Page 15 of Impossible

Chapter Seven

Riley

My mom called this morning and asked if I could meet her and my father out for dinner tonight. Which is why I’m standing in front of my full length mirror, trying to pick out a dress for the evening. It’s not exactly how I planned to spend my Friday night. Okay, fine, I didn’t have any plans, but I still would have rather eaten takeout in my pajamas at home rather than get dressed up and meet them out for dinner in the city.

It’s not that I don’t love to spend time with my parents, I just don’t feel the need to eat out at fancy restaurants all the time. I would much rather be comfortable in normal clothes and leave actually feeling full. Some of these places give you enough food to feed a baby.

I look between the two dresses I have in my hands. One is a dark blue floor length dress. Yes, that’s how fancy these restaurants are. The other one is a gray knee length chiffon dress. When I hold the gray one up, I realize it needs a strapless bra because it is a halter. That decides it, blue dress it is. I’m in no mood to wear my strapless bra as a belt by the end of the night. I take just enough time to look presentable, adding a small amount of makeup. My hair hangs loose in soft waves down my back. The drive into the city is not always the most fun, but I don’t want to deal with public transportation in this outfit.

After a forty minute drive, I pull up to the valet. I’m escorted to my table where my parents are waiting for me. My mom is in a sparkling, red dress, her hair all done up, and enough bling to hurt your eyes. She looks gorgeous, like always. My father is in his black suit with his gray hair styled perfectly. They are the picture perfect couple, always looking ready to meet the queen. Don't get me wrong, they know how to relax and have fun. They have just enough money to dress like they do and eat at these restaurants, but they are rather modest in other areas. They don’t spend frivolously, choosing to put money away for retirement or to give to charity. My mother spots me and a smile spreads across her face.

“Riley,” she waves. I walk over to them and give each of them a hug and kiss. We’ve never been the most affectionate family, but we do always greet each other this way.

When I take a seat, the waiter is there with the bottle of wine already opened at the table and ready to pour my glass.

“Thank you,” I offer to him before he walks away.

“It’s nice to see you, Riley. It feels like it’s been a while,” Dad says to me.

“Yeah, I think it has. Gosh, I’ve just been so busy. How are you guys?”

“Oh, the same as always. Your father and I have recently made a commitment to try to work a bit less.” My mom raises her eyebrows as she says it. Almost like it surprises her still to say it out loud.

I almost choke on my wine. “What did you just say? Did my mother just tell me she’s going to work less?”

Dad chuckles. “We’re getting old. I think it’s about time your mother and I enjoy some time to travel and take it easy.”

“You two definitely deserve some down time. I’m happy for you guys.”

The waiter comes by again for us to put in our order. I order the salmon, knowing I will likely be raiding my pantry when I get home. Like always, I itch to lean back in my seat or put my elbows on the table, but I look around the room at the women with perfect posture and I remain upright. It’s places like these that remind me I need to do some extra core work. It’s not easy sitting upright like this all night.

“So, what’s been keeping you so busy?” my mom asks as she takes another sip of her wine.

“I’ve actually been helping Liam out with Harper, his daughter. I watch her two days a week while he’s at work.”

“Oh, that’s kind of you. How areyoudoing with everything? We’ve been worried about you,” Dad looks at my mother for her agreement before turning to me with concern in his eyes.

“There’s easy days and tough days. I thought it would be harder to be in her home and take care of her baby, but it feels right. Like I’m doing something that she would be proud of, that she would have wanted.”

It’s crazy how easy it has been for me to slide into Liam and Harper’s life and help them out. I never realized how laid back Liam is. I feel completely comfortable around him and have enjoyed getting to know him on a deeper level.

“Well, of course that’s what she would have wanted. You two were like sisters,” my mother tells me. “And how is Liam handling everything?”

I sigh, thinking about him. “He’s having a tough time. I’m going over there tomorrow to help him pack some of her stuff up.” I smile thinking about Harper and the way his face lights up when he sees her after work. “Harper is definitely a light for him in all of this darkness.”

“I didn’t know you and Liam were that close,” my father looks at me curiously.

“I guess I haven’t really thought about it like that. I mean, I saw him all the time because he was married to my best friend, but him and I never talked one on one very much. Losing Becca and caring for Harper has brought us closer together.”

“What about his parents? Are they helping?” mom asks.

This is generally how my dinners with mom and dad go. You can tell they are busy with work and their on lives because sometimes I feel like I’m being interrogated with all of the questions.

“Oh, yeah. His mom takes care of Harper the other three days of the week. His siblings have stopped over to see Harper while I was taking care of her. They’re all very involved.”

“That’s good. What about Shirley and Robert?” dad asks. Our parents became friends after years of Becca’s and my friendship. They would occasionally go out to dinner together. I’m suddenly feeling guilty that I haven’t talked to them since the funeral. I should know how they are doing, they were like second parents to me at one point in my life.

“Honestly, I’m not sure about them. I haven’t seen them or heard Liam talking about them. Maybe I should give Shirley a call to see how she’s doing. I wonder if she even knows that I’m helping with Harper.”

“You should definitely do that. I’m sure it’s hard for Shirley. She just lost her daughter and I wonder if she isn’t quite comfortable coming over without Becca around,” my mom suggests.

I begin to think about what that must be like for Shirley. To have to walk through those doors and see your beautiful granddaughter, just to be reminded that her mother is gone. It must be a war of emotions that she is battling whenever she’s around. I settle on calling Shirley tomorrow morning to invite her to come hang out with Harper and me one afternoon.

When the evening is over, I give my mom and dad a hug, and make my long journey back to my apartment. My apartment isn’t much, but it’s a newer design with hardwood floors and a wonderful swimming pool for the community. I love living here and since it’s just me, I don’t ever feel the pressure to get a bigger place. As soon as I walk through the door, I change out of my dress into cotton pajamas and head straight to the fridge. I almost do a victory dance as I see the piece of cheesecake I have left over from the bakery I stopped at the other day. Yes, I bought several pieces of dessert at one time just for me. Don’t judge! When I relax on the couch with my dessert and sparkling water, I find myself thinking about Liam. It’s an odd time for him to come to mind, but it’s probably because I’ve seen so much of him lately.

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