Page 3 of Waiting for Gilbert

“You are who you are, Cordy. Going by a different name won’t change that.”

“We’ll see. Meanwhile…” This is the part I’m scared about. Confessing I’ve moved. Moving. On a whim. Decided today to pack my things and relocate two weeks before a massive work deadline right before Christmas. He’s sure to nag me about that. That’s something a Cordelia Jane might do. I pull in a deep breath and rush into my confession. “Diana mentioned a few days ago there’s a perfectly adorable cottage for rent on the edge of Hadley Springs. And then after the breakup I didn’t want to stay in Kearney anymore so I’m moving even though I have a big deadline, and it’s terrible timing, but it’s already done. So that’s how it is.” Whew. I restore my oxygen and practically yell, “Therefore, I brought everything. My car is packed tighter than your mama’s spice drawer.”

Mark is quiet for a beat.

“Mark?”

“I’m trying to decide if that’s an innuendo for something else.”

“Ahh, no. Spices? Doesn’t she have a lot of them? My mom keeps hers in a drawer but it’s so full that all the bonus spices are left on the counter all the time.”

“Next time just say that. Don’t bringmymom into it.”

“Roger.”

“That’s a lot.” He tut-tuts with his tongue, thinking. “Let’s see. Did you check that the rental is available now?”

“I’ll stay with Diana until it’s ready.”

“Are you going to be able to refocus quickly enough and finish the last few pages of the cookbook by your deadline?”

“Planning on it.”

“Did you call Diana to tell her you’re coming today and intending to stay?”

“She knows I’m coming for the holidays. We talked recently.” I turn up the defrost. “Mark, I hear you rolling your eyes.” The fog that had begun to creep along the edges of my windshield vanishes. “Gosh, okay. I’ll call her.”

I double tap the earbud before he has the chance to comment. Nosy cousin always telling me what to do…

The call to my sister rings long enough that I’m resigned to leave a chatty voicemail that she will hate. She finally answers, “This is Diana.” Her straight-forward tone implies she didn’t bother to look at the caller ID.

“I’m almost there!” I force the smile through my words. “Excited to see you and squish all those babies.” Patches of packed snow cover parts of the road and I tap the brake to come out of cruise control.

“Hi!” My sister’s voice screeches through my head and I turn the volume down. “How far out are you?”

“Just made the turn from Highway Eighty-One. Five miles?” Sudden cheers and piano music blares through the call.

“Say again?”

I clear my throat. “Five minutes tops. Are you not home?”

“Sorry, hang on.” The noise fades but is still audible in the background. A baby gurgles in my ear. “Can you hear me, Cordy? Gosh, it’s loud in there.”

“Is that baby Jack with you?”

“You know it.”

“And live music? Sounds like quite the party.”

“A couple guys from church always—No! Leo, put it down. Down! You’ve had enough. Put it down. Don’t lick—” Diana lets out an exasperated breath. “Go find Dad. Go on. And no more cookies. Fine, one more. A little one.” She immediately switches from mom-voice to sister-voice. “Sorry, sis. Um. Did I miss something? What happened to next week? You’re in town?”

My gas light blinks on and I do a little happy dance because I made it. Takethat, gas meter. “I left early, and I’m trying to beat the storm. Mom warned me five times yesterday.” I pitch my voice higher. “You better not be on the road when that storm hits.”

“Ha! You sound just like her. No, baby. It’s not for you.” Jack squeals. “Ouch! Jack, quit it.”

“I’m driving down your street. See you in a sec.”

There seems to be a struggle on the other end. “Oh! No, Cordy. Keep going and turn left on 10th. We’re at a Christmas party.”

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