Page 51 of Imperfections Forbidden
I’m about to tell her what I think about her concern.She closes her eyes, holds up her other hand to stop me.
“Now remember…that was the kick-ass best friend in me speaking.As your loving cousin, blood of my blood, I’m saying she needs a little distance from you.”
Jekyll and Hyde, that’s how she sounds to me.All she needs is the two-sided face mask.
“She needs a little more time.It’s a lot for her to deal with.Her mother and Kate, their huge fight, the pregnancy, you being the father.Now this rumor is out that you’re engaged to her sister and expecting.Nick, it’s all sloppy and messy.”
“I don’t care.I need to see her.”She’s hurting, and I should be the one there with her at night.“I need to be with her.She needs me.As much as she thinks she doesn’t, she needs me like I need her.”
“Honey, I’m the biggest supporter for a relationship for the both of you, but do you want to see her go through all the pain and drama a relationship between you two will cause?This falls into the category of scandal, vicious rumors, gossip, and hurt.”
“If we’re together, we can get through anything.I just have to make her see this.She has to believe we are stronger together than apart.”
“I know you love her and you believe this.Think about it this way.She hasn’t said this to me in so many words; this is what I’m thinking.But I’m sure she’s thinking it too.”
“Is she going to wait outside the waiting room while you’re holding Kate’s hand, comforting her with words of encouragement while she’s in labor, having your baby, or do you expect her to come inside the delivery room and watch all that?
“You’re my family, and I love you, but I love Cat too.She stands to lose more than you do, whether y’all make a go of it or not.When it’s all said and done, you’re going to have a beautiful baby, thanks in part to our amazing family genes, and you’re still going to have a happy family that stands beside you, including me.But what is she going to have?”
“She’ll have whatever she wants to have.I can make this work for us.”She looks at me with a heavy exaggerated sigh and doubt in her deep blue eyes.“Stop with the damn sighs already, Ava,” I snap.
“This is going to be one thing you cannot control.I know if it comes down to it you’re going to choose your child.”
“I don’t plan on choosing between the woman I love and my child, because I know it can work.I can make it work.”
“It would be great if you could.”She sits back in her chair and puts her wine glass to her lips.
“Has she spoken to her mother or Kate?”
“No.They’re having Thanksgiving dinner at her parents’ on Thursday.Were you invited?”
“That depends, is she going?”
Ava nods her head.“You will see her there.It’s going to be hard for her seeing you, don’t make it any harder.Maybe she should bring Matt along; that would even things out.”
“What!”The word comes out in a low growl.I feel wetness and sharp pieces of glass in my hand as the glass crumbles.
“Nick!Your hand.”
Ava grabs a napkin to wipe my hand and the wine on the table.I pull my hand back and wipe it with my napkin.
“I was only joking, Nick.”
“Don’t run jokes like that, Ava.”
“I’m sorry.I didn’t realize how sensitive you are at the mere mention of Matt and Cat together.Lesson learned; that won’t ever happen again.This love is making you downright violent.Take it down a notch.Did you cut your hand?”
“I’m fine.I need to get out of here.I have to get back to the office.”
“Okay.Take it easy; try to stay away from stemware.Glass.Anything fragile.”
I walk outside the restaurant and pull my phone out to check my messages.A picture of Cat pops up.I took it when she was sleeping in my bed, waking up, eyes still heavy lidded.I wish she would talk to me.On Thursday she will.That’s the only reason I’m going to the Reeds’ Thanksgiving dinner, to see Cat.
Cat
Thanksgiving Dinner
God, this is going tobe awful.It’s freezing out here; what’s taking them so long to open the door?I fold my hands under my chest and bounce up and down.I should use my key, but it feels strange now that I’ve moved out.I wish Ava could be here with me, I’d feel better.She flew out to Nashville to spend the weekend with her parents.Come on, this is ridiculous.I reach into my pocket to pull my key out and I hear my mother ask who is it.Great, she’ll probably leave me out here to freeze and get frostbite to punish me.
