Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) (30 page)

“How much was his bill? Let me see
that—Char—his bill was only $8.94.”

“So, he’s generous. Maybe he felt bad for me
since he knows I’m a single mom.”

“Are you going to tell CeCe?”

“Yes, of course I am. She can hang out with
us. It would actually be nice to get out of the house with someone
other than my brother or my parents.”

“I was just asking. You don’t need my
permission to go out with him. You deserve some fun—just not too
much fun.”

“Thank you. I do deserve some fun. There
will be none of the kind of fun you just mentioned though—you
naughty lady.” I said, taking the check back before I slapped her
with my wet dish towel as I passed her.

“Good for you.”

I finished the rest of my shift thinking
about Eric; telling myself it was only for friendship. Thanksgiving
was coming up in a week and a half. I’m sure CeCe would love the
chance to hang out with him. She had been stressing out over
courses again this semester. Over the phone, I reassured her that
she was almost done for the semester and that soon we would be
hanging out and she could forget all the pressures from school and
her parents to perform well.

It was about three days after meeting Eric
at the diner that I called him to set up the play date. I waited to
tell CeCe; I didn’t want her to stress out anymore nor did I want
her to get upset with me for hanging out with him without her. I
brought Lucy to his sister’s home. Eric made spaghetti and homemade
meatballs with garlic bread, one of my favorite but very messy
meals. Their home was very neat and looked like an ad for Pottery
Barn. I met his sister and brother-in-law, briefly, before they
left for dinner. It had been awhile since I’d seen her but she
still looked the same. They were a very nice family and Aiden and
Lucy seemed to hit it off well. Dinner was delicious and Eric was a
good host. After we finished off some of the lemon bars his sister
made for dessert, we stepped out their backyard to let the kids run
and play while we sat in their wooden Adirondack chairs and talked.
It was a warm evening for late November and a pretty pink-orange
hue stretched across the western skies.

We shared about our aspirations for the
future. I tried not to be over excited about my writing but
couldn’t help it. I hadn’t talked to anyone, other than my family,
about the details of the book and Eric was kind enough to seem
interested. I explained how the writing had helped to bring me hope
when my dreams were doubtful. Even CeCe didn’t know as much about
my book as I shared with Eric because she had been so busy
unloading on me about school. I didn’t feel it was right to cut her
off to tell her how excited I was about my book. Eric told me that
he loved music and had learned to play the piano when he was six.
Since coming home from school, he’d begun writing music and playing
the piano in the evenings. He still dreamed of teaching music, even
though he knew he would take over his dad’s insurance agency,
someday. He had finished all of his prerequisites to start the
music program at Calvin College when his dad got sick. After he
opened up about his dad, I felt an easiness to tell Eric about
Lucy’s dad and how we met; just once. I shared that although
Skylar’s abandonment hurt me deeply—Lucy was the best thing that
had ever happened to me and I admitted to still thinking about him
to Eric.

“How could you not think about him? He was
someone very special to you—even if it was only one night.”

“Yeah, I thought he was my future. At least
a part of him still is.”

“Do you think you’ll ever see him again?”
Eric asked raising his glass to his lips.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure I’d know what to
do if I did. I’d probably want to slug him or kiss him—one of the
two—or both.”

“Hmm.” Eric smiled.

“What? Do you have anyone special?”

“No, not really.”

“Not really? I think I’m going to need you
to elaborate some more.” I looked at him grinning as I took another
sip of my lemonade.

“Well, once, there was a girl. But nothing
ever came of it.” He said looking over at Aiden and Lucy in the
sandbox.

“Hmm.” I smiled.

“What?” He smiled back.

“I was just thinking about the first day I
saw you. It was fifth grade. I was in the hallway with CeCe. It’s
kind of a funny story but I’m not sure you want to hear it.”

“I like stories.” Eric looked back at me
with his deep brown eyes.

“Well, since you like stories. We were
fighting over the locker mirror because I wasn’t allowed to wear
make-up yet. My dad is a little old fashioned, so I kind of had to
put it on at school so he didn’t know.”

“You rebel you. I always thought you were
the good one.” Eric joked.

“I am…was…still am.”

“The rebel or the good one?” He asked with a
bit of amusement in his voice.

“The good one.”

“So you were being sneaky…” Eric continued
my story.

“Sort of but then I saw a new face behind me
from the mirror’s reflection and it made me forget about my
make-up.”

“And this new face?” Eric looked
intrigued.

“Yes, I kind of had an instant crush on
you—when I saw you. But after I pointed you out to CeCe she decided
she had a crush on you too.”

“You had a crush on me?” He looked
surprised.

“Well, a little bit.”

“Just a little?”

“Uh hmm.” I smiled. “We were hoping that you
were going to be in our class.”

“Ahhh—how come I never knew you had a crush
on me?”

“That’s coming. Hold on. You see once we got
to the classroom and realized you were, in fact, in our classroom.
There was some…some…” I looked for the right word, taking my
time.

“Some?” Eric hung on to each of my
words.

“There was some—contention—actually, a bit
of a dilemma.”

“What sort of dilemma do you speak of?” Eric
eased up into another smile.

“I’m getting to it. You do like stories
don’t you!” I smiled sipping my lemonade.

“It’s getting late and my mother always told
me stories at bedtime.” He raised his eyebrows nodding.

“I’m not sure how to take that.”

“I love my mother and she always had the
best stories?” He said. “I’m listening.”

“Okay. Well we were sitting in the classroom
both eagerly waiting for Mrs. Newwater to pick a volunteer to show
you around. We already knew that she was going to do that.”

“And.” Eric sat up in his chair, looking at
me with a reserved smile in his eyes.

“And then it happened.”

“Yes?” He leaned in.

“The moment came and we raised our hands. I,
quite unexpectedly, had my hair pulled which hurt and made me lower
my hand quickly.”

“Oh the violence of fifth grade!” Eric
looked serious.

“I know. I don’t know if I ever really
recovered from it.”

“Catfights, they’re terrible.” Eric nodded
his head.

“So, after my hair was pulled, just about
out of my head, I heard CeCe whispering something to me.”

“Sweet nothings?” Eric sat on the edge of
his seat.

“No, not really; it was CeCe pleading to
show you around.”

“Really?”

“She was afraid that Mrs. Newwater would
have picked me over her to show you around.”

“Was she right?”

“Yep.”

“So, why did you relent?”

“She’s my best friend. There was something
about you written all over her face that told me to let you
go.”

“That’s true friendship.” He said, looking
down at his feet.

“She promised me that if I let her have
you…”

“Have me? Like for dinner?” Eric looked back
up.

“That she would let me have the next good
guy that came our way.” I looked over at him.

“And now, does she still feel that way about
me?” He asked earnestly.

“I can’t really speak for her.” I paused not
sure I wanted to tell him that she was completely enthralled with
him at mass and then, again, at the diner last Christmas. He was
such a good guy and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was my
second chance for a good guy.

“And what about you? Do you ever wonder what
would have happened if you didn’t lower your hand?” He said leaning
in towards me with his deep brown eyes only a few inches from
mine.

“Uh.” I could barely let anything else out
thinking about him and my best friend, conflicted with my loyalty
to her and to my happiness. As I leaned closer to Eric, Skylar’s
face popped into my head. It was the same tender face that looked
at me before he kissed me for the first time.

“I see the kids are having a great time.” A
female voice rang out from behind us.

“Mommy!” Aiden squealed as he ran past us to
Elizabeth, Eric’s sister.

“Yeah, they’ve been playing so nicely. Aiden
is so sweet to Lucy.” I smiled recovering from an almost something
with Eric.

“How were my lemon bars?” She asked picking
up Aiden.

“Come here Lucy.” I said standing up. “Come
to mommy.”

“They were great but I think my spaghetti
was the hit of the night.” Eric laughed, getting up from his
chair.

“Did he tell you that he actually taught me
how to cook?” Elizabeth asked laughing at Eric’s comment.

“Why no he didn’t. You have all kinds of
talent.” I turned and smiled at Eric as I picked up Lucy.

“I was too busy with sports, growing up, and
never had enough time at home. Eric, here, was always mom’s little
helper. When I married Matthew I didn’t know how to cook to save my
marriage. Eric coached me through lasagna, chicken parmesan, and
meatloaf over the phone, from college.”

“Okay, that’s enough bragging.” Eric said
kissing Aiden on the cheek.

“Mommy’s little helper, huh?” I couldn’t
help but cheese as I saw Eric’s face turn two shades pinker.

“Yep, still am. I’m their favorite.” Eric
looked at his sister.

“Thanks guys for watching Aiden tonight.”
Matthew said taking Aiden from Elizabeth.

“It was my pleasure. Lucy and I had great
company.”

“So, Eric tells me you’re a writer?”
Elizabeth continued as we all walked back into the house.

“Well, I don’t know if I could call myself a
writer yet—maybe an aspiring writer.” I said caught off guard that
Eric had talked about me to someone else.

“Very talented.” Eric nodded.

“Thanks.” I looked at Eric.

“You’ll have to let us know when your first
book comes out.” Elizabeth urged.

“I will; thank you.”

“I’m going to make some coffee; does anyone
want some?” Elizabeth turned towards all of us.

“I’ll take some dear—it sounds good with
some of your lemon bars.” Matthew said kissing Elizabeth’s cheek as
he passed her.

“Do you two want some coffee too?” She
inquired.

“Oh, I’d love some but I think Lucy and I
need to get going. I didn’t realize it had gotten late. I need to
get her in bed soon.”

“Well, maybe next time then.” Elizabeth
smiled opening her arms to hug me.

“That would be nice.” I said hugging her
back briefly.

“Sorry, we’re all huggers in this family.”
Eric said shyly.

“That’s Okay. We are too in mine.”

“Sis, I’ll be back. I’m going to walk Char
and Lucy to their car.”

“Okay, we’ll be here.”

“Good night Char, it was nice to meet you.”
Matthew called to us on our way out.

“It was a pleasure meeting you all.” I said
holding up Lucy’s hand to wave goodbye to Matthew and Aiden.

“Say bye-bye Lucy.”

“Bye-bye.” Lucy said softly.

“Awe, good job baby.”

“I had a good time tonight.” Eric said as he
opened the front door.

“Me too, I think Lucy has a little crush on
somebody.”

“Really, you don’t think I’m a bit too old
for her.” Eric said with a straight face.

“Aiden.” I laughed, shooting some snot out
of my nose.

“Oh that’s who I was talking about.” Eric
shook his head.

“You’re funny.”

“I must be. Was that snot shooting from your
nose?”

“Oh you saw that? Sorry, I was hoping you
missed it.”

“It’s Okay. I’ve changed Aiden’s diapers. It
doesn’t get any scarier than that.” Eric leaned against my car.

“What a good uncle.”

“Uncle of the year, actually.” Eric nodded
his head.

“I had a lot of fun tonight. Thank you for
inviting us out.” I said, fastening Lucy’s car seat belt.

“I had a very nice time too; thank you for
trusting me.” He leaned close to me.

“You’re welcome.” I said, finding myself
face-to-face to him again.

“So, do you want to try this again
sometime?” Eric asked.

“I do. I…” couldn’t finish my sentence.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes.” I paused. “Earlier I think you were
going to kiss me.” I said shyly.

Eric smiled. “You did—how would’ve you felt
if I had?”

“I think I would have liked it?”

Eric moved in and pressed his lips to
mine.

“But I don’t know if it’s right.” I pulled
back and bit my lip as I looked into his gentle eyes.

“Did I do something wrong?” Eric looked
confused.

“No, not really…unfortunately. My best
friend has always liked you and I don’t think I can betray her.

“This is about CeCe?” He asked
concerned.

“Yeah. You’re a great guy—the kind I need. I
like you but I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Oh.” He leaned back and against my car.
“Well then, what are your thoughts on being ‘just friends’?”

“You want to be my friend still?”

“Of course I do. You’re a great person—fun,
smart, pretty and you’re a great mom.” Eric smiled.

“Are you joking with me? Some guys just say
they want to be friends and then try to sneak a move on you when
you’re not expecting it.”

“I promise. I’m not that kind of guy. But I
need a friend, I guess, more than I need a girlfriend right now.”
He said sincerely.