dragged him away from his pregnant wife to come get me in the middle of the night.”

  “Did you make it a habit of drinking and calling him to come get you?”

  “No, that was the first. I had signed a new book deal and was celebrating. I wanted him to celebrate with me, but he said he couldn’t. So, I got drunk and then made him come out anyway.”

  “If the situation was reversed and he called you to drive him home, would you have gone?”

  “What does that matter?”

  “It matters because that’s what family does. If Oli called me, I would go get him. Would it be his fault if something happened to me while I was doing it? Would it be Wyatt’s fault if you were the one picking him up?”

  Luke pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes.

  “Barbara doesn’t blame you. Do you really think she’d let Joey spend so much time with you if she did?”

  “I miss him. Every damn day.”

  Tears fill my eyes and I lean forward to rest my hand on his shoulder. He turns his head to meet my gaze. His eyes are wet. He slides over and rests his head in my lap. I wrap my arm around his shoulders as tears leak down my cheeks.

  Chapter 29

  My mouth is as dry as cotton. My body aches from sleeping in the same position too long. I drag open an eyelid to see bright sunlight. I promptly slam my eyes shut, only to pop them back open. I’m still on Luke’s couch with him asleep in my lap.

  I peer up behind me at the sunlight streaming in his sliders. Crap, what time is it? I search around under the blanket and my twisted clothes to find my phone and check the time. I lurch up.

  Luke sniffs and raises his head.

  “I have to go. I’m supposed to be at work in less than an hour.”

  He sits up while I wrestle out from under him, the blanket, and my coat which has somehow twisted around my body like a straitjacket.

  “You want me to make coffee?”

  “No time. I have to get home, shower, and dress.”

  The slippers are on the floor under the table. Putting my flats back on and walking through the snow on his walk will seriously suck.

  “I’m borrowing the black boots by your front door. I’ll give them back.”

  “Um, okay…”

  I jog over to the hallway and then stop and turn back to him. “You okay?”

  He nods. “Yeah, go, I’ll talk to you later.”

  I race down to the door and hop on one foot while putting on a boot and then do the same with the other foot. I stuff my flats in the crook of my arm and trudge out the door and down the walk.

  By the time I get in my house and pull off the boots and my coat, I have less than a half hour to shower and dress. I turn on the shower to heat while I grab clean clothes and a towel. The lukewarm shower does little to brighten my day. Goosebumps cover my skin as I stand shivering outside the shower drying off.

  I trip over the trail of discarded clothes I left on my way to the shower and land on my knees. Pain soars through me and I struggle to a stand.

  There’s no time for makeup after I dress and brush my teeth. I run a comb over my hair and shove it into a ponytail. I need a haircut. It’s still on my never-ending to do list.

  I make it to the bakery with one minute to spare. When I walk in the front door, Sally looks me over after finishing with a customer.

  “Whose bed did you just roll out of?”

  She cackles when my face heats.

  “That bad, huh?” I frown as I walk behind the counter.

  “I’m just playing with you.”

  “Thanks.” I walk into the kitchen. Franny and Lucinda huddle together by the back door. Franny looks upset.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Lucinda looks over and tilts her head. “Wedding dilemmas.”

  “Uh oh, what happened?”

  “Mother keeps adding people to the wedding list. I wanted to keep it small, no more than fifty tops. Now, the list is over a hundred and growing by the day. Mother insists every invitee is essential and will be offended if they’re not invited.”

  Lucinda puts her arm around Franny. “Who did you make your official wedding planner?”

  Franny gives her a sideways glance. “You.”

  “Exactly, so it’s my job to manage Mother and the list. You and Mitch have already made your list and we’re sticking to it. It’s your wedding and you get to decide who to invite or not to invite. I’ll handle Mother. No more worrying.”

  “Well that sounds settled. Is that the only wedding worry?”

  Franny nods. “Lucinda has taken over all the planning. She gives me the options and I point and say which one I want and she arranges everything. It’s great.”

  Lucinda nods. “It’s a lot of fun. Mother did most of the planning for mine. I’m having a blast with all the wedding details.”

  I smile. “Maybe you’ve found your new calling.”

  She flips her leg up behind her and twists to the side. “Perhaps.”

  “Franny, do you have a few minutes to see the new website design?”

  “Absolutely! It’s all done?”

  “Yes, well, mostly. I’m sure there’ll be a few things you want to change.” I’ve been tweaking everything for the past two weeks trying to make it as perfect as I can before unveiling it to her. The instructor for the introduction to website design class I took was an immense help and suggested I enroll in the semester long course next semester.

  “Ooh, let’s see.” Lucinda rubs her hands together as I set up the laptop.

  I type in the domain name and then step back so they can see the website.

  “Oh wow, look at that. Olivia, it’s so professional. You did this all yourself?”

  I nod.

  “I love how you used my logo and the colors. The pictures are gorgeous.”

  “I wanted to keep the bakery’s theme consistent across the website, store, and social media. The pink, black, and white colors and the logo all match.”

  Lucinda points to the screen. “What a great photo of you Franny.”

  Franny grimaces. “I didn’t know you were putting a picture of me on here.”

  “I know, but it’s not a close up and people like to have a face of the business to connect to. I can take it down if you really hate it, but I think it looks terrific.” I chew my lip as Franny stares at the photo of herself standing outside her bakery.

  “No, it’s not a close up, like you said, and I don’t hate it.”

  “Oh good.”

  “You should definitely keep it up there. I love it.” Lucinda reaches over to pat me on the shoulder. “Fantastic job.”

  “It really is, Olivia. I’m so impressed. I never imagined it would be so detailed.”

  I grin at Franny. “I’m so glad you like it. I’ve been a nervous wreck waiting to show it to you.”

  We finish looking over the website and Lucinda goes up front to help Sally while I stay in the kitchen to help Franny prepare more baked goods.

  “Have you decided what you want to do for the holiday decorations?” I pull out the ingredients to make a couple of trays of mini cheesecakes.

  Franny sets the bowls and pans on the counter and frowns. “Not really. Would it be awful if I just put up the lights and window clings from last year?”

  “Of course not, they’re cute.”

  “But…?”

  “I had this idea for a snow scene. There’s a window spray for the snow. I looked online and there’re stencils for a sleigh, trees, all sorts of winter themes. Then I thought we could decorate mini Christmas trees on the patio with white lights. We could hang white lights in the front too.”

  “Sounds good. You are officially in charge of decorations.”

  “Really?”

  “Yup, I’m happy to put it in your hands. Buy what you need, just don’t bankrupt me.”

  “I promise.”

  Franny drops the blocks of cream cheese in the giant b
owl of the mixer. I measure out the sugar and flour.

  “You’re happy with how the wedding is going, right? You didn’t just say that for Lucinda’s benefit?”

  “Oh no, she really has been doing everything. I’ve never been one of those women who planned their future weddings in their head before they even had the groom. All the details make my head spin. If I had to plan it all, I’d end up with an ulcer. Lucinda is in her element.”

  “Good.”

  “How’s your cousin’s wedding going?”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “Aren’t you still a bridesmaid?”

  “Technically yes, but she doesn’t include me in anything. I find out what she and her other attendants have decided or done after the fact. I’ve been wondering how awful it would be to ask her if I can back out. She doesn’t want me in it anyway. She only asked as a family obligation.”

  “If you’re sure that’s what it is, then talk to her. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “My mother might disown me.”

  Franny laughs and then stops while she gazes at my face. “You’re not serious?”

  I wince and glance up at the ceiling. “I’d say there might be a fifty-fifty chance. If she finds out Ryan wants to reconcile and I decide not to, then she’s most assuredly going to disown me.”

  “You decided then?”

  “No, not yet. All the time Ryan and I have spent together lately is with the kids. We need to go on a date with just the two of us and see how that goes. I won’t get back together just for the kids. I need to know it’s because we both want to be a couple, not just parents. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes. You need to know he loves you for you, not just the mother of his children.”

  “Exactly. I promised Oli I wouldn’t consider it otherwise.”

  “Why would you? You deserve to be loved.”

  “It’s hard when you consider the family pressure of my mother.”

  “I think your mother wants your happiness. If that’s not Ryan, then she’ll understand.”

  “I hope so.”

  “When are you going out on a date? Do you need me to babysit?”

  I laugh. “Actually, I might take you up on that. Otherwise, I’d have to ask my parents and I don’t want them to know.”

  “Name the day.”

  “I have to talk to Ryan, but how about Monday?”

  “We’ve got the book club.”

  “Oh, right, I forgot.”

  How could I forget that? I read his book—all of them, in fact. I totally forgot he was the author while I was reading, I was just engrossed in the stories. He’s so talented, I hope he starts writing again. Once he stops grieving so hard for Wyatt, he might get over his writer’s block.

  “You don’t want to go, do you?”

  I scrunch up my face. “Is it that obvious? It feels weird to go to her house and socialize. Am I horrible person?”

  “No, of course not, I wouldn’t want to go either.” Franny purses her lips. “You know what, we’ll both cancel. You have to get this settled with Ryan and I need to support my friend.”

  “You don’t need to do that. I can schedule it for another night you’re available.”

  “Are you going to book club?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Then I’m not either. It’s the holiday season, everyone will understand. We all miss a meeting here and there for one reason or another.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “One hundred percent. Let me know if anything changes.”

  “Thanks Franny.”

  Lucinda pops her head in the kitchen. “Franny there’s someone here who wants to order a cake.”

  “On my way.” Franny washes her hands and walks out front.

  I add the rest of the ingredients to the mixer and turn it on. Should I call and check on Luke?

  I hate to think of him sitting alone drinking for days while mourning his brother. No one should go through that alone. I hope he can stop blaming himself and start the healing process. I can’t even fathom how I would feel if I lost Oli. If I blamed myself for his death, how would I live with that?

  I wash my hands and then dial my phone. He answers on the second ring.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi. I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing?”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m okay. But thanks, and thanks for last night too.”

  “Anytime. I mean it. If you ever need to talk, or even just someone to sit with…call me okay?”

  “Thanks.”

  Should I offer to stop by, maybe bring him something from the bakery? Or would that be too pushy? He shouldn’t be alone when he’s feeling so low.

  “Do you want me to bring you something from the bakery? I could drop it off on my way home. Ryan is picking the boys up from their sleepover this morning.”

  “Thanks, but I’m good. I’m going to get some groceries and then head over to Barb’s to see Joey.”

  “Okay, that’s good. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye.”

  I shut off my phone and slip it back into my pocket. It’s good he’s going to see her. I need to study for finals and concentrate on Ryan.

  Chapter 30

  “What do you think?”

  My reflection in the beauty parlor mirror stares back. There’s a cool breeze on the back of my neck. My bare neck. I’ve never worn my hair so short before. It’s shaved on the bottom of my neck. The top is longer and brushes my ears.

  I said I wanted something stylish and easy to care for. She delivered. I turn my head side to side.

  “I love it.”

  “This style compliments your features rather than detracting from them. If you added dark eye makeup, it would make your eyes totally pop. Sexy.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. If you have a few more minutes, I can show you.”

  I stare at her reflection over my shoulder. “Go for it.”

  Slightly more than a half hour later, and she’s not only added eye shadow, liner, and mascara, but she’s done my whole face with concealer, contouring, foundation, blush, and powder. It’s like watching an artist paint a canvas. She dabs on lip gloss and stands back to inspect her work—my face.

  I doubt I’ll be able to recreate this look on my own, but I can watch a few videos online and hopefully figure it out. If I ever have time or the inclination to actually follow through.

  “I hope you have somewhere to go today because you are seriously hot.”

  Laughter bubbles up from the bit of my stomach as a grin stretches across my face. “I do look pretty good, right?”

  “Oh yeah, so you got somewhere to go?”

  “Actually, I do have a date tonight.”

  “Excellent. Knock ‘em dead, honey.” She spins my chair around so I face the shop.

  “Thanks, Tammy. You’ve exceeded all my expectations.”

  After paying her with a generous tip added on, I speed walk to my car. The boys have a half day today and I need to beat the bus home.

  The manger scene sits in front of the church on the corner of Main Street. Double wreaths hang on the front doors. I glance up to the top of the steeple. At night it will be lit with Christmas lights. Farther up the street the giant menorah decorates the synagogue. The boys and I love taking car rides in the evenings to check out the holiday decorations.

  Garland strung with lights loops around the light posts lining Main street. Red and green banners wishing everyone happy holidays flap in the wind. The garden club has been busy setting up mini decorated Christmas trees on the town medians. The store fronts have decorated with various themes, everything from snowmen to reindeer and a sleigh in front of Petopia. I better get The Sweet Spot decorated. It’s looking pretty bare in comparison.

  While waiting for a light to change, I glance in the rearview mirror. A stranger stares back at me—one ready to embark on a new journey. A new look for a fresh start.


  I have finals this week and I feel prepared for them. Franny loves the new website I designed and my final projects are both centered on The Sweet Spot. I developed a marketing strategy with the website and social media as the key ingredients and I drafted a mission statement with goals and a plan how to attain them. Once my professors grade them and provide feedback, I’m going to present them to Franny and see what she thinks.

  There’s the date with Ryan tonight, which will hopefully help us decide if a reconciliation is even a possibility. We must have chemistry to make it as a couple. It can’t be because of the kids. It won’t be all that long before they’ll be grown and off living their own lives. Then what?

  I rub the pang in my chest over the images popping into my head of Timmy and Tommy going to high school, graduating, going to college, and beyond. God, I’ll probably be a grandma someday.

  If my mother is to be believed, then I’m right on schedule to be a grandmother. When I told her I was getting a haircut today, she said it was time. A middle-aged woman shouldn’t have long hair. Middle age? When I reminded her I’m not even thirty yet, she said thirty was middle age. I stopped myself from replying if thirty is middle age wouldn’t that mean sixty is dead? She turned sixty-two this year. I doubt she would have appreciated my interpretation.

  I arrive home with only ten minutes to spare before the bus will drop the boys off. I prepare a couple of snacks for them to eat because I know it will be one of the first things they ask for. They must be going through another growth spurt because they’re always hungry lately. As soon as they finish one meal, they’re asking what’s for the next.

  The rumble of the bus engine brings me to the front door. The familiar yellow appears down the road when I step out onto the front steps. I wrap my arms around myself to contain some heat. I should have grabbed my coat. The kids jump off the bottom stairs of the bus and I wave to the bus driver as the boys run to the house.

  “What’s for lunch?” Timmy cranes his neck up to peer at me from the bottom of the stairs.

  “Didn’t you have lunch at school?”

  “Yeah, but we’re still hungry.” Tommy scoots past me into the house.

  “Good thing I made some snacks for you. Hang up your coats and backpacks, take off your shoes, and go wash your hands. Food is on the table when you’re done.”