Out of The Box Regifted (16 page)

“Yeah, they’ll probably be done around 4. Do you need me to come now? I can. You’re worrying me, Mom. What the hell happened?”

I laugh to reassure her. “Just come when you’re finished. Come to my room.”

“Okay, but I can come now and be there in 10 minutes. It’s no big deal.”

“No Lainey, you finish up and I’ll see you in an hour or so. I’m fine. I swear. Just come when you’re finished. I just need some Lainey time. See you in a bit, sweetie. Bye.”

I find a corner in the room, slide down onto the floor, wrap my arms around myself, put my hand over my mouth, and bawl like a baby. Deception and betrayal are two of the worst emotions to experience, and I’m overcome. I try to take deep breaths, and try to regain my composure. I get a text and check my phone, thinking its Lainey. It’s hard to see the screen through my tears, and as I open my eyes wider, the tears drop on my chest.

‘So, did you find us a casa in Houston?’

It’s Todd, and I have to smile. In the depths of my despair, I needed a text from him.

I respond. With tears filling my eyes, I type in my response, as the tears stream down my face. ‘
Is the Pope Catholic?’

He quickly responds. ‘
You can’t steal my line, babe! So it’s a yes?’

‘Yes, it’s a yes.’

‘Crap! Call me!’

I don’t respond, so my phone rings. I hear the Maroon 5 ringtone, and don’t really want to talk right now. The phone keeps ringing, so I answer. He speaks first.

“What the fuck? I’m on a need to know basis here, and I need to know. You too cool to return my calls now?” He jokes.

“Hey there. Sorry, but can I call you back in a bit?” I say sniffling into the phone.

He immediately senses something is wrong.

“Babe, what’s wrong? You okay? Did something happen with Mr. H? Is Lainey okay?”

“Everything’s fine, Todd. Nothing happened to anyone. I’ll call you later.”

“Umm, no you won’t. You’re gonna tell me now. Something’s fucked up. I know you. You sound like you’ve been crying. Come
on
, it’s me, Todd. We tell each other everything. Look, I know you’re upset, and I ain’t hangin up until you tell me, so you’d better start fucking talking.”

Reluctantly, I tell him everything that happened today.

He’s so pissed and yells, “That fucking bitch. I’m gonna come to Houston and make her fucking life miserable. She calls herself your fucking friend, seriously? Fuck her! You need Bert to come to town, and kick her bitch ass.”

I smile, “Well, that’s pretty much what I said.”

“So where’s Mr. H?”

I tell him he’s playing golf with Kellan, and that Lainey will be here soon.

“Babe, just know that you don’t need a friend like that. You’ve got so fucking many people that care about you. God Damn, I fucking wish I was there. You and I’d be doing tequila shots and smoking. I’d get you out of that funk.”

I laugh. “I know you would. Look, I’m fine. I just had a little meltdown. Nothing to worry about. Lainey will be here soon, and Ash will be back shortly too. No worries.”

“So tell me about our new casa. Nice?”

I’m so glad he’s changed the subject. “Oh my God, it’s amazing. I can’t wait to begin the renovations, and for everyone to come visit. Actually I don’t know for sure if we got it yet… You’ll love it. It’s on the 39th floor, with a view of the city. It’s phenomenal. Okay so tell me what’s going on. How are Tommy and Emily? And Kyra? Gee, it seems like we’ve been gone forever.”

He chuckles softly, “We’re all good, babe. We’re playing tonight in the city, and the girls are coming. Em and Kyra have been talking nonstop about the wedding. I can’t believe my fucking best friend’s getting married.” He rushes me off the phone, which I find odd. “Hey - I gotta go. I’ll call you back in a bit.”

Shortly after Todd and I hang up, I get a text from him. ‘
Check your email’,
followed by a smiley face. My phone signals the incoming email, and I open it. I put my hand over my mouth in awe, as I watch the video he’s just sent me. He’s sitting on his couch, wearing faded jeans and a black t shirt, with his guitar. He leans into the camera and smiles. “F.u.c.k. her - this is for you, babe.” He sings Bob Dylan’s
Positively 4th Street,
and I think of how positively perfect it fits my day. I’m smiling through the whole song, and my eyes fill with tears when the song ends, as he leans back into the camera, gives me a silly face and says, “Oh, and did I say fuck her? Yeah, something like that…Peace out!”

My phone rings again, and I’m beaming as I answer.

He laughs into the phone, “Well?”

I cackle, “Pfft! That just put you about four steps higher on the ladder to perfection, in my book.”

“So I’m almost at the top?”

“Umm hmm...gettin there.”

“I just thought about that song when you were telling me about your bitch ass friend, and I wanted to cheer you up.”

We talk for about 30 minutes, and I hear a knock on my door.

“Gotta go my sweet tattooed dude. I think Lainey’s here.”

He lectures me, “Olivia, just forget about that bitch, Patti. She’s fucking not worth your time. We all love you, and you’ve got Mr. H. What else could you possibly fucking need? Right? Am I right? Haha! I am, and you know it. Give Lainey a hug and a kiss from me. I’m just glad she’s there with you. I’ll so come kick some ass if you want me to….”

“Aww I know you’d kick ass for me, hell I’d do it for you too. I love you, and give Kyra a big kiss for me. Tell Tommy and Emily I love them too.”

“Will do babe. Love ya back. Peace out. If you need to talk, you know my digits.”

I answer the door and Lainey has her hands on her hips, looking confused.

“Mom, what the hell happened? You scared the shit outta me.”

I hug her tight, and quickly reassure her, “Honey, I just over reacted to something. Knee jerk reaction, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called and gotten you worried.”

We sit on the bed, and I tell her what happened at lunch.

“Are you freaking kidding me? She knew, and didn’t goddamn tell you? Pitiful. I can’t believe it.” She looks at me, with a questionable look on her face. “If I knew, I would have told you. Wouldn’t you have told her, if you knew Walt was cheating on her?”

I nod my head, “Absolutely.”

“Mom, she’s been your freaking friend forever and she just let you think things were peachy, when they weren’t? NOT cool.” She takes me into her arms, and gives me a tight hug.

“Aww, I love you Mom, and please don’t let this affect your happiness. You see now what kind of friend she was. Move on, and forget the past. Your future is beyond fantastic. You’ve got your family and extended family. Your glass is half full, not half empty Mom.”

She kisses me, and I’m reminded how precious this daughter of mine is.

We lie on the bed and cuddle. She places my hand on her tummy, “Just leave your hand there for a minute, Mom. This kid moves around like you wouldn’t believe!” Sure enough, in a short time, I feel for movement of my soon to be grandbaby. I gasp, and tears of joy stream down my face.

She joyfully screeches, “Mom, did you feel it? This is what life is all about.”

I feel another kick, and nod my head.

“Did you feel it, Momma? It’s real. It’s a life created by me and Kel. Isn’t that just the coolest thing?” She looks at me with a look of amazement.

At this point, I come to the realization that Patti, Walt, and Alan mean nothing in the big scheme of things. Lainey’s right; I need to move on, and enjoy what is to come.

I move my hand around her stomach, and giggle. “Honey, I feel it. It’s my grandbaby. I’m so happy.”

She puts her hands on her mouth, and has a twinkle in her eye. “It’s moving and kicking for you, Momma!” We’re both crying and hugging. I can’t believe I’m feeling this beautiful life inside my daughter. If I could just capture this moment, and put it in a bottle, I would. I continue to rub her stomach, as she puts her hand over my own hand and laces her fingers between mine.

“Mom, I wouldn’t trade this moment for the moon. I’ve missed you so much and just having you here, feeling this life inside me, it’s incredible. You don’t know how many times I’ve wished you were here, to feel this with me.” I scrunch down and place my cheek on that beautiful tummy, feeling so lucky. I’m softly crying, as Lainey rubs my head.

“Mom, I love you oodles. Don’t go back to Highland Park. Please stay here with me. I need you.”

I’m so torn hearing her words. “Lainey, I’ll be here when the baby is born, and I’ll stay with you afterwards. But I have to go back, honey. My life is in Highland Park with Ash now. This is really hard on me too.”

“I know Momma, I’m just being a baby; your baby. I understand, and don’t mean to stress you out. Can I tell you something?”

I look up at her, “Of course you can.”

She looks into my eyes, “Momma, I’m so proud of you. You’re an amazingly strong, beautiful, and confident woman.” She starts crying, as I kiss her forehead. “Oh Lainey…”

She sniffles. “No Mom, let me finish. I was gonna tell you that I hope my child, whatever it is - a he or a she - loves and respects me, as much as I do you. I know I’m emotional because of the hormones, but Momma I mean it…I love you so much.” She puts her head in my lap, as I rub her head.

Tears of joy are streaming down my face, “Aww Lainey, my sweet girl, I love you more than you know. You know when your Momma needs you…don’t you?”

About that time, Ash opens the door and comes in. Lainey and I are lying on the bed; laughing and crying at the same time.

He smiles fondly at us, “Well I guess I caught you red handed, having some mommy and daughter time. What a nice surprise. My two favorite ladies, in the whole wide world.”

We both sit up, surprised by the intrusion, and smile.

“Everything okay girls?”

Lainey scoots off the bed and hugs Ash. “Everything’s perfect Ash. Just perfect. I’m just lovin on my Momma.”

She grabs her purse and keys. “Think I’ll head to the house and get ready for dinner. I’m hungry…or should I say we’re hungry!” She looks down and remarks, as she rubs her beautiful belly.

Ash and I both hug her, as she opens the door to leave.

“Do you need a car to pick you and Kellan up for dinner?” Ash asks.

She laughs, “No, Ash, we’re fine. I’m not drinking obviously, so I’ll be the designated driver. We’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

As soon as she leaves, I’m torn as to whether to tell Ash about my day. Decidedly, I don’t want to spoil the night, so I opt to defer and not tell him just yet.

“So, did you and Patti have a fun day?” He asks.

I tell him we did, and that I can’t wait to have dinner with Lainey and Kel.

Lainey, Kel, Ash, and I have an outstanding gourmet dinner, when Lainey announces that the seller of the condo has accepted Ash’s offer, and we’re set to close in less than 30 days!

“I’ve arranged the inspection, and we’re sending everything to the title company. Kellan has a buddy from college who does inspections, so we’ve got him booked for Tuesday.”

“Lainey, that’s spectacular!” Ash exclaims.

The guys joke and talk about their golf game. It was a beautiful day today, in the 80’s, and the course they played is one of Houston’s finest.

Kel cracks up laughing, “Ash kicked my ass today. No one told me he was such a good golfer. Shit… Couldn’t someone have at least warned me?”

Ash smirks, and shakes his head, “No one asked. Just had to play my poker face.”

He orders a bottle of champagne, and we toast to our second home. Ash suggests we go listen to some live music.

Lainey leans into me and whispers. “Mom you haven’t told Ash about Patti, have you?”

I put my finger up to my mouth. “No sweetie. I haven’t. I didn’t want to spoil the night. I’ll tell him later tonight. Please don’t mention anything.”

She assures me. “Oh, absolutely not. I won’t say a word. Actually, we should probably head to the house.”

Kellan stands up, shakes Ash’s hand and gives me a kiss, as he playfully shakes Lainey’s shoulders. “She works way too much, Mom; you need to talk to her.” Lainey rolls her eyes at him, as he gets a worried look on his face. “Uh oh, I’m in trouble now.”