Page 51 of Dangers of Love

I made myself some toast, even though I wasn’t queasy. There was, however, a distinct possibility that talking to my sister would make me sick to my stomach, so I decided that a preemptive strike in the form of breakfast was in order.

My stomach was already churning when I pulled up Freedom’s contact information and made the call. Part of me hoped that it’d go to voicemail, and I could simply leave a message saying that I’d be at Mom and Dad’s tomorrow, but that would only be putting off the inevitable.

“Aline? Are you okay?” The concern in Freedom’s voice both made me feel guilty that I’d worried her, as well as irritated that she seemed to think I was calling because something was wrong.

“I’m fine.” The words came out flat, so I tried again. “I was calling to see what time dinner was tomorrow.”

Freedom wasn’t stupid. She knew that I could have called or texted either of our parents, especially since I’d already spoken to them while avoiding her. She knew I’d intentionally chosen to speak to her.

“So, you’re coming for Christmas?”

Now, I couldn’t hear anything in her tone at all. She was being careful with me in a way she never had been before.

“I am,” I said, being just as careful with her. “Is there anything I’m supposed to bring?”

“Just the usual.”

“I don’t usually bring anything,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, that’s pretty much what they expect of you this time too.”

I wanted to pretend that I didn’t hear the undercurrent of double meaning in her words, but I knew I wasn’t imagining it. She –they– didn’t expect anything of me. Not when it came to practical responsibilities, anyway. Oh, I could be counted on to study for a test and ace it but being in charge of a veggie tray was expecting too much.

I closed my eyes and pushed back my annoyance. I hadn’t called Freedom to continue an argument or even to defend myself.

“Can you get your gifts to the house without a car?” Freedom asked. “I’ll be at Mom and Dad’s by this evening, so I can come pick you up in the morning.”

I didn’t know yet what Eoin’s plans were for tomorrow, but I didn’t think it would be too much to ask him to at least drop me off at my parents’ place, no matter how early it was. It said something that I was more willing to possibly get up insanely early on Christmas Day rather than have to rely on Freedom for transportation.

“It’s not a problem,” I said. “Are we eating at noon?”

“Around then.” After an awkward couple moments, she cleared her throat. “How’s Martina doing?”

That answered any question I had about whether or not our parents had told Freedom where I was, despite the fact that I’d asked them not to say anything to her about where I was staying. At least Freedom hadn’t chosen to use the information to come speak to me in person. Perhaps finding new footing with each other wouldn’t be as complicated as I’d feared.

And then I remembered that she was in Stanford, which could also be an explanation as to why she hadn’t shown up at the apartment. I wasn’t in the mood to figure out which it was, though. Or mention that I wouldn’t trust my parents with any sensitive information soon.

“She’s good. Everyone at Silverton Designs loves her, and she’s one of the most requested stylists on their staff. After the first of the year, they’re going to take her completely off the register and make her only a stylist.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Another few beats of awkward silence, and then it was my turn to ask a question. “How’s Dr. Ipres?”

“She’s doing well,” Freedom said. “She’s taking a sabbatical this summer to visit some relatives in Greece.”

As the conversation drifted off yet again, I internally cringed at the thought of hours of this tomorrow, but I’d already made the promise. Perhaps I’d ask Eoin to go with me. I hadn’t yet decided a timeline regarding what I wanted to reveal or when. Having him there would help center me.

Right now, I needed to end this agony. “Well, I have a couple other calls to make, so I’ll see you tomorrow around noon.”

“All right. I’ll see you then.”

As I ended the call, I breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. Yes, I would see her tomorrow, but I was already planning to avoid any time with her where we didn’t have at least one other person in the room with us. I hated the distance and unease between us, but I had drawn a line in the sand, and I couldn’t go back on it. How my family saw me was too important for me to brush off. For me to have any semblance of adult relationships with them, I had to stick to my guns.

Rather than dwelling on how the call had gone, I picked up my phone to make another call, this one to Martina.

Since Martina was at work, the call went to voicemail, which I’d expected. “Hey, it’s me. I’m still at Eoin’s, and I don’t know how long I’ll be here. Um, a lot’s happened, and I’ll fill you in the next time I see you, but it’s all good stuff. I’m probably going to come by sometime today to get some of my things, but I don’t know if it’ll be before you’re off work or not.” Emotion pricked the backs of my eyes, and I cleared my throat. “Thank you, Martina, for everything. I wouldn’t have gotten through all this without you.”

As I ended the call, I thought how true that last statement was and wondered if I’d ever be able to return the favor someday.

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