Page 45 of A Recipe Called Home

“Well, we are just grateful to have you here. We hope you don’t go back to that big city full of blustering politicians anytime soon. Although, then maybe we’d see more of your grandma around here!” cooed Bette as she sloshed her wine around in the glass.

Just as Jules started to have a good time, her heart sank. She was mortified to think about the possibility of her grandmother living at The Landing if she went back to D.C. While these ladies seemed nice and lovely enough, she knew her grandma wouldn’t want to live here. But what alternative would she have? Rosa couldn’t take care of herselfandthe house anymore; it just wasn’t feasible. The reality of it stung. While theWashington Postwas a dream, her grandma was a priority.

Chapter 16

“They’reanimals,straightupsavage beasts,” Jules murmured to Winnie, watching in horror as about twenty high school kids descend upon the meal Jules brought to the school for their big night.

“At least they are using forks this time,” Winnie responded, turning her back to the outrageous scene. Jules didn’t want to know what that was in reference to, but she was glad they were enjoying the lasagna and bread she’d made.

“Thanks for bringing dinner. For some of them, it’s the only home-cooked meal they’ve had all week.”

To Jules’ surprise, Winnie had been exceedingly calm since she’d arrived about an hour ago.Our Townwas premiering tonight for one show only. The cast had turned things around since their first dress rehearsal. Winnie looked relaxed. She even seemed to enjoy the crazed energy buzzing through everyone backstage.

“I’m so proud of you, Win.” Jules put her arm around Winnie’s shoulders as they walked back to the dressing rooms.

“Don’t jinx it! We still have to get through the show,” she joked, but there was no hint of truth to it. Winnie was excited, and it was rubbing off on Jules, too. Jules had never been a big theater fan, but she couldn’t wait to watch the kids do their thing, especially after all the hard work they’d put into it.

They poked their heads into the dressing room, making sure things were in place and people were getting ready, but a mini drama of its own was unfolding near the mirrored makeup stations. Several high school girls crowded around another who sobbed into her hands.

Winnie looked at Jules with wide eyes and a contrite smile before whispering, “Her boyfriend was caught with a cheerleader after the junior varsity game last night. I better go try to calm her down.”

“Good luck,” Jules said as she headed out of the dark hallway towards the classroom where the students were still eating.

On her way, she almost collided with Emily, startling them both. Jules was glad to see a familiar face, although she had been half looking for Miles.Where was he?Jules understood he needed space, but they couldn’t avoid each other forever. A dull ache constricted in her chest hard to ignore.

“Ahh, you’re here. Good,” Emily said. “How’s Winnie? Has she leveled out yet?”

“She seems to be just fine now, excited. Was she still anxious earlier?”

“A bit, but we received good news from the doctor earlier today, so I think that might have eased some of it,” Emily shared, causing Jules to break into a big smile.

“I’m so happy to hear that, Emily. I know you two are going to be the best parents." It was true, Jules knew their baby would be so loved and cared for.

“And you’ll be the best aunt ever,” Emily added, filling Jules with an emotion she’d never experienced before. Warmth spread through her as she imagined herself holding their tiny sleeping baby swaddled in a blanket. She felt such an intense love for this child already; how could she go back to D.C. and miss everything? Winnie was the closest thing she had to a sister, so the thought alone was like another nail in the coffin of her writing dream.

After a few minutes, the lights flickered, signaling that it was time for the audience to take their seats; the show was about to begin. Jules had lost Emily in the shuffle to get to the theater, so she made her way down the center aisle alone to find a seat in the middle among the students and parents.

A few rows in front of her to the right, she spotted the back of a familiar head of wavy brown hair. It was Miles. Her heart skipped a beat at the recognition, but it quickly slowed when she noticed a woman sitting next to him. Jules didn’t recognize her. The woman looked young, but not young enough to be a student.

Her auburn hair skimmed Miles’ shoulder in a familiar way as they continued their animated conversation, punctuated with laughter and hand gestures. She couldn’t make out any facial features with the angle and lighting, but it looked like they were enjoying each other’s company.

Maybe she was a colleague? Another teacher?It doesn’t matter, she told herself. Miles was an adult; surely, he had other female friends and acquaintances. But Jules couldn’t stop wondering if the woman was his date. Her heart sank at the thought, and she stood up to move seats. Unfortunately, just then, the lights dimmed, and the curtains rose on stage. She sat back down. It would be a long show.

At intermission, Jules hurried out one of the back doors, eager not to run into Miles and his…friend. Luckily, she found another seat far away from the couple for the latter half of the show.

On stage, the students were giving it their all. The set props also looked like they’d undergone a facelift since she’d last seen it, making the production seem more professional.

The entire audience sat raptured until the last scene. After the curtain rose, the cast received a standing ovation and Winnie beamed on stage alongside them, bowing. All her work had paid off. Jules couldn’t wait until tomorrow when they could celebrate together in Chicago.

As the audience made their way out of the theater and into the lobby where the cast members waited for their families, Jules looked around for Winnie and Emily. After an initial scan, she caught sight of them on a set of stairs holding court for a group of parents and students who shared their congratulations.

Her friends looked right at home, glowing with pride and love for each other. Jules watched as Emily wrapped her arm around Winnie’s waist, who placed a hand on Emily’s belly. Their eyes said it all: they were in love and building a life together.

While she continued to admire them and the community of support that had turned out, underneath a seed of guilt began to take root, threatening to suck the life out of the joy she felt in that moment. Jules could feel the darkness and jealousy creeping into her conscious thought: Would she ever find a relationship like this? Did she deserve someone who loved her the way Emily loved Winnie? Why did she continue to sabotage herself every chance she got?

For just a moment, Jules let herself indulge before snapping out of it. This wasn’t her night, it was Winnie’s. And goddammit, she wasn’t going to make this about herself.

Jules lifted her hand to give them a quick wave before turning around to head towards the door. It’d take forever to make her way up there through the crowd, plus she’d see Winnie tomorrow.

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