Page 15 of Finding Yesterday
“But I’ll miss you, Claire.” Emma wanders over next to Nate, looking at him. “If this were happening to you, you’d stay with me, right?”
“It’s different with you and Nate, Emma,” I cut in. “You two always do everything together.”
Well, that’s not entirely true. Theyusedto do everything together until their band broke up.
“I’m sorry.” Emma swallows hard. “You and I can do more together.”
“It’s not just that…” I pull Winston tighter in my arms. “I know you both love me. You guys just have this special relationship. I mean, you’re twins. I get it, it’s okay.”
I say it’s okay, but it’s not, not really. I’m always the third wheel, even now, as I’m in the stairwell while Emma and Nate stand together by the couch. Sometimes I forget that I’m the outsider, and when I do, it’s really nice.
But then something like this happens, and the truth comes crashing down.
CHAPTER SEVEN
I SET MYheavy duffel and Winston’s carrier on Daddy’s wrap-around porch before I open the screen door. Inside, Daddy is sitting in his recliner watching TV.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“You’re here?” He looks surprised as he fumbles with the remote before muting the TV. I’d called him over the weekend, but he didn’t answer. He continues, “I thought you decided to stay with Emma.”
“Yeah, well…” I mumble, not dying to tell him what went down. “I changed my mind. I’m trying to save money, so I can’t pay Emma any rent. I thought it would be best to take you up on your offer and stay here for a little while. Get a temporary job and save up.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Daddy rubs his brow, shooting me a look of pity. “I’m happy to have you, but I’m sorry you have to put your own restaurant on hold.”
I shift on my feet, wringing my hands. Yes, my dream’s on pause, and I’m jobless and homeless, technically. Thank goodness for Daddy. I don’t want to tell him that I don’t know how long I’ll be in Blue Vine.
Right now, I’m not sure exactly what I’m saving up for and how to reconcile the fact that where I want to live and what I want to do don’t mesh.
“Well, get your skinny little butt on in here.” He pushes the footstool down and stands. “I’ll get you some coffee.”
“Thanks.” I head to the couch, waiting for the right moment to bring Winston inside.
Returning with two cups of coffee, black and steaming, Daddy says, “So, I heard the town rumor.”
I close my eyes. “Oh no—”
“Honey, don’t worry, I know it’s not true.” His voice is uncharacteristically gentle as he hands me my cup. “You’d never cheat on Hudson.”
“What?” My eyes bulge as I set my hot coffee on the end table. “There’s a rumor that Icheatedon Hudson?”
“Well, yeah.” He sets his coffee cup in his arm holder before plunking back down in his recliner. “Cheryl from The Corner Cuppa told Daisy she saw Jack come out of the cellar after you did. Daisy told Ralph, our new mail guy. I mean, you called off your wedding after you were alone with a good-lookin’ fella. People are gonna talk about that, especially in this town.”
“Great.” My stomach does a nauseating flip-flop. “How would I have cheated with someone living in San Francisco?”
“Jack’s been in Blue Vine a month. They’re saying he could’ve popped down to Atlanta for an afternoon delight.” Daddy takes a sip of coffee.
I cover my face. “Eww, no, Daddy!”
“But who cares what people think. If cheating was a reason not to hire someone, every politician would be out of a job.” He leans back and the footstool pops up. “You’ll get something.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I hold back an eye roll. Since I hadn’t mentioned a fear of getting a job, clearly that’s his worry, not mine.
“Anyway, I told ’em all it wasn’t true. Neither was the meat-eating.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I forgot about how this town’s rumor mill is mind-numbing. That’s a big downside to living here. “I’m eating meat now too?”
Daddy crosses his ankles on the recliner, and I notice he’s wearing mismatched socks. “You’re a lot of things, baby girl, but you wouldn’t eat meat if your life depended on it. I told the folks at The Corner Cuppa that you were the one in fifth grade, marching in protest because you’d heard about the mistreatment of chickens at the Miller farm. Then there were all the mousetraps I set in the attic that kept disappearing.” He sighs. “It drove us stark raving mad, but you had your feelings about animals, and no one was going to stand in your way. You made me proud.”
