Page 79 of Love Like This

“I can’t even imagine what you’re going to do without Hadley. Shewas the sunshine in your Cheerios.”

Spencer felt the corners of her mouth pull downward. “I asked herto go with me.”

“Get out. You did?”

“I think she actually considered it. If I had pushed, she mighthave agreed. She would do that for me.”

“So why didn’t you push, then?”

“Me and my stupid hangups have disappointed her several timesalready. What if we got there and I couldn’t get past them?”

“You’re afraid of your own damn demons, huh? Poor, damagedSpencer. Lots of people’s parents get divorced, you know.”

“I do, but this is bigger than that.” She paused, lemonade halfwayto her mouth. “I wouldn’t want that to be me and Hadley after I’ve begged her tocome to another country with me. I would hate myself for doing that to her if Iwasn’t sure.”

“How are you not sure?” Kendra practically yelled.

Spencer glanced around to see who had taken notice of theirconversation. “I’m sure I’m invested in Hadley, but what if something along theway were to change. Not just for me, but for her. It could happen, Ken.”

Kendra shook her head. “Once again, you discard the idea that itmightneverend, cuz you’re a bonehead who’s too stubborn for her own good. Maybe Hadley isbetter off without you.”

“Hey!” Spencer said.

“Only kidding and you know it. Hi there, Ms. Mary!” Kendra said,waving at their elderly across-the-street neighbor. “How’s that little dog ofyours getting on?”

While Kendra was occupied with Ms. Mary, Spencer proceeded insideto see if she could find something harder to spice up that lemonade. Her talkwith Kendra had inspired a knot in the pit of her stomach that she needed to dosomething about. Her mother kept the liquor on the top shelf of the walk-inpantry, and if she remembered correctly—

“Jesus in heaven!” she practically shouted. She dropped herlemonade and watched it run straight into the pantry and pool at the feet ofher parents, who’d been making out right in front of her eyes! They broke apartslowly when interrupted.

“Sweetheart, what have I told you about taking the Lord’s name invain?” her mother asked, smoothing her dress casually like they’d just walkedout of Trader Joe’s.

Spencer pointed from her mother to her father, who dabbed the lipstickfrom his mouth. “You two don’t look nearly guilty enough for what I just walkedin on.” She covered her eyes and then uncovered them, realizing that youcouldn’t shield your eyes from a sight that happened moments before. She heardthe sounds of mingling outside, and realized that her parents were in heresucking face during her party!Herparents! Herdivorcedparents who were better off divorced! She stepped inside and closed the pantrydoor behind her. “Is someone going to explain to me what’s happening?” Herheart hammered away and her brain was firmly in the overdrive category.

Her father gestured for her mother to go ahead.

“Your pop and I have been meaning to talk to you for a while now.We’ve found our way back to each other. It just took a little while to admitit.”

She glanced from one of them to the other. “As in, how long? Howlong have you been carrying on like this?” She gestured around them. “Inpantries?”

“Two years?” her father asked.

“Two and a half,” her mother said, more firmly.

Spencer shook her head in anger. Her world slid wildly off-kilteras she reexamined every dinner and family gathering they’d had in the past twoand a half years with new eyes. “Why wouldn’t you have said something to me?This is pretty important information to who I am as a person. It affects me.”

“We weren’t exactly sure what our status was,” her mother said,“and didn’t want to upset your world unnecessarily.”

“And this is better?” Spencer asked, exasperated.

“But we know our status now,” her father said, taking her mother’shand. “Facebook official. We’re in love.”

“Don’t put this on Facebook.” She looked to her mother as thewords registered. “In love?”

Her mother nodded and shrugged. “He’s a coot, but I love him.Can’t help it.”

Spencer scrubbed her face. “So, what? You’re moving back intogether?”

“Not until we’re married,” her mother said firmly, as if Spencerhad lost her damn mind. “Hooking up is one thing. Shacking up is another. Wehave the Lord to think about.”

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