Chapter 60

Evie

Isit on my bed, my laptop propped up in front of me, a Haagen-Dazs wrapper beside it. An empty bag of Doritos lies on the floor, a few wayward chips caught in the sheets.

I try to focus on the CSI episode. I already need to rewind twice, only realizing I've missed something vital when another body shows up. Gone are the sitcoms. I've moved onto shows that match my mood.

Robust snowflakes swirl past the streetlamp outside my window before falling to the ground and covering New York in a blanket of white. It's beautiful and peaceful. At least until the pristine snow is spewed upon by car exhaust and turns black and grimy.

I'm a true romantic.

I wonder if it's snowing in Yosemite.

Stop thinking about him.

Ten days have passed since I returned home, dejected and embarrassed. When I'm not stuffing my cheeks with candy, I'm sending my revamped resume to law firms around the city. I've only scored one interview and it isn't a great fit. Seems age discrimination is a thing.

Maybe I'll go on welfare, gain fifty pounds, and move into a trailer park. Do they even have trailer parks in Manhattan?

I hear the door to the apartment open and close.

"I'm home!" Jeffrey calls out.

"How'd it go?" I shout, relieved he's finally home from his date. I can now fall asleep without worrying.

Jeffrey stands in my doorway, looking tired and a bit frustrated. "Pretty awful. She spent the entire date talking about the mating habits of the praying mantis."

I recall the woman in question is studying to be a zoologist. Still, I'm curious. "Praying mantis?"

"Believe me, Mom, you don't want to know the details."

Apparently, boring outweighs beautiful and smart. "Sorry, honey. I'm sure you'll meet someone special soon enough."

He runs a hand through his thick brown hair. He's a handsome young man, a ‘lady killer,' as my friends call him. Just like his father had been at that age.

He's also in desperate need of a haircut but I don't say so. After our trip back from Colorado, Jeffrey asked if he could stay with me while he looked for a part-time job. He has one semester left and will finish it locally. I'm loving every minute of having my baby back home.

I reach for my phone and set the alarm clock to wake me up early. I want to prepare Jeffrey's favorite breakfast before his first class. Banana chocolate chip pancakes.

Jeffrey hasn't budged.

"You okay?" I ask, sensing his discomfiture. Though my boys are grown, I'm still finely tuned into their moods.

"Yup, just wondering if you heard anything from him."

Himmeans Adam. Jeffrey has brought him up before.

I shake my head.

He frowns. It's almost like he wants me and Adam to get together. But that ship has sailed.

What I haven't shared with my boys is that Adam has called me several times and I've ignored each one, erasing the messages before I listen to them.

What's the point? Hearing Adam's voice would only create more havoc in my world. My life is in New York. The job is a technicality. I'll land on my feet like I always do.

"Okay. Good night, Mom."

"Sleep tight."

As Jeffrey closes my door, my phone buzzes, my heart skipping a beat.

But it's Caroline.

"Hey," I mutter.

"Well, aren't we chipper." Caroline sounds wide awake.

"Sorry. just tired."

"Right. I'm coming over."

"What? No." Realizing I'm being abrupt, I add, "You're in a cast and I'm going to bed. Actually, I'm in bed."

"I have a chauffeur and crutches. Put something on. Or don't. I'll be there in twenty minutes. Shut your laptop and grab a bottle of wine. We need to talk."

"How do you know I'm on my laptop?"

Caroline does no more than harrumph.

Before I can argue further, Caroline ends the call.

I look down at my chocolate-stained nightshirt. Now I have to get up and change. "Great, just great."

Carolineand I forgo the kiss on each cheek, which would be awkward with her crutches in the way. She carefully sets her casted leg atop the coffee table, accepting the glass of wine she requested. The cast is covered in a sheer black mesh with glittery gold stars. It matches her sweater. She has somehow managed to make her broken leg fashionable.

I yawn loudly hoping to get a point across. Say your piece and leave me in peace.

Caroline takes a long sip, then stares at the crimson liquid. "Not bad," she declares. "Okay, let's get down to business."

Paul had dropped her off at my door, got her settled on the opposite end of the sofa, propping her crutches against the wall before leaving, wordlessly. He's waiting in the car downstairs.

"Caroline, I love you but why are you here at this hour?" It's ten p.m.

"Because I can't watch you throw your life away."

I roll my eyes. "A bit dramatic, don't you think?"

"Not in the slightest." Caroline peers at me.

"Sooo, how's Doctor Gorgeous?"

"Don't change the subject."

I meet Caroline's gaze and hold it. It's turning into a silent showdown.

Caroline sighs, looking away. Point to Evie.

"I hear you've been moping around. No contact from Adam?"

Jeffery materializes behind the sofa. Now four eyes are pinning me.

"Mom's been eating ice cream bars and bingeing CSI."

I can't believe my son is squealing on me. I give him my fiercest, don't you dare say another word look.

He shrugs in response.

I get to my feet, crossing my arms. "What is this, an intervention?"

When no one replies, I drop my hands, exhale, and begin pacing. "I'm fine."

Caroline watches the parading with her head on a swivel. "You are not fine and please sit down. I'm getting whiplash."

A growing sense of irritation creeps up my spine. I come to a halt. "Jeffrey, will you please excuse us? I need to speak privately to Caroline."

Jeffrey looks wary but mumbles another "good night" and leaves.

I wait to hear his bedroom door close and turn back to Caroline. "Is that why you're here? To give me a speech about Adam, tell me not to throw my life away? I'm not the one who blew it. We both did." I plop onto the opposite side of the sofa.

"I only know the little you shared with me. But I've diagnosed the situation."

"You have, have you?"

Caroline's face turns serious and she downs the rest of her wine. "Marco cheated on you two decades ago, Evie. It's time to give a new man a real chance."

My jaw drops. "What in heaven's name are you talking about? This has nothing to do with Marco."

"Doesn't it? A man you trusted and believed in. Your phone died and when you showed up at home earlier than expected, he was with another woman."

My stomach flops. I don't need reminders of that day. It's still as clear as if I'd walked into my bedroom last week, finding Marco getting dressed, a woman I'd never met giggling in my bed, at least until she saw me standing there.

"Are you trying to be cruel or is it coming naturally?"

Caroline scoots over closer to me and takes my hand. "No, sweetheart. I'm trying to force some sense into you. Adam may have acted foolishly with the whole fake engagement thing?—"

"And the throwing-me-under-the-bus thing."

"It was his sister's wedding procession."

I pull my hand away. "Whose side are you on?"

"Do you really need to ask me that?"

The fire has been lit. "If you hadn't forced me to go on that trip alone, none of this would have happened."

I hit the mark. Caroline's face drops.

"I thought it would be good for you to live a little. You hadn't taken a proper vacation in forever."

"Well, this is what happens when I live a little, my friend. Thanks a lot!"

The hurt on Caroline's face nearly breaks me. "Listen, I'm tired. I appreciate the gesture and your . . . caring but it's not what I need."

Caroline swallows hard then sucks in her lips.

Why isn't she fighting back?

Because I pushed too far. She sent me on an all-expenses-paid vacation for my birthday and I'm yelling at her.

My emotions are all over the place. But after the reminder of Marco's infidelity, I can't bring myself to apologize.

Caroline clicks something on her phone and in the ensuing minutes, neither of us speaks until Paul is back in my living room, handing her the crutches.

Caroline hobbles to the door and across the threshold, speaking softer than I thought she was capable of. "Once you calm down, ask yourself two questions. Is Adam the faithful sort?"

I don't want to push for more but can't help it. "What's the second question?"

Caroline turns toward the elevator. "How will you feel if you never see him again?"

Once Paul closes the door behind him, I throw the deadbolt. A sob escapes my lips. The next thing I know, I'm completely falling apart.