Page 37 of Keep My Heart
‘Is Nick seeing anyone?’ my mom asks.
‘I don’t think so.’
‘I’m surprised. He’s quite a catch, being a lawyer and all. And last time I saw him, he was quite handsome. He’s certainly changed a lot since he was a boy, although I always thought the Kanfield boys were handsome. It’s just that Nick was so skinny back in high school. Tall and skinny like a bean pole,’ she says with a laugh.
My phone dings with a text from Diane.You left your suitcase here. Should I bring it over?
I’ll come get it,I text back.Be there in a few.
‘Was that Nick?’ my mom asks.
‘No, Diane. I was in such a hurry to leave last night that I forgot my suitcase. I’m going to go over there and pick it up.’ I get up from the table and take my coffee mug to the sink.
‘You’re not going to keep running off like this, are you?’ my mom asks. ‘I want some time with you while you’re here.’
‘I’mjust going to breakfast and then I’m all yours. See you later!’ I grab the spare car keys from the drawer and my purse from the counter and head to the garage.
My mom’s car is a really old blue sedan with matching blue vinyl seats. I’m surprised it still runs. I keep telling her to get a new car, but she’s set in her ways and finds comfort in the familiar. In some ways, I’m the same. I married Chris because he was familiar, and stayed with him because I’d grown comfortable in our routine. Even if I wasn’t happy, it was safer to stay than leave for the unknown.
‘Come on in,’ Diane says when I get to her house.
‘I can’t stay long. I’m meeting someone for breakfast at nine.’
‘Who are you meeting?’ she asks, stepping aside to let me in.
I stop just inside the door and whisper, ‘Nick.’
‘Nick Kanfield?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why are you whispering?’
‘I don’t know,’ I say, raising my voice to its normal level. ‘I guess because it seems kind of wrong.’
‘Why is having breakfast with Nick wrong?’
‘Because I just got divorced.’
‘Oh, please,’ she says, waving me off. ‘Your marriage was over years ago.’
‘Okay, but still, it’s Nick.’
‘Yeah? So?’ She motions me to follow her to the kitchen. ‘Hold that thought. We’ll grab some coffee and go out back.’
‘Hey, Tom,’ I say, seeing him at the kitchen counter, pouring a bowl of cereal.
‘Hey, Lyndsay.’ He gives me his big goofy grin and comes over to give me a hug. ‘How’ve you been?’
‘I’ve been better.’
He frowns. ‘Sorry. That was a really dumb thing to say. I’m still waking up.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ I say as I watch Diane pour coffee in two bright yellow mugs.
‘Honey, could you make the kids breakfast?’ Diane says, going past Tom to me. She hands me a mug. ‘We’re going to go out back and have some girl talk.’
‘Sure.’ He laughs. ‘As long as this girl talk doesn’t involve me.’
