This Too Shall Pass (16 page)

Alexis watched a bead of sweat form on his forehead, wondering why he was so nervous. His hand gave it away. His hand hid something, and it was all she could do to keep from smirking. Cory had a hard-on. The magazine on the stand distracted Kinley while Alexis distracted her daddy. So this was what Bernie was trying to tell her. Hmmm.

“They’re over there. I don’t have any pants on,” Alexis explained while one leg conspicuously fell from the covers.

“I’ve seen you with no pants.”

Alexis got up, not even trying to cover the pink silk with her shirt and pointed toward Kinley reading the magazine. “Watch she doesn’t fall.”

Cory took a step closer to the bed, but the mirror betrayed where his eyes went. Right to Alexis’s ass. Score. “Some of the stuff was for Kinley and some was mine. I circled what was Riki’s. Where is Ellen?” Alexis questioned while she lifted Kinley from the bed.

Cory tried to keep his eyes on the receipts, but they kept going to Alexis’s bare legs. “She’s in the car. I’ve got to go,” Cory said like it had just dawned on him that he needed to get her to the airport.

“Hold her. I want to say goodbye to her.” Alexis tossed Kinley toward him and slid on a pair of shorts.

Cory spoke behind her while she descended the steps, holding Riki’s hand. “What time does Riki get on the bus tomorrow?”

“Eight-thirty. Did you pick out something pretty to wear?” Alexis asked Riki, barely acknowledging Cory.

“Yeah, I’m going to wear the pants with the diamond on the pocket.”

“The one’s that we got Kinley, too?”

“Yes with the pink shirt, and my new cowboy boots. Will that look good?” Riki asked with her head tilted to Alexis.

“Yes, but it’s supposed to be hot tomorrow. You sure you want to wear jeans?”

“Maybe I’ll look again.”

Ellen wasn’t in the car at all. She was petting Mr. Dog and he was eating up the attention. “He’s so pretty, Alexis. Yellow lab?”

“Yes, my dad says he’s got some hound in him, too. He’s a good dog.”

“We need to go, Ellen. You have a plane to catch.” Cory looked at the time on his phone and handed Kinley over to Alexis. Alexis looked away when he tried to hold her gaze. Maybe she liked having the upper hand. Maybe she could play games, especially when she felt like she was winning.

Ellen hugged Riki tight, kissed Kinley’s little cheeks, and hugged Alexis. “You two are going to work this out. I know it.”

“We’re not, but it’s okay. I’m so glad I got to see you.” Her eyes moved to Cory’s that time.

“You call me anytime you need anything. I’m a flight away. And I would love to come see this little baby when it arrives.”

“I would like that.”

Cory kissed both girls and rushed Ellen along. “I’ll be here in the morning to see you off, Riki.”

“Okay, I’m riding the school bus with Emily.”

“I know. That’s exciting. I’ll see you in the morning, sweetie.”

Alexis made pancakes for breakfast and spent the entire day with her girls. Maybe she could do this alone. Maybe her parents were right. She did have a lot to be thankful for, even without Cory in her life. They dug up flower-bulbs and put them in the basement for the winter, fed the fish in the pond, gave Mr. Dog a bath, ate lunch with her parents, and went for a ride on the gator. By bath time both girls were beat. Kinley was out by eight thirty, but Riki had too much nervous energy. Alexis refused the third book at nine o’clock.

“No more books. It’s bed time. You have a busy day tomorrow.”

“I can’t go to sleep,” Riki complained in a whine, flipping to her side.

Alexis kissed her head and pulled the covers over up to her neck. “Try. Close your eyes and think about something relaxing, like sitting by the pond with the sun warming your face. Night pumpkin. I love you.”

“Night, I love you, too.”

****

Alexis walked with the girls to the end of the drive. It was a bit, chilly but not too bad. Sweaters were all that was needed. It wouldn’t be long before Alexis would be driving her to the end of the road due to frigid cold temperatures. She was taking advantage of every warm day she had. The thought of having to bundle a new baby and Kinley up in the dead of winter twisted her stomach. Stupid Cory.

“I thought my dad was going to come and watch me get on the school bus,” Riki complained.

“He should be coming. We are fifteen minutes early,” Alexis reminded her. Riki was too excited to wait one more second. Kinley squirmed to get down at exactly the moment the sound of the truck was heard. Alexis held onto her hand until Cory was parked to the side in his sweet new truck. Both girls went to him and he swooped Kinley up, tossing her into the air. Kinley giggled and Riki showed him everything she had in her backpack, everything, right down to the box of crayons Mrs. Willard had on her list. Alexis messed around on her phone, reading old text messages from Bernie to busy herself. Neither one of them spoke a word to each other, not until Riki asked where Ellen was.

Cory slid Riki down his body and replied. “She went back home. We’ll see her in a couple months.”

Alexis made a grumbling noise from her throat and moved the rock away from Kinley’s mouth.

“What?” Cory questioned. “I’m taking them to Chicago.”

Alexis lifted Kinley from the gravel, but it didn’t last. She wanted down. She wanted to play in the rocks. “Don’t put them in your mouth. Fine, Cory. Get two rooms because you’re not taking them that far without me. And we’ll fly. I’m not riding in a car with you that long. I’ll get my own room, just tell me where. At least that way, I can be on a different floor than you.”

“We’ll drive my truck. There’s plenty of room for all of us.”

“Of course we will,” Alexis countered.

“It’s here. It’s coming!” Riki exclaimed with a high-pitched squeal and way too much excitement, especially for someone going to school.

“Don’t forget, you’re going to get on bus number seven. You’ll get off at Aunt Sam’s with Emily, and I’ll pick you up there.”

“I know, Lexis,” Riki complained. She’d heard it a thousand times. She knew what to do. That didn’t stop Alexis from worrying. She was five, a baby, going off all by herself.

Alexis hugged her tight, told her she loved her, and to have a good day. Cory hugged her next, picking her feet up off the ground, and saying the same thing. He picked Kinley up next, fishing the rock from her mouth. Riki stepped up to the giant step, turned and waved one more time, and chose her seat, half way back. She waved again when she slid to the window, wearing a big smile.

“When are you due,” Cory blurted out while Alexis watched the school bus disappear.

Her eyes snapped to his and she snatched Kinley from his arms. “Why? Because you care? Don’t worry about it. It’s not your kid.”

“You could at least let me say goodbye to Kinley,” he retorted. Alexis dropped her to the stones and Cory picked her up. With crossed arms and a clenched jaw, Alexis waited to get the hell away from him. Cory baby talked with Kinley, kissing her little cheeks and Alexis fumed. Her eyes didn’t meet his although he tried. She once again jerked Kinley from his arms and walked away. No way. No way could she ride in a truck with him for eight hours. She’d kill him before one was over. One step forward and two steps back. That’s how she felt. One minute she missed the hell out of him and the next she wanted to kill him. The best thing she could do was keep it just like this. Stay mad. It felt a hell of a lot better than feeling hurt. A hell of a lot better.

Eight

September proved to be much of the same. Cory mostly avoided Alexis and she really didn’t care. He picked the girls up from Sam’s and dropped them back off there. It was best that way and Alexis knew it. She and her girls were quickly falling into a normal routine, and just like her dad had promised, it was passing. The tears were few and far between, and each day got a little better. Besides the fact that Alexis was as big as a house, things were okay. She was okay and for the most part she was happy.

Riki fell into her own routine and loved school. She whined every Friday when Alexis told her she didn’t have school the next day. She was so excited about school, writing her name, learning her numbers, and even music class. Riki loved music and had even taught Alexis a couple notes. That was all fine and dandy. It was her Christmas list that scared the hell out of Alexis. It wasn’t even Halloween yet and Riki was making a Christmas list. With a piano!

“Maybe I can play a flute, too. Mr. Wills plays a flute, but I want Santa to bring me a piano. Maybe when I’m six I’ll play the flute. Does that sound good, Lexis?” Riki questioned, while she waited on her plate of chicken fingers and fries.

Alexis hid the sarcasm while sitting her plate in front of her. “I don’t know. A piano is pretty big. Where would we put it?”

“Come here, I will show you.”

“You can show me after supper. Tell me about school. What did you do today?”

Kinley flat handed her highchair tray, letting Alexis know she wanted food, too. “Eat, eat,” she called.

“I’m coming. It’s hot. Hang on.”

“Ot, ot,” Kinley nodded as she tried to repeat the same words. She was so smart. She almost had it.

“We had music today. Tomorrow is art day,” Riki explained. Alexis sat the bottle of ranch dressing in front of her, cutting her off when she asked for it. Alexis was already ahead of her.

“Art is fun,” Alexis said with her own plate. She sat beside Kinley and tried to get her to eat a green bean. Kinley shook her head and chose the chicken fingers instead.

“I like art, but I like music better. Maybe I should send Santa my letter early. He might need to get some help. Pianos are big and heavy, right?”

“Yes, eat your beans.” Riki didn’t eat her green beans either. She dipped her chicken finger in ranch and ate that instead.

Alexis found the note from her teacher later that evening. Great, parent teacher conferences already. How was this supposed to work? Alexis wasn’t really the parent, but she wanted to be there, too. The thought of going and not telling Cory crossed her mind, but only briefly. That’s something he would do, not her. She sat on the toilet while the girls played in the tub and texted him.

Alexis—Riki has parent teacher conferences next Tuesday at six.

Of course Cory didn’t text right back. He never did. That would be like handing over power or something. Stupid is what it was. Immature and stupid.

Alexis ignored the buzzing text from her phone an hour later. She laid between Riki and Kinley with a new library book, another one of Riki’s favorite things at school. She heard the buzz again, ignored that too, and continued with the story.

“Kinley can stay with me,” Riki decided with her hand on Alexis’s belly and her eyes on sleeping Kinley.

Alexis glanced at her small hand placed on her ginormous belly and moved it to the side. “We better put her in her bed, she might roll out,” Alexis explained, pushing her hand in to feel the kick.

Riki gasped and formed an O with her lips. “Do it again. She’s by the wall, she won’t fall. I won’t let her.”

Alexis moved the baby around, trying to get it to kick again. “But she’s like a little fish. She might flop over top of you.”

“Do you think we’re going to get a boy or a girl baby?” Riki questioned.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. What do you want?”

“A girl. Boys are too mean, except daddy.”

As much as she wanted to spew something hateful about her dad, she didn’t.” What about a name? We need to pick out a name. The baby will be here before we know it.”

“When?”

“Not long after Christmas. January comes after Christmas and then February. The baby is coming in February.”

“I like Paisley.”

“Paisley? Where did you get that name? I love that name.”

“You remember that movie with the magic horse? Paisley was the only one that liked him.”

“Oh yeah, I love that movie, and I love that name. It’s at the top of my list. Now go to sleep. You have school tomorrow.”

“Wait, I want to feel the baby move again.”

“I think he’s sleeping.”

“Not he. She!”

“Sorry, she, but it might be a he.”

“Don’t get it if it is.”

Alexis laughed and moved over top of her, stopping to kiss her head on her way to the floor. “We have to take him home.”

“Where’s the baby going to sleep?”

“I’ll put it in my room for a while, like we did when Kinley was born, remember?”

“Yeah, in that little bed.”

“Then Kinley can sleep with me and the baby can have the crib.”

“We’ll see. Night, love.” Alexis scooped Kinley up and carried her to her own bed. After her own bath was when she finally decided to see what Cory had to say. Alexis climbed into her bed, feeling exhausted. February couldn’t come fast enough.

Cory—How long does it last?

Cory—Hello?

Cory—You’re so mature.

Alexis snorted and shook her head with an eye roll. Dick head.

Alexis—Sorry I wasn’t at your beck and call. Story time took precedence over you. It’s only fifteen minutes. You don’t have to come. I can do it.

Cory—I’ll come. I’ll meet you there at six.

“Of course you will,” Alexis said to the empty room. No reply was needed. The pillow beneath her head felt like a cloud, working like a sleeping pill. Her eyes closed and she dozed off to the news, sound asleep in a matter of minutes. One thing about being pregnant, she slept, but it was sort of a double standard. She was always tired. Always.

****

Alexis stood on the school-house steps, switching off, raising one swollen ankle, and then the other while she waited for Cory. Riki played Kinley’s new favorite game, ‘Ring around the Rosie’ over and over. The thought of sitting on the steps crossed her mind, but then the thought of getting up overpowered it. She’d need a crane to pull her up. Cory didn’t need to see that.

Two minutes before their turn to sit down with Mrs. Rogers, Cory pulled in, driving his shiny black truck. The bastard went home and showered. A black and gray button-up shirt, new jeans that fit well, and the smell. Oh that smell...

Cory scooped Kinley up and walked right past Alexis, Riki in hand. “You’re late,” she said from behind a whisper.

“No, I’m right on time. How are you Kinley?”

Alexis followed behind, waddling more like it. They weren’t late at all. Mrs. Rogers still had the previous parents’ at her desk. That left Alexis alone in the hall with him. Great.

“Dad, put Kinley down. I want to show you our new game,” Riki coaxed while hopping up and down.

“No, we’re inside. We have to be quiet,” Cory countered.

“Please, it’s so cute. She falls on her butt, too.”

“You can show me later. It’s almost our turn.”

Judy Andon walked out with her husband John and their son Blake. Alexis smiled and tried like hell not to roll her eyes. The obvious elbow to Jake’s ribs, her stomach, and then Cory was a gossip, giveaway. Alexis was sure she’d been a topic of conversation between them.

“Jake, Judy,” Alexis nodded in greeting. Kill them with kindness, that’s what her dad would have said. Whatever. Jake and Judy could go to hell. They didn’t know anything about her and it was none of their business.

“Hello, Riki. Why don’t you show your mom and dad your art work,” Mrs. Rogers suggested with an arm wave to the corner.

“Okay!” Riki excitedly exclaimed. She talked a mile a minute without even correcting the mom comment. She showed them her painting of her family. The stick people with colored clothes and big hair represented Cory, Alexis, and three little girls. The mom held the new baby and the two girls stood between the mom and dad. Alexis and Cory did exchange a glance that time. A guilty one. Once she’d shared her cubby hole, her shelf for her library books, and the reading circle Mrs. Rogers led them to her desk. Riki kept Kinley in the reading circle and showed her pictures of farm animals. Kinley loved farm animals. Alexis looked back to her mooing more than once.

“Have a seat. I don’t know what to say about Riki. She’s such a little helper, so smart, and always so well behaved. Whatever you’re doing, keep on doing it. I have zero concerns with her right now. She’s eager to learn and catches on quickly. She talks nonstop about her little sister and her new baby coming. When are you due?” Mrs. Rogers smiled.

“February,” Alexis replied. She knew she was only being friendly, but she’d purposely withheld that information from Cory.

“Riki is sure she’s getting another sister. I hope you get a boy. Dad’s need their boys.” Mrs. Rogers smiled at Alexis and then Cory.

Alexis bit her tongue. She wanted to spit it out, shove it right in Cory’s face.
He’s not the dad, we don’t live together, and we don’t want boys.
She didn’t. She sucked it up and smiled. Mrs. Rogers showed them Riki’s papers next, how well she wrote her name, and her adding skills, bragging about how smart she was. Both Alexis and Cory boasted. They knew she was smart.

Cory was the one to retrieve the girls, seeing the next set of parents pacing the hall. Alexis exchanged goodbyes, and led the way back to the parking lot.

“February what?” Cory questioned from behind. Alexis snorted and kept walking.

“Jump in, Riki,” she coaxed while taking Kinley from Cory’s arms.

“I thought maybe we would go get pizza for supper.”

“Yeah!” Riki called with outstretched arms. Kinley did the exact same thing, sounding out the word perfectly, just like her big sister.

“We have roast in the crockpot,” Alexis retorted while buckling Kinley into her seat.

“Come on, Lex. We should celebrate how smart our daughter is. Let’s go eat pizza.”

Wait…He was inviting her? What the hell? Alexis turned to him with both eyebrows curved to the bridge of her nose. Narrowed eyes showed him her distaste for his suggestion, but seeing the look on Riki’s face stopped it. “You can go celebrate with daddy. I’ll celebrate with you when you get home.”

Cory touched her hand with his and tilted his head. “Lex,” he said in soft tone. A soft tone that pissed her off.

Alexis did her best to keep it together in front of the kids. Was he for real? He totally just walked past her minutes before, didn’t hold the door, and completely ignored her. He was asking her to go eat pizza? Whip lash! “Go ahead and take Riki, spend some one on one with her. Riki loves playing games. Me, not so much,” she explained in the nicest sarcastic tone she could assemble. Alexis kissed Riki on the head, smacked her on the butt, and told her how proud of her she was before getting in her car and closing the door. A laugh escaped her lips once she was alone. What the hell was that all about?

Whatever it was, it was forgotten the very next day. Avoiding each other seemed like the best way. The only way to avoid confrontation.

Of course it was inevitable when the next one would happen. Cory was becoming weirder and weirder. One minute he was being nice and the next he was a dick. Being nice was his plan the following month for Halloween. He wanted to walk around with Alexis, Bernie, Travis and Sam. He wanted to see Kinley for her first trick or treating. Cory was taking them home right after and Alexis was getting them the next day for the farm festivities.

Alexis was the one who avoided him. She walked with Bernie and Sam and Cory strolled behind with Travis, pushing Kinley in the stroller. The evening was beyond cool, it was downright cold. Alexis wanted to call it a night before they had even made it through town. Kinley was done, too, tired of riding and probably cold herself. Alexis tried to keep walking and not pay attention to her cries to get out, but the motherly instinct wouldn’t let her. She turned around and removed her from her stroller. That took long enough for Travis to catch up with Sam and Bernie, leaving her and Cory alone.

“I wish I was going to the farm with them tomorrow,” he confessed.

Alexis refrained from telling him he made his choice. “Yeah, well I doubt we’ll stay long. It’s too cold.”

“Yeah, it is cold. Do you have firewood?”

“What?”

“Firewood? Are you set for the cold weather?”

Alexis shifted Kinley from the huge bulge in her stomach and grunted. Cory reached over and took Kinley from her arms, handing over the stroller instead. Alexis tossed a blanket over her head and tucked the edges around her, trying to rid the cold. “I’m fine, Cory. I’ve lived in that house a long time. My dad’s already taken care of that.”

“Of course he has,” he muttered.