“Okay,” she answered, unsure of how to proceed after his abrupt response. “Well, I had a great day at work today,” she told him.
“That’s good,” James responded half-heartedly as he reached into his pocket to retrieve the vibrating phone.
“Yeah. The children were super-excited to draw and paint pictures of their families. It surprised me how good some of them were. There was this one particular kid, though...” She chuckled at the memory. “He was—”
Her face fell, and the words died in her throat as she watched her fiancé fiddle with his phone.
“Apparently, whatever you’re reading is far more important than you listening to me,” she expressed in a deadpan voice.
James’ blue eyes shot up to stare back at her guiltily. “Rory—”
Just then, her phone rang, the ringtone signaling that it was her mother calling. “I need to take that. Excuse me.” She stepped out from behind her chair and crossed over to the living room. Reaching down, she retrieved her phone before pressing the answer button, then placed the phone against her ear.
“Hi, Mom,” she greeted.
“Hi, sweetie. I know it’s late, but you were on my mind, so I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing,” her mother said. Even without her saying it outright, Rory could sense her concern.
“I’m fine, Mom. Everything’s…” she cast her eyes to James, who was already staring back at her. “Everything’s great,” she lied, turning her back to look out at the high-rise buildings flooded with light.
“That’s good to know,” Andrea returned. “And how is my wonderful son-in-law? Is he there?”
Rory struggled to maintain an airy tone. “He’s great. He’s here but busy.”
“Okay, well, tell him hi for me and not to work himself to death.”
“I will, Mom,” she promised, casting a look over her shoulder to see her fiancé’s head resting on the island. “How are Aunt Cora and Aunt Jo? How is Grandma?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Cora and Jo are fine,” Andrea replied. Her mother’s hesitance in responding to her second question told her that Grandma Becky wasn’t doing well.
“Mom’s okay for the most part,” Andrea finally answered after a long pause. “She’s been far less active after the fall and her hairline fracture, but we’re monitoring her.”
Rory sighed sadly. “I wish there was a cure for this, Mom,” she expressed.
“I know, sweetie. Me too,” her mother agreed. “Enough about that. I know the wedding is a month and a half away, but I wish I was there with you every step of the way in planning it all.”
Rory smiled, touched by the earnestness in her mother’s voice.
“I remember promising you when you were eight that I would help you every step of the way to plan your wedding to Prince Charming.”
Rory chuckled as the memory of that day came back so fresh in her mind. “I remember,” she confirmed.
“Oh, sweetie…I’ll make some time to come out to San Fran to help you with as much of the plans as I can, I promise.”
“Mom, that’s okay. You don’t have to do that. You’re needed in Oak Harbor, and I understand, I promise.” Rory pressed the phone tightly against her ear as a wave of melancholy hit her. “Besides, James’ mother is very much involved in the planning,” she informed her.
“Oh, okay, sweetie.” Her mother’s disappointment gnawed at her.
“But don’t worry, we’ll still have plenty to plan together when I get to Oak Harbor,” she assured the woman.
Hearing the pull and thud of a door, she looked over at the island to see it empty. James was no longer there. “Listen, Mom. I don’t mean to end the call quickly, but I still have some finishing touches to make to my lesson.”
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll let you get back to it,” Andrea conceded.
“Bye, mom.”
“By sweetie.”
Rory sighed deeply before heading toward the master bedroom. The bathroom door was partially opened, and she could hear the shower going. She sat up in the bed with her legs crossed as she waited for James. Three minutes later, the shower turned off and five minutes after that, James emerged from the bathroom in his pajama and a towel hanging loosely around his neck as he used one end to dry the excess water from his dirty blond hair. He stopped midway when he noticed her and the gravity on her face.
