Page 12 of Damien
As soon as I enter the job shack, Mal hands me the plans I need for the first meeting. Glancing at my watch, I realize I’m not as late as I could’ve been. I typically arrive closer to seven. I’m lucky I live close by. She doesn’t give me a second glance for being late, either that or she’s keeping her thoughts to herself.
As soon as I’m in the groove at work, the day flies by. I meet with the contractors, sub-contractors, and handle anything that needs my attention. The next thing I know, everyone’s calling it quits for the lunch hour. Typically, I either bring lunch or grab something quick nearby, but knowing there’s someone at the diner I’m hoping to bump into, my truck practically steers itself in that direction.
Of course, when I get seated at the counter, Vanessa is nowhere in sight. I keep a look out as the kitchen door opens frequently, hoping she might be on a break, but I’m left with nothing but disappointment.
With tomorrow being the day she’s with her family, I doubt I’ll even see her until Monday. A feeling of unease settles when I realize the more time she has to think I was just asking her out for returning my card, the more likely she’ll never give me a chance again.
Why does it feel as if I’ve missed my chance?
I go through the motions of eating my French dip sandwich and fries. But with the weight of my reality settling in my stomach, I hardly taste the food as it goes down. No. My mind is set on the intriguing blonde with the beautiful hazel eyes. I just hope like hell I haven’t blown my chance with her.
5
Vanessa
“Okay,Jules, are you ready to blow out the candles?” I ask as I bring her birthday cake from the counter to the kitchen table. She has four friends gathered around her, all eager to watch.
Their parents and our friends are gathered around our kitchen to help her celebrate. Her beautiful hazel eyes go as round as saucers when I place the red velvet cake in front of her. I’m sure the other parents won’t like that it’ll likely stain any clothes it lands on, but a girl only turns five once—and this is her favorite.
As soon as I’ve lit the candles, everyone begins the birthday tune. Her friends giggle and sing louder to be overheard from one another. Just as we’ve finished the song, I remind her, “Make a wish,” before she blows out her candles.
She’s adorable when she takes in the biggest breath imaginable, filling her cheeks with air, then exhales. The room goes darker and erupts with cheers and clapping when she’s done.
A flash of the day she was born hits me out of nowhere. She was so tiny, and I was so scared for our future. Thank God, my parents had done everything they could to help me realize it wasn’t the end of the world to have a baby. People do it all the time. It was just the end of me being the center of my world. From the day I found out I was pregnant with Julia, I couldn’t fathom living without her. I’ve never regretted my choice.
Believe it or not, Julia is the reason why I am where I am today. Failure hasn’t been an option. I’ve had to do my best for her. Just months after her birth, when my parents’ car crashed, she and Vince were the only things that got me through.
As if he senses my need for him, Vince slips an arm around my shoulder and squeezes as he whispers so only I can hear, “They would’ve been so proud of Jules. She’s had us all wrapped around her finger from the day she was born. I love you so much, Vanny. You’ve got an amazing girl. You’ve come so far from that day I found you crying in your room with a pregnancy box in your hands—too afraid to find out the results. I’ll tell you what. She’s been the best thing that happened to both of us… God, I wouldn’t miss moments like this for anything. I would’ve missed out on so much had I gone away to school as planned.”
All I can do is nod in agreement; his words are the final straw on my mound of emotions at the moment. A tear slips down my cheek and catches on the smile I’m trying to hold in place. I love my baby girl so much, and there’s nothing I won’t do for her.
Vince squeezes me harder as I quickly wipe the evidence away.
Oblivious to my emotions, Julia squeals out, “Unks, are we cutting the cake?”
Looking to Vince who holds the serving knife in his hand, I can’t help but laugh when he shrugs. “Coming right up, your highness.” He bows exaggeratedly in her direction.
“Oh, Unks… I’m not a princess,” Julia chastises. “I’m gonna be a bike racer when I grow up. You know dresses get caught in the wheels.” This causes the entire room to break out in laughter.
Since she learned to ride her bike a few weeks ago, she’s done nothing but race us. My girl is both a tomboy and a girly-girl when she wants to be, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re still a spoiled princess,” Vince teases as he sets into cutting the cake. “Look at all your subjects who’ve come to celebrate with you.”
Rolling her eyes, she sighs exasperatedly, “Oh, silly Unks.” But she’s distracted when he sets a slice of cake in front of her, and she runs a finger in the frosting and brings it to her mouth. “Yum!”
Laughter erupts at her goofiness from the room of watchers.
Once the kids are dished up, Vince and Sydney pass out cake to the adults in the room. The parents chat quietly among themselves. Having this free moment, I pull out my phone and snap a few photos to remember this occasion. Julia’s wide smile melts my heart as she talks with her friends through a mouthful of cake.
To keep myself from getting emotional again, I distract myself by chatting among our guests. Eventually, I grab a piece of cake for myself and am surprised when Ryan steps up beside me.
“Hey, Vanessa,” he says with a nod in greeting.
“Hey, Ryan, thanks for coming,” I say after finishing the bite of food in my mouth.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He shrugs. “She’s wormed her way into my heart since I’ve met her.”
“True,” I agree. “She has a way of doing that.”
