My Real (26 page)

“That’s a great idea baby, thank you.”

“Go sit down, and relax on the deck. I’ll take care of everything.” I push him toward the kitchen then walk toward the living room to set up a pillow tower. After every pillow and blanket in the house is built into the most awesome fort ever, I join Andrew on the deck. I see that he is asleep in a lounge chair. I lay the top of the chair down some so he can get more comfortable. He’s been doing so much lately.

Going back into the house, I pop some popcorn and make some chocolate milk shakes. Emerson is starting to love them as much as me. After all the snack are laid out on the table waiting for Emerson, I pull out my kindle and try to catch up on some reading.

A few minutes later I hear a car pull into the drive. If that’s Jessica, she must have flown down the highway. Not very safe with a little kid in the back. I stand shaking my head and walk toward the door as I see Jessica swing her door open yelling at Emerson.

“I said get unbuckled now, Emerson. I have to go,” she shrieks.

I walk toward Jessica’s car door helping Emerson out of her seat.

“Hello cutie pie. Did you have fun at the beach?” I ask as I lift her into a hug and notice tears in her eyes. “Go on inside, there’s a surprise for you,” I whisper into her ear. Her face brightens and she runs for the door.

“Where’s Andrew?” Jessica snaps at me.

“Inside. I’ll take her things,” I answer calmly.

“What I have to say doesn’t concern you so I’ll just go inside and find Andrew.”

I grab Jessica’s arm, “He’s asleep. Whatever you have to say, you can say to me, and I will let him know.”

Ripping her arm out of my hand, she scowls at me. “Just because you’ve weaseled your way into Andrew’s life doesn’t mean I have to put up with you. You need to back the fuck off or things will get very ugly, very fast.”

“What happened to you? We used to be best friends.”

“No, you were just a shy little nerd that clung to me like glue. I was never your friend and you were always jealous of me and what I had. I just let you hang with me because I felt sorry for you.”

I just shake my head at her because there is no point in arguing. “Be that as it may, while we don’t have to be friends any more, we will be civil for Emerson’s sake.” I step closer to her face and raise my voice to make my point. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“We’ll see about that.” She pulls Emerson’s bag out of the trunk and throws it to the ground, slams the trunk shut, and gets into her car.

“What was that all about?” Andrew whispers into my ear as he wraps his arms around me.

“Aww, just Jessica trying to act big and bad,” I answer.

“Are you okay?” he asks concerned.

“Yeah, she doesn’t bother me. Let’s go inside and start our sleep over.”

We walk inside to find Emerson already pigging out on popcorn.

“Are you hungry?” I laugh.

“Yeah, I didn’t eat dinner yet,” Emerson replies as she shoves another handful of popcorn into her mouth. I look wide eyed at Andrew thinking the same thing he is. “Why don’t I go cut up some apples and and cheese to go with the popcorn.”

Andrew starts the movie then follows me into the kitchen.

“Andrew, it’s after 8:00 and she hasn’t eaten dinner. Would it have killed her to stop for a burger on the way home?” I ask trying to hide me anger.

“Already on it,” Andrew said as he pulls out his phone. I finish cutting up some snacks for Emerson as Andrew goes onto the deck. I can hear him yelling at Jessica as I brought the tray into the living room.

“I haven’t seen this movie yet. Thank you for renting it for me,” Emerson says as she climbs onto the couch next to me. “I’m sorry my mommy yells at you all the time. She gets really grumpy sometimes. I try to sing a song in my head when she yells at me.”

I pick her onto my lap and hug her close. “Don’t worry about me baby girl, a little bit of yelling doesn’t bother me.”

“Wait. You’re going to Hershey Park tomorrow?” Ella asks as she packs up her book bag with her teacher’s manuals. We’re finally done rewriting the Math curriculum. We only have a few weeks left, and we still have to finish Reading yet. I haven’t even been into my room to start making copies or set up my room yet. September’s coming way too fast.

“Yes. I haven’t been there in years. I can’t wait.” Ten years to be exact.

“I’ve never been there,” Ella reveals.

“Are you kidding me?” I ask in surprise. “How is it possible that you live an hour away from the chocolate mecca of the world and you’ve never been there? I am taking away your chocoholic membership,” I declare.

“I’ve been to concerts in Hershey, just never to the actual park. What’s so special about it?” Ella asks as she walks over to the kitchen to make popcorn. Curriculum writing days always end with us vegging out in front of a movie marathon, because our brains are usually too fried to do anything else.

“What’s special about Hershey Park? Well, first there’s Chocolate World which is a ride that simulates the Hershey factory with a free sample of chocolate at the end. Then there is huge store with every Hershey product you can imagine including a ten pound Hershey bar.” I’m getting excited just explaining it to her. “You can make your own candy bar, wrap kisses, a bake shoppe, chocolate tasting, and that’s all just in Chocolate World.”

“Okay, I get it. How do you know all that?” Ella wonders.

“Let’s just say I’ve been there a few times.” We walk into the living room with a tray full of junk food and drinks. “Hey, you should come with us tomorrow.”

“That’s okay. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“Come. Emerson and Jake are coming too so we’ll be a person short for most of the rides anyway.”

“Okay. What do I wear to an amusement park?” She jokes. I laugh and throw popcorn at her head.

“We are leaving early, so we can ride some of the big coasters before it gets too crowded . You won’t have time to go home anyway. You can wear something of mine,” I suggest.

Ella:
She bought it. Everything’s set.

Andrew:
She did? Perfect. I’ll be there a little late because I still have to get a few things from the store.

Ella:
You need anything else from me?

Andrew:
Not tonight. Thanks!

“Everything’s set on Ella’s end.” I tell Jake as I finish packing the last of the things I’d need for tomorrow in the bags.

“How did she get Bailey to invite her?”

“Well, Bailey is trying to play match maker between you and Ella, so she just told her you were going to be there.” I answer waiting to see his reaction to Ella’s name.

“That’s all it took? Hmm.” Nothing. He gives me nothing. I think Bailey’s crazy if she thinks something’s going on between these two.

Bailey:
It worked. Ella is going with us tomorrow. Did Jake say yes? Can you believe she has NEVER been to Hershey? That should be against the law.

“Is that Ella again?” Jake asks.

“No, Bailey telling me she invited Ella.”

Andrew:
No. He can’t make it. We’ll have to get them together at another time. It’ll be easier for rides if we have an even number anyway.

Bailey:
Oh man. She’s so excited to see Jake. I’ll see you in the morning. I can’t wait! TTFN

“Do you think she has any idea what’s going to happen tomorrow?” Jake asks as he pops open a beer for both of us.

“I can’t imagine how she could. I pulled this all off in three days, and I haven’t seen her since I made up my mind to do it.”

“You do realize you are setting the bar very high for the rest of us men. The woman I end up falling in love with is going to hear this story from Bailey and want something bigger,” he groans. “This is going to be hard to top. Are you sure you want to pull out all the stops on a proposal? You have a long life ahead of you.”

“Yes, and I will spend every day of my life trying to top this to make her happy.”

Ella:
She is wound for sound this morning.

Andrew:
What’s wrong?

Ella:
Nothing. She’s just like a kid who’s waiting to go to Disney. It’s quite humorous.

Andrew:
Jesus, don’t scare me like that. I thought something was wrong. We’re on our way.

Ella:
Thank God. She is standing at the window watching for you. I got yelled at three times already because I don’t have my shoes on yet.

“Ella, would you put your sneakers on? Andrew is going to be here any minute. And who have you been texting? You’re not going to have that thing out all day are you?

“Geez Mom, lighten up.” Ella says as she puts her sneakers on. “And for your information, I am texting my new boy toy. I’ve had to find something to keep me busy all summer since my best friend ditched me.”

My shoulders sag. I have been a really horrible friend. Even when I was married I spent more time with Ella over the summer.

“Oh no. Don’t go all sullen teenager on me.” Ella walks over to me and puts her hands on my shoulders. “I’m completely joking. I think Andrew is great, and I’m very happy that you two are so happy together.” In the middle of our hug, I hear Andrew’s truck in the driveway. I jump back from Ella and yell, “He’s here! Let’s go.” I grab my bag and head for the door. When I look back, Ella is still in the same place shaking her head at me.

“Bailey, I’m so excited!” Emerson yells as she runs up and jumps in my arms.

“Me too baby girl, me too,” I agree.

“Is everyone ready to go?” Andrew asks as I buckle Emerson back into her car seat.

“She’s been ready since the crack of dawn.” Ella scoffs as she gets in the car next to Emerson.

“Listen,” I turn around to scold her. “If you are going to be a party pooper this whole day, then you get no chocolate.” I turn back around, buckle, and announce. “Let’s go have a chocolaty fun-filled day!”

“Before we go, I have a present for you,” Andrew says when he hands me a manila envelope.