Page 12 of Lucy Loves Him Not
“Honestly, it spun out from there. She walked me through putting in the offer and she called the couple. We talked through everything…and they accepted it right there on the spot!!” She clapped. “Bethany’s walking me through everything.”
“Well, we need to go see it!” Mom said, walking toward the door. “Let’s go over right now.”
Mom and Olivia started reaching for their bags, but I remained still. I was in some kind of shock.
Olivia is leaving me,I kept thinking like I did when I was fifteen watching my big sister leave me behind for college. I knew it was a normal part of adulthood and good for her, but I was still left behind.
“You comin’, Luce?” Olivia’s tone was gentle.
I didn’t want to ruin this moment by asking what about me, or our rent, or our place. Olivia was floating out the door on pure elation, so I nodded quietly and grabbed my bag.
Olivia offered to drive, so we climbed into her cherry-red Kia Rio. Mom sat in the passenger seat as the two chatted through all the logistics and details. I watched the city fly by the back window. I rolled it down and let the warm air blow through my hair. I closed my eyes for a moment.
“You’ll like him, Lucy.” My mom’s voice broke through my moment of serenity.
“I’ll like who?” I rolled up the window.
“Her son, Victor,” she said slowly, as if she was repeating herself. “Your date.”
“Um, I think I missed something.” I leaned my head between the two front seats. “Tell me about my…date?”
“Well, how much did you miss, Lucy? My goodness, your kids grow up and they still tune you out,” Mom chastised me.
“I last heard something about escrow,” I squeaked apologetically. “In my defense, the window being down is very loud.”
“Mom set you up on a blind date for Friday night with this Victor guy,” Olivia said then hit her blinker.
“He’s so handsome and has a great job. I think he’s in construction or something. He’s the son of Linda, my old friend from church.”
“How old is he?” I asked hesitantly.
“26. Your exact age. That’s what gave us the idea to set you two up.”
“Mom, don’t you think you should’ve asked me first? Like, shot me a text and asked if I was free on Friday? If I was even interested in dating?”
“Next time, sweetie, I’ll text you first. But I felt like that would ruin the fun of the surprise.”
“I cannot believe I have a date on Friday.” My stomach dropped. Everything in my life felt like it was being shuffled around like a deck of cards and I was praying I wasn’t going to get a losing hand.
“Since it’s been so long?” Olivia quipped.
“No! Because this guy didn’t even ask me out…my mom did.” I covered my face with my hands.
We all broke into laughter.
“He’s cute! I’ve seen him on Facebook over the years,” Mom assured me. “I’m sure you know Linda’s family and just don’t realize it.”
“Have you seen him recently?” I asked. “Didn’t you ask Linda to show you?”
“No, no, I trust her.” Mom reached behind and patted my hands as they rested on my knees, all scrunched up against the front seat.
The housewasbeautiful with a wide, open front porch and shady pecan trees hanging overhead. Olivia gave us the tour and somehow Bethany was back over to give us the pitch for the place.
Mom was sold easily. Mom is always sold easily on anything that makes her girls happy. I had grown up always quietly questioning everything while my mom clapped and cheered along. I was the self-appointed henchman, bodyguard, and undercover spy for my mom and sisters. I was also the solver to the questionable situations they found themselves in. They might feel stuck or consider staying put, but I would already be drawing up the maps on how to get them out.
This was my role. My love language. Probably also a frustrating Lucy trait that got on their nerves.
I didn’t need to be searching for escape routes for Olivia as often as I did for Gracie and my mom, but then again, Olivia apparently randomly bought houses now. Gorgeous, but incredibly rundown houses.
