Page 6 of Unconventionally, Elle
I felt Rachel's hand grab mine and squeeze. "It'll work out, Elle. You never give up. Remember, we're dreamers and we don'tgive up." She let go and I could hear her lying back down on the towel.
I opened my eyes. She had the headphone back in her ear. I put the other one back in mine and flipped onto my stomach like Sarah. Before lying down, I nudged Sarah to get her to flip over. "Sarah, you're burning."
Her eyes popped open wide. "Oh shit!" She shot up to a seated position, grabbed the SPF 50, and started rubbing it all over herself.
"Wait, wait, I'll do your back," I said as she struggled to reach.
I sat back up, took the sunscreen, and lathered it across her back. Sarah was a stay-at-home mom. I knew there were times when her kids drove her crazy, but she'd always wanted to be a mom. Even with her art degree, she'd known what her endgame would be. She adored children and James. As I rubbed in her sunscreen, I let my mind wander again to success. To happiness. To being content.
"You know, I haven't been away from the girls since they were born." Sarah was completely still and staring out at the ocean.
"Seriously?" I responded an octave higher than I meant to. "Sarah, that's years! Like, what, five?"
"Yeah, six. I can't believe it. I've been so busy momming, and James travels so often for work that I can never get away." She sighed and shrugged.
I poked Rachel and motioned for her to take her music out and listen. She sat up slowly, confused at first, then realized Sarah was talking.
Without moving her head, Sarah continued. "Thanks, Rach, for planning this trip. I didn't realize how badly I needed to get away and remember that I am my own person. I'm not just a mom."
Rach reached around me and grasped Sarah's forearm. "Of course, Sarah. I think we all needed it, huh?" She lifted her eyebrows and looked to me.
I moved to sit next to Sarah and reached for her hand. Then I grabbed Rach's hand and intertwined our fingers, sunscreen and all. "Same. I didn't realize how much I needed this, how much I needed both of you." I squeezed their hands again. "I already feel lighter. I guess the sun and guac will do that to you."
"Don't forget the mimosas!" Sarah laughed.
"Or the margs, thank you very much." Rach winked.
"I don't know what I'm doing." I let go of their hands, leaned back, and dug my fingers into the loose warm sand. "I don't know what I want. I feel so overwhelmed and confused. But I have absolutely no reason to feel the way I do. I've got everything I could ever want or need, and yet I feel so incredibly alone." A tear rolled down my cheek.
"I feel alone too sometimes," Sarah said. "Being alone with two kids and a dog can be isolating. I only get to talk to other moms or strangers in the grocery store. Even then, they aren't that exciting. I've become everything to everyone else, and me--Sarah--I'm just along for the ride."
"You're never alone, Elle." Rach's voice was low and soothing. "And neither are you, Sarah. You have me and my excellent problem-solving skills. I've been told I'm somewhat of a nurturer too, but I have cats, so I'm not sure how accurate that is."
I let that one tear fall and kept the rest back. It was too beautiful a day to cry. This trip was too beautiful. My friends were too beautiful.
I'm going to be fine, I told myself. Maybe all I needed was a week away from work. Some perspective. And maybe a shot of tequila.
4
Now
We were enjoying our final day in Puerto Vallarta, and as Rach's itinerary showed, we were posted up by the main pool for the swim-up bar. Sarah had hardly mentioned her kids since James had everything handled, and we were three girls again with zero responsibilities and a high alcohol tolerance. Well, except for Sarah. She tried. We made friends with the bartender, a dark charismatic man whose smile could do some major damage. He took a liking to our group, and I swear he poured double shots of tequila as protocol.
I left the girls in the pool and went to our poolside cabana. I was anxious to check my phone to see if any emails had come through. It was getting a little weird to see zero unread emails. I prayed that maybe the cell phone gods would grant me service since I had been so well behaved this entire trip. I hadn't stayed up working late at all--well, except for the first night--but I had to make sure nothing had come up since the account was going to be finalized very soon.
To my surprise, my work email loaded, and I had an unread message flagged as important and multiple missed calls fromAnna. My heart skipped a beat. Maybe this was it. Maybe this was the final application and signed paperwork needed from the Calloway account. This could be the big news we were all waiting for! At a second glance, I noticed it was from my boss, Mr. Landry, which seemed odd, but maybe he was just forwarding it on to me. Yes, I was going to get it, the big break!
Good afternoon, Elizabeth,
I hope you are enjoying yourself on vacation. As you know, the Calloway account comes up on July 1, and we need to get everything bound as soon as possible.
Even though you have been the contact for the Calloway account, Mr. Guidry, the owner of the Creekside Agency, has changed his mind about whom to work with in our company. He has developed a trust with Chris Johnson, who, might I add, has been available to him all week, and would like him to handle the Calloway account moving forward through completion. Therefore, Elizabeth, Chris will be taking over the account from here.
I hope you can understand that this is a team effort, and I truly appreciate all the work you have done to help our office win this account. Chris will be in touch with you shortly and would appreciate it if you could share your information with him so this can be bound seamlessly and as soon as possible.
We do not want to upset or delay Mr. Guidry, Mr. Calloway, or his; business operations.
Best,
