Page 91 of Delayed Intention
Pulling into the lot twenty minutes ahead of schedule, I’ve arrived at the same time as my sisters. From an early age, Ellen drilled into us that unless we were ten minutes early, we were late. I guessthatlesson stuck. Roselyn, Tamar and Daniella are all talking in a huddle, coffee cups in hand and I join them. Felicia arrives five minutes later with Ellen and her own mother, Dena, whom I’ve not met. Best foot forward, I hold my breath when I shake her hand, hoping she can’t smell the wine still leeching from my pores. My father’s rental car pulls up next, and I walk over to help my dad and Georgette extract Nona from the back of the car.
Felicia and I planned the day so that we’d split into two groups. The groups were formed to meet Felicia’s specifications. But also, in part, to keep Ellen and me separated. I’ll be with the grandmothers and my sisters while the bride and her girlfriends will be with the Ellen and the MOB. This way, I will only have to see Ellen at lunch.
“Hi Dad. Thanks for driving the VIP’s.” I smile at the two ladies in question. Damn, even with my sunglasses, my smile hurts my face. Ugh. Never again with the wine. The persistent nausea just feels inevitable.Make better choices, Lily.
“Hi Lily.” Dad surprises me by giving me a big hug. “Are you doing better than last night?”
“I’m sober, as you can see, so that’s a start.”
He clasps my hands in between us with more emotion than I’m used to from him. “If you need to talk about anything Lily, I’m here. I know you have your grandmother now, but if you need your father…”
Emotion thickens my voice. “When would I stop needing my dad?”
I know I could say, where were you before and many other things to him, but what good would that do anyone now? Without hesitation, I make a choice that will, I hope, move me forward and further from the past and I throw my arms around his neck, and kiss his cheek.
“Thanks Dad.”
Before I’m overcome with feelings, I turn to Nona and Georgette.
“Let’s go check in.”
The three of us walked arm in arm into the spa and I found Molly, the manager who had helped me coordinate the day. We walk right past Ellen, who is looking icily at my father’s retreating rental car. Before she can send whatever glare she has in store for me, I turn away to count heads with Molly and help her divide the women present into the two groups.
As I go through the motions, I am doing my best to disassociate from my terrific hangover. This morning, I woke up retching and used several of my migraine antiemetics, as well as a couple of sports drinks I had on hand for the hikes I planned to do later in the week. I’m an improved version of myself, but I am in no way near the top of my game. I feel ill, vulnerable, and in desperate need of further hydration as well as a massage.
Having divided up into two groups, we separate for different activities. My group is going for manicures and pedicures first. My sisters make small talk with me while we pick colors. Tamar, of course, reminds us not to clash with our navy-blue color scheme. I pick navy blue and hope to avoid further conversation with anyone.
Seating myself in the most out of the way chair possible I wait quietly for my technician with my eyes closed. I have about four different medications on board to fight off the nausea and headache I woke up with. So far, I seem to be improving, so I continue hydrating with a sports drink clutched in my hands. Georgette makes her way over to me and takes the chair next to mine.
“Hi Georgette.”
“Hello Lily dear.” She smiles briefly, and I sense a lecture coming my way. Thankfully she doesn’t start one, however. Our technicians get to work, and everyone is chatting away while instrumental music featuring a flute softly plays through the speakers built into the ceiling. The lights are mercifully low, and the vibe is calming enough that I start to doze off. I wake up when Georgette and I move over to the table to transition to manicures.
“Did you enjoy the party last night?” I ask her.
“I enjoyed seeing everyone. I do miss the days when we all got together. I think Rose had a nice time as well. She’s very happy to be reconnection with your siblings.”
“Well, I for one am so grateful that Felicia and Eddie decided to do their wedding out here. It has…well. So many things have changed for me because of it.”
“Including reconnecting you and my son.”
“Yes. We could say that.”
We don’t say anything for a few minutes when she says, “That was quite an entrance you made last night.”
“Yeah. I was feeling nervous and… I had way too much to drink.” Warmth heats my face as embarrassment blooms on my cheeks.
“Mmm.” I feel her looking at the side of my head.
“Lily.”
“Yes, Georgette.”
“You know, my son is still very much in love with you.”
I finally glance at her and she smiles kindly.She must not know he and I were a failure. Damn, this is awkward. Do I tell her? Not my circus, not my monkeys.
“I don’t think so. We’re just friends. It’s complicated and… your son is a wonderful man. But things between us are not meant to be. I mean he told me he was having feelings but he had also told me he doesn’t really fall in love.”Read I turned him down and now he’ can smash my hotter, more successful cousin.
