by Amy Daws
“Hopefully tomorrow, we’ll see what works with Cade. She’s going to grumble about taking the girls out of school, but I know she’ll do it.” Cadence is just one of those sisters. She acts tough but she would do anything for me. And I’m the same for her and her two girls…they are a part of me. Having them with me tomorrow will help me no matter what happens.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“Parni, can I talk to you for a second?” I ask from behind my computer lab desk. She looks up at me, confused.
“Sure,” she says, looking back at her computer, obviously engrossed with her work.
“I was wondering if maybe we could step out into the hallway?” I look around at the other students stationed throughout the lab. Brody was right—you can hear a pin drop in this place.
She sighs and follows me out the door. I lead the way over to a more private area down the hallway.
“Hey, so, I wondered if I could ask a favor of you?”
“Me?” she does nothing to hide the surprised expression.
“Yeah, I need to go do something. I have to head to Topeka to see Brody. We had a big stupid ordeal this past week and he sort of...I’m sorry, you probably don’t even care about this stuff.”
“What is it you need?”
“I’m wondering if you can monitor the lab for me tomorrow. It’s just for a couple hours. Normally I can have another tech fill in from a different lab, but on such late notice, they can’t find me anybody. I really need to leave town tomorrow.”
“I don’t know, Finley.” She looks torn.
“Parni, all you have to do is sit there. You don’t even have to tell anyone you’re the monitor. Just sit at your regular place and if they ask where I am, just tell them I went to the bathroom or got food or something. I’d call in sick but I’ve already called in too many days this year.”
“I guess, maybe…”
“I wouldn’t ask you if I wasn’t desperate. And since you’re in the lab all day on Wednesdays anyway, it would be the perfect solution! I’ll pay you!”
She scowls even further. “I don’t want your money. That’s offensive.”
I raise my eyebrows. “So, you’ll do it?” I ask, feeling desperate. If I can’t do this tomorrow, it will kill me. The longer I stay away from Brody, the more I obsess over what this break is doing to us. We don’t need a break. We need to be together. He’s had enough time.
“Yes,” she clips out. I squeal and hug her. She instantly stiffens and I release her, feeling like I overstepped a major boundary.
She gives me the tiniest of smiles and then puts on her all business face. “I’m not sitting in your desk. I like my desk.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with,” I nod, eagerly.
“Okay, tell me what I need to know.”
I relay the very minimal information Parni needs to know in the event that she has to actually do something. I then give her the lab keys to open up tomorrow. I could get in so much trouble for this, but I just feel like I can count on Parni. We exchange cell numbers so she can call if she needs to, but I’m certain she’ll be fine.
***
I toss and turn all night, feeling gutted that I’ve not heard a word from Brody in three days. My injuries look better in only a few days. However, while all the obvious injuries look better, more black and blue bruises pop up throughout my body in areas I didn’t even realize suffered trauma. The E.R. nurse followed up with me the day after I left and said that the bruising was normal and to be expected after suffering the crash I did.
My right eye looks considerably better though. Today was the first day I was able to apply makeup onto it without cringing. It has a red patch that looks like a big curling iron burn up near the temple, but the swelling is a lot better. I’m starting to look like myself again. Hopefully my injuries aren’t the first thing Brody notices when he sees me tomorrow.
It’s killing me not to call or text him. I don’t know how it’s so easy for him to take this break from me. Considering a life without Brody, pains me beyond comprehension. My eyes well with tears any time I picture our lives with anyone else. I don’t want anyone else. I want Brody. That night on the floor in my room, when I said I loved us, meant more to me than any other moment in my entire life. When I said those words, I never imagined a barrier like stupidity and jealousy breaking us. We need to become more than our flaws. We need to become us again. I need to show him how we can do that together.
***
Cadence and the girls show up at Wildwood the next day, just after lunchtime to pick me up. I’m already waiting on them outside, feeling too nervous and claustrophobic in my own apartment.
“Finley!” McKinley yells my name and comes rushing up to me, wrapping her arms around my hips.
“MK! You look so pretty!” I smile, astonished. Damn, my sister pulled out all the stops. McKinley’s wearing a bright yellow sundress with pink converse sneakers. The sneakers make me smile. They are so McKinley.
“Hey, Fin,” Megan comes walking up to me, looking way taller than the last time I saw her. If I end up leaving today without Brody, I at least got to see my beautiful nieces.
“Your hair is getting long!” I tug a strand of her nearly white blonde hair and she smiles shyly. “And you’re so tall!” I pull her into my side and rub McKinley’s back at the same time.
“Mommy said you crashed,” McKinley says, grabbing my wrist brace curiously. The constant aching has finally stopped but I’m still treating it carefully.
I squat down to look her in the eyes. “I did crash. I crashed hard. But I learned a really, really good lesson. I need to be much more careful whenever I drive. I need to put all of my focus on the road and nothing else. Not even cute little nieces like you!” I finish, and pinch her nose.
She smiles but then turns serious. “My bus driver yells at us on the bus sometimes. I’m going to tell him that he shouldn’t do that anymore. He needs to focus.”
“Well, that’s not your place, MK. A bus driver is a really good driver. You let him do what he thinks is right, okay?”
She scowls at me, clearly not convinced. Oh Lord, she is so her mother’s daughter.
“You guys want to meet my boyfriend’s family?” I ask, attempting to change the subject.
“I thought he dumped you?” Megan blurts out.
“Megan!” Cadence scolds as she walks up to us stuffing her keys inside her purse.
“What? I thought you said Finley was trying to win her boyfriend back. Doesn’t that mean he dumped her?”
I turn wide eyes to Cadence.
“You don’t need to know the details, just smile and look cute, okay?” Cadence ruffles Megan’s hair and Megan groans and heads over to the side mirror of their vehicle to inspect the damage.
“I want to meet your boyfriend, Finley,” McKinley says, wrapping her small hand around mine.
“I want you to meet him too!” I reply, smiling, but I’m suddenly sick with nerves. God, this could go so bad. I should have thought this plan through more. What if his parents don’t let me in the house for hurting their precious son?
***
I’ve never actually done anything in Topeka, except get gas on my way to Kansas City. It’s an hour drive from Manhattan, so my nerves are bubbling the entire way with anticipation. I’m scared out of my mind that I’m pushing Brody too hard. Showing up at his parents’ house is a lot. I could very well be in for an awkward pat-on-the-back dismissal. Not to mention this is the worst kind of first impression to a family. What do I even say to them? Hi there, I’m Finley. I got in a rip-roaring fight with your son Saturday night and I’m here to beg and grovel. I cringe at the audacity of my actions right now, but I don’t care. I have to try. That’s why I called in some reinforcements.
Cadence complained for a good five minutes about having to drive herself and her two young girls across the state of Kansas. But I knew she’d do it. She is dying to meet Brody, and if this helps me win him back, she wants to be a part of it.
Having her here will be good for either outcome. First of all, my two beautiful blonde nieces can win over any family. So, if showing up on the doorstep of Brody’s parents after a terrible fight is a bad first impression, I’ll have two cuties with me to soften the blow. And if things go bad—if Brody laughs in my face and sends me packing, at least I’ll have Cadence and the girls there to comfort me.
“So, what’s your plan here?” Cadence asks, interrupting my silent contemplation.
“Well, I figured we’d go to the door together. You, me, and the girls, I guess. I’m just assuming someone will be home. Brody’s mom doesn’t work, so I imagine she’s home…and Brody, I hope. His sisters will still be in school and his dad will be working, I’m sure.”
“So, your big grand plan is to use my beautiful babies as leverage to make you not look criminally insane?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Perfection. You owe me big for this one, sister. I pulled the girls out of school for this.”
“I know, I know. I owe you big. You didn’t tell Mom, did you? She will think I’m crazy.”
“I may have mentioned it. But don’t worry, I sold the story well. She said that you must really love this guy to go to such extremes.”
I smile at that. “I do. I love us, Cade. I have to get him back.”
“It’ll be okay, Finley. With all of us there, the situation will feel very light and proper. Stop worrying!”
The directions my phone is giving me take us into a beautiful residential neighborhood with newer looking large family homes. Not mansions by any means, but nice, well-kept houses. The neighborhood looks like it should be featured in the Topeka Visitor Guide. Huge orange fall leaves are scattered all over the streets and the weather is unseasonably warm for Kansas this time of year.
“Okay, it’s right up here. Park on the road.” I say, fidgeting in my seat.
Cadence parks up along the curb in front of Brody’s house. I hop out of the car and smooth down my teal colored sundress. I never wear this dress, but anticipating that this will be the first time I meet Brody’s parents, I knew I had to ditch the hoodie. I’m hoping no one notices the black bruises on my two kneecaps from hitting the dash.
“Let’s do this before I lose my nerve.”
Cadence straightens the girls’ clothes and we walk across the street toward a two story Colonial-style brick house with a deep red painted door. My curiosity peaks, wondering what Brody was like growing up here. I take a deep breath and ring the bell. I glance nervously at Cadence. She smiles at me, reassuringly. A moment later, a beautiful, short, curvy woman answers the door.
“Hello there,” she says, opening the door wider.
“Hi, I’m, uhh, I’m Finley. This is my sister Cadence and her two daughters, Megan and McKinley.”
“You’re Finley, Finley?” the woman asks, repeating my name twice, looking shocked and awed.
“Yeah, you’re Brody’s Mom, right?” I ask nervously, touching my right eye, hoping my makeup is still concealing the scab.
“Yes, I’m Anne!” she says brightly.
“Hello, um…is Brody home?” I ask, not sure what else to say.
She shakes her head quickly, “I’m sorry...he’s not…he’s fishing, I believe. I’m so sorry! Did he know you were coming?”
“I uhhh, umm…” I trail off.
“Finley wanted to surprise Brody. My daughters and I happened to be in Topeka today. She mentioned Brody was home this week and I begged her to introduce us. She speaks so highly of him. You’re his mom?”
“Yes, I am. How nice of you to stop! Please, please come in!”
Anne steps back and we walk into a beautiful foyer with knotty wood flooring and a large, traditional staircase. This house is so warm and inviting. Gorgeous, but lived in. Comfortable.
“Um, let’s go out back. We have a patio area and the weather is so nice. I can grab some drinks!” She leads us out through a three season porch and onto the back patio with a large backyard. The girls light up when they eye a swing set.
“Can we go on that, Finley?” McKinley asks, tugging on my dress.
“Yes, of course!” Anne interjects. “It hasn’t been played on in years. Our girls are too old to use it. Please, go have some fun!”
Megan gives a sideways smile like she’s too cool for swing sets, but follows McKinley out anyway.
McKinley stops halfway and turns around suddenly, “Oh! Thank you, Anne!” She turns and takes off again. I can visibly see Anne’s heart melting already. This is why I brought the girls. I hope Brody’s mom can see what a close family we are.
I love my nieces so much. I love the fact that McKinley asked me, instead of her mom, if she could go on the swing set. I love that they look at me as someone who can answer things for them. I hope to never lose that. Having that car accident was a wakeup call for me in more ways than one.
“Okay! I’ll go make some lemonade or something. Does that sound good?” Anne asks, standing by the doorway.
“Sounds great. Thank you!” Cadence replies, sitting down on a cushioned patio chair as she puts her sunglasses on.
“Do you need any help?” I ask, feeling nervous but trying to make a good impression.
“I’d love that, Finley,” she smiles warmly.
I follow her back into a big beautiful kitchen. It’s messy with lot of cooking gadgets all over the countertop and some dirty dishes in the sink. It’s perfect.
“Sorry to just barge in on you like this,” I say, placing my hands on the counter and feeling horribly awkward.
“Honey, there is nothing to be sorry for! I’m so glad to see you. To meet you, I mean!” she laughs lightly. She has a great laugh, it’s natural and deep. Her hair is medium length, dark brown and curly—just like Brody’s. My heart aches at the familiarity of his mother’s features. I need to see Brody so badly.
“I’m glad to meet you, too,” I say.
“Kaylee and Haddie will be home from school soon. They will be so happy to meet you, too! You have no idea.” She chuckles, as if enjoying a private joke.
“Really?” I say.
“Of course, Finley, why wouldn’t they? Brody says the most wonderful things. His sisters just torture him for information about you. He doesn’t have a chance at any privacy.” She chuckles again. “But he doesn’t fight them off very hard. He likes talking about you. I feel as though I know you already.”
I frown, trying to comprehend everything. If he tells them a lot about me, then does that mean he’s told them about our fight? Surely, it’s not common for Brody to come home for a visit during the week. They had to connect the dots.
“Do you know when he’ll be back?” I ask, not knowing if I can sit here another second longer without him.
She shakes her head. “He might be a while.”
I nod, feeling sad, like I’m getting the brush off.
“I think it might be a good idea for you to go find him. He has a favorite fishing spot that he usually goes to. It’s a small creek. I could give you directions if you like.” She turns her deep blue eyes on me and they look like they are saying so much more than her words are.
I smile sadly and nod. She grabs a notebook out of the drawer next to me and rubs my back encouragingly before writing down directions. My eyes sting with the understanding touch of her hand on my back.
“Go on, honey. I’ll take care of your family. I’m sure we’ll get along wonderfully. Bring our boy back in a better mood, please?”
I nod and smile and she opens her arms for a hug. Her embrace is soft and comforting, everything a great mom’s hug should be. It makes me ache for my own.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I ask Cadence for her keys and she makes a serious comment about driving safely. I stop myself from rolling my eyes because I know deep down she’s right. I take off out the front door and punch in the address Anne gave me into my phone for directions. Originally, I brought Cadence and the girls with me to help me win Br
ody back. But now that I’m here, I realize the real benefit to them being here is to help me win over Brody’s family. I need Anne to know I’m so much more than Brody’s drama-filled girlfriend from college.
Anne’s subtle hints aren’t lost on me. She probably knows pretty much everything. So leaving Cadence and the girls to entertain her and show her a glimpse of my family, which I am incredibly proud of, should hopefully help. Who knows, Cadence and Anne might even have a good laugh at the excitement of young love. But Brody and I are more than young love. He’s everything to me. I have to fix this. I have to make him understand.
I pull up under a huge weeping willow tree next to Brody’s black car. I feel a ping of nervousness and fear, wondering how he’ll react. I unbuckle and remove my wrist brace. I don’t want the first thing he notices to be my injury. I open and squeeze my fist and feel the tenderness in my wrist, but it’s miles better than it was a couple days ago. I then reach around to the backseat and grab the brand new black trash bag I snatched from the box Angela and I keep beneath our kitchen sink.
I walk down the trail Anne described and see Brody squatting and messing with the lure on his fishing pole. The creek is green and surrounded by huge golden-leafed trees. The varying fall colors are simply breathtaking, but I can’t tear my eyes off of Brody. He looks gorgeous, as always, his curly hair perfectly rumpled, his jeans torn and distressed, and his biceps bulging on the tight sleeves of a gray K-State t-shirt.
He hears my approach and glances in my direction, then looks back down to his lure, only to snap his eyes back up to me.
“Finley?” he asks, standing with his fishing line in hand.
I continue walking until I’m no more than twenty feet away from him. The golden sunlight behind him makes him the picture of beauty. I clear my throat.
“Do you know where there’s a dumpster around here?” I ask, shaking my still perfectly pressed trash bag.
He looks nervous and awkward, shaking his head like he’s not interested in my song and dance. “What are you doing here?”
