Page 20 of Changing Tides

Danny holds up his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. Liamcan be…difficult, but he’s my best friend. Knock off the Liam bashing.” He puts his beer down and turns back to the band.

“You started it,” I challenge, a hand on my hips.

Claire takes my drink out of my hands. “Well, boys, it wassupergreat to meet you, but our Uber is here so we’re going to go.” Claire signs the check for the tab that I didn't know she asked for, drapes my jacket over my shoulders, and leads me out of The Rusty Nail before I can even say my goodbyes.

* * *

“But I don’t wantto leave!” I whine as Claire puts me in the back of a car.

“It’s time, babe. You’ve had a lot to drink, and you won’t like either of us tomorrow.” Then to the Uber driver, “Hey, can you stop at a CVS or a grocery store?”

“Sure thing,” he says, which is the only thing this driver says the entire drive. He’s probably not interested in engaging two drunk girls.

“Oooh…What are we getting?” I ask Claire, excitedly.

“Youare waiting in the car. I am getting Liquid IV and ramen.” Claire chuckles, grabbing her bag as the driver pulls up to the CVS on the next block. “Be right back. Don’t move.” Back in college we ate ramen after every night out, and to this day we still swear it’s the magic hangover preventer. Something about the salt balancing out all the alcohol.

I sigh and lean back on the seat. I pull out my phone and see a text from James.

James: I listed the house but you need to sign some things. We really need to talk, Sophie.

Maybe it’s all the tequila but for the first time, I want to text him back. I hesitate, my thumbs moving over the touch screen. I’m not sure what to say.

Me: I’m drunk. And I danced with another man tonight. And I think I am moving to Cape May.

James: Come home and talk to me.

Decisions made while drinking are never the best ones but after spending the day in Cape May with Claire, meeting locals this past week, and seeing the town with new adult eyes, I really can envision myself here.I don’t want to leave next week.I know my judgment may be clouded by tequila, but maybe I can take a leave of absence from work or see clients virtually. Maybe I can stay here a little longer.

Me: I will. If I am staying here, I will have to get all of my things from my dad’s house.

James: I have some things of yours still.

Me: Well, you can bring them over there.

James: Okay. I’ll do that. I’m sorry.

That’s it? That’s freaking it?I realize that I have started to cry right as Claire slides her butt back in the car. Her brow creases and her face falls. “What’s wrong?” she asks with great concern.

I sniffle but I can’t talk or the dam will break and it will no longer be just a few tears. Instead, I hold up my phone screen so she can read the exchange. She skims the text chain and then puts my phone in her purse. “Fuck him. I’m making us ramen.”

10

LIAM

Lucy is definitely sick and it’s a damn good thing I called the on-call line last night. They called me back an hour later and scheduled me to come in first thing this morning. My first priority when I wake up today is to get Lucy feeling better.

I make myself coffee, let the dog out, and shower all before Lucy even wakes up. The poor thing must have needed the rest. When I finally go in to wake her, the sight of her makes my heart ache. Her eyes are red and glassy, her cheeks rosy, and she is super congested.

I dress her in warm clothes and head for the pediatrician's office. We check in at the desk and then we’re taken to a small blue room with a couple of chairs and a long exam table with paper covering it. Fish decals adorn the walls in bright colors. Lucy is fussy and not interested in anything except being held and her sippy cup of water, even when I try to point out the pretty fish to her.

Dr. Philips comes in and greets me with a smile and a handshake. He’s probably ten years older than I am with a lean build and salt-and-pepper hair. Behind his silver-rimmed glasses, his eyes are kind. “Hi, Mr. Harper. I am Dr. Philips.” He smiles at Lucy. “Hi, Lucy. Are you not feeling so well?”

“You can call me Liam. Thanks for seeing us so quickly, Doc. I don’t know what I was thinking. My sister passed away and I was thrust into full-time parenthood. I didn’t know babies got shots and well visits so frequently. This is so new to me.” I am nervous and rambling.

Dr. Philips holds up his hands to reassure me. “It’s okay, Liam. I am so sorry to hear about your sister. This is a small practice, and I know most of my patients well. I had wondered what happened to her. How are you guys holding up?” he asks, genuinely concerned.

I clear my throat. Any time I have to talk about Leah is hard. I don’t always know how much information to give, but I also don’t want people thinking she did drugs or died in vain. “We’re doing okay. As well as can be expected. It’s been a tough few months. Leah got called up to active duty, but her helicopter went down in a training exercise before she even made it overseas.”

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