Page 16 of Letting Go
“Of course she did. How untoward for ladies to talk about such lowly topics like safety and healing for women and children.”
He shrugs. “That’s Marcie Claire Riley for you.”
“I’m assuming the selection of the National Kidney Foundation is because of your Uncle Frank, right? Daddy told me he isn’t doing well.” Chase’s Uncle Frank is one of Daddy’s best friends. Frank has had chronic kidney disease for years, but Daddy mentioned the other day it has progressed to the point where Frank now needs dialysis while he waits for a transplant.
“Yeah, we’re all getting tested soon and hoping one of us is a match. The dialysis is buying us some time, but we are hopeful.”
“Finding a match can be challenging for some people. What’s his blood type?” I ask him. One of Trent’s friends was a nephrologist in Chicago and we attended multiple fundraisers over the years benefiting organizations helping patients with kidney disease find donor matches. I know if the donor kidney’s blood type doesn’t match the recipient, the recipient won’t accept the transplant.
“Unfortunately, Uncle Frank has type O blood, so he can only accept a kidney from a donor who is also type O.” I nod in understanding but also know that it’s going to be that much harder for Frank to find a compatible donor. “Hopefully with our immediate and extended family getting tested, one of us will be a match.”
Chase checks his phone as it vibrates with a notification. “I was just grabbing a latte before I head back to the office. But it reallyis nice running into you, Viv. I am so sorry for everything you and Eloise have been going through. Can I help with anything?” Chase is forever the good guy. We had a genuine friendship long before we dated. He sent a beautiful floral arrangement to Trent’s funeral, and even though the card said it was from him and his girlfriend Chloe, I know it was really just from Chase.
“I’m sure something will come up at some point, but I think we are okay for right now. Daddy, my brothers, and Savannah have helped with everything since the move. I have to figure out a few things, and hopefully get Eloise enrolled at Forrest Hills Academy so she can start preschool there this fall. I know it’s tricky since we missed the registration deadline but I’m hoping I can call in a few favors.”
“Ah yes, the ol’ Callahan Cavalry can move mountains so it’s not surprising that moving you and your daughter was seamless.” Chase gives me one of his classic smiles, but he’s right, the Callahan Cavalry gets things done. “You know this town, it’s usually not what you know but who you know. If you hit any snags, let me know, alright? I mean it, Viv. You’ve been my friend for as long as I can remember. I hope you still consider me a friend that you would let help you, even if it’s something small.” Chase reaches out and squeezes my arm, but unlike his mother’s touch, his is kind and genuine.
“Absolutely. You know there was never any bad blood between us, well maybe Chloe has some toward me but that’s not mutual on my end.” I grimace as I mention his girlfriend’s name.
“You know, I don’t get that, y’all were friends back when we were in middle school. What happened? She doesn’t like it if I talk about you, so I never heard the whole story.” Chase’s eyebrows draw together, but I don’t really have an answer either.
“Yeah, we were friends, or I thought we were at least, right up until you and I started dating. I think she may have had a crush onyou for a lot longer than anyone knew. But that’s all water under the bridge. I’m happy so long as you two are happy together. I hope you know that.”
“You’re a good one, Vivian Grace.”
“You too, Chase Riley. Now go on back to the office, I’m sure you need to rack up some billable hours.”
“Good to see you, Viv, and welcome home.” He leans down to look me in the eye. “Offer stands, call or text if you need anything, alright? My number hasn’t changed.”
“Thanks, Chase. I appreciate that.” Chase squeezes my arm once more and heads to the counter to order his latte. I do appreciate his offer, but I don’t know that I will actually reach out for anything because I don’t feel like dealing with Chloe’s wrath. I don’t quite understand how we were friends for so long; either she really changed or I must have been really blind to how she treated other people. Chloe Jones is not a kind woman. I’m not sure how a good guy like Chase can be with her but that’s not my business. He seems happy, so that’s what matters, even if I think Chloe seems like a snarky queen-bee.
In fact, now that I think about it, Chloe reminds me a lot of Chase’s mother Marcie Claire. The idea of Chase dating his mother’s mini almost makes me laugh out loud. He would be mortified by that comparison, but the genuine smile feels nice, if not a bit foreign on my face. I haven’t had a lot of those in the last few months.
It’s good to be home.
Chapter eight
Vivian
“Mama, I look like a big kid!” Eloise squeals as she twirls around the living room, showing off her new backpack for preschool this fall.
Thankfully, Shane was able to get Eloise enrolled in Forrest Hills Academy without any issue—and without me needing to call in any favors to Marcie Claire Riley. As soon as we got home and she saw her new backpack had arrived, Eloise insisted on trying it on with her new uniform. She really does look like a big kid, which tugs at my mama heart.When did my baby get so big?She’ll only go to preschool three days a week but it’s still going to be an adjustment for both of us. I’m a little concerned about a change in her schedule but I’m hopeful summer will give us time to prepare and this adjustment will be a good one.
She’s still having regular nightmares and I miss consistent sleep. Between my own insomnia and Eloise’s nightmares, it hasn’t been easy. My mind is hard to turn off at night and it seems like as soon as I fall asleep, I’m jolted awake to my baby crying out for her daddy in her sleep.
“You look great, baby! Now go hang your uniform back up like I showed you, so it doesn’t get wrinkly. We will have to go shopping for school supplies to fill up that cute new backpack sometime this summer too,” I tell her as she scampers upstairs.
My niece Olivia knocks as she walks through the front door of the guest house. “Hey Auntie, I was sent back here to get Eloise.There are some people here to speak with you, so Mama told me to take Eloise up to our playroom,” Olivia says as she gives me a hug.
“Oh really? I wasn’t expecting anyone,” I reply as Eloise comes back downstairs. “Baby, go play with Livy. I’ll come up in a bit.”
“Yes! Livy, can we set up the dream house with the guest house again? But this time, can I have the purple convertible?” Eloise loves playing Barbies lately and makes them have a guest house, just like we live in now. Olivia and Eloise hold hands and skip off to the house, planning out their Barbies’ life stories.
I quickly glance in the mirror and see I look somewhat presentable before making sure I didn’t miss any calls or texts. Back in Chicago, no one ever stopped by without calling or texting first, but I suppose that’s another difference between big city and small-town living. I walk up to the house and open the back door off the kitchen. I hear my sister speaking with people, but I don’t recognize the voices as I walk toward the front sitting room.
Standing in the front room are two strangers. Next to my sister is a gentleman in a well-fitted black suit. He turns toward me as I walk into the room and when our eyes meet, my heart skips a beat. The man is easily six-foot-three if not six-foot-four with broad, muscular shoulders that fill out his suit. I’ve never seen him before; I know I would never forget such a handsome face. His dark hair is shorter on the sides and effortlessly tousled on the top. With a strong jawline that has a hint of stubble, his deep mahogany eyes devour me from head to toe as my breath catches. He not only sees me, he is drinking in every detail, and who am I not to return the favor?
I’m too flustered to even speak right now. Is it hot in here?
