Page 19 of Saving You

Olivia: The girls and I all enjoyed hanging out with you and Lily last night. Let us know when you’re down for another girls’ night!

Lily watches as I put my phone down and arches a brow.

“Olivia,” I say. “She was just checking in to see how I was feeling. She said to let her know when we’re ready for another girls’ night.”

Lily smiles. She finishes cooking breakfast and the three of us sit at the table enjoying our food while Charlie tells us about her night with Taylor. Lily spends the day with us watching movies until it’s time to get Charlie to bed. Saying our goodbyes, Lily leaves, and Charlie and I head upstairs for bed.

The next morning when I walk into work, I get started on the stack of patient files that require phone calls. Caleb’s file is on top. Dr. Markstrom’s note asks me to call and schedule a phone appointment for him to relay the results of his physical. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, pushing aside lingering embarrassment, before dialling his number.

He answers after three rings. “Sutton.”

Clearing my throat, I say, “Good morning, Officer Sutton, this is Bailey calling from Dr. Markstrom’s office.”

I hear his smile through the phone as he says, “Good morning, Bailey. How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“I’m doing well. You were okay yesterday morning?”

I close my eyes and lean back in my chair. I want to keep this conversation as professional as possible. “Yes, thank you. I’m calling because Dr. Markstrom would like to set up a phone appointment with you to go over the results of your physical. Does tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. work for you?”

He pauses before clearing his throat. “Yes, that works. Thank you, Bailey.”

“You’re welcome. Have a good day, Officer Sutton.”

“You too.”

I hold the phone to my ear even after the click and the dial tone kicks in. Disappointment runs through me. I don’t understand it. I was the one who wanted to keep the conversation professional, so why am I disappointed he hung up?

I spend the rest of my shift trying to understand this feeling. It’s put me in a mood I don’t notice until I pick Charlie up.

“Are you okay, Mommy?”

I look in the rearview mirror at her and smile. “Of course, Baby Girl. Why do you ask?”

“You haven’t asked me a hundred questions about school. You always ask me lots of questions.” Darn, my daughter is observant.

“I’m sorry. Why don’t you tell me all about your day? What was your favourite thing?”

She tells me about a new friend she made at recess and the book they read about bears. When we get home, I help Charlie with her homework and make us dinner. When I’m lying in bed that night, a text comes in from Olivia.

Olivia: Doing a girls’ day on Saturday. Brunch and mani-pedis. Bring Lily and Charlie. Can’t wait to see you!

I grin at my phone. This girl is relentless, trying to pull me into her fold of friends. I send her a thumbs-up emoji and forward the message to Lily, who confirms she’s in.

Saturday, we all meet at Sammy’s at 11 a.m. Charlie’s so excited for a girls’ day. The chime of the door rings in my ears as I look around the diner for the girls. Olivia spots me first, her arm waving excitedly above her head as she tries to gain my attention. Charlie runs over to the table, her blonde hair flying behind her. I follow and smile at the girls as Charlie slides in beside Olivia and I slide in beside Hannah. Olivia has a kid’s placemat with crayons set up and is colouring when Hannah leans into my side and whispers, “So… did anything happen with Caleb last weekend?”

I look around, wishing I had a glass of water to drink to put off answering her question.

“No, he just brought Lily and me back to my place.”

She assesses me. I’m relieved when the waitress comes to take our order. I order a hot chocolate with whipped cream for Charlie and a coffee for myself. Lily shows up when our drinks are delivered, and we all chat.

It’s amazing how these women have embraced the three of us. Especially Charlie. After she was born, I lost a lot of my friends. They didn’t understand that I now needed to schedule my life around having a child. They tried at first, but after a few months, the texts and calls stopped, and I was left with Derek, Lily, and Charlie. Now, all I have is Charlie and Lily, and I’m perfectly happy with that.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts when Lily nudges me.

“Mommy, can we go?” Charlie asks.

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