Page 47 of A Second Chance

She laughed and when the group walked up, they were sitting in the back, door open, talking, Gwen wrapped in the sweater they came outside to retrieve. Nothing tawdry going on out here.

“There you are,” Autumn said. “They’re gonna release Rebecca tonight, but it’ll still be a while.”

“We’re heading home,” Ben said. “Everyone in.”

No one appeared to suspect a thing. Daniel walked past him and slid him a look and an almost imperceptible smile.

He knew.

Seventeen

A few days later, Gwen sat the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee. Light drifted through the beaded curtain on the window behind her as green, blue, and yellow colors swirled the room. It resembled a beaded door curtain from the 1960’s and her mom made a version for the window. A wide variety of beads strung together in rows. When the sun shone, it cast a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the room.

She’d replayed that night with Jason in her mind on more than one occasion. What was it about him that brought out insane desire in her? They did the deed in the back of a friends’ SUV in an emergency room parking lot. And Rebecca was pregnant. A wonderful surprise that they should celebrate and surround themselves with those who support them. Gwen was saddened that the situation forced them to reveal earlier than planned because of Rebecca’s mom sending her blood pressure into dangerous levels. She felt sorry for Rebecca having her happiness tempered by an unsupportive mom. And Gwen hoped that Ellen turned a corner in attitude considering a baby was now part of the equation.

The backdoor opened and closed, then Natalie padded through the laundry room, and into the kitchen, a yoga mat tucked under an arm.

“Good morning, dear,” she sang, taking the yoga mat into her bedroom. Her mom generally remained cheery, ever the perpetual peace and love hippie. Although her love never extended to men for any length of time. Gwen and Avery had the same father, but he’d died in a car accident leaving her with two young daughters to raise. In those early days Natalie dated occasionally, but never had another serious relationship. But for the last few, her mom hadn’t dated. Natalie had her friends, creative hobbies, her yoga, and her midwife business, where she saw a small group of pregnant women and helped them bring healthy babies into the world. And she said that was enough.

“Morning,” Gwen replied when her mom returned. “How was yoga?”

“Peaceful,” she moved to the refrigerator and brought out her almond milk. “So, tell me,” she continued after she sat across from Gwen at the table. “How are things going with Jason?”

Gwen shrugged. “Fine.” She’d heard from him every single day; he texted or called asking to see her again. She would say it was safe to assume he was a sure bet, but doubt crept in her mind. Why was he gone for three years? And if he wasn’t arrested, per the rumors, what happened? Autumn remained vague when it came to her brother. While she’d wax on for ages about Dan, but turned mum about Jason, only giving out adjectives like “smart,” and “good brother.” He loved being a soldier, and her pride in him showed, but Gwen surmised he was a better electrician – that he’d talk about at length and she didn’t understand a bit.

“Only fine?” Natalie asked.

Gwen smiled. “I like him, an awful lot. But I don’t want to get too serious so quickly.”

Her mom nodded, chewing on her oatmeal. “That I can understand. But when its right, you know.”

“Did you ever just know?”

“Of course… only once, with your father.” She smiled wistfully. “The day I met your father. Oh, I just knew right away we’d spend our lives together. Unfortunately, his life ended up much shorter than mine.”

Gwen stared into the creamy coffee left in the bottom of the mug. She’d thought it that night in the hot tub. But with what happened after, she’d never let herself buy into it again. And now? Well, she wasn’t sure.

“But, I’m afraid,” her mom continued, “that I didn’t model good relationships for you girls after that.”

She shook her head, but Natalie interrupted her.

“It’s true,” she insisted. “I never allowed myself to get close to a man after that, and consequently you never saw what a good romantic relationship looks like. Even though I’m not one for marriage, Sam and I had a great partnership. I wish it was something you girls could’ve seen.”

“Mom, no. Don’t say things like that. Avery’s in a good relationship and despite my reservations about him, Nick is a good guy and loves Avery. And we had a great childhood.” She’d always loved their unconventional life being just the three of them. That’s how it’d always been. Nick disturbed the dynamic bringing masculine energy into the house, but he made Avery happy.

“I know Avery’s found love. But what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Does he make you happy?”

“Yeah, we have fun. It’s too early to tell. Besides, he’s an injured former soldier. And has all the baggage that comes with that.” She had baggage too, and it was Jason, which made this a weird situation, even by her standards.

“We all have things in the past dear, especially after thirty.”

“I’m not there, yet.”

“Yes, I was referring to your beau.”

---