Just A Small Town Girl (18 page)

“Because she’s a mother,” Patricia said from the hallway, her eyes wet.

“Mom?” Fisher asked, rising to his feet and then bending to pull me up after him.

Patricia stepped toward us; her arms open for a hug I expected to wrap around Fisher. Instead, her surprisingly warm arms came around my body and I was helpless to do anything other than accept, tears falling down my face once again. Maternal affection was such an enigma to me, something I desperately sought without realizing it and I couldn’t help sinking into Fisher’s mother while I sobbed for reasons I wasn’t even sure I could explain.

“Shhh, it’s okay sweetheart,” she rubbed my back, making me cry harder, “I’m so sorry I questioned your love for that baby boy,” she sighed into my hair and I opened my mouth to tell her it was okay, but she went on, “My son has good taste.”

“Thank you,” I cried softly into her shoulder, unsure exactly what I was thanking her for, but knowing I was grateful.

“Oh yes I do. I don’t need to get sick again and obviously hanging out with you puts me in poor health,” I looked in the mirror, putting on earrings and a matching necklace.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, coming up behind me and wrapping his hands around my waist. I was wearing a long sleeved red off the shoulder dress, perfect for playing hostess at our Christmas party.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I turned to face him, pulling him by the collar of his red t-shirt until his body was flush with mine and outlined his lips with my tongue.

“I see you found the mistletoe,” he laughed out.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I had a little on my lips I guess,” he smiled, “and you have a little here on your shoulder,” his teeth grazed my skin, making me shiver, “and on your neck here,” he gave my neck the same treatment, flicking his tongue across the spot when he was finished, “and you have a little here,” he dipped his finger into the center of my dress’ neckline, pulling it down to reveal my breasts, “you’re not wearing a bra?” he asked, more to himself than to me, tilting his head down to feather kisses across my newly exposed skin.

A knock at the front door made him groan, making my body break out in goose bumps.

“I’ll show you my mistletoe later,” he laughed out, adjusting my dress and leading me by the hand to the front door where Patricia and Bailey were engaged in an animated reunion.

Dustin crept around them as if he was scared they might explode in a cloud of estrogen. He gave me a hug, mouthing ‘wow’ until Fisher smacked him on the back of his head. They exchanged playful swats while I watched, laughing.

“Hey Dusty,” June smiled, approaching the mob around the door.

“Junior?” Dustin’s eyebrows touched his hairline, “Wow, you sure-”

“Grew up,” Kyle chimed in before alternating between openly ogling June’s legs in her white miniskirt and openly ogling her minimal cleavage in the oversized Christmas tree sweater she paired it with.

“Seriously?” Fisher asked, his fraternal protectiveness kicking in.

Kyle raised his hands in a placating gesture, “Hey, your sister got hot. I see a beautiful woman and I have to stare. Beauty deserves to be appreciated.”

“Really? Well then you should come spend some time with me young man,” Patricia wrapped her hand around his arm and dragged him across the room after her.

We all watched them take a seat next to the Christmas bush.

“I think I found my date for this little shindig,” June gave Kyle a little wave and he acted like he’d just won best in show.

“Oh hell no,” Fisher exclaimed, reaching out to grab her arm in a way that was so much like his mother it made me laugh.

“Oh hell yes,” June stepped out of reach, shrugging, “He got hot,” we watched her cross the room to snuggle herself between her mother and Kyle on the loveseat.

Fisher dug his fingers into the back of his hair looking every ounce the concerned father. I wrapped my hand around his arm, pulling it down.

“I don’t think he’ll even be able to handle her and I know she can handle herself, so try not to worry,” I whispered into his ear.

“So glad I don’t have a daughter,” he grumbled, squeezing my hand in his.

As if he knew there was a party going on without him, Riley chose that moment to wake from his nap, crying out for attention and a diaper change.

“I’ll change him if you get the door?” Fisher asked.

I hadn’t even noticed there was anyone at the door, but I nodded my agreement anyway.

Rose and Dr. Schultz each gave me a kiss on the cheek before wandering into the living room, arm in arm. Effie Bach, who I had never met, but knew lived downstairs and was Rose’s good friend walked in next, holding a plate of cookies. The plate was still warm and I smiled my appreciation.

“Oh what a lovely shrub,” Effie exclaimed, her flowing skirt rustling as she hurried across the room to inspect the tree up close.

Our night passed in amicable comfort. Everyone snacked and chatted, getting to know each other. I watched Fisher cringe as June and Kyle grew closer and we showed all of our guests the wonder of Riley’s stumbled steps. A few people I didn’t know stopped by for chunks of time; the guys from the garage Fisher worked at, all of the waitresses from the diner, including James, and some people I was pretty sure only knew Fisher because they lived in Dunesville all showed the magical acquaintance of a small town. As the night wore on our older guests left and the baby retired; leaving just Bailey, June, me, and the boys.

Fisher was singing softly while Dustin played his guitar and Kyle thumped percussion into the coffee table when the call came to Fisher’s phone.

“Hey man,” he smiled a little.

“Yeah?” his smile grew into a full-fledged grin.

“They’re actually here now, let us talk and I’ll give you a call later tonight?”

“Yeah thanks,” he hung up and found five sets of eyes staring anxiously.

“That was Grant,” the smile crept into his tone. I started to understand his excitement; Grant was with Rebel.

“One of their opening bands dropped a tour. They want us to take over starting in February! A five month tour!” his screaming and jumping was joined by his friends’. I wish I could say it was masculine, but it really wasn’t.

“Yes! Fuck Yes!” Kyle shouted, jumping up and down with barely contained energy.

“Yeah, I don’t need to think. Yes!” Dustin slapped Fisher on the shoulder, “Why didn’t you just tell him yes on the phone?”

“I need to think,” Fisher whispered, sinking back down into his seat on the couch and we all calmed instantly.

It was great for Fisherman’s Wharf to go on tour, but the little boy all of us loved would be left without a father.

I sank to my knees in front of him, placing my hands on his knees. “Go,” I whispered, “I can take care of Riley and he won’t remember you being gone. This is your chance to do something for him, to make him proud,” he shook his head and I knew he thought I didn’t understand. I pulled up his shirt, ignoring the look he gave me, and read “Aut viam inveniam aut faciam” aloud. “Make it happen baby,” I whispered, cradling his face in my hands.

“I can help with Riley too,” June chimed in, “I’m taking next semester off to work on my photography, so I could move in here.”

“Just say okay baby,” I nodded into his eyes.

“Okay,” Fisher smiled a sad smile, the kind that only came from making a truly difficult decision.

We all watched as he called Grant back talk about the details and after the call we celebrated together, knowing our boys were getting the Christmas present of a lifetime.

Fisher told his mother he was going on tour on the second day of the second week of the Second month of the New Year over breakfast Christmas Morning, right before June told her she was moving to Dunesville and right after Riley finished unwrapping his mountain of presents. Patricia took the news surprisingly well, even offering to spend some weekends with us, helping out.

After that Patricia took Riley and June to look at Christmas lights and I was left alone with Fisher.

“Do you want your real present?” I asked, smirking at him.

“There’s more?” he made a big show of looking at the empty boxes and stacked gifts around his living room.

I didn’t answer; instead I ran down the hall to Riley’s closet and pulled out the two oddly shaped presents.

Fisher’s face lit up when I brought them out of the nursery, obviously knowing what they were without unwrapping them. Still, he put on a good show of tearing the paper off the larger one for me. He beamed at what he found.

“It’s a guitar,” he smiled to himself, dragging his fingers across the strings.

“Yeah,” I unwrapped the other one for him, letting him see the miniature version of the electric guitar in his hand before setting it aside.

“See, the dunes are here to remind you of home,” I pointed at the lower corner of the body, “And the train is to remind you of all those nights at-”

“Conductor’s.” He finished, trailing his fingers across the train driving out of a tunnel dug into one of the dunes.

I nodded, “the letters on the front of the train are for Riley and his has your initials.” I pointed out the tiny letters in the center of the locomotive.

“And is this you?” he asked, pointing to the sexy female conductor, leaning out the window to offer a beer and a great shot of her cleavage.

“I put it on there because you like beer,” I blushed.

“Really? Because she looks a lot like you,” he held the guitar up, comparing our faces, “even down to that sexy body.”

“Shut-up,” I laughed, picking up Riley’s guitar to show him it didn’t have a pinup version of me on it.

“This is awesome Piper,” he kissed my lips softly.

“I know Riley isn’t old enough for his yet, but-”

“He’ll grow into it,” Fisher smiled, strumming out a little tune, “Want to hear your song?”

I nodded, settling in to listen.

The melody was soft and sweet, reminding me of summertime. When he added words I closed my eyes, letting his quick spoken words wash over me.

“Step one came on a summer day

I felt the buzz when we first met

But I didn’t know I loved her yet

She grew on me and I grew on her

But I didn’t know it was forever

How could I know she’d make me feel this way?

She let me love her a little bit

Somehow together we just fit

I started to love her more

Before I knew it-

I was on step four

Step two came on a desperate night

She saved me and I felt alright

My monster learned how not to bite

She taught me how to have some fun

And I thought she could be the one

I kissed her fingers and she didn’t pull away

She let me love her a little bit

Somehow together we just fit

I started to love her more

Before I knew it-

I was on step four

Step three is everything in between

Sometimes I’m moody, sometimes I am mean

But she convinced me she won’t walk away

Before I knew it-

I was on step four

Yeah,

Before I knew it-

I was on step four

Step four comes right now baby

Just give your left hand to me

I wanna marry you now and always

We’ll have some kids and dance on their birthdays

Yeah I know it,

I am on step four

If not for this guitar I’d be on one knee here on the floor

Come on let’s do it let’s get on step four”

Tears welled in my eyes as he sang the last verse. I watched as he sank to his knees in front of me and offered an open ring box containing the most perfectly cut sapphire I’d ever seen flanked by two equally perfect diamonds. His proposal was perfect; exactly what I would have wanted if I’d planned it myself. His eyes were so full of hope and joy and promise for our future. I wanted to be with him, but I couldn’t say yes.

We hadn’t known each other very long, but that wasn’t it. I wasn’t concerned about him being a good father or husband either. I knew he was a good man and would make an amazing life partner. There was only one real reason I was about to reject Fisher and probably break his heart in the process. Sam, or more specifically my failed marriage to Sam. I couldn’t face the possibility of losing everything in Dunesville just because I chose to take my relationship with Fisher to the next level.