Page 21 of The Risk of Falling

“That’s it!Winne the Pooh! It’s driven me nuts for years because I recognized it but could never put my finger on it,” Tyler announces.

“Same,” Jasper laughs. “Weird.”

Alberta smiles brightly now, “No, what is weird is that all of you grown men have been wondering what tune a little old lady has been humming for years and never once just came out and asked,” she says. We all laugh.

The bell over the door dings, signaling a new customer has walked into the shop.

“Who knew a fitting could be so fun,” Rosie’s voice breaks through the laughter. When I turn to greet her, I find she isn’t alone.

Kelsea is standing next to her, watching us all with a smile on her face while Abbey stands behind them, peering around their shoulders. Her eyes meet mine.

Drew kisses Rosie on the mouth briefly. “Babe, any time we’re in Alberta’s presence, we’re having fun.” They grin at one another.

Kelsea walks around Drew, bending over to give the older woman a hug. “Hi Mama Bertie, I hope my brothers are behaving themselves.” Alberta straightens up and looks pointedly at all of us. Sometimes she acts just like our grandmother.

“Oh, sweet girl, you know better than that. But your heathen brothers are no match for me. Don’t you worry,” Alberta teases back. “Remember, I changed all of their diapers, so I have leverage on them all.” This rouses another round of laughter from the group. This time Kelsea, Rosie, and Abbey join in.

Alberta’s attention focuses away from my pant leg and directly on Rosie. “Rosie, my girl, it’s nice to see you again,” Bertie says, a grandmotherly affection in her tone. “Who’s your friend hiding behind you and Kelsea there?”

With a wide grin, Rosie replies cheerfully, “Lovely to see you as always, Bertie.” Turning to Abbey, she continues, “This is my best friend, Abbey. Abbey, this Alberta. She is the Nallen’s grandmother’s best friend. She is family.”

Abbey steps forward, a smile on her face. “Hello, it’s so nice to meet you.”

“You too, my girl. Any friend of Rosie’s is automatically a friend of mine.” Bertie pulls at my pant leg. “Now, boy, stand up straight, or you’re going to have crooked pants.” She scolds me and quickly goes back to work. I laugh, “Yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t want crooked pants for the big day.”

Drew takes Rosie by the hand. “So, what brings you ladies by? I thought you had other wedding errands to run.”

Smiling, Rosie looks up at Drew. “We do, but I need to go over something really quick. Do you have a minute?” Drew nods, “Yep, I went first, and Jasper is the only one left.”

“Perfect because I need you to come out to my car for a sec,” she says. Drew turns to us, “Be right back.”

As soon as Rosie and Drew step out of the front door, Tyler addresses all of us. “Are we all on board for the bachelorette and bachelor parties?”

“Ty, quit calling them that. You know Rosie and Drew aren’t really wanting to do the traditional thing,” Kelsea insists.

“Shut it, Kels. I realize that, but we can still call it that,” Tyler tells her. “Abbey? Rosie is still on board, right?”

Abbey smiles, “Yes, even if she relentlessly continues to try and work her way out of it. I’ve explained over and over it will be just like any other night out.”

I can’t stop watching her. The way she looks at everyone but me. How she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear while biting her lip because she knows I’m watching her. It’s making her nervous and uneasy, but I can’t help myself. What I feel when I’m around her, and honestly even when I’m not around her, is something I know I don’t want to stop feeling. But I need to and I’m not certain how to do that.

I’ve been distant, some may say an ass at times, but it’s because I don’t know what to do. I feel vulnerable, and that isn’t something I’m comfortable with at all. I need control. Abbey is the opposite of control. She’s the chaos of my beating heart.

“Good, then we’ll all meet up after dinner tomorrow night at Motiv. I guess around ten o’clock?” Ty says. If there is one thing I can say about Tyler is that he may come across as sarcastic and annoying sometimes, but, in reality, he truly cares. He cares a lot and wants everyone to be happy and get along. It’s my favorite thing about him.

Just as the plans are finalized, Alberta pats me on the leg. “All done, my boy. Hop down.”

“Thanks, Bertie,” I tell her as I step off the pedestal just as Drew and Rosie walk back through the front door.

“Let’s go, girls,” Rosie beams.

“Bye, Bertie. Love you,” Kelsea kisses Bertie on the top of her head and turns for the door.

“Bye, baby girl. Be good,” Alberta replies, addressing Rosie and Abbey. “Have a nice day, girls. See you both soon.”

Rosie smiles, “You too, Bertie.”

Abbey waves, “Bye, Alberta. It was so nice to meet you.” Before turning for the door, Abbey glances in my direction and makes eye contact. I nod in her direction, and she returns the acknowledgment. My gaze stays glued to her back as she disappears through the door. When I finally snap out of it, I look around to find Jasper and Ty arguing in their typical bickering banter and Drew’s eyes penetrating me. He looks confused, and I can see he has a lot of questions. Luckily for me, Drew won’t ask now. He will wait until we’re alone, so this gives me plenty of time to figure out what I’m going to tell him.

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