Page 65 of Waiting for Her

I don’t tell her it’s hardly considered jumping to conclusions when I saw the guy I’m in love with kissing another woman. I simply nod my head and walk to my bedroom to pack a small bag to bring with me.

Hazel bounces into my room, throwing herself on my bed.

“Why are you coming home?”

I look at her over my shoulder, she’s sitting cross-legged, looking far older than her six years.

“Because I miss you guys.”

“It’s not because that girl was kissing Grady?”

I close my eyes. How the heck did she see?

“I saw it before you turned around and pretended like you didn’t see it. He doesn’t like her, though. I know it.”

“Hazel,” I sigh. “This is kind of grown up stuff.”

She wrinkles her nose like she just smelled something funky. Like lies. “Nuh uh. I know what it is! You still love him. I heard you one day saying to Mommy that you were dreaming of him. He’s your dream guy.”

I chuckle. She’s so sweet and innocent.

“Plus, you turned around too fast and didn’t see he pushed her off his lap. I did, though. I saw it. He didn’t look happy. And she was mad, too.”

I pause, a hanger dangling from my fingertips, the shirt slips off and lands in a heap on the floor at my feet. I whirl around and look at her.

“What?”

She shrugs and nods but doesn’t expand.

Though, what can I expect? She’s six and has already been more intuitive than is normal for her age.

I bolt out of my bedroom like a woman on a mission and then, as nonchalantly as possible, peek out the window. I notice there’s no one on the patio, which means either Hazel was right or they’re now inside, which makes me sick to think about.

“He sent her away,” Mom says in a bored tone.

I take a deep breath through my nose.

“I changed my mind.”

“About?” I ask.

“You can’t come home this weekend. It really doesn’t work for us.”

“Oh really? I’m not allowed to come home now?”

“Nope. Because Andy’s right. Enough is enough. Either shit or get off the pot, Bri. Own up to your past mistakes, be honest with him about everything, let him make a decision about whether or not he wants to be with you based on all the facts. Quit pussy-footing around and go get the guy. If you want him, which we all know you do, then quit being a baby and start chasing him. This is your life, Bri. This isn’t a game, and I know you know you made a mistake.”

I don’t even try to argue with her. Not when she’s so right.

“Mom,” I murmur.

“I know, sweetie. I know. It’s hard being an adult. And taking ownership for your flubs in life is even harder. But you need to move forward. You’ve been stuck in this rut for too long and honestly, Andy and I can’t take it any longer.”

Eventually she and Hazel head for home, leaving me with enough to think about as I lay my head down on my pillow, I know I’m not going to sleep much, if any.

The morning lightburns through the blinds covering my windows. I blink, feeling like my eyes are full of sand. They burn as I eventually pry them open, feeling like I slept only a few minutes.

I slowly get up out of bed and head to the kitchen. After impatiently waiting for the thirty seconds it takes for my coffee to brew in my Keurig, I settle in on the couch with my large mug and inhale the comforting scent.

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