Page 54 of The Heart That Breaks
“Do you want one of the pain pills the doctor prescribed? I ran out earlier and had them filled.”
“Maybe so.”
“Why don’t you come eat something first?”
“Okay. I’m going to grab a quick shower.”
Mama leaves the room then, and I get up, pulling clean jeans and a t-shirt out of my closet. In the bathroom, I run the water until it’s warm, stepping under the spray and closing my eyes.
I remember then that this is Homecoming day. The dance is tonight. I think what it would have felt like to go with Nathan, to wear that pretty dress and be his date.
I feel suddenly guilty for letting him down.
But how could it not be the best thing for him? And for me, too. After all, what would be the point in beginning something for which we could already write the ending?
*
Ann-Elizabeth
IT’S A LITTLE after three whenMamaand I finish eating the sandwiches she’s fixed us for lunch.Henrysits beside me, histailswishing on the linoleum every once in a while, as if he can’t quite keep his happiness in check.
I reach over and rub his ears and tickle him under the chin.
When he barks and gets up to trot to the window by the front door, my heart sticks in my throat for a second. I pray it’s not Lance, and it’s only now that IrealizeI’ve been expecting him to come back ever since I woke up.
“You stay here,”Mamasays, following Henryout of the kitchen. It’s clear that she’s thinking the same thing. I sit frozen in the chair for a moment, but I can’t let her face him alone, so I walk after Henryand her.
ButHenryis looking out the window, and histailis nowwagging. AndMamais standing with a hand on her chest, staring as if she can’t believe what she’s seeing.
“What is it?” I ask,steppingup beside her.
“Is that. . .” she begins and then stops, as if she can’t bring herself to say the words.
I look out the window, see the big black SUV in the driveway and the blonde woman who’s standing there talking with thedriver. The beautiful woman who I instantlyrecognize.
But it can’t be.
“That’s not CeCe MacKenzie, is it?” shefinally asks.
I want to say it couldn’tpossiblybe, but it is. It really is. “Oh, my gosh,” I say.
Just then, a dog hops out from the open back door. A tall hound who Irecognizeas quickly as I recognized her. I’ve seen him in countless magazine photos withCeCe.HankJunior.
“What on earth?”Mamaputs a hand over her mouth and adds in a hardly audible voice, “Well, have you ever?”
My chest is so tight that IrealizeI am forgetting to breathe. I let out a whoosh of air, saying, “Maybe she’slost?”
Shelaughsa little. “Lostout here? I’m guessing that songwriter boyfriend of yours more likely has something to do with it.”
We both watch in stunned silence asCeCeand Hank Juniorwalk to the front door. The knock makes me jump.
“Go on and answer it, honey,”Mamasays, reaching out to brush her hand across my hair.
“This is crazy,” I say.
Henry’s whole body iswaggingnow. He follows me to the door, and I pull it open far enough to see that I am not still asleep, and this definitely isn’t a dream.
“Hi,Ann-Elizabeth,” she says. “I’m CeCe Mackenzie.”
