No politics, no religion, nothing polarizing. Julia’s cousins are rabidly devoted to every New England team, and this is where Will found common ground.
A little after eleven o’clock, Will and Julia prepare to leave. They’re joining his family for midnight mass. Will helps Julia with her coat, then pulls on his own, and holds up the Yankee Swap gift he ended up with. Gifts ranged from perverse to ridiculous. He’s now the proud owner of a set of ceramic coasters, each with a different dirty limerick. There once was a man from Nantucket…
“Will, it was nice to meet you. Hope we see you over Easter.” Dave shakes his hand and Will and Julia bid farewell to the rest of her family.
Once outside, Will wraps his arms around Julia, and sighs. He made it through the evening intact. Thank god they didn’t treat him like an alien being from planet Poppasquash.
“Everyone really liked you,” Julia says once they’re in his Jeep. “I know they gave you some shit at first, but thanks for being such a good sport.”
“I really liked them too,” he says with genuine relief.
***
Christmas dinner with Will’s family is as uncomfortable as Julia suspected it would be. The tension in the room is palpable. This is the first time everyone has been in the same room since the evening they went to dinner before Thanksgiving, while Ellie and her boyfriend Kevin were in New York. Julia can’t believe Sloane had the nerve to come to Christmas dinner after that fiasco.
Peter’s apologized to Ellie for his wife’s behavior more than once, but Sloane hasn’t and that’s a problem. Ellie wants to watch Sloane squirm, but she’s making everyone else uncomfortable in the process.
Halfway through dinner, Will’s father puts down his fork and asks the question everyone out of the know is thinking.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Everyone at the table freezes and Ellie smiles.
“Why don’t you ask Sloane?”
Sloane turns pink and promptly leaves the table, dropping her dirty fork and knife on Mrs. Kennedy’s expensive oriental rug. Will and Peter grab Ellie and hurriedly escort her out of the dining room while Julia sits, trapped at the table with Will’s parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, holding her breath and wondering who will be the first to speak.
No one says a word for several minutes, then Mrs. Kennedy begins to clear the dishes from the table. Those left seated, quietly excuse themselves and retreat into the living room, heading straight for the liquor cabinet.
Julia pours herself a large glass of wine and takes a seat on the couch near the fireplace in the living room, wishing she and Will could go back to her mother’s house. Carol and Ron left for Jamaica early this morning and they’ll have the house to themselves tonight before they drive back to DC in the morning. After the tension of today, her mom’s place would be paradise. Spending time with family over the holidays is highly overrated.
A half hour later, Ellie, Peter and Will are still in their father’s study, and Julia notes Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy seem to have successfully brushed the situation under the rug. Will’s dad is enjoying his second scotch on the rocks, laughing with relatives, while his mother sits at the piano playing Christmas carols. If his parents want to pretend everything is fine, Julia figures that’s their prerogative. She admires their ability to make the best of a bad situation.
Ellie could’ve handled this better. It’s one thing to hold a well deserved grudge, quite another to drag everyone else into it.
She’s lost in thought when Sloane takes a seat in the armchair beside her. Julia eyes her warily as Sloane straightens the fabric of her cream colored skirt and crosses her legs, settling in for a chat.
She can’t imagine why Sloane would want to have a conversation with her now. What could they possibly talk about? On the three occasions Julia’s been in her company, Sloane has treated her with nothing but disdain. And Julia hasn’t bothered to disguise her dislike of Will’s sister-in-law.
“Julia, I understand you’ve met Avery.”
“Yes, I have,” she replies, startled. “I wasn’t aware you know Avery.”
“Oh yes, we go way back!” Sloane smiles, “We went to boarding school together.”
Julia nods and smiles stiffly. Well, that explains a lot! If Sloane and Avery are friends, and Avery wants to get back together with Will, then Julia is an unwelcome obstacle.
“Peter and I saw her at the Nantucket Christmas Stroll a couple of weeks ago. She said she’s been spending a lot of time with Will since she moved to Washington.”
“Really?” Julia’s heart stops, and she swallows hard, but manages to keep her smile in place, “She said that?”
“Yes, she’s been helping him decorate his place.” Sloane picks up her glass of wine, taking a sip.
Julia’s mouth falls opens in disbelief. She doesn’t want Sloane to see how badly she’s rattled, but she’s sick inside.
“Well, she’s doing one hell of a job.” Julia forces a smile and scans the room, searching for Will.
She doesn’t want to jump to conclusions, but she remembers the look on his face whenever she mentioned the new décor. She has a bad feeling about this but no doubt Sloane will report this conversation to Avery and she’s not going to provide any additional material.
Will and Peter enter the living room and Will takes a seat beside Julia on the couch, holding her hand in his. She smiles, her eyes searching his for deception, but all she senses is his exhaustion. His body is slack, his eyes glazed over. Peter asks Sloane for a moment and they leave the room.
“Where’s Ellie?” Julia asks.
“She’s still in the study. Pete’s going to try and convince Sloane to apologize to her. You know what really pisses me off? Sloane knows she was inappropriate, but she’s angry with Ellie for putting her in that position!” He leans back against the couch and runs his hands through his hair. “I feel awful. I don’t want this to ruin the holiday for my parents.”
“They seem fine now. Will, this has nothing to do with you. This is between Sloane and Ellie. Maybe you should stay out of it, let them figure it out.”
“I was trying to persuade Ellie to at least pretend everything is fine between them. To stop staring Sloane down every opportunity she gets, but she said she wouldn’t.”
She leans against Will, resting her head on his shoulder and considers mentioning what Sloane said just then, but there’s enough drama at the moment. Will wraps his arm around her and Julia overhears Peter explain to his parents that they have to leave. Sloane ‘promised’ a friend of hers they’d stop by for dessert.
“Well, Sloane has refused to budge. Great.”
“Is Ellie waiting for her in the study?” Julia asks. Will nods and begins to rise, but Julia stops him. She wants to talk to Ellie herself. “I’ll go. You just relax.”
Julia opens the door to the study and finds Ellie sitting behind her father’s desk, feet up, hands behind her head.
“That’s a serious ‘don’t fuck with me posture’ you have going on there.” Julia says, closing the door behind her.
“I thought you were Sloane.” Ellie relaxes and smiles, “She’s not coming to apologize, is she?”
“No.” Julia slowly shakes her head. “You too may be the most stubborn women on the planet. They just left. Peter made up some excuse to your parents and they took off.”
“Well, at least now I can relax and have some fun.”
Julia takes a seat across from Ellie and looks down at her hands.
“What’s the matter, Jules?”
“I need your advice,” she pauses, wondering if she should discuss this with Will’s sister. They’ve become good friends, but Ellie’s allegiance lies with her brother. After a moments consideration she decides to confide in Ellie. “Sloane said something to me when we were in the living room a little while ago…”
“What did she do now?” Ellie throws her hands up, “Jesus H. Christ does that woman ever give it a rest?”
“She tol
d me Avery’s been visiting Will. A lot. And helping him decorate his place. Or should I say our place now that I’ve agreed to move in with him.”
“Okay, one,” Ellie’s eyes open wide. “When did you guys decide to move in together? Oh my god, that’s wonderful!”
“Right before we came home.”
Ellie claps and sits back in her chair, smiling.
“Ellie, did you hear the first part?”
“Oh, right,” she blinks, “Avery visiting. She’s totally lying! Will wouldn’t keep something like that to himself.”
Julia’s not convinced.
“Have you been to Will’s new place?” Ellie shakes her head, frowning, and Julia continues, “I hadn’t been there since September. He always comes to New York to visit me. In the three months I was away he fully furnished the first floor. I’m talking decorative pillows, color coordinated everything. Does that sound like Will to you?”
“No.” Ellie frowns, “My brother couldn’t match socks never mind decorate a house. Maybe he hired a professional?”
“I asked him. He said no and changed the subject.”
“I’m going to get him right now,” Ellie rises. “Ask him Julia. Will doesn’t know how to lie. Just ask him and see what he says.”
“Okay.”
***
“Hey babe, what’s up?” Will sits beside Julia on the leather sofa in his father’s study and takes her hand.
Thank God she’s here today! This Christmas has been so tense and Julia is the calm in the center of this storm. Maybe it’s time to make their escape and head to her mother’s house. They’ll have the house to themselves…
“I have to ask you something and I need you to tell me the truth.”
“Of course.” His brow furrows, “What is it?”
“Have you seen Avery since you had that talk with her after my birthday?” Julia asks, looking directly into his eyes.
Oh dear God. He looks down, feels the color rising from his neck to his face, then returns her gaze. He’s not going to lie to her.
“Yes.”
Julia’s face turns white.
“Avery told Sloane she sees you often, and has been helping you decorate your place.”
He closes his eyes and nods his head. Sloane! It never occurred to him that Avery and Sloane are still friends. Avery never mentions his sister-in-law when she visits.
“How often Will? How often do you see Avery?”
“She stops by every once in a while,” he mumbles, rubbing his fingers over his temple. He can’t blame Sloane for opening the bag on this one. I should have told Julia months ago...he meant to, but the timing never felt right.
“How often is that?” Julia’s voice rises, “Once a month? Once a week?”
“Maybe once a week,” he sighs.
Julia stands abruptly and paces around the room.
“Jules, listen. We’re just friends. She understands we’re in a relationship. I was going to tell you but…I don’t know…I didn’t want to upset you for nothing.”
She stops and glares at him.
“It’s not nothing,” she whispers angrily and leaves the study.
His sister appears moments later and closes the door behind her.
“William, what the fuck did you do?”
“Please Ellie,” he holds up his hand, “not now.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what happened,” she stands over him, jaw clenched. The last thing he needs is his sister’s wrath right now.
“I need to talk to Julia.”
“Good luck with that! Julia’s gone. She left.”
“What?” He sits up with a start, then lies back on the couch, resting his arm over his eyes, his stomach churning.
“Please tell me you didn’t let Avery decorate your house. Please, Will. While I still have some faith in you.”
He’s silent, his thoughts racing. How can I make this right? It took Julia so long to trust him…she’ll see this as a betrayal of that trust. Ellie grabs a chair and pulls it over to the couch.
“Will…I’m trying very hard to understand what’s happening here. Are you saying that you let your ex-girlfriend from a thousand years ago weasel her way back into your life… and furnish your home?” His head is pounding. “The home you asked Julia to share with you?”
He nods his head. What the hell did I do?
“Will, are you insane?!” Ellie shouts, grabbing a pillow and hitting him, “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”
“Ellie stop, okay?” He holds his arms up to shield himself, “Just stop. This is bad enough as it is.”
“Please explain this to me, like I’m a child.” She sits back in the chair, dropping the pillow to the floor, “Because this makes absolutely no sense. None, at all.”
“Do you remember when I told you Avery stopped by the day after Julia’s birthday?” Ellie nods. “Well, she stopped by unannounced later that week and I explained the situation to her. That she can’t just stop by anytime she feels like it.”
“Wait a second,” Ellie holds up her hand, “You told her not to stop by unannounced? You didn’t tell her to stop coming by entirely?”
“El, how could I do that? She just needs a friend to talk to. Avery’s harmless.” Ellie’s eyes are wide, disbelieving. “What! Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Can you possibly be this clueless?” She bites her lip and takes his hand in hers, “William. If she’s so harmless, why is Julia gone? Why didn’t you just tell her from the start that Avery’s been stopping by? Why did you feel the need to keep it a secret?”
He opens his mouth to speak but Ellie stops him, “Will, don’t bother. You kept it a secret because you knew Julia would tell you to make her stop. And you hate confrontation. It’s one of your weaknesses.”
He sits back and rubs his hands over his eyes. His sister’s right. He didn’t want to hurt Avery, and he didn’t want to upset Julia. So he did nothing.
“Avery’s so manipulative Will, can’t you see that? You have to put a stop to this or she’ll destroy the best thing that’s ever happened to you. God brought you and Julia together. You can’t let Avery come between you!”
He nods his head. He knows that’s what he needs to do, but how can he tell Avery to go away? Ellie doesn’t understand because she doesn’t have all of the facts.
“Go get Julia, Will.” His sister stands up, hands on her hips, “Put a stop to this bullshit with Avery and make things right.”
***
Julia didn’t go straight home. Whenever she’s having a tough time she gravitates to the water. Even in New York City. Tough day? Take the subway to South Street Seaport. Really bad day? Hop on the Staten Island Ferry. The water has a soothing effect on her, calms her nerves, and helps her think clearly.
From his parents’ house, she took a drive through Colt Park, parked near the boat launch and decided to take a walk along the water. It’s freezing out and the wind is whipping off the bay, but she doesn’t care.
She hasn’t felt anything since she left Will’s house. Nothing. She hasn’t cried, gotten sick. She feels empty. She should’ve known this was too good to be true. He’s too good to be true. People don’t get everything they want in life, why should she? Love makes you blind. Julia knew something wasn’t right when she mentioned the living room décor. She felt it and ignored her gut.
Lesson learned. The gut is fool proof.
Slowly, Julia makes her way back to his car, and sits behind the wheel. Closing her eyes she takes a deep breath in. I can smell him. She loves how Will smells, no cologne, just his skin. She rests her head on the wheel and the tears start to fall.
Gabby doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about. Julia wants to take her frigging cupid’s bow and arrow and torch it.
A half hour later she drives to her mother’s house, all cried out. She’s not surprised to find Will waiting for her when she pulls into the driveway. She doesn’t look at him or speak but doesn’t stop h
im from entering the house. She walks to her bedroom and closes the door behind her and thankfully Will has the sense not to follow.
Lying across her bed, she reaches for the phone to call Gabby, but replaces the handset before she dials. This, she has to handle alone. It’s time to follow her own instincts, not the directives of her well-meaning friend.
Finally Julia enters the living room in her pajamas and sits beside Will, her blanket, a cocoon protecting her. He lit a fire while she was in her room and she stares into the flames.
“Julia. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you she’s been stopping by. It was wrong.”
She nods and continues watching the fire. She feels nothing again.
“I promise you we just talk. Julia, please look at me.”
She turns her eyes toward him, but stares right through him.
“Please Julia…” he takes her hand and she quickly withdraws it. She doesn’t want him to touch her.
“I opened my heart to you,” her voice is soft, calm. “I put it all out there and you lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie to you, Jules,” he says, a twinge of desperation in his voice.
“Yes you did,” she nods her head, her voice steady, “You lied by omission.”
“I didn’t want to upset you. I was wrong.”
“You didn’t want to upset me?” She glares at him. “No, finding out from your sister-in-law was much less upsetting than you telling me yourself. Or, even better, I could’ve waited for Avery to tell me herself when she pops by to say hello sometime over the next few weeks. That wouldn’t have upset me at all.”
“I told her not to come while you’re there.”
“Why is that, Will?” Those words snap Julia out of her anesthetized state. Anger flashes across her face and she yells, “If you’re doing nothing wrong, why tell her to stay away? You’re not only lying to me, you’re lying to yourself! You knew this was wrong. And you did it anyway. Why? Because you’re afraid of hurting her?”
What if I Fly? Page 14
