God In The Kitchen (25 page)

            She told me about the pressures her editor was putting on her over the new book and I told her about my own busy work schedule along with the added hours I had to put in for the lemonade stand.

            “I’d love to help with that,” she said as I wound my fingers through hers and she placed her free hand on my arm. “If you need help that day or with anything before then, just say the word.”

            “I’ll do that,” I said, smiling down on her. “You might be sorry you offered.”

            “I don’t think so,” she said with a smile of her own. “But you can try me.”

            We got back to the restaurant parking lot all too soon and it was starting to get late. With my early show looming each weekday, I knew it was time to call it a night.

            “Thank you for hearing me out,” I said as Abigail turned toward me when we reached her car.

            “Thanks for explaining. I still feel bad about assuming the worst.”

            “Don’t mention it,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “It’s completely understandable. Just know that it won’t happen again, even if it was nothing to begin with.”

            Abigail’s smile widened and I saw her large teeth at their full height. “It better not,” she said, poking me in the side.

            We ended the night with a nice, long, lingering hug. I still didn’t feel right about kissing her, but I felt like I had given her enough reassurance about where things were going that she didn’t really need that yet. I wanted to respect her enough to give her the time and space she needed to really fall for me…and me for her…before we took that next step.

            As I drove away that night, I silently thanked Evan. He did the best thing he could have possibly done for me. He had given me a second chance and I was able to do things right this time around. He had let me choose and I had chosen wrong, but now, I was able to go back and finish things in a new way.

            At that point, I would have bought Evan a whole palate of Cheetos if that was what he wanted as a thank you. He had given me a new lease on life and another chance at love. I was certain I would be eternally grateful for the happiness that waited for me in the near future.

            The next week flew by as I continued my preparations for the lemonade stand and dated Abigail as time allowed. My relationship with Chloe grew into a wonderful friendship and I still got to see Ian on occasion. I promised that I would be there for his surgery and my optimism that we would raise the money had only grown since I had already lived through the experience once.

            I saw Abigail a few times that week and she was planning on helping at the lemonade stand. I knew we would need volunteers early on since there would be people waiting in line before the stand even opened.

            On the day of the promo drive for Ian, I was able to introduce Abigail and Chloe.

            “So you’re the one he’s been talking about,” Chloe said with a smile as Ian his behind her braid.

            “All good things, I hope,” Abigail said in return, wiping her hands on her jean shorts so she could shake Chloe’s extended palm. “And this must be Ian,” she said, turning her attention to the blonde boy that I had grown to love twice in a row.

            It was strange for me to see the two women together, knowing what Chloe had once been to me and what Abigail was becoming. But I was glad that they knew about each other. There were no secrets and I hoped that the two of them would become friends.

            The promo drive went even better than last time, since I was able to concentrate my work on avenues I knew would bear fruit. When Chloe returned at the end of the day, she and Abigail had a few good laughs together and I was optimistic about their relationship.

            Instead of going to Chloe’s apartment to tell her about the results that evening, I simply called her. I didn’t want her gratitude to spill over into any other emotions and get confusing and I wanted to spend time talking to Abigail that evening as well. I called Abigail after talking with Chloe and informed her of the news.

            “When is the surgery going to be?” she asked, excitedly.

            “Late next week,” I said. “But Ian’s going to be fine, don’t worry.”

            “He’s a sweet boy,” she said, sighing on the other end of the phone.

            “The best,” I said.

            From there, our conversation turned to how we could help Chloe during Ian’s recovery and Abigail promised to bring her a few meals at home so that she wouldn’t’ have to worry about cooking much. I wasn’t sure if the changes I had made in the past would affect Greg’s return or not. Chloe was still on the national news with Ian and Greg’s brother was likely still lurking around somewhere. But what happened in her life was her business. She was just a good friend and my heart was not as emotionally involved.

            Except when it came to Ian. I was still as in love with that boy as I was the last time. He was a sweet boy and there was no way not to love him, even if I spent less time with him this time around than I had last time.

            Ian’s surgery came and went and I visited him in the hospital several times, but not every day. We took a picture together with the paper airplanes, just like before. But this time, I hoped I would not see that picture in an envelope along with two checks and a letter.

            When Ian went home from the hospital, Chloe invited Abigail and me over to celebrate. She said that Ian might not be up for much of a party, but there was something they wanted us to know. I had a feeling I already knew.

            When Abigail and I arrived at Apartment 3G, all of the memories came flooding back to me. I remembered that day from the last time when I had found the apartment empty and the heart shattering emotions that had run through me as I walked back down the hall and encountered Chloe’s brother-in-law. I knew this time would be different, but I did not yet know how.

            Abigail knocked on the door and Chloe answered with a bright smile on her face. “Come in,” she said softly and I took that to mean that Ian was resting in his room.

            “Thanks for inviting us,” I said, “We won’t stay long. We don’t want Ian to overdo it.”

            “Thanks,” Chloe said, touching my arm. “He’s really enjoyed your visits.”

            “I love seeing him too,” I said, spotting a haphazard paper airplane on the floor. He must have been practicing his aim as I instructed him to do once he got home.

            “What’s the big news?” I said, wanting to get everything out in the open as soon as possible.

            “Here it comes now,” Chloe said as we all turned to watch the man walk to the kitchen from down the hall.

            Greg was taller than I expected and more thin than muscular. He had the same blonde hair as his brother, but it was short and clean cut and there was no ponytail in sight. I could see that he, his brother and Ian all shared the same startling blue eyes and I was anxious for the introductions to begin.

            “This is my husband, Greg,” Chloe said as Greg extended his hand to me first.

            “I don’t know how I can ever thank you for what you have done for my boy,” he said, the gratitude showing in his eyes. The man that stood before me didn’t look in the least bit ill and I was so glad to see evidence that he was back on track.

            “No thanks necessary,” I said. “Seeing Ian feeling better is all the thanks I need.”

            His handshake was strong and I introduced him to Abigail and we all moved into the living room and spaced ourselves out on the tattered couch and chairs.

            “Greg got a really good job,” Chloe said as I took Abigail’s hand and smiled. Chloe looked happy and I was feeling even more sure that I had done the right thing.

            “Chloe has probably told you a little bit about my background,” Greg said, pausing to roll his eyes. “I’m a bit of a loose cannon, but this last time, after losing her for so long, and then seeing her on TV and knowing what was going on with my boy, well, let’s just say I have every reason to make things work this time.”

            I felt like he was trying to explain himself to me and though I didn’t think he really owned me that explanation, I was still glad to hear it. Though my relationship with Chloe was different this time, I still felt protective over her. And especially Ian.

            “When do you leave?” I asked, glad that the news was coming in the form of a face-to-face conversation instead of a shaky letter.

            “As soon as Ian is strong enough,” Chloe answered, glancing down the hall towards his bedroom. “We want to give him a little time to recover and Greg’s job has been very understanding about the situation.”

            “They know my family comes first and they seem to appreciate that,” Greg added, smiling down at Chloe.

            I couldn’t believe how different the story was turning out. All because I had kept my heart out of the way and allowed Chloe to find her way back to Greg, as it obviously should be.

            Abigail and I offered to help with the move or to watch Ian, if necessary and shortly after that, Ian woke and called for Chloe. She carried him out to the living room to visit with us for a few minutes.

            “Music man,” Ian cried out softly when he saw me. I was glad that the nickname had stuck and I was excited to see the color in his face. He looked good. “Did you know I got as much ice cream as I could eat in the hospital?” he asked and we all laughed.

            “They don’t bring that to you in bed at home?” I questioned, giving Chloe and Greg a look.

            “No!” Ian cried. “Oh my goodness!”

            I felt Abigail shake with laughter beside me and I handed over the little plastic trains we had brought to Ian. His fascination was evident and I was glad we had picked them up, though we had skipped the balloons and ice cream this time. After his comment, it’s possible he would have been happier with the ice cream, but it was a little too late now.

            When Ian got tired, we said our goodbyes and Chloe promised to call with more details about the move as soon as she had a few more things lined up. I asked her if Cal knew she was leaving yet.

            “I’ll be calling him next,” she said. “I hate to break the news to him because he really did save me. Come to think of it…I had a lot of people watching out for me,” she said, winking at me.

            Abigail and I left hand in hand and I prayed that Chloe and her little family would be happy. I was so glad that the story had taken a different turn and my heart felt full instead of broken as I left the apartment building that day.

            Had I known what my heart was about to experience, who knows how I would have reacted. You never know what is down the road until you travel it.

            Things didn’t start to sour between Abigail and I until a month down the road. Until that point I actually thought things were going great. We helped Chloe, Greg, and Ian move together. We had dinners together. We even went bowling. But all of a sudden, the shift happened. And I knew something was wrong, but I just couldn’t put my finger on what or how to fix it.

            It started out as little hints here and there. Abigail wouldn’t answer my email the same day like she used to. She also would let my text messages wait two hours or longer before she answered those. Even my phone calls weren’t accepted on the first ring like before and sometimes, I even got sent to voicemail.

            Then there were the things I noticed in person. Abigail didn’t hold my hand as much as she used to and she seemed to have trouble looking me in the eye. Her bright smile was now forced and I never got to see the full height of her teeth anymore. Even her hair seemed to have lost some of its shine.