Angel of Mine (35 page)

The bell rang, alerting everyone that the first day of school had come to an end. After making sure that all of the kids grabbed their backpacks, sweaters, and lunch boxes out of their cubbies, Abby walked them out to the gate where excited parents waited to greet their kids. She was relieved that Justin Zuckerman waited for his ride in the valet line so that she didn’t have to see his mom or dad. Abby still didn’t know if Justin was Tiffany or Blaine’s son.

Unable to help herself, she scanned the crowd for Caleb but was a little disappointed when she found him. He only had eyes for his little girl. Madison ran out of the gate to his waiting arms. Giving her an enormous smile, kiss, and hug, he carried her on his jean-covered hip to the parking lot. He was so swoon worthy. Who wouldn’t love watching a gorgeous man carry his child?

After dismissing all of the kids, Abby spotted her best friend, Leah, standing by a small brick planter. Holding a large bouquet of flowers, she strolled toward Abby. “Congratulations on another successful first day of school, my friend.” Leah handed her the large bundle, then leaned in for a hug and cheek kiss.

“Well thank you, my dear, but you don’t know if it was a success or not.” Abby pursed her lips.

“You don’t have any stragglers, and I didn’t hear any parents yell at you, so I assume it was a good day.” Leah held up her hands, motioning all around while pulling up the corner of her lips and winking.

Smiling back, Abby had to agree that she did indeed have a fantastic day despite seeing her past flash in front of her so early in the day.

“What do you say about going to Antonio’s for dinner tonight to celebrate?” Leah rubbed her hopeful palms together before intertwining her fingers into a pleading gesture.

“I say that we go there too often to call it a celebration dinner.” Abby brought her shoulder to her chin while smiling again. “But yes, I would love to go.”

“It’s a date then. I’ll pick you up at 5:30. I still have a few more deliveries to make first.” Leah waved while strutting quickly toward her white delivery van parked in front of the school.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you later. Oh, and thanks for this beautiful arrangement. You outdid yourself, as usual,” Abby yelled to her escaping friend. She was so proud of Leah and the success of her flower shop. She could remember sitting in their dorm room at Berkley where Leah was a business major and would glowingly talk about the flower shop she would own someday. Abby had been such an emotional mess at the time that it took her an additional two years to seek the career she longed for. She envied her best friend for always knowing what she wanted and not letting anything stand in her way.

As usual, Leah showed up to Abby’s house a few minutes late. After grabbing her things and running out the door, Abby jumped into the waiting minivan that doubled as Leah’s work delivery van.

“You know you aren’t going to find a hot guy driving around in this soccer mom mobile, right?” Abby loved to tease her.

“Well, until I make enough money to buy a car that matches the hot guy you think I’m going to date, my delivery van will have to do.” She smiled sarcastically before sticking out her tongue.

They pulled up to Antonio’s a few minutes later. Passing the waist high, wrought iron fence that encased several tables on the outdoor patio, they entered the wooden door. This place was a familiar setting to them since they ate at this restaurant a couple of times a week. The inside lighting had the slightest tint of red to it, bathing the room in a warm glow, creating a cozy ambience. White linen tablecloths adorned the wooden tables, and the bar on the left side of the restaurant had an Old World charm to it. The aroma of Italian food floated through the air, tickling their senses.

Abby scanned the room while the hostess sat them in their usual section toward the back. They loved this area because it gave them a large people-watching perimeter.

After placing their drink and usual food orders, Abby noticed a couple that also frequented Antonio’s. She could have done without seeing that man and woman. “Of all the crappy luck, look who else is eating dinner here tonight.” She motioned over to the older pair sitting even farther back in the room.

“Your beef isn’t with them, my friend.” Leah pointed out, knowing exactly who they were.

“I know, but it’s still uncomfortable. Their grandson is in my class this year. I saw both of Peter’s siblings today at drop off. It was awful. I don’t think Peter ever told his family why we broke up. One moment we were inseparable, even eating dinner at each other’s houses every night, and then we were no longer together.” She sighed, placing her elbow on the table and her jaw in the palm of her hand.

Right on cue, as if they knew she was talking about them, Mrs. Zuckerman gazed over, giving her a knowing look and a not so sympathetic smile.

“Or maybe he did,” corrected her best friend. Abby was so frustrated she almost suggested they leave until, a whiff of garlic buttered rolls swirled around in her nostrils. She wasn’t going anywhere until she had a few of those.

“I just don’t understand how relationships work.” Abby placed her hands on the table and watched her index finger as she drew imaginary circles. “How can you go from being with someone every day for over a year,” leaning in closer to Leah, she whispered, “be intimate with them, and then not speak at all? He literally turned his back on me when I needed him the most.”

“Abby, you guys were kids, and he has tried to make amends with you. You are just too stubborn to listen.” Although Abby appreciated Leah’s no nonsense, ‘keep it real’ attitude most of the time, she was not overjoyed with it in this particular conversation.

“He is only trying to do that so that he doesn’t feel guilty anymore. But the guilt of what happened will never leave me. I can never forget what I’ve done.”

“It’s not your fault that you lost the baby, Abby. As much as you try to take credit for it, you had no control. You have to figure out how to get past this, or you will never find happiness. It kills me to see you so hurt.” Leah’s eyes glossed over as she grabbed onto Abby’s hand. She knew it bothered Abby when they talked about this.

“Why do you put up with me?” Abby asked with a somber, defeated looking expression.

“Because I love you, and you make the most amazing lasagna I’ve ever tasted.” And there it was. The tension breaking line that Abby had hoped her friend would deliver.

“Can we talk about something else? This is supposed to be a celebratory dinner isn’t it?”

Once their food arrived, the two friends put all thoughts of Abby’s high school sweetheart, Peter, his family, and the past aside while they enjoyed each other’s company and shared the delicious pasta served in warm pewter dishes.

Completely exhausted by the time she opened her front door, Abby walked into her dark home. She flicked on the lights and headed to her bedroom. Pulling her pink and green quilt back, regret that she hadn’t been the bigger person and gone over to the Zuckerman’s table to greet them filled her mind. After all, it wasn’t their fault that their son was a total idiot. Then again, they’d never genuinely been particularly pleasant to her either. Oh well, that window of opportunity had past and couldn’t be changed now. Abby put on her pajamas and pulled her hair into a ponytail. It was time to get some sleep so she’d be up to whatever challenges tomorrow would have in store for her.