Page 42 of Falling for Autumn
Autumn
“Hey, Smooches. Are you finished eating?”
Her cherubic cheeks lifted as her mouth crooked to the side. She was about to do a face plant in the remnants of her apple sauce. She had managed to finish her chicken strips and green beans. “Yes, Mommy. I’m sleepy.”
I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, nose, and lips. “Okay, let’s get you in the tub first.”
“Don’t wanna baf, Mommy.”
“Girl, you’re taking a bath. Ladies in our house take baths daily,” I replied, determined to instill that in her at a young age.
“Want Toba.”
“He’s coming home soon. Do you miss him?”
She nodded.
“So do I, sweetheart. And I know he misses us,” I declared.
At least I hoped that he did. For some strange reason, I had felt distance from him since he’d been away. October had gone to Florida for a car show on Monday, and I missed him desperately. Although he LiveTimed us several times a day, it didn’t stop me from missing him, and it wasn’t the same as him being with us and holding us in his arms.
A war had been going on in my head and my heart. I knew that October loved us, and he showed us with every action he took daily. But doubts had been plaguing my mind since he left town. I had seen more than a few pictures of him on Sociogram at the car show. Although he claimed that the woman from last week’s car show was someone who didn’t matter anymore, I noticed she was always in the background of his pictures, and in a couple of pictures, she stood smiling right by his side.
October hadn’t been clear about who she was, other than that she didn’t matter. I decided to trust him and not press the issue, but one of the pics had a comment that said, “October and TJ back together again.” I wondered if she was someone who once worked at the shop or if they had been something more. A twinge of jealousy tightened in my chest every time that thought arose.
We both had pasts, and there was nothing wrong with that, but if she wasn’t just his past, or if his past was pressing into his future, then we had problems.
I gave Auburn her bath, tucked her in bed, and returned to the living room. I plopped down on the couch closest to the window. I knew that he was supposed to be returning from Florida today, but I wanted to make sure that I saw him when he arrived.
I watched two episodes ofScandalbefore I heard the engine in October’s Porsche. I leaned sideways and watched as he got out of the car. I was so excited, and my heart raced with anticipation of seeing him, kissing him, and just being with him. I knew he couldn’t wait to see Auburn and me.
He headed up his walkway after grabbing his bags from the car. I knew he needed to drop his things off, but still, I was ready to see him. I got up from the couch and checked on the baked ziti and garlic bread. The bread was ready, but the ziti needed about five more minutes.
I moved to the refrigerator and grabbed the items for a salad. I placed everything on the counter before grabbing my chopping board and knife. After I washed my hands and rinsed the vegetables, I chopped the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and peppers before I made my honey vinaigrette dressing. I pulled the ziti out of the oven and returned to the couch to watch more TV while the food cooled down. As I sat down, I caught a glimpse of October out of my window. He was on his porch talking to the woman, TJ.
My heart leaped to my throat, and I tried my best not to cry. After all, I had no facts, and there was nothing to cry about. I would simply have a conversation with October to find out who the woman was.
Sitting on the couch with my back pressed against the arm of one side of the couch, I crossed my legs at the ankles and peered out of the window.
It seemed that what had been a normal conversation had morphed into an argument. TJ pointed a finger at October’s face, and his fists were clenched at his side. He kept shaking his head no, and she rolled her neck repeatedly. The last time she reached a finger out at him, he grabbed it, and she snatched away.
She rested her hands on her hips and kept speaking while his shoulders slumped in resignation. I wished that I could hear what they were saying, but it looked as if she was apologizing over and over again. I wasn’t the best lip reader, but I could detect “I’m sorry” repeatedly.
I moved to grab my phone after turning off the TV, but I couldn’t find it. Searching throughout the living room and kitchen, I recalled that my phone was in the car’s cupholder. I had forgotten to bring it back inside after Auburn and I had been out at the grocery store earlier.
I ran back outside for my phone and hesitated for a moment. They were no longer outside, but her Jeep was still here. I couldn’t continue turning a blind eye. Although October asked me to trust him, and I wanted to, I also didn’t want to be a fool again like I’d been with Wilson.
I wanted to confront the situation head-on, but Auburn was in the house alone. I locked my car and dialed October’s number just as the door opened, and he and TJ stepped out of the house.
She was beautiful. She was a curvy girl like me, just much smaller than I was. I saw him pause and look at me.
“I’m a little confused, October, because you told me that she wasn’t someone who mattered anymore. Yet, every time I turn around, she keeps popping up.”
The woman laughed and shook her head. “No need to be jealous of me.”
“I’m not. But I’m also not about to let a man play in my face either. Woman to woman, I’m sure you can understand that.” My tone was sharp, my eyes narrowed, and my lips pinched.
The woman sighed and shook her head. “Trust me, he’s not playing in your face, sweetheart. I’m not after your man. He’s constantly making it clear that you and your daughter have his heart.”
