Frozen Barriers

by Sara Shirley

  Emily is in a rush to get me out of her place since we’ve finished eating, and I’m a little curious as to why. I know the girls won’t be upset if she is a little late, but as we are both driving our cars out of the driveway, I spot the black sedan pulling in with her mother in the backseat. Well, that explains it. I’m pretty sure after what I overhead Emily telling Louisa about what happened, she would be avoiding her parents for a while. She still hasn’t gone into detail about the severity of what actually went down, but in time, she’ll open up to me.

  I really do have plans to meet the girls for costume shopping. Jeremy keeps fishing for more information about what transpired between my mother and me. I want to tell him, I really do, but I can’t, not while I know she’ll be pulling into the driveway any minute. I need to rush him out of here, and he knows I’m doing just that.

  “The longer we stay at the house the more chance I won’t get the best costume for Saturday,” I tell him.

  His gives his typical guy response. “You don’t need a costume since naked requires no clothes at all.”

  “Your parents won’t be impressed if I show up naked at their house,” I say, pushing on his chest and heading toward my car.

  Once we are both driving in opposite directions and I see my mother’s hired ride pulling into the driveway, I know I am right for not telling Jeremy about her and my father’s devious plan as well as her slap across my face. Had he known, he would have turned his truck around, and I would have been involved in some kind of smack down or murder cover-up story. No, officer, the last I saw of her she was still in Vancouver.

  I see Courtney and Sue parked at the strip mall parking lot and pull in next to them. Sue still doesn’t appear her normal bubbly self as she stands there solemnly. I asked Courtney a few days ago if she found out anything about her. She said she couldn’t get any information out of her. It’s so bizarre.

  While I’m getting out of my car, Courtney comes running over, squealing and hugging me tightly. “It’s so good to see you! We’ve missed your gold medal winning ass around here!” she shouts. “Wait a minute.” Courtney pauses while pulling away and staring at me from arms’ length away. Shock overtakes her face. “You made up with Jeremy. Didn’t you? You did! So, you guys are good now? I mean, I heard about what happened at Murph’s, and we all wanted to kill him, but you know, he’s family and all. When Mom found out, even Dad went and hid in the basement, because she was furious, and Mom never gets mad.”

  Reaching out to grab her arms, I stare her in the eyes as she looks at me with raised eyebrows. “Breathe, Court.” I chuckle, trying to calm her nervous chatter. “Jeremy and I are good. He came over last night, and yes, we made up.” My face radiates from the blush I’m sure that has just spread across my cheeks.

  As I make my way over to Sue, I hear Courtney say, “Eww, I don’t want to know. Way too much information!”

  Stopping mid-stride, I turn toward her, laughing. “You’re the one who just asked me if we made up. All I did was confirm it.” I make my way to Sue, who’s still standing by her car, and I start playing with my necklace, hesitant of how to approach her since I’m not sure what’s really going on. Standing there in front of her with Courtney close on my heels, I gaze into her solemn eyes and push my shoulders back. “Okay, that’s it! What’s going on with you? I’ve never seen you like this, and you’re not your usual crazy ass self. Spill the beans. Did you break up with Dave already?”

  Just when I think I’m showing my firm resolve with her, she begins crying. I look over at Courtney, who is staring at me and shrugging her shoulders as if we are both thinking the same thing. Why the hell is she crying? She must have broken up with Dave, but I’m going to wait until she is the one to tell us.

  Lifting her head in our direction with tears and mascara streaming down her face, Sue looks between Courtney and me as we stare, but says nothing. Her hands fly to cover her mouth as her tears continue flowing heavier. As Courtney and I move to her side, she opens her mouth, and the words she says need clarification. Either that or we didn’t hear her correctly.

  “What did you say?” I question again just to be sure I heard her correctly.

  “I’m pregnant,” she sobs.

  Of all the things it could be, I never would have thought that. A heavy feeling settles in my stomach. Courtney is gently rubbing Sue’s back as I look around the area. Noticing a small coffee shop, I urge Sue and Courtney in that direction. I’d rather have this conversation in a comfortable place than in the middle of a strip mall parking lot.

  Relaxing on a well-worn sofa while Courtney grabs drinks, I sit, rubbing Sue’s back and trying to calm her crying. I simply wait for Courtney to return and help back me up since I don’t know what to ask or what to do. Within a minute or two, we’re all sitting and sipping our chai teas. Surprisingly, Sue is the one who breaks the silence.

  “Well, you guys must think I’ve seriously got issues. I’m really sorry, guys. It’s just it’s the first I’ve actually said it out loud. I haven’t even called my parents to tell them. They live in Florida, so they can’t do much. You’re the first to know, and guessing from your expressions, you’ve probably got a good idea who could have done this to me.” She pauses to take a sip of her tea. I have an idea of who that person is, and if it’s him, she’s going to need a whole lot more support to get through this. Sue continues after placing her tea onto the coffee table, “It’s Dave. I mean, clearly it’s him since he’s the only one I’ve slept with in two months. To answer the next question, how? Well, here’s the kicker. Turns out the night we all went to Eavesdrop, and he brought me back to Jeremy’s, well, that drunk idiot forgot to put on a condom. I’m one to talk since I’m no better than him. It’s just as much my fault as his, but it happened, and I’ve got to be an adult about it now. I’m scared to death, though. How am I supposed to do this?”

  Taking a deep breath to calm myself before gently reaching for Sue’s hand, I say, “I know this is probably cliché by saying this, but it will all work itself out. Dave will be a good father. You’ll make a wonderful mother, and we’ll all be here to help you. You won’t be alone in any of this. Right, Courtney?” I look at her for some kind of confirmation of my statement.

  “Sue, you know my mom loves you. You’re like my sister. We’ll help you no matter what, but you know Josh is going to kill Dave. You know that, right?”

  Sue softly shakes her head. “I’m not telling Josh. No way, he’s going to go ape shit!”

  “This might come as an obvious question, but when were you planning on telling Dave he is going to be a father?” I ask as Sue’s shoulders fall in defeat.

  “That’s where I might need you guys to help me.”

  At an eager attempt to change the topic of that conversation, Courtney stands quickly, “So, what you’re saying is I should choose a costume that involves weapons and restraints.” After her awkward attempt at deflecting the question, Sue finally cracks a smile for the first time since I saw her today.

  “I know I’m going to screw this up big time, but I’m happier knowing I’ve got you guys supporting me, and just to clarify, I will not be your on-call designated driver for the next seven months. Not. Happening!” She stands, throwing her hobo bag over her shoulder and looking Courtney and me.

  Yeah, Sue’s going to be just fine, and that baby will see more love in its lifetime than I’ve ever known from my family. Everyone seems to be back to normal and smiling as we make our way out of the coffee shop toward the costume shop. Walking alongside each other, Courtney turns to Sue. “So, should we get you a bun in the oven costume for Saturday and see how long it takes for everyone to get it?”

  Sue stops dead in her tracks, clapping her hands. “That’s an incredible idea! The guys will never figure it out.”

  Once Wednesday rolled around this week, time with Emily became almost nonexistent. After her two major wins in the Grand Prix, she was focused entirely on the last remaining Grand Prix event. She’ll be leav
ing again in two weeks to head to Paris for the Trophée Eric Bompard. Should she win, she’ll have qualified for the Grand Prix final and in good standing going into the Nationals. To say I’m extremely proud of her is an understatement.

  My own schedule is no less trying. I had an away game last night, but it was close enough to Manchester that we took the bus back after the game. Emily was here at the house with Sue and Courtney helping Mom cook and set up decorations. They were in the kitchen talking about something before I left in the afternoon for the game, and when I walked in, they went silent. Eyeing them suspiciously, I had to wonder what was being said before I stepped in. It’s not as though the party is a surprise. Either way it still struck me as odd.

  I knew everyone would be setting up until almost midnight, so I called Emily before she left to come over and asked her to bring an overnight bag. She willingly accepted, saying when I got back, she needed to tell me something that she’s wanted to tell me all week. I could only assume the immediate silence in the kitchen had something to do with that. Man, was I ever wrong on that thought.

  When I finally pulled in after the game last night around midnight, Emily was already lying in my bed, wearing some kind of lace top and matching lace boy shorts. She was watching her Friends reruns, laughing until she saw me walk into the bedroom. Turning off the TV, she asked how the game was and circled around her true reason for needing to talk to me.

  Once I threw my pants onto the storage chest and climbed into bed with her, she sat up and tucked her legs under her. When she started her story, saying, “Well, you already know about the tabloid picture and story fabricated by my mother, but there’s more to it than that,” I knew I was going to need a drink before hearing any more.

  After two shots of Patron and a handful of fists hitting the wall, I heard the entire story. She admitted everything, from her mother’s threats on the plane, the slap to her face, to her parents setting up the fake tabloid story. Livid didn’t even begin to describe the level of anger I felt at that moment. I’m a hockey player; I hit people on a pretty consistent basis. She told me she didn’t want to tell me earlier at her place because she was afraid I’d go off, and if I did anything in the presence of her parents, there was no telling what they would do. Basically, they had the ability to take away my career in the blink of an eye. I asked her if that’s what she was talking with my mom about in the kitchen when I walked in earlier, but she said it was something totally different.

  A scratching paw to the side of my bed is how I ring in my Saturday morning. Not technically my official birthday, but it will still be celebrated tonight. When I roll over, a pair of big, pleading eyes stare back at me. Aspen, noticing I am awake, becomes even more anxious and wants to go out even more. Throwing my legs over the edge of the bed, reaching down to grab my boxers and pulling on a pair of lounge pants I tossed over the storage chest at the foot of the bed last night after getting home from my hockey game, I crawl back onto the bed.

  “Babe, I’ve got to let Aspen out. Do you want anything from the kitchen?” Placing a soft kiss against her bare shoulder, she moans softly before shaking her head. “All right, I’ll be right back.”

  Today is a new day, but the thoughts of Emily’s family still wreak havoc in my mind. I wasn’t here to help while all of this was going on. That alone tears me up inside. It should have been me helping her, but at least my mom was the one talking her through her issues. The fact Mom never mentioned any of it to me is going to be addressed when I see her later this morning.

  After opening the door at the bottom of my back stairs to let out Aspen into the yard, I turn back up the stairs to head back to bed to be with the most beautiful woman ever. I stop at the freezer to pull out an ice pack. Placing the ice pack on top of my right hand knuckles, I already know they will be swollen and hurt like hell in my hockey glove during tomorrow’s game, but I’d rather hit a wall than someone else. Well, that’s only partially true. I’m pretty confident I’ll end up hitting someone in Sunday’s game. At least there’s a way for me to take out some of my frustration over all this.

  Once I pull back the covers and get into bed, Emily immediately pulls them back close to her. “What do you think you’re doing? I need some blankets, too,” I joke before pulling her close to my chest.

  “It’s good now. I have a heating blanket in here to snuggle against,” she teases as she snuggles into me and kisses my bare chest. Gently removing the ice pack, she asks, “How’s the hand?”

  “Feels like it hit a steel wall.” I throw my arm over my face.

  Tantalizing slow kisses begin sweeping over my knuckles as Emily suggestively says, “Well, it didn’t seem to have any issues last night when you decided to play hide and seek.” Peeking out of the corner of my arm, I see her sliding out of bed to her bag on my bureau. “What are you doing over there?”

  “Well, since neither of us is around for your actual birthday, I figured I’d give you your gift today.”

  “I told you not to get me anything, unless you are planning on telling me what your costume is for tonight, then I might make an exception.” I wink at her.

  “Sorry, babe, you’re going to have to wait just like everyone else. You’ll have to deal with the standard wrapped present,” she says, handing me a small box with a ribbon on top.

  Sitting up in bed, as she sits next to me, I see her running her hands over the sheets. Why is she nervous? Grabbing her hand, I lean over and kiss her on the forehead. “Hey, you know I love you, right? Don’t be nervous.” I try to give her some solace before she nods back at me as I slowly start unwrapping the box. I hear it click open and push the top lid up. My eyes widen in amazement. This is too much. Why would she spend this kind of money?

  “Do you like them?” she asks while wringing her fingers together. I’m still in awe of the fact she just gave me a set of sterling silver cufflinks engraved with the Monarchs logo and embossed on the crown logo are three small diamond studs.

  “Babe, they are awesome. I don’t even know how you did this or when, but you had to have spent a fortune. Are you sure you trust me not to lose these?”

  “Well, no, I don’t trust you wearing them, but you’ll need them if you are going to attend this.” She hands me an envelope.

  “Seriously, Em, this is too much already. What’s this?” I open the envelope, seeing five tickets for a suite at the TD Garden in Boston for the US Figure Skating Nationals in January. My mouth hangs wide open. I’m in complete shock.

  Moving closer to me while looking me in the eyes, she says, “If I win gold at the US Nationals, I want you and your family there celebrating with me. I owe all of you so much already that I don’t think I can stand there on that ice without all of you, and I know you won’t be able to make it to the Olympics in February. But, Nationals is really a big deal for me. Plus, that means you’re stuck with me at least until January. Think you can handle a long- term relationship?”

  “I think I’m up for that challenge.”

  “Happy Birthday, Jeremy.”

  I’d never been so nervous in my life as I was while giving Jeremy those tickets. I didn’t know what he would think. I don’t know if what we have will last a few months or forever. I mean, I’m hoping it isn’t going to end anytime soon, but life happens and people change. Jeremy and I haven’t discussed our future together. It’s been moving at such a fast pace as it is, and we’ve actually spent more time apart than together. Who knows what will happen when we actually have the time to spend together? We could end up hating each other. To give him the tickets to attend my pinnacle event with his family that’s two months away, that’s like saying, “Hey, hope you don’t mind, but I pretty much just guaranteed you a steady girlfriend.” From what I know, Jeremy doesn’t do steady girlfriends, unless you count his college girlfriend, but apparently Grace never met her. I need to stop worrying so much. I have a party to get ready for.

  Jeremy assumed all of us were talking about him in the kitchen yesterday. Trut
h is, Sue had just told Grace about the baby. We weren’t sure how much Jeremy had heard about our conversation, but it didn’t seem as though her cover was blown. After he left, Grace had taken it upon herself to help with Sue’s costume design. Apparently, she is quite the crafty type.

  Grace wasn’t surprised at Sue’s confession. She said she noticed her change almost instantly after Courtney and I mentioned something was off. Of course, Grace had Sue in tears again when she openly admitted that she would be happy to support Sue any way she needed it. Sue was a part of the Page family whether she knew it or not. Who was this incredible woman? She’s become the Mother Theresa to two crazy chicks in the last month.

  The guys are in the backyard finalizing everything for the party that is set to begin in a few hours. I still have no idea what Jeremy is dressing up as. All of us girls are in Courtney’s bedroom doing hair and makeup before putting on our costumes. Grace said she’ll be up later after she is done making sure all the food is holding steady in the kitchen.

  Courtney wasn’t kidding the other day when she said she was going to dress up with weapons. Her hair is the easiest to handle. All I need to do is braid her hair down the side, and she will handle the rest. After that, all she is left with is putting on her boots, gold pin, blazer and adding her bow and arrow over her back and voila! instant Katniss Everdeen. Sue is a little more of a process. We have to tease her hair after shoving a handmade cardboard box over her shoulders. It hangs just right, and the oven knobs and door Grace drew are incredible. We just have to attach some rolls to the stomach section of her shirt, and she’s instantly a bun in the oven. I’m not hopeful any of the boys will figure this out, but you never know, they could surprise all of us.