Page 46 of Served
“They’re great, the kids are well. They invite us down all the time.”
My mom took a long drink then I saw a lightbulb above her head.
“Dear, I have the best idea. You don’t have to go back to court until next week. You seem so stressed. You should go visit your brother. The kids would love to see you and you could get some R&R!”
That didn’t sound half bad. They lived by the beach, and I hadn’t seen the kids in a while. Plus, besides Amy there was no reason for me to be here until next week. Not anymore. Work could wait.
“You know, maybe I will call him. I could use some time away and it would be great to see the kids. Thanks, mom.”
I slowed down on the mimosas because nothing sounded better than leaving so, I couldn’t be drunk. I would have to endure them sans alcohol.
Chapter 23
Lucy
My brother, Ethan, was happy when I called and his wife, Ann, practically ripped the phone from his ear and told me to get in the car and come now. I packed up quickly while downing as much water as I could handle. My buzz was gone thanks to the huge brunch I had with my parents. We sat and talked a while, but I didn’t want to feel like ass driving to the coast.
I sat Amy down and explained what happened with Jason because she refused to let me leave the apartment with my luggage until I did. After I had another good cry, she agreed maybe it would be good to get away a few days.
“Do you need me to ride with you? I pretty much quit the restaurant anyway so I can go if you want.”
“No, I need to catch up with my family. And I think a solo ride might help clear my head. But I love you!” She hugged me tight and walked me to the door.
“Love you, bitch! Text me when you get there!”
I yelled back, “Love you, bitch! Don’t do anything too wild while I’m gone!”
As the door was closing Amy poked her head out the door and yelled, “Should’ve worn the suit.”
I ignored her and hopped in my car that hadn’t been cranked for months but still had a full tank. I cranked up the radio and hit the road to Brunswick.
I was thankful for GPS. I had been down when they first moved there but that was several years ago, and it was over three hundred miles away. It was a nice ride, though. Once I got outside of Atlanta it was a lot of long stretches of highway lined with trees. My station’s signal didn’t make it much past Atlanta and the larger ones all started going fuzzy about two hours in. I saw a sign for a truck stop so I pulled off the highway for gas, to stretch my legs, and to load up my music app so I could stay hands free but listen to something besides classic country. Great music, except when you’ve been dumped.
I knew I was getting closer when I started seeing palm trees as well as oak trees lined with moss. It only took about four and half hours but since I left later in the day it was dark out. I pulled into the driveway of the fairly large, but not obnoxious, stucco home and the flood lights came on. Before I was out of my car, the front door flung open, and my niece and nephew were running toward me with their arms out.
“Aunt Lucy! You’re here, you’re here!”
I reached out and hugged them both as my sister-in-law and brother were walking out to greet me. Ann was such a beauty. Toned but not thin with beautiful chestnut hair. Her skin seemed more sun-kissed than I remember but not overly tan. She walked to hug me, but Ethan immediately went to grab my bag. I squeezed her tight but took in a huge breath, sucking in the warm salty sea air.
“Hey little sis, so glad you came,” Ethan said as he leaned in for a hug. His blonde hair was cut short, and he was clean shaven. He wasn’t as tall as Jason, but he still was much taller than me. He also was fit and not thin, but certainly not as bulky as Jason. We all started walking inside and Ann was rushing around to show me my room, get me a snack, and fix me a drink. The house was tastefully decorated as most homes near the beach would be. Lots of pinks, tile floors, and seashells but not cheesy cheap stuff.
“Kids, tell your auntie good night. We kept our promise but now it’s bedtime!”
The kids came and hugged and kissed me goodnight then wandered off to their rooms as I was getting comfy in the living room with my snack. They both were spitting images of my brother in pint size.
“Luce, my God. It’s been too long. I am so happy you called! Can we do anything? I feel horrible about what happened,” Ann said.
I nodded my head and forced a smile as I stuffed my face.
“Ann, let her get settled before we start getting heavy,” Ethan said as he looked at Ann. “Lucy, we are glad to have you here. Stay as long as you like.”
My brother had always been so kind and welcoming. We fought like normal siblings when we were younger, but it was never terrible, and we grew closer the older we got. But he got a great job in South Georgia, so they moved down here a few years ago.
“It’s good to be here. It’s been too long. And I’m sorry.” Ethan reached out and squeezed my hand and smiled.
“Ann, thank you so much for all this. But if you guys don’t mind, I’m exhausted from being stuck in the car. I think I’ll go to bed.”
Ann jumped up to walk with me to my room. “Let’s go to the beach tomorrow! Sound good?”
