by Magan Vernon
I pouted and stuck my head out. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
He shook his head, grabbing a towel from the rack. “I’m not. It’s actually kind of funny. Well, it would be funnier if it wasn’t us.”
He wrapped the towel around his waist. “Guess we’ll have to try this again someday in a bigger bathroom.”
“Yeah. I guess we will.”
***
After the bathroom fiasco, I had to rush to finish getting ready and packed before we headed to Blaine’s place for his mom to take us to the airport. It was close to an hour drive to the New Orleans airport, and it didn’t help that the rush hour traffic didn’t help.
By the time we finally got there, check-in already had a long line.
“Great,” I mumbled. “I just love airports.”
“You know, we could have drove,” Blaine suggested, taking one of my suitcases.
“Chicago has already gotten sixteen inches of snow. Do you really want to drive in that?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Never driven in snow, so I wouldn’t know.”
“Seriously?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. We don’t get much in Louisiana. By the time it falls, it usually doesn’t stick. I could have definitely done some donuts in the truck and had a good time.”
“Well, if we don’t hit any bad weather, it’ll only be a two hour plane ride instead of sixteen hours in the car. That is, if we didn’t hit worse weather driving.”
He sighed. “I know, I know. Maybe next time.”
I took his hand and squeezed it. There was something about him saying ‘next time’ that had me all sorts of giddy. My mother was actually the one that suggested Blaine should come home with me for Christmas. I didn’t even know how to bring it up to him. I thought there was no way in hell he would, or if his mom would let him leave the family on a holiday. I think it surprised everyone when he said ‘yes’.
We made it up to the counter, and the attendant asked if we were checking any bags. “Yes, three please.” I placed my two suitcases on the belt and waited for Blaine to put the other one up.
“Go on and put yours up too,” I said after the woman weighed mine.
“What? Why?”
“She needs to weigh it.”
“Oh, sure,” he said and placed his suitcase on the belt.
“Okay, that’s twenty-five for each bag, so a total of seventy-five,” she said.
“All right,” I pulled my wallet out of my purse.
“What are you doing? I can pay for this,” Blaine said, pulling his wallet out of his pocket.
“No. It’s fine. I have all of it,” I said, swiping my credit card before he could say anything else.
The attendant just smiled, probably hoping we weren’t going to have an all out argument while other people were waiting.
“Fine,” he growled, stuffing his wallet back in his pocket.
I didn’t want to say anything else. I knew his ego was probably deflated by what I said, but I had to ask him another question as we walked toward the TSA.
“You know, you may need a bigger jacket,” I said, staring at his tan Carhart jacket in his arms.
“What are you, my mother?” Blaine raised an eyebrow.
I shook my head. “No. If I was, then that would be a really weird Oedipus complex you’d have.”
He laughed putting an arm around me. “You learned what that word means, I guess school was good for something if you could find a new way to insult me.”
“I’m not insulting you, I’m just saying that it’s a lot colder in Chicago than it is in the south. You may want to get a bigger coat.”
“I’m fine, baby. I’m naturally hot-blooded.”
I sighed. “If you say so.”
Chapter 18
“Folks, this is your captain speaking. As we descend into O’Hare international airport, I’m going to ask you to keep your seat belts fastened, as we may hit some turbulence.”
“I guess the Windy City is living up to its name,” an older woman said from the seat in front of us.
Blaine groaned, leaning his head back on the seat. The entire flight he looked like he was on the brink of passing out or throwing up. I hoped neither would be the case.
As Lake Michigan came into view, I knew we were on our descent and if that wasn’t enough, the plane had to rumble underneath us. I thought maybe it would be normal landing turbulence, then the floor lights turned on, and the oxygen masks popped out of the ceiling as the entire plane shook.
“Oh. My. God,” Blaine said, his voice barely above a whisper.
His hands white knuckled on the seat until we finally made a safe landing and the bump of the tires skidded to a halt.
“Are you okay?” I asked as the ‘Fasten Seatbelts’ sign turned off.
He nodded slowly. “Yeah. Right as rain.”
“Welcome to Chicago, Illinois. The outside temperature is a chilly negative three degrees. We hope that you have some parkas in your luggage.”
“Is that even a real temperature?” Blaine asked.
I grabbed my purse and jacket from under the seat. “Yeah. I told you, it’s going to be cold.
We walked through the terminal until we found the baggage claim. Waiting for us was definitely the last person I expected.
“Libby! Blaine!” My mom waved us down. She wasn’t dressed in her normal business suit , but jeans and a big wool coat with a large Louis Vuitton purse over her arm.
I ran up to her and let her take me in her arms. It had been less than a month since I’d seen her, but it was definitely the warm welcome that I needed.
“Someone else is happy that you’re home as well.” Mom stepped back, letting go of me and opened her purse up a little wider.
The tiny gray head of a French bulldog popped out. My Frenchie.
“Sally!” I squealed and picked up the tiny dog.
She happily panted as I took her in my arms and embraced her. “Oh, Sally, I missed you most of all!”
She barked then growled.
“Sally!” I held her up and watched her eyes trail to Blaine. “Oh, stop. That’s Blaine. You know him.”
“Hey, girl,” Blaine put his hand up to pet her, but she growled.
“Sally!” I reprimanded. “Sorry, Blaine, she must just be nervous.
“Yeah. That’s it,” he said. “I’ll go get our bags.”
He walked toward the baggage claim. “I hope you have a heavier coat in your bags,” Mom called.
“I don’t need it,” he said.
Mom just shrugged. “If you say so.”
The car was parked in one of the visitor lots, so we had to walk a short distance. It would have been longer, but the shuttles were running because of the cold weather.
As soon as the doors opened, and I felt the cold breeze hit my face, I knew there was a reason I stayed in Louisiana.
“Holy shit! it’s cold!” Blaine chattered.
I laughed. “I told you.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know this was Antarctica!”
Blaine stuffed his hands in his coat pocket and kept his head down, power walking like an old woman in front of us the whole way to the car. He helped put the suitcases in the trunk as fast as he could, then jumped in the backseat, rubbing his hands together before touching his face. “I don’t think I can feel my toes. They may be gone.”
Mom and I laughed, looking at each other as she turned on the car and set the heater as high as it could go.
“Don’t worry, Blaine. I’ll put on some water for hot cocoa once we get in, and I’ll see if Libby’s dad has an extra winter coat at the condo.”
I looked at him in the rearview mirror. He may not have said anything, but I could see in his eyes that he should have listened to me, and that he was definitely not looking forward to the rest of the week.
“This will be your first time seeing the new place. It’s not the house you grew up in, but it’s so convenient for your father and me. We both can walk to work, s
hopping, and restaurants.”
When I went home in August, my parents had announced that they finally sold their home in the suburbs and were moving into a three bedroom condo in the new Trump tower. That was right after my sister announced that she was pregnant, as well. It was one hell of a week home, and I was hoping this week wouldn’t have as many surprises.
Blaine’s eyes widened as we entered the city and pulled up to the Trump tower. I thought we would go to some sort of underground parking garage, but Mom pulled right up to the front.
A man in came out and greeted her. “Afternoon, Mrs. Gentry.”
“Hello, Marcus. I’m just coming back from picking up my daughter and her boyfriend at the airport. We have three bags in the trunk.”
“Very well, Mrs.” He nodded and immediately called someone to bring a rolling cart over.
“What is all this?” I asked.
Mom smiled, getting out of the car. “Just great service.”
I got out and watched as the man piled our suitcases, then Mom handed another man her keys. “Right this way,” Mom said, pointing us toward the lobby doors.
I walked through with Blaine following close behind. He kept glancing from me to the guy wheeling our suitcases, like he didn’t know what he should be doing.
We walked through the grand lobby with its white curtains and white furniture and to the residential elevators. Mom made small talk with the man wheeling our cart but, Blaine and I didn’t say anything. He didn’t even try to start a conversation, just stared at his feet.
The elevator stopped at the 70th floor, which wasn’t even the penthouse. That was somewhere in the 90’s. I was glad I wasn’t afraid of heights, because as soon as Mom opened the door, I was greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows with a breath taking 180 degree view of the city and Lake Michigan.
The man unloaded the bags from the cart, and Mom thanked him. I wasn’t sure if she tipped him or not. I was too busy staring at the new place. They had moved at the end of August when I was back in Louisiana, so I’d never seen it. It felt like I was in a completely different world than what I was used to.
My parents got rid of the brown leather furniture they had at our old house and replaced everything with sleek, modern white sectionals. The large living room opened to a stainless steel kitchen with top of the line granite countertops and marble flooring that seamlessly blended in to the wood floor of the living room. Everything about it exuded luxury. Everything I wasn’t sure if I missed.
It felt cold. Unlived. There weren’t any blankets on the couch, the dining room table was spotless, the fireplace was never used, and the only thing that came from our old home was Dad’s sixty-four inch TV.
“Your dad should be home soon, and he’s bringing Lou Manati’s for dinner. Brian and Beth aren’t able to make it tonight with the weather, but we should see them tomorrow. Beth wants to Christmas shop so, Blaine, you’ll be with the boys while us girls go out.” Mom spoke so fast it was hard to keep up with her.
“That all sounds great, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile.
Mom stopped and stared at us, then laughed. “Where are my manners? I haven’t showed you two to your rooms! Come on!” She motioned for us to follow her down the hallway. The walls were painted a dark, grayish blue that made it feel even colder. Our old house was full of vibrant colors and tons of memories. I didn’t think I’d actually miss it, until I couldn’t go back to it.
“On the right, here, is one of the bathrooms. Blaine, this will be the one that you use.” Mom pointed to an open door, and I got a peak at the large, walk-in shower, garden tub and marble flooring. The whole room was probably bigger than my bedroom and the bathroom at Aunt Dee’s.
“And over here is your room, Blaine,” Mom said and opened the next door. “Sorry about some of the baby stuff. Getting it ready for when we get to take little Luxx.
“That’s what Brian and Beth are naming their baby?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. It’s quite original, isn’t it?” Mom asked.
“I guess.” Or weird. I thought it was bad enough being called ‘Libby Lips’ and ‘Big Bird.’ There was no telling what that kid was going to get for a nickname.
Blaine walked over to the bed that I knew came from the Pottery Barn catalog. I’ll admit that I still got the magazine at Aunt Dee’s, because it was like porn for women. I knew I couldn’t afford the things inside, but it didn’t hurt to look. The Farmhouse canopy set complete with the linen silk comforter in flagstone was definitely one that I had drooled over. A lot.
“May I use the bathroom?” He asked.
Mom laughed. “Honey, you don’t need to ask. Go right ahead.” She motioned toward the open door. “I’ll show Libby her room. If you’re looking for us, we’ll be right down the hall.”
Blaine bolted for the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Mom smiled politely, and I followed her down the hall to the room on the right. “I hope you don’t mind that the movers packed your stuff and put it up. Not that there was much left but your furniture. I just hope you’ll be comfortable.”
I stepped into the room with its dark painted walls. Yes, my old sleigh bed with the red down comforter was there, and yes, I had a beautiful view of the city lights in the floor-to-ceiling windows. But this wasn’t my room.
This wasn’t where I had spent so many nights sitting on the balcony and looking at the stars, crying because of what someone said to me at school. It wasn’t my sanctuary.
Staring out at the beautiful view, I realized that it wasn’t a view that I wanted to see every day. I would rather look out my window at Aunt Dee’s and see the weeping willows and hear the crickets. I’d never thought I’d actually miss Louisiana, but there was something about it that felt so much like home. Something the condo definitely didn’t have.
“I’ll let you get unpacked. I need to go check some emails. I’ll be in my room, which is right off the living room. Let me know if you need anything.” Mom squeezed my shoulder before leaving me there, staring out the window and thinking. Thinking too much.
“Hey, you okay?”
I gasped as Blaine’s low, southern drawl roused me from my trance.
I turned toward him, his hands in his back pocket as he looked at me through his lashes. “Yeah. Fine. Just checking out the view.”
“It’s something, isn’t it?” He asked, putting his arm around me.
“I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing,” I replied.
“I thought you were?” He cocked an eyebrow.
I shrugged. “I thought I was too. I guess some things do change.”
He grinned. “Yeah, and that’s definitely not a bad thing.”
Chapter 19
I thought pregnant women had a good excuse if they didn’t want to be up early or do their hair and makeup, but not my sister.
I had barely gotten out of the shower when I heard her sing-song voice.
By the time I threw on my clothes and put on some light make-up, laughter drifted down the hallway. I followed the noise to the kitchen where Blaine was leaning against the breakfast bar, a mug in one hand and a bagel in the other, smiling at my sister who was propped up on a stool.
The last time I’d seen her in person was when she just found out she was pregnant. Now it looked like she smuggled a small basketball under her black sweater dress. It wasn’t even eight o’clock, and she looked like it had taken her hours to get ready with her straightened blonde hair and fully airbrushed makeup.
“Hey, Lib!” She jumped down from the stool.
“Hey, Beth.” I closed the distance between us and gave her a big hug. Somehow I got all the height in the family, and her face smooshed against my boobs.
“What was so funny that I heard you two cackling in here?” I asked as I let go of my sister.
Beth smiled. “Oh, nothing, just talking about your life in the south, and how Blaine seems to find everything that you do humorous, especially fishing.
“Hey!” I pointed a finger at h
im. “I tried! You’ve got to give me credit for that.”
“Yeah, and it’s so cute the way you two lovebirds bicker,” Beth said with a giggle.
I expected Mom to come around the corner to get coffee or something but I didn’t hear or see her anywhere. “Where’s Mom? And Brian?”
It was supposed to be a guy’s day, and the boys were going to spend the day at a bar or something, but Dad got called into work with some dental emergency.
“Mom got a call from one of her clients and had to run to the office for awhile, but she said she’d try to meet us for lunch and poor Brian had two of the other chiropractors come down with the flu, so he’s been working non-stop. I guess the extra hours he picked up now will come in handy when little Luxxy arrives, and he’ll be depending on those same co-workers to help him out,” Beth said, patting her tiny belly.
I tried not to cringe when she used that nickname for her unborn child. The real name was bad enough, but I didn’t think the nickname would be worse.
“So...it’s just going to be the two of us, while Blaine sits here and tries to operate all fifty remotes that Dad has for the TV?” I asked.
Okay, so Dad only had like five remotes, but it was still overkill. I hardly ever watched TV, because I had no idea which remote to actually use.
“Well, I actually asked him if he’d want to come with us, and he said that’d be cool.” Beth’s grin spread from ear to ear.
I raised an eyebrow and looked behind her at Blaine. “Seriously?”
He shrugged. “Why not? What better way to see the city then have two of the best tour guides?”
I sucked in a deep breath. If I could go fishing with Blaine, I guess he figured he could suffer through shopping with me. I just hoped he wouldn’t regret it later.
***
“Is this really the Magnificent Mile? Because it seems like we’ve been walking for about twenty,” Blaine said, shifting one of Beth’s many bags in his arms.
Even though Beth was a teacher and had a long winter break, she hadn’t done any shopping at all and decided to do it all that day. It didn’t help that I had the same plan, and it was only two days before Christmas. One day really if you count Christmas Eve.
