In The Moment

by Alison G. Bailey

  “Cadence, don’t start freaking out already just because I want you to meet my family.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Because I know you.”

  He was right. Luken may not have known all my superficial specifics like what were my favorite movies, foods, or colors. But he did know me, deep down where it counted the most. I ran my hand over his tattoo thinking about the words.

  “Life is made up of moments. If you’re not in one, you’re not living.”

  In this moment, my life was perfect. So I decided to live it and put all worries about the future and meeting parents on the back burner.

  “I TOLD LUKEN I loved him.”

  “Hello. This little fling has certainly flung right off the charts.” Grace worked hard to keep the corners of her mouth from twitching into a smile.

  “You don’t act very surprised.”

  “When a guy whisks you away for a romantic weekend it doesn’t take a genius to figure things out. Besides, it’s written all over both your faces and oozing out of every pore of your body.”

  “Don’t you think it’s fast?”

  “You and Michael dated for two years before you moved in together and we all know how that turned out. You can’t put a timeframe on falling in love, Caddie.”

  “Point taken. I know a lot about Luken, but it’s mostly what his life is like now.”

  “So what if you don’t know every little detail of his past. He’s only twenty-five, how much could there be.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “It’s a little bit funny. Don’t over analyze. You’re the happiest I’ve seen you in a very long time. It’s nice having the old Caddie back.” I narrowed my eyes at her smirking face. “I swear to god, that was not a crack about your age.”

  Luken: Hey, how about I cook for you tonight?

  Me: You know how to cook?

  Luken: Is grilling cooking?

  Me: Yes.

  Luken: Then YES!

  Me: Sounds great. It’s almost quitting time. I’ll run home, change, and see you in a bit.

  Luken: Stay with me tonight.

  Warmth radiated throughout my entire body.

  Me: You don’t have to ask me twice. I’ll see you in a little while.

  Luken: I love you.

  Me: I love you.

  I had just clicked out of the spreadsheet I’d been working on when there was a knock on my office door.

  “Come in.”

  “Did I catch you at a bad time?” A familiar deep voice drifted across the room.

  I looked up to find Michael standing in the doorway with a hesitant look on his face.

  “You caught me at a perfect time. I’m done for the day.”

  Taking the seat across from me, he said, “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to see how you’re doing.” A nervous chuckle escaped him. “Is this weird? Because it feels kind of weird.”

  This was the first time I’d seen or talked to Michael since he moved out.

  “It feels a little strange, but nice.”

  “So how are you?”

  “I’m great actually.”

  His gaze roamed down the part of my body the desk wasn’t hiding. “You look incredible, Caddie.”

  “Thank you, so do you.”

  Reluctantly, he said, “I didn’t just come here to say hi. I need some advice.”

  “What kind of advice?”

  “Now you can tell me to go to hell if this is too…”

  “Michael, what is it?”

  “I have a date tonight.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah, it’s great except for the fact that I haven’t been on a date in twelve years.”

  “It’s like riding a bike.”

  “I feel like some wet behind the ears twenty-five-year-old kid.”

  Keeping a smile plastered on my face, I said, “You don’t say?”

  “I mean it. If this is too awkward for you…”

  “It’s not. In fact, I’m seeing someone.”

  I couldn’t tell if it was jealousy or concern for a friend that flashed across his face.

  “Ah, that’s the reason,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “Your radiant glow.”

  I looked away as my cheeks heated with a blush. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Only to those within a ten-mile radius of you. What’s his name?”

  “Luken.”

  “And what does Luke do for a living?”

  “Luken has his own financial software company.”

  “Nice.” He paused for a few seconds. “So tell me about him. He’s obviously smart starting his own company. Is he funny? Trustworthy? Honest?”

  “Michael…”

  “Sorry.” His gaze dropped. “It’s just… uh… I still care about you, Caddie.”

  “I still care about you too. But talking about the new people in our lives in detail might not be the best topic of conversation right off the bat.”

  “True.”

  “Your date… You needed some advice,” I said.

  “Oh yeah. Do you think it would be okay to take her flowers? I mean, it’s our first date and I don’t want to come off as being too aggressive.”

  “I’m sure she would love flowers from you.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate you helping me out.”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  Our eyes locked for a few sentimental seconds.

  Standing, he said, “I guess I better be going. I need to get to the florist.” Before walking out the door, Michael turned to face me. “Does he treat you well and make you happy?”

  I gave him a weak smile. “Very.”

  A hint of sadness and regret filled his eyes. I knew Michael well enough to know he wasn’t bothered that Luken made me happy. What hurt was the fact that he hadn’t been able to.

  “It was great seeing you, Caddie.”

  “It was great seeing you too.”

  Giving me one last smile, Michael walked out of my office.

  SINCE OUR FIRST boat trip a month ago, I had managed to dodge meeting the parents. Luken brought the topic up a few times but never pushed. There was no doubt his family meant the world to him and I could sense him getting impatient with my dodging. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to meet them. I just didn’t know if I wanted them to meet me.

  So far there hadn’t been any backlash about our relationship. My friends liked Luken and his friends liked me. There had been a couple of uncomfortable stares from women who were around my age, however, for the most part when we were in public there were more looks of envy that I had such a hot and sweet boyfriend. But family was different and very important to Luken which made it very important to me.

  I finally accepted the invitation to his family’s weekly Sunday dinner. Fortunately, it was going to be a casual cookout with his parents, his sister, and her husband. Luken kept reassuring me that everyone would love me. It helped keep my nerves in check until the actual day arrived.

  We pulled into a long curvy driveway that led to a two-story white Cape Cod style house. I held my sweaty palms in front of the air conditioner vent in hopes that they’d dry before I had to shake anyone’s hand. Before getting out of the truck, Luken turned to me and placed his hand on my knee.

  “Don’t be so nervous. I love you, so they’ll love you.”

  I mustered up a faint smile.

  With my hand in his, Luken led me toward the house. Suddenly, I stopped, remembering I’d brought flowers for his mom and brownies for everyone else.

  “The flowers and dessert!” I panicked.

  I ran back and jerked open the passenger door. Stretching, I struggled to reach behind the seat for the goodies. Luken came up behind me chuckling.

  “What?”

  “You’re so damn adorable when you’re nervous.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Make yourself useful and carry this, please.” I handed him the tray of my double c
hocolate brownies.

  We hadn’t even made it to the first step when the front door swung open and a beautiful, tall, and slender woman stepped out. She had the same light brown hair and piercing blue eyes as Luken.

  “The prodigal son returns,” Jen said, smiling.

  “Thanks, Sis. Great seeing you too.”

  Luken gave his sister a one arm hug before turning to me. “Jen, this is Cadence.”

  I held out my hand. “Everyone calls me Caddie.” There was a loud throat clearing beside me. “Except for your brother.”

  “God knows I wouldn’t want to step on his thing. So happy to finally meet you, Caddie. Put that hand away. We’re huggers.” Putting her arms around my shoulders, she gave me a warm embrace. “Come on in. Dad and Derek are arguing.”

  “Again?” Luken asked.

  I was nervous enough. A family argument certainly didn’t help matters.

  I looked at Luken. “Maybe now is not a good time to do this.”

  Jen waved her hand. “Those two have the same silly heated discussion all the time. To stack or spread the charcoal.”

  Placing his hand on the small of my back, Luken ushered me forward. “It’s all in good fun.”

  “Yeah, if we’re lucky we might eat before the year is over.” Jen teased.

  As I entered the house, I noticed the two siblings weren’t right behind me.

  “How are things?” Luken asked Jen, keeping his voice low.

  “Today is an okay day.”

  I was curious to know what they were talking about. Luken hadn’t mentioned anything serious going on with his family.

  “Jen, can you put this in the kitchen. I want to go introduce Cadence to everyone.”

  “Sure. Caddie, wine?”

  “Yes, please.”

  She took the tray of brownies and headed in the opposite direction.

  Taking my free hand, Luken led me through the house and out into a big backyard where his dad and brother-in-law were in deep conversation by the grill.

  “Now the fun can start!” Luken announced, all eyes focused on us as we stepped onto the patio.

  “Get your ass over here and talk some sense into your dad.”

  Walking toward us with a beer in each hand, Jen’s husband met us in the middle of the patio.

  “Hey, I’m Derek.” He handed Luken a beer.

  “Caddie,” I said.

  Draping an arm around my shoulders, Derek guided me over to the grill. “I’m so glad you’re here, Caddie. We need an impartial party to weigh in on this situation.”

  “I’m not very qualified.” I glanced at Luken who held up his hands in surrender, smirking.

  “Dad, this is Caddie,” Derek said.

  Rushing up, Luken peeled Derek’s arm from around me. “Back off, dude. You’re stealing my thunder. I get to introduce the woman I love to my dad.”

  I was taken back by Luken’s openness about his feelings in front of his dad.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Schaffer.”

  I felt odd calling him Mr. Schaffer, even with his salt and pepper hair he didn’t look much older than me, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.

  “It’s Tom. So glad my son brought you out of hiding.”

  “I appreciate you inviting me.”

  “We’re a pretty laid-back crowd. Make yourself at home.”

  I didn’t detect anything in his voice that led me to believe he had a problem with me dating his son. In fact, being here felt as natural as it did being with Luken. I’d met three out of the four family members and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. In true Cadence fashion, thoughts started swirling. Were they all being nice because they knew what was coming? Was Momma Schaffer a beast? I’d always heard mothers and sons have a very special bond. The knots that had loosened slightly twisted tighter.

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “She went inside for something,” Tom said.

  A second later an older version of Jen walked out of the house. The only difference was her eyes were light green. Luken met his mom at the bottom of the steps and gave her a hug.

  “Come over here, I want you to meet someone.” With a huge grin on his face, he guided his mom toward me. “Mom, this is Cadence.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Schaffer.”

  “It’s Terri and nice to finally meet you too.”

  No raised brow, no pursed lip, not a trace of disdain on her face.

  “Thank you for having me over.” Realizing I was still holding the flowers, I said, “Oh, these are for you.”

  “They’re beautiful. I’ll go put them in water.” Before stepping inside the house, she called back. “Luken, she’s a keeper.”

  A smug and satisfied expression crossed his face. “Told ya. You okay here for a minute? I’ll be right back.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He placed a kiss on my forehead before heading inside, no doubt to get the true lowdown on what the females of the family thought of me.

  “Caddie, would you tell this fool the charcoal needs to be spread out for even grilling,” Tom said.

  Before I could answer Jen appeared carrying a tray with wine, cheese, and fruit. “Don’t get our guest involved in y’all’s ridiculousness.”

  Tilting her head she motioned for me to follow her over to the large rustic farmhouse table and chairs. After handing the wine off to me, she moved several bowls and dishes around to make room for the platter among the other appetizers. The amount of food they had prepared was enough to feed an army.

  “Every time we cook out they go through the same argument. That’s why we have lots of booze and snacks. Settle in. We’re gonna be here for a while.”

  Taking a seat across from her, I asked. “Is this the house you and Luken grew up in?”

  “Yeah. My parents have remodeled it a couple of times. Added updates. It was a great place to grow up.”

  “The yard is beautiful.”

  The backyard was huge with azaleas and rose bushes lining the privacy fence. A large oak tree sat in the center of the yard surrounded by a bed of vibrant colored flowers.

  “That’s pretty much Mom’s handiwork. She used to love gardening.” Jen took a sip of her wine.

  I was about to ask Jen why her mom stopped gardening when Luken appeared with her and a vase with the flowers I’d brought.

  He sat next to me while his mom placed the vase in the center of the table.

  “These flowers are gorgeous. I just love picking fresh flowers from my garden.”

  At first, her phrasing struck me as odd. It sounded like she thought the flowers were from her own garden. Neither Luken nor Jen reacted so I figured I must have misheard.

  Terri looked at me with a warm smile across her pale pink lips. “Oh, hello, I’m Terri. What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  Luken and Jen exchanged a look before turning their gaze on my confusion.

  “Mom, this is Cadence, my girlfriend.” He gently held her hand.

  “My name is pretty unusual. Caddie might be easier to remember.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Caddie.” She gave me another warm smile before joining her husband.

  Pushing away from the table, Jen announced. “I’m gonna go put the potatoes in the oven.”

  I didn’t even have to ask the question.

  “My mom has Alzheimer’s,” Luken said.

  My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach.

  I reached over and placed my hand on his. “My god, Luken. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I know you have questions but later… okay? Let’s just enjoy being with my family.”

  And that’s exactly what we did. The rest of the night was filled with good food, good wine, wonderful people, and lots of laughs. Now that I knew about Terri’s condition I picked up on little ways in which her family helped without embarrassing her. The evening ended with a round of hugs and an invitation to come back as often as I wanted.

  We drove back to the boat in silence. I cou
ldn’t imagine what it must be like to watch a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s.

  Once onboard we sat side by side under the stars. The slight breeze rustled his hair, as Luken gazed out over the water, a melancholy expression draped over his face. I could feel the loneliness radiating off of him. Without a word, I crawled into his lap and wrapped my arms around him. If all he wanted to do was sit in silence that was okay with me.

  I placed a soft kiss on his neck. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.”

  His arms slipped around my waist and held me tight against his chest. “Sometimes I forget she’s sick. I mean, she doesn’t look any different. But we can be talking and she’ll stop in mid-sentence. There’ll be a flash of confusion in her eyes and I can tell she doesn’t know who I am. It only lasts a split second, but it’s there.”

  I snuggled in closer.

  “The symptoms started nine months ago. At first, none of us thought anything of it. Everyone forgets where they put things from time to time. Then one day Dad got a call from the police. Mom had a spell while she was shopping for groceries. The store manager saw her wandering the parking lot. He went out to help, thinking she’d just forgotten where she’d parked the car. She was so disoriented, he didn’t know what to do so he called the police. That’s when we knew it wasn’t just the normal run of the mill forgetting where the car keys were.”

  Tears stung my eyes and I held him even tighter.

  “After a ton of tests, the doctor said it was a genetic mutation on Mom’s side of the family. Turns out my Grandad and his two brothers suffered from it. It’s funny, the family thought they were all just flaky as they got older.”

  I pulled back and rested my forehead against his.

  “There’s a blood test that can detect whether a person has the gene.” He blinked back tears. “Jen and Derek have been trying to get pregnant, so she wanted to know.”

  “And?”