Chloe nodded, appearing to understand even though Sara hadn’t a clue as to how. Surely she never lacked for men in her life . . . did she? “I get it. After Brian and I broke up, it was at least a year before I went out with another guy.” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the floor as she murmured, “I was completely blindsided when I found out he was cheating on me. Never saw it coming. I was so depressed that I almost lost my job over the bastard. After I used up all my vacation and sick days, they were running out of patience. If not for a few good friends showering me with some tough love, I’m not sure how bad things would have gotten before I hit rock bottom.” She glanced across the room at her mother and cringed. “I wasn’t far from having to move back home with the parents.”
Sara had never been one to take pleasure in another’s misfortune, but she couldn’t help being riveted by Chloe’s story. If she can’t hold on to a man, what hope do the rest of us mere mortals have? She touched her cousin’s hand as she said, “I’m so sorry. You should have . . .” Should have what? Would you have taken or returned her call? Not likely. Even though she didn’t give voice to the last part, they both knew exactly what she was thinking. They were at that awkward level—friends who’d drifted apart and yet fell into old habits when they saw each other unexpectedly. “How’d we get to this point?” she blurted.
“Shit happens,” Chloe said matter-of-factly. “But let’s not let it continue. You and I are going to dinner next weekend and don’t even think of blowing me off. Tell Nicole to get off her ass and watch her own kid for an evening. Heck, if Kaylee went missing, she wouldn’t be able to describe her own daughter to the police. You’d have to do it.”
Even though Sara secretly agreed with what she’d said, she still halfheartedly attempted to defend her mostly absent sister-in-law. “Well, I am the nanny. Pretty sure child care is considered the main part of my job.”
Chloe gave her a skeptical look. “So they pay you enough to be on duty round the clock? She works like an hour a day doing the weather for Channel 7. How taxing can that possibly be? And what about Chris? He’s been out of the military for several years now.”
“He started his own business with a couple of his Air Force friends. He spends a lot of time building his customer base.” At least that’s what he says when I want a day off. “He does work from home some, but you know how distracting kids can be. Plus—Kaylee gets upset when I’m not there.”
“Of course she does, Sara. You’re pretty much the only mother she has. And I know you must be equally attached to her. But she’ll grow up and make a life of her own. And you’ll realize that a big chunk of yours has passed you by.”
“Gee, thanks,” Sara muttered around the huge lump in her throat. Way to sugarcoat it. Does anyone have a bridge I call throw myself off of?
“That was a bit . . . blunt,” she said sheepishly. “I’m used to working around a lot of men who don’t have a sensitive bone in their bodies. I could have worded that better, sorry.”
Sara forced a smile, hearing the note of regret in Chloe’s voice. It had been hard to hear, but she did have a point. Kaylee was already growing up so fast, and when she no longer required constant supervision, what then? Nicole will make me the full-time maid. Wait, I’m not far from that now. “It’s fine. Can’t be in this family without growing some thick skin.” She didn’t think Chloe was buying into her tough girl act for a minute, but thankfully she let it go.
When Aunt Ivy ushered Chloe away to speak with more relatives, Sara took the opportunity to gather her things and leave. Thankfully her mom was fully enjoying the time with her sisters, and didn’t seem to mind when she waved good-bye. Still, she didn’t allow herself to relax until she reached the safety of her car.
Even though she wanted a moment to process the hellish reunion ordeal, she didn’t dare risk being spotted and marched back inside the building. Her aunts would probably brand her with their version of the scarlet letter. In her case, it would be an S instead of an A. Heck, being an adulterer would likely have elevated her status in their eyes. Better a ho than a spinster. I need to get laid immediately. But short of making out with some guy at the family Christmas party or posting X-rated pictures on Facebook, there wasn’t actually a way to prove that she had gotten lucky. So much for that.
Normally she didn’t give it a thought, but today she wasn’t ready to go home. And since Chris had used Kaylee’s cold as an excuse to avoid the reunion, then screw it. Let him and Nicole play parents for a while. It was certainly a role they weren’t used to. Their contributions to Kaylee’s life were pretty much limited to providing the sperm and giving birth. Oh, she knew they loved their daughter, but they were both career obsessed, which left little time for a demanding five-year-old. When they had friends over, they’d parade her in front of them, pat her head, and hand her off to Sara. Which didn’t bother her at all; she loved the little girl as if she were her own—only she wasn’t. And lately, she’d begun to wonder if being so close to her niece was a good thing. Kaylee seemed to view her life as some sort of reality television show, in which Chris and Nicole were the supporting cast. The ones you shared a few laughs with from time to time, but didn’t miss when they weren’t around. But was that good for Kaylee? To want to spend more time with her aunt, playing games, doing crafts, baking, going to the park, dancing . . . Surely long term, she’d rather be doing these things with her own mom.
She spotted Dunkin’ Donuts ahead and pulled into the parking lot. An iced coffee always made everything better. It’s coffee in a plastic cup, not a magic lamp. Even the voice in her head seemed to be unusually bitchy today. Sara was debating whether to go through the drive-thru or inside, when the DJ on the local radio station said something that got her attention. “Send a card to our deployed troops. Receiving mail from home is a huge morale booster to the men and women overseas. Please take a moment today, and visit our website for all the information. It’s a small price to pay for all that they do for us.” Chris had served two tours in the Air Force, so Sara knew well the sacrifices that were made. Sending a card was the very least she could do.
She sat at a corner table with her donut and iced coffee. Pulling her iPad from her purse, she browsed through her Facebook News Feed, but none of it interested her. Then she remembered the commercial she’d heard and quickly brought up the radio station’s website. A few more clicks and she had the information she needed. She knew if she didn’t do it now, she likely wouldn’t. So she quickly gathered her things, and tossed the remainder of her coffee and donut in the trash. There was a Walgreens at the end of the block, so she walked the short distance and found herself in front of the Easter cards. Not knowing anything at all about the soldier who would receive it, she opted for a generic greeting that would be appropriate for anyone. On a whim, she also bought some stationery to include a letter with the card.