Page 53 of Overachiever
“Yeah, but that’s only a couple of hours away. I can visit often, if you wanted that.”
“I do,” she says, squeezing my hand. “I’ve missed you. I want to hear all about your life and how things are going.” She glances at the clock. “But I have to finish up work and get Colby from my neighbor. Do you want to come over tomorrow morning?”
“I’ve missed you too. I can’t wait to meet Colby.”
We trade phone numbers, and she texts me her address before I leave her to get her work done. I could’ve stayed with Mom if I’d asked, but since she didn’t offer, and I’d rather not anyway, I rent a room at a local chain motel. It’s nicer by far than where I stayed in Florida, but being in a motel room again reminds me of nights spent curled up in strong arms.
My heart feels wrung dry, and I gaze at my phone for a long moment. The urge to call and talk to Owen is overwhelming. It wouldn’t be fair. I cut things off. Hell, I left town when he was returning to avoid him.
Did I make a mistake? Can I have the best of both worlds, a career and love, if I was willing to try? Or am I only thinking that now because I miss him and want it to be true so badly? How do I know what’s the right thing to do?
It’s a fitful night of thin sleep with these questions churning in my mind, along with the anticipation of meeting my nephew.
I’m up early the next morning and by the time Rachel texts to invite me over, I’ve already had breakfast, and I’m browsing through a Superstore to find a gift for Colby. Rachel texts back to let me know he loves trucks, dinosaurs, and birds, making the decision much easier.
Rachel lives in a newly built apartment complex on the west side of town, not far from her job. It looks like a nice place. Clean, with a well kept playground in the center and a walking trail that winds around the property.
The door whips open a second after I knock, and I’m met with the toothy smile of a very excited four year old. “Are you my aunt? Mama said I got an aunt and she’s coming today. Not like the ants on the sidewalk, though. I squish them ants. But not my new aunt.”
Kneeling down where I can talk to him face to face, I do my best not to laugh. “I’m really glad you don’t want to squish me because I’ve been so excited to meet you.”
“Colby, you know better than to open that door!” Rachel scolds, entering the room.
“But it’s my new aunt!”
“Well, let your Aunt Remee get through the door,” she says, amused.
“Come in!” he calls, dancing around. The boy is a ball of energy.
We sit in her neat, cozy living room. Colby plants himself beside me. It’s hard to resist the urge to squish him in a hug, he’s so adorable. “What’s your favorite bird?”
That’s what’s so awesome about kids. The questions they ask to get to know someone are genius when compared to adults. Seriously, who cares what someone does for a living or where they were born when you could ask them their favorite bird?
“Hmm, I really like hummingbirds. They’re pretty and fun to watch. But falcons are cool too.”
“That’s okay, you don’t have to pick just one.” His little shoulders shrug. “I can’t.”
“Do you like parrots?” I ask, and he nods enthusiastically.
“Some of them can talk!”
“Well, I got this parrot that likes to talk back. Maybe you could take care of him.” I pull out the stuffed parrot I bought at Superstore. “It repeats everything you say. Even if you laugh.”
His eyes light up when I hand the bird to him, and he says, “Really?”
“Really?” the bird squawks.
“Oh shit!” Colby exclaims, and the bird promptly repeats it.
Rachel’s scolding voice falls on deaf ears as he falls off the couch laughing. The bird keeps copying his laugh which just keeps him going.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, covering my mouth, and unsuccessfully trying not to laugh.
Shaking her head, she bites back a smile. “That’s the new behavior we’re working on. Cursing.” She nudges him with her foot while he lies on the floor, holding the bird. “He knows better.”
“Sorry, Mama,” he says, and bursts into giggles again when the bird repeats it.
He’s distracted from it when I pull out the other gifts I have for him, a pack of little monster trucks and a bag of plastic dinosaurs. After he rushes off to his room to play with his new toys, Rachel and I get a chance to talk.
