Page 84 of Meant to be Falling
Bea stops and stares at me, her glass halfway to her mouth. “Marry that man. If he’s giving you all thatandorgasms, youdefinitelyneed to marry him.” She nods enthusiastically, making me laugh. “Seriously.”
“I always knew he was a good one,” Ellison agrees.
“He is, although I gave him my list of things to pick up for the week, so we’ll see how they do.”
“I used to order my groceries when I lived in Georgia,” Ellison says.
“That’s because you were reclusive and hated it there.” Bea’s comment is delivered with a healthy dose of side-eye which has Ellison rolling hers.
“And now I’m here and I have friends and a book club of all things.” She lowers her voice to a stage whisper. “Who am I?”
We chuckle as Cal comes bursting through the door. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Are you though?” Ellison snarks as Cal glares at her, bumping her out of the way and placing a box of pastries on the counter.
“Say something nice,” he says, batting her hand away when she reaches for the lid.
“You’re thebest art teacher ever.” He snorts but relinquishes the box.
“You’re not kidding. I think I win for hardest conversation I’ve ever had while trying to keep a straight face this week.”
“What happened?” Bea asks.
Ellison hands him a drink as he leans a hip against the counter. “My first grade class had free draw and one of the students drew a circus tent. I asked if he’d been before, and he went on to tell me thatno he hadn’t but his daddy had left them to go join the circus.”
“Is that a metaphor?” I ask but he shakes his head.
“Nope,” Cal says, popping thep.
“But like, the circus is his dream not that heleft lefthis family, right?” Bea asks but Cal shakes his head.
“Also no. This guy literally told his family he didn’t want to be with them anymore and left to join the circus. And plot twist—he didn’t make it so now he’s back home, so I passedthatlittle nugget of information off to the counselor to make sure everything is all right.”
“Wow,” I breathe.
“Oh my gosh!” Ellison gasps as she smacks her hand against the counter. “I was wondering where he was! He hasn’t picked the kids up in a while. That’s glorious.” She snickers. “Also I’ll check in with his sister, since she’s in the other kindergarten class.”
“I think I have you beat,” I say with a laugh.
“Do tell,” Cal says with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I walked in on two coworkers having sex in the copy room, and as I ran out, Imayhave yelled something likemake sure she finishes and then sanitize the whole damn room.”
“Oh, that is incredible,” Bea says as she wipes a tear from under her eye.
“It gets better,” I say and Ellison cackles. “I was so annoyed that I was already running late to meet Mason and I couldn’t make my copies that I grabbed antibacterial wipes and dropped them outside the door and yelled that I was leaving but the whole damn place better smell like lemons in the morning.” I drag my palm over my face as the rest of them erupt in snickers and barks of laughter.
“That’s seriously amazing,” Bea says and I laugh.
“Not one of my finer moments,” I admit with a shrug because itwasn’t,but also I was serious about only smelling lemons. “She left the copies on my desk with a little Post-it note.”
“Thoughtful,” Cal remarks over the lip of his drink.
“Why don’t you drop the kids off with us tomorrow?” Ellison asks. “We’ll take them horseback riding or fishing and they can see all the animals and tractors. I mean, Beck has already been up to the farm but the kid is a natural.” She winks. “Nice job with that one, mama. And then we’ll let Celeste spoil them with cookies and sugar and we’ll do a barbeque with everyone.”
“Oh,” I say, momentarily startled. “I don’t, um…”
Ellison blinks at me and Cal stage-whispers, “This is where you sayyesandthank you.”
