Page 80 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
“What about all your stuff at Liam’s?”
“I told Sandy she could donate it or burn it. I don’t want it.”Wow.
I’m still hanging around like a stray dog waiting for scraps. She realizes it at the same time as me.
“Matthias, can I talk to you privately for a brief moment?” I nod my head and lead her away from her brother and husband.
She’s standing in front of me, fidgeting, and when she finally looks up at me something like regret passes in her expression. “Why couldn’t it have just been you at Broken Ridge that day?” She shakes her head crossing her arms in front of her. “Matthias, your timing is absolute shit. Then, and now. Liam just dumped me, publicly, yesterday. I’ve just had a fall and hit my head, and I’m pregnant with the man I thought was the love of my life’s baby. I’m not unaffected by everything you just told me. I’m mad at myself right now because it did affect me. And I’m telling you all this because if I can’t be honest with you then seeing you again is completely pointless. That is, if you’d even want to see me again.”
I interrupt her to make my point clear. “I do, want to see you again.”
“Really?” she asks, astonished, unbelieving. “After I just told you all that, you would still want to see me again?” She holds up one hand, not letting me answer. “Wait, I should also mention that I have twoteenagedaughters, and I live in Virginia. It’s a non-negotiable. Also, did you hear the part where I said I was pregnant? With your ex-best friend's baby who I thought was the love of my life.”
“Yes, really.” I keep my tone completely serious. I don’t want her to doubt my sincerity for one second.
She drops her shoulders and her arms, and her voice turns quiet. “I can’t promise you anything. I don’t have much to give at the moment, and I won’t be here much longer. You’d be fine if this never becomes anything more than a rekindled friendship?”I’ll take anything.
“Yes.”
She sighs. “Okay, then maybe in a couple days we could meet for coffee. Well actually, I already know I’m not going to want to leave the house, so maybe you could come over for coffee. I’ll be at Georgia’s house until I leave.”
“Absolutely, I’ll look forward to it.” I smile for the first time all day, meaning it. I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give me. No matter how small, I want it. She doesn’t return the gesture, but that’s okay. Baby steps. Building blocks. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I’m in.
TWENTY-NINE
Britain
“Mom! How are you feeling?” Elodie answers the phone, even though I called Caroline. I laugh. Elodie doesn’t self-regulate the same as Caroline, but I love it. It makes her vibrant, and I smile a small smile for the first time in days.
“I’m fine, sweetie. I promise. Just learn from my mistakes, okay? Don’t skip meals, especially if you’re not feeling well. Is Caroline with you, too?”
“Yeah, Mom, I’m here. Um, I’ve been worried about you.”
“You don’t need to be worried, I promise. Uncle Alex is taking great care of me. He told me to tell you guys he said hi.” I’m trying so hard to keep my tone positive and upbeat even though I feel like I’m dying on the inside, but I don’t want the girls to see that.
“I don’t want to go to camp, Mom,” Caroline says, her tone is downcast.
“Why? You love Camp Freedom.”
“I just miss you, and I’d rather be with you.” My heart breaks.
“I miss you both a lot. So much. But I’d have to talk to your dad first if you really didn’t want to go. We’ve already paid for it and made the commitment and I think Dad and Summer were really looking forward to taking you both. I also think they may have a surprise for you after camp, too.”
Elodie pipes up. “Oh, I know! Summer wants to go to Disney World, and I’m all in for that!” She lowers her tone, “But I do miss you too, Mom.”
“I thinkyou girls should go to camp, and have an amazing time with your friends. Then go to Disney World and have an amazing time with Dad and Summer. And then when you guys get home, we’ll have a girls’ summer. We’ll have almost two whole months to do whatever we want. We can go on vacation, we’ll go to the movies, and order pizza. We can do the pool every day. I think you’d regret missing camp, sweetie, and we have so much to look forward to afterwards.”
“Will you still be seeing Liam during girls’ summer?”Shit. It takes nearly everything in me not to break down and start crying.
“Oh, um…” I take a pause and a breath, bracing myself. “I’m not going to be seeing him anymore. We just weren’t a good match after all.” I mute my end of the line as a cry breaks free. How am I ever going to explain to them I’m having his baby? And after all the talks about safe sex we’ve had? They’re going to lose their minds.
Caroline just says, “Oh.” And Elodie chimes in, “You don’t need a man, Mom. You are a strong, independent woman!” I laugh, clearly Jess has rubbed off on her.
I unmute myself. “Absolutely. We are strong, independent women. Can you girls text me some vacation ideas over the next couple of days, and I’ll start working on that, okay? Also, have you both finished packing?”
Caroline, “Yes.” Elodie, “No.” I just laugh. My little polar opposites.
“Okay, well, I’ll let you both finish up, and we’ll talk soon. Text me tonight, though, please.”
