Page 40 of Surviving in Everton

“I’ll take a chocolate chip, please!” she declares with a huge smile covering her whole face.

“One chocolate chip muffin and one coffee cake coming right up!” he announces as he walks back behind the counter to get our breakfast. “Y’all go grab a seat and I’ll get you some drinks too.”

Violet instantly takes off for her favorite table. It’s the last table before the sitting area, so she can watch people from the front of the bakery and the back. We take a seat and wait for Hudson to return with our goodies. I thought we were going to have a nice quiet breakfast, that we had put the conversation at the house behind us, but Violet dashes that hope.

“When are you going to the doctor, Mommy?” she asks just as Hudson walks up. I’m sure she did that on purpose, the little brat. She gives me a look of pure innocence, that I don’t buy for a second,

“The doctor called?” Hud frowns at me. “Why didn’t you say something?”

I sigh in response. “I was going to, Hud. We just got here, dang. It’s not like I was trying to hide anything.” I glare at Violet, but she just smiles, breaks off a piece of her muffin and shoves it in her mouth.

“Well, what’d they say?” Hudson presses.

“It was just some overly cheerful assistant calling to ask if I could come in today to go over my results. I told her I’d be in after I drop Violet off at school,” I explain with a little too much attitude. Hudson didn’t do anything wrong. He just asked about the phone call. I don’t know why I’m being so bitchy about it.

“I’ll call Mikey and see if he can cover for me.” And with that declaration, he’s gone. Didn’t bother asking me if I evenwantedhim to come with me. Maybe I want to go alone. I’m a fucking adult ya know! I can go to the doctor by myself. I don’t need all of these guys constantly coddling me all the damn time.

“You okay, Mommy?” Violet pulls me out of my angry spiraling. I shake my head to clear it of all the negative thoughts. What the fuck was that about?

“Yeah, sweetie I’m fine.” I smile at her, but neither of us believe it. “Come on, eat your muffin. We gotta get you to school soon.”

I don’t know what is up with these crazy mood swings I’ve been having lately, but if they could kindly fuck off, that’d be great. I dig into my coffee cake and start to feel more myself. Maybe I was just hangry. We’re almost done eating by the time Hudson comes back.

“Mikey’s on his way. If y’all can wait a few minutes, I can come with you to take Violet to school then we can head over to the doctor’s,” he suggests and I start to become irrationally angry again.

“Who said I wanted you to come?!” I snap. “I’m perfectly capable of going to the doctor all by myself. I’m a grown ass woman you know!” I yell the last part. Hudson and Violet stare at me with wide eyes and their mouths hanging open. “Violet, get your shit. We’re leaving,” I order as I grab my purse and stand up. I push the chair harder than necessary and start to walk away, but Hudson grabs my arm and stops me.

“Violet, go wait in my office please,” he asks my daughter while still holding my arm tightly and glaring at me. I see her nod out of the corner of my eye, then she runs off to the back room. “You, come with me,” he demands as he drags me away with him. Giving me little choice in the matter.

He pulls me through the kitchen and out the back door, not removing his hand until the door closes and we’re in the back parking lot with no witnesses. “Now, what the hell is going on with you, Rowen?” he snaps.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snark back.

“Don’t pull that shit with me, Rowen. You know damn well what I’m talking about. This, right here.” He says pointing his judgy little finger at me. “This isn’tyou.So what the fuck is going on? You wouldnevertalk to Violet like you just did. Do you evenknowwhat you just said to her?” he snarls.

I look at him in confusion. “What are you talking about? What did I say? What’s going on, Hudson? Why are we out here?” I look around, scanning my surroundings. “When did we get outside?”

Hudson looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind. “You don’t know what I’m talking about? Why I brought you out here?”

I shake my head. I have no clue what’s going on right now. How the heck did I get out here without knowing what was happening?!

“What’s the last thing you remember?” he asks me gently.

“I was sitting at the table with Violet, eating my coffee cake.” Now it’s my turn to look at him like he’s crazy.

“You don’t remember anything after that? Not talking to me, or Violet, or walking out here? None of it?”

I rub my forehead trying to remember, but nothing comes to me. “No, nothing. Hudson, what’s going on?” My voice trembles as I think of all the awful things that could be wrong with me now.

“I don’t know, Sugar, but we’re going to find out. Come on, let’s get Vi to school then get over to the doctor. Maybe he’ll have some answers for us.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. I squeeze him tight, afraid to let go.

“What did I say to Violet, Hudson?” My voice wobbles again. I don’t think I want to know.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to her and make sure she’s okay.” He kisses the top of my head as he holds me. Attempting to reassure me everything will be fine, but it can’t be. I said something so bad he has to make sure she’s okay. There’s nothing fine about that. I pull away from him, even though it’s the last thing I want.

“Tell me, Hudson. Please,” I beg him as my breathing speeds up, my heart races and I run through scenario after scenario in my head.

He shakes his head and sighs, but he tells me. “You told her to get her shit, that y’all were leaving,” he admits and I suck in a breath. I may have cussed around Violet before, but neverather.

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