I join along, my face splitting with a smile. “Thank you, Lexi.”
“I love you, Opal. And this child? This baby’s going to be so loved. I promise.”
I believe her.
38
Leighton
Some days,waiting tables isn’t so bad. Serving keeps me busy, moving, and I exercise my mind by memorizing my tables’ orders. But then there’re days like today. It’s bad enough I’m pulling a double, but I can’t complain about that. It’s the least I can do to help the girl who covered for my last minute adventure to San Diego. But this twelve-hour shift and the pulsing ache of feet are only made worse by the fact some celebrity blogger tweeted out my new place of work.
Wellington son serves burgers and fries for cash #fallfromgrace #ThreeUglyGuysWho #yum #HowMuchForTheMillionaire
We don’t even serve burgers here. It’s a fucking Italian restaurant. The covert photos she took were even worse. At least use the flash or catch me when I’m not moving. But apparently it doesn’t take much to create a buzz, and being waited on by a music protégé with the last name Wellington is a privilege people will wait hours for.
I’ve taken more selfies in the last twelve hours than I have my entire life. Oh, and before we close up, my manager practically begs me to pull another double tomorrow. I tell him no, thank you. Today was utter chaos. I can’t imagine tomorrow will be much better.
I’m so busy, it’s not until I walk back to my apartment that I finally have time to check my phone. Only, when I look at the screen I have trouble believing what I see. It’s too good to be true. My cell is ringing. And on the caller ID:Opal.
“Hello! Opal.” The words rush from my mouth.
“It’s Lexi.”Oh.
My elation plummets and I expect her next words will be to ask me to stop calling. “Oh, hey. How are you?”
“She wants to see you.”
“She does?” It’s almost too much to hope. I pick up my pace, ready to jump in a car right this second. “When? Now?”
“Tomorrow. Eleven o’clock. Come to the house. You remember where that is?”
“I remember.” I remember everything.
“Good. You better show—”
“I will.” I cut off her warning. Nothing could keep me from Opal. “Thank you.”
“No. Thankyou. You were right. About your uncle.”
Heaviness settles on my shoulders at her admission. I should feel vindicated, but I don’t. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, shit happens. See you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.She’ll give me a chance. In my heart of hearts, I know she will.
* * *
The next morning,I walk up the street, a bouquet of bluebonnets in hand, and wait for someone to buzz me inside. The gates open before I can ring the bell and there she is at the end of the drive.
Opal waits on the front step. She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Maybe it’s from the months apart, or the longing that’s grown with each passing day. Regardless, it takes all my effort to slow my steps and not run to her.
A smile, one I’ve been wearing since Lexi called last night, stretches across my lips, but the closer I get, I realize Opal doesn’t smile back. Her face is tired, wary, and it hurts because I did that.
“Hi, Opal.” I stop at the edge of the entry, holding out my offering but giving her space if that’s what she needs. “For you.”
She accepts my flowers, and tucks them to her chest. She drops her chin and breathes them in. It’s only then a gentle smile appears.
“Beautiful,” I say. I can’t help it. I don’t want to be anything other than truthful with her from now on.
