Page 45 of Accidentally Falling
“You have an absurdly sexy phone voice,” Arden huffs and I chuckle. It’s not the first time she’s told me that, and I’m more than happy to play that to my advantage.
“So you’ve said. Tell me about today.”
She talks a mile a minute about getting to see the sketches of the illustrations for Kat’s recent release, the way Kat decides what works and what doesn’t, and all the people involved along the way. She’s animated, and I love hearing the life that’s filtered back into her voice since she’s been gone.
But I still hate that she had to leave to reset.
“That sounds incredible,” I tell her. “I added a spicy pulled pork mac and cheese to the menu—not quite the same level of excitement.”
“Oh, but that sounds so good.” Pausing, she adds, “I don’t even like spicy food—at least I didn’t.”
“I’ll make you a mild version when you get home and then we can go from there.”
“Perfect. Speaking of home…” There’s a strange tone to her voice and I feel my stomach sink.
“Hmm?”
“When you came to get me from book club, my mom had texted me.”
“Was that part of your decision to go to Chicago?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“She said all the same things she has before—she loves me and just wants what’s best for me—but it feels like such a hollowsentiment. Then I got a message from my father asking how I’m feeling which was nice, but then he said I should talk to my mom so that kind of ruined it.”
“Can I tell you what I think?”
“Sure.”
“I think you should just enjoy your time in Chicago, and when you get home we can make a plan on how you want to handle them.”
“Ugh, it would be so much easier if I didn’t have to deal with it.”
I chuckle but I know she’s not really kidding. “I offered to move away with you.”
“My sister would kill us.”
“Well then, I guess we need to figure it out.” Her sigh is tired, and I hate that this is still weighing on her. “I told you back in the parking lot of Vetted Paws that I’ll do all the heavy lifting. I know you’re hurting and stressed, and I need you to understand that I feel it too. I need you to let me help.”
“We’ll make a plan when I’m home, okay? You can be the muscle because honestly, I really love your muscles.”
“I’ll take it.” She yawns and I can hear rustling on the other end. “Get some sleep, Tennessee, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I think I miss you, Country Rhodes.”
“I miss you too, Arden. Sweet dreams.”
JUDE: Alana
ARDEN: No
JUDE: Cassidy
ARDEN: No
ARDEN: Margot
