It’s dinner and a show, watching Shawnee and Anthony hit it off. This never happens. Her last breakup a couple of years ago was savage, and she’s been on a man ban for a while.
He doesn’t schmooze or compliment her. He’s genuine and has her opening up. I’m a quarter of the way through the cake when she starts talking about the underground railroad and her father’s family. Not that she has to, he knows her dad’s biography.
I take the cake and another fork and walk into my bedroom. They don’t even notice me.
But Liz does. Her eyes widen. “Cake?”
“Shawnee and Anthony are twitterpated so I don’t think we have to share.” I hand her a fork and sit on the bed.
“Nice. He’s a hottie. He has an actual six pack,” she says casually, as if the fact bores her. “I saw it last summer when we went swimming. He’s great with kids too.” She takes a bite and we sit and watch a Christmas movie and eat cake as Shawnee falls in love.
Chapter 29
May 1
“I am in love,” Shawnee gushes into the phone as I finish off an email and send it.
“I’m so happy for you. Anthony is the nicest guy. And such a smokeshow.”
“And smart. He’s insanely smart. Like the eight years should bug me but honestly, he’s so grown up. He’s the one with his act together.” She sighs.
“I think he was born with his act together. He’s just one of those people.” I turn off the computer and get up to stretch my legs. It’s the end of the day and week. I walk into the kitchen to find Romeo sitting at the door again.
He gives me that sassy look and flicks his tail.
Shawnee groans into the phone. “We’re having dinner at his parents’ house. An outside social-distance dinner. I’m nervous as hell.”
“Why?” I laugh.
“Because I’m eight years older and Black—”
“Okay, whoa. We both agree that I don’t know what it’s like. Being a White person I don’t understand. So maybe I’m talking out of my ass here. But if Anthony loves you, which I suspect he loved you the moment his eyes met yours, why would he bring you to his parents’ house if there was a chance of an issue?”
“You guys don’t think about that. You don’t even know your family is racist until it’s happening.”
“That’s fair.” She has a point. “But don’t go in assuming. His dad’s family are immigrants. His mom’s family are hardcore Nova Scotians. I think his mom’s dad even has a lobster boat. So they mixed their family up with two unique nationalities. He is half Italian and half lobster fisherman. It could go either way.”
“You’re right,” she relents.
“Anyway, I know you don’t like when it has to be done, but Anthony will stick up for you. And your relationship. But don’t assume they don’t like you because you tan better than they do. It could very well be the age gap,” I tease. “Cougar hunted their baby boy.”
“I’m not taking advice from someone who last had sex with Rod Dallin almost a year ago.”
“It was a hundred and ninety-two days ago. Not three sixty.”
We burst out laughing.
“That is sad.”
“The saddest. I saw a joke about running in my flip-flops so I could remember what it sounded like to have someone spank my ass and I almost cried.” I open a bottle of wine and pour a heavy glass. “But no sex is better than Rod sex.”
“Amen.”
“But back to the important stuff. Give his family a chance. They raised him and he’s amazing. And sexy.”
“I will.” She smiles. I hear it in her voice. “And if he has a hot brother, I’ll bring him home for you.”
“Deal. Text me when it’s done.”
“I will. Bye.”
The call ends and I take a large drink of wine.
Romeo is scratching at the door again.
“You little nut, there is nothing out there.” I walk over and open the door again so he can see. There is nothing but an empty hallway. Immediately, he runs across the hall and rubs against the door.
He doesn’t have a chance to scratch this time.
The door opens and Samuel Christianson, the Samuel Christianson, is there. He pauses when our eyes meet, tilts his head and points. “Are you really here?” It’s the strangest greeting I’ve ever received.
“I don’t know,” I answer back, clinging to my wine glass as my hands tremble. “Are you? Wait—you’re the doctor?” The story is impossible. He can’t be sterile. “But you live in Ontario.”
But he doesn’t hear me panic talking. He’s doing the same thing. “You’re James’ sister-in-law. His Liz is your sister Liz. Oh God, how did I not know that?” he asks.
Romeo is rubbing against his legs and purring up a storm.
But Sam and I are stuck, staring at each other.
My heart is ripping to tiny pieces in my chest with the realization he is sterile. My mouth is dry and pasty.
“You can’t be the—” I pause, unable to say it.
But again, he doesn’t notice me internally freaking out. “How are you?” he asks and I die inside.
“Good,” I mutter and lift my wine, taking a massive gulp.
“And who is this?” He bends down to rub Romeo’s neck.
Déjà vu hits me hard. I swear we have lived this moment before.
“Romeo,” I whisper.
“Hello, Romeo.” He lifts my cat into his arms and cradles him. “He is so friendly.”
“Yeah.” I take another drink of wine. My brain is doing laps and I realize what’s happened. His father lied to me.
That realization cuts into me.
I fell for those lies and ruined my life. And Sam’s. And now here I am. Single. Too old to even be a spinster. And drinking wine alone at four thirty pm in my workday jammies.
“How weird is this?” Sam asks, his eyes finally meeting mine again. “I mean, I’ve often wondered what you were doing,” he confesses. “But I never imagined you would end up as my neighbor.”
I too can’t believe this is happening. So much so that my words are gone. I can’t speak. My heartbeat is so rapid that I feel my pulse in my neck.
“How have you been?” I force the question and it’s awkward because my response is late.
“Good.” He fakes a smile. No dimple. “Do you like the apartment?”
“I do,” I answer breathily. “It’s quiet.”
“So you’re the one who saved my TV?” A smile spreads across his face. “Of course it was you. That makes so much sense. So clever. Thank you.”
I hold up the glass of wine as it’s one of the bottles he gave me. “Thank you.”
“Is it the Meiomi pinot noir?” he asks.
“It is. I just opened it. Do you want a glass? Or is it not safe? Liz is in there on bed rest. She’s pregnant.”
“Of course she is. I ran into James at the hospital. How have I never put this together. James is always talking about his wife, Liz. I never imagined it was your Liz. And he’s never said his sister-in-law’s name when we discuss you. He’s very professional.” He swallows hard and wonder what he knows.