Playing House--Chapter Ten
(New photo today! What do you think?)
On Monday, Ginny went to the cemetery with a dozen or so of her closest relatives. They brought flowers for Grandpa Cotton, Ginny’s maternal grandparents, a great uncle who was killed in the Korean War, her mother’s cousin who died in childhood of cancer, and one of Ginny’s cousins who was killed in an avalanche while hiking on Mt. Hood. There was reminiscing and hugging and tears.
Afterward, a bunch of them went back to Grandma Cotton’s for brunch. When everyone had gone home, Ginny found herself sitting alone with Grandma Cotton in the living room. They talked about Grandpa Ernie, and her grandma told a few stories, including one that Ginny hadn’t heard before. After a while, her grandma asked her about her date with Pierce.
“It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but it worked out all right. Pierce is, well I don't know how to describe him. He’s not someone I would have imagined myself dating.”
“You mean he’s not like Jason?”
“Exactly. He's not like Jason and being with him is different than being with Jason, more exciting, less predictable, which I like, but at the same time, I've always imagined someone more like Jason for a long-term thing. Does that make sense?”
“It sounds like a case of Rhett vs. Ashley.”
“Who?”
“Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes.”
Ginny stared blankly.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never read Gone with the Wind.”
“Oh, that Rhett. I’ve never read it.”
“You must have watched the movie, at least?”
“I’ve seen parts of it, but I’ve never actually sat down and watched it straight through. One of my college roommates wrote an essay about the book being racist and how they were supposed to make the movie less so, but failed miserably.”
“Racist?” Grandma Cotton waved the word away, “It was a whole different time, which we can’t possibly understand without having been there.”
“You don’t think it glamorizes slavery?”
Grandma Cotton stood up. “I have the movie on VHS. We'll watch it after dinner, and you can decide for yourself.”
VHS?
“I’d like to, Grandma, but I don't know if I have time. Jason and I are playing chess tonight.”
“We’ll start it now, then break for dinner, and finish it afterward.”
“Okay, I guess we can do that,” Ginny said because she couldn't refuse her grandma today, not when she was missing Ernie more than usual.
Partway through the movie, Janelle came in. “Why are you watching Gone with the Wind?
“Ginny’s never seen it.”
“I do love Clark Gable.”
Grandma Cotton pressed a finger to her lips and pointed to the screen. Janelle made a sound that conveyed annoyance and then sat down.
Later, Walt came in. “This movie? I admit it’s the best movie ever made about the Civil War but how many times do you have to—”
Grandma Cotton shushed him.
“But it's five thirty and dinner is always ready at—”
Janelle waved him out of the room. “Have some tortilla chips to tide you over.”
Walt sighed and walked out.
By the end of the movie, Ginny understood why people would be offended by the portrayal of slaves, some of whom didn't even have real names, just ‘pet' names.
She was about to say as much when Grandma Cotton spoke. “What did you think of Rhett Butler?”
“I have to admit, I’m sort of in love with him, but as for—”
“We all are.” Grandma Cotton patted her leg.
“We want the security and comfort of Ashley, but we crave the excitement and passion of Rhett,” Janelle said.
“In simple words, we want Ashley paying the bills and Rhett warming our beds,” Grandma Cotton said.
Ginny gave up on the idea of discussing the racial implications of the movie, as they seemed to have been lost on her mother and grandmother, who were focused on the love story. “Isn't there a way to combine the two and make the perfect man?”
“No,” Janelle said. “You find someone with the qualities that matter most to you and call it good.”
“Only if there’s chemistry,” Grandma Cotton said. “When I met your grandfather, sparks flew.”
“Yes, well, the fire goes out over time,” Janelle said. “What you need is a solid foundation.”
“Marriage is more than a good girdle,” Grandma Cotton said.
“A man should be your best friend,” Janelle said.
Grandma Cotton shook her head. “Best friends are for chit-chat and trading recipes. A husband’s job is to provide for his family.”
“You were so busy popping out babies in the sixties that you missed the whole women’s movement,” Janelle said.
“I’m not talking about equal pay. A few charred bras couldn’t change ten thousand years of biology. Men are still the same creatures they’ve always been.”
The door opened, and Ginny's dad stuck his head in. “It's six-thirty.”
Before either woman could react, Ginny jumped to her feet. “I'm going to have to skip dinner. I told Jason I’d be at his place by seven.”
“You have to eat something,” Grandma Cotton said.
“She’s not the only one who needs to eat,” Walt said.
“I’m trying to fit into the stupid dress that Bryn picked out, so I’ll just have a carrot or something.”
“It's not stupid. It's a pretty dress,” Janelle said.
“If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit,” Grandma Cotton said. “You're not leaving without dinner.”
“I’ll grab a banana and eat it on the way,” Ginny said.
Ginny ate a carrot and a banana on the drive to Jason’s. It did not come close to satisfying her. The brain was a powerful organ. It controlled every other organ. All she had to do was tell her brain to convince her stomach that it was full, right?
“Stomach, you are satiated and satisfied.”
Her stomach grumbled in reply.
“Seriously, you are full. I’ve given you all the sustenance you need to get through the rest of the day.”
It occurred to Ginny that having a conversation with her stomach was a bit strange. She continued the discussion all the way to Jason's house. By the time she arrived, her stomach seemed to be convinced. That is until Jason opened the front door, and she was bombarded with the aroma of chicken and baked potatoes.
“You’re cooking?”
“Peter is cooking,” Jason said. “You know me. I opened a can of chili and zapped it. Dinner in two minutes. Peter spends an hour in the kitchen almost every night.”
“Does he share?”
“Not unless I beg. Or do something for him.”
They were in the dining room now. Peter sat at the table with a plate of food, a newspaper open in front of him. His white tank top was open on the sides and covered very little. The words Gay Pride were written in big letters across the front, which reminded her that she still had the tank top he’d tossed her last time she was here.
“That looks delicious,” Ginny said.
“It is,” Peter said.
“I missed dinner tonight. My grandma made me watch Gone with the Wind.”
“That’s my mom’s favorite movie,” Peter said. “Clark Gable is so hot.”
“Yes,” Ginny said, trying not to drool over Peter’s food. “I’m in love with Rhett Butler.”
Peter looked up, nodding in understanding. “There’s another potato and some chicken on the stove. Help yourself.”
Ginny remembered what Charmaine had said about starches. “Thanks. I’m cutting back, but one little piece of chicken sounds great.”
“What? No fair. You didn’t offer me any,” Jason said.
“You eat canned chili,” Peter said as if that were an explanation in itself.
Ginny smiled all the way to the chicken. She sat down at the table, took a bite and declared it delicious.
“Do you think the movie is racist?” Ginny asked.
Peter started to answer but was interrupted by a knock at the door. He turned to Jason. “I’m not expecting anyone.”
“Me neither.”
Jason went to answer it.
“Mom, hi, what are you doing, uh, way out here? I mean, you never come to Portland.”
“I went shopping for a dress to wear to the wedding,” Evelyn said, making her way to the dining room. “There were leftover goodies from bible study last night, so I brought you some. You've been losing weight again, and you were too skinny, to begin with."
Jason's eyes filled with panic. He was looking at Peter, specifically Peter's tank top. Ginny moved fast. She circled the table, intending to put herself between Evelyn and the words Gay Pride. Peter was pushing back his chair as if he were going to be polite and greet Evelyn standing up. Ginny plopped down on Peter’s lap, ignoring his exaggerated “Oof” and shocked expression.
“Ginny?” Evelyn said.
“Hi Evelyn, have you met Peter?”
“No, I haven’t.” She wore a puzzled smile. “Apparently you know him well.”
“Yes.” Ginny smiled so wide her cheeks hurt.
“We’re very close,” Peter said, wrapping both arms around Ginny’s middle.
Evelyn shook her head at them as if they were silly children. “I brought plenty of goodies for everyone.”
Jason took the lid off the plastic tub. “Mrs. Lockwood’s chocolate mint bars, I love these.”
“I'm so glad she's feeling well enough to bake again, after that last terrible round of chemo. We said extra prayers for her every day for weeks, and now she's in remission.”
“That’s good,” Jason said. “She’s a nice lady.”
Jason handed Ginny a mint bar. Peter’s forearm had come to rest high on her ribs, creating a shelf for her breasts to rest on. Ginny did not appreciate it. She tried to discreetly push his arm down, but it wouldn’t budge. Seeing the evil glint in his eye, she understood that Peter would play along, but on his terms.
“Where’s Bryn tonight?” Evelyn asked.
“Working,” Jason said.
“That’s too bad,” Evelyn said. “I wanted to tell her about Mrs. Lockwood, and about Georgia Brown. She met Georgia at church and expressed interest in joining her book club. Unless she was just being polite, it was hard to tell.”
Ginny was willing to bet on the just being polite idea, but not about to say it. The chocolate mint bar she held looked like it contained a trillion calories. She felt her bust line grow an inch just from looking at it. She offered it to Peter. “Here you go.”
“Feed it to me, Honey-pot.” Peter opened his mouth.
Honey-pot? Ginny pushed the bar into his mouth with a bit more force than was necessary. Peter took a huge bite. Crumbs fell onto his shirt. Peter released his grip on Ginny to brush away the crumbs. Ginny looked up, afraid that Evelyn would see his shirt. Jason was looking at Evelyn, who was frowning at something on the kitchen table. There was a newspaper, an empty plate, and two beer bottles. Was it the beer?
“Did you find a dress?” Jason asked.
Evelyn picked up the front page of the newspaper. It was not The Oregonian. It was Queer News. “This is interesting reading material.”
“Weird. I have no idea where that came from.” Jason looked at Peter. “Do you?”
Peter shrugged. “That buddy of yours, Hank, he might have left it here. He seems kind of queer to me.”
“Hank’s not gay,” Jason said.
Evelyn dropped the paper. “You should be more careful when choosing your friends. That kind of thing is---well, we all know what it is.”
“I don’t,” Peter said. “What is it?”
No, Peter, please don’t challenge her.
Evelyn gave him an appraising stare that lasted a bit too long, as if she saw right through Ginny to the writing on his shirt. Or maybe that wasn't necessary. Seeing Peter, really seeing him, was enough.
“Homosexuality is a disease,” she said.
“You mean it’s contagious?” Peter said. “I had no idea. Damn Jason, look what you’ve exposed me to, letting your buddy bring that smut in here. I feel a sudden urge to wash my hands.”
Peter moved to get up, but Ginny braced herself on the edge of the table to keep him in place. Jason’s face had gone white. Ginny could feel Peter’s heart pounding against her back.
“I think I’d better get going,” Evelyn said.
“Mom…” Jason didn’t seem to have any idea what he wanted to say.
Evelyn touched his arm. “We’ll talk tomorrow. It’s been too long since we’ve had Pastor John over. I’ll give him a call.”
Jason didn’t walk her to the door.
“My best sarcasm wasted,” Peter said. “You can get off my lap now, Ginny.”
Ginny stood up. “What was that all about? You were practically feeling me up.”
“Sorry, guess I got excited over real breasts. I used to date a guy who occasionally dressed in drag, but the fake ones weren’t much fun.”
“I’m not even going to pretend that I understand why you’d be interested in—” Ginny saw that Jason had one hand over his stomach. “Are you all right?”
Jason bolted out of the room. Ginny heard him retching.
“I hope he made it to the toilet,” Peter said. “Puke is a bitch to clean off the carpet.”
“You could be a little more sympathetic, you know.”
“About what? He’s not the one with the disease.”
“Don’t say that. It’s not a disease.”
“What? You don’t get sarcasm either?”
“Evelyn has old-fashioned ideas, and she's not the kind of person who will ever change. I feel bad for Jason. He has to deal with her on a regular basis.”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Of course he does.”
“I haven’t talked to my dad and stepmom in eight years. They disapprove of what they refer to as my lifestyle choice, and I don’t like their attitude.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Parting ways is the best decision I ever made.”
“Then you did what you had to do. Obviously, Jason's situation is nothing like yours. He's all his mother has, and she depends on him. Just because he disagrees with her doesn't mean he should cut her out of his life.”
“If he lets his mother tell him who he can be friends with, she’ll be controlling his life until the day she dies.”
Jason stepped into the room. “You can stop talking about me now.”
“Sorry.” Ginny noticed that his shirt hung loosely around his middle. Evelyn was right. He had lost weight. Vomiting would not help the situation.
“I’m sorry Ginny, but I don’t feel like playing chess.”
“Do you want to talk?”
He shook his head. “No, I just want to say I’m sorry. Peter, you shouldn’t have to listen to that in your own home.”
Peter shrugged. “Don't worry about me. I have thick skin.”
Not that thick. His heart had been racing as fast as Ginny’s did when she was on the verge of a panic attack.
Ginny patted Jason’s arm. “Call me if you change your mind. I’m always willing to listen.”
“Thanks.”
Once home, Ginny went straight to bed and picked up the romance she’d been reading. She came to a sex scene that involved the dining room table, hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry but found her mind wandering.
Why couldn't Jason just tell Evelyn that yes, his roommate was gay? She wouldn't like it, but so what? Peter was right. Jason should stand up to his mother. His reaction seemed out of proportion to the situation. What had Evelyn meant about Pastor John? Ginny knew that Jason liked the pastor. He'd talked to him a lot back in high school, before and after his father died. It was a difficult time, and he'd needed guidance. It seemed to help. But what did that have to do with anything now?
She was still thinking about it when Pierce called and invited her to come over on Wednesday and spend the evening with him and Caleb. He’d be babysitting while Steele worked late. They could hot tub after Caleb went to sleep. Ginny agreed. It was half an hour later when she went back to her book.
The heroine was on her second orgasm. Ginny would never again be able to eat a hot fudge sundae without envisioning this scene. She turned off the light, closed her eyes and imagined being naked in the hot tub with Pierce. This led to him carrying her into the house, throwing her onto his bed, and making mad passionate love to her. There was no whipped cream and no cherry in this fantasy, but there were lots of orgasms.
****
Jason wasn’t answering his phone. He hadn’t replied to her texts, and she’d sent three so far today. Ginny had tried calling him on her lunch break, and again when she got home from work, and then after she ate her salad and half an overcooked chicken breast.
She cleaned out her refrigerator and scrubbed the kitchen floor until it shined. She tried Jason's number again, and again she got the automated voice. Jason never ignored her calls, not unless something was wrong. He didn't handle strife well and had always been overly sensitive to other people's emotions, especially his mother's. These were things he often talked out with Ginny.
Ginny wiped imaginary dust from her knickknacks. She vacuumed her rug. At eight o’clock she sat down and ate dessert, a strawberry flavored fat-free yogurt. After every bite, she mentally informed her body that this was all the calories it needed for the rest of the evening. She considered driving over to Jason’s house to check on him, but this seemed a bit extreme. She wished that she had Peter’s number so she could call him and ask him if Jason was home and if he was okay. There was one other option, one that she’d been avoiding all day.
Finally, at nine-thirty, knowing full well that she was not going to sleep until she knew that Jason was all right, Ginny broke down and called her sister. Bryn answered right away.
“I just wondered what you were doing tonight.”
“I worked late, and now I'm watching Carissa wax Britney's eyebrows, so if you hear screaming that's what it is.”
Lovely. “So you’re not at Jason’s?”
“No, why?”
“No reason. It's just that I was trying to get a hold of him about this chess game we're in the middle of, and he's not answering.”
“That’s weird. I talked to him like five minutes ago.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, we talk every day.”
“And he’s fine? I mean he’s not sick or anything?”
“No. Why would you think he’s sick? Oh, because he’s not taking your calls.”
Was that pity in Bryn’s voice?
“I’m sure he’s not intentionally ignoring you. He wouldn't do that. Do you want me to call him?”
“No, please don’t.”
“I don't mind. I'll call him and tell him to call you.”
“It’s late. I’m going to bed. It’s no big deal. I’ll talk to him another time.”
“All right, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Ginny carefully set down her phone, resisting the sudden urge to hurl it across the room. Instead, she punched her pillow.
What a big, stupid mistake it had been to call Bryn. She was clueless as to what was going on with Jason. Ginny wasn't entirely sure herself. She felt guilty that she hadn't noticed Jason's weight loss until Evelyn had pointed it out. Has Bryn noticed? It was obvious that Jason hadn't told Bryn about his mom's visit. Or else Bryn hadn't felt any need to share this information with Ginny.
The fact was, he’d called Bryn tonight, not Ginny. Did this mean that Ginny was the clueless one? He’d called Bryn because she was the one he loved, the one he was going to marry. It was wrong for her to think that she could continue having a close friendship with her sister’s soon-to-be-husband.
Ginny turned out the light and lay on her back with her hands beneath her head, staring into the darkness. She tried to imagine the situation from Bryn's point of view. Naturally, Bryn would want her fiancé to turn to her when he needed someone to talk to. She'd want to be his best friend as well as his lover. If Ginny were Bryn, she'd feel guilty for stealing her sister's best friend, but she'd also want her sister to back off. If she were Bryn, she'd want Jason all to herself.
Jason’s problems were not her problems, not anymore. From now on, Ginny vowed, she was going to remember that and act accordingly.
****
On Wednesday, at work, Ginny received a text from Jason. Sorry, I didn’t get back to you yesterday. I wasn’t feeling well. I haven’t been sleeping much.
He wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept well. The extra coffee she’d had this morning to make up for the lack of sleep hadn’t helped. Instead, it had made her feel jittery though that could have been partly from lack of food. She’d stood on the scale this morning and found that she’d lost one more pound—not enough. For breakfast, she’d had only a boiled egg so that she could indulge a bit more at dinner with Pierce. If she didn’t stop yawning, she wouldn't be good company tonight.
Ginny started a reply to Jason. Were your fingers too tired to touch the screen? Lame excuse, Jason.
Remembering her plan to be less involved with Jason's problems she deleted the message and instead replied, feel better, followed by a smiley face.
****
While Pierce barbecued chicken on the patio Ginny made a fruit salad. Caleb dragged a chair over to the counter. “I help please?”
It sounded like “hep peas.” Very cute.
“Let’s wash your hands first and then you can help,” Ginny said.
Caleb held out his hands, and she squirted soap into his palms.
“More.”
“They can’t be that dirty.”
“I play trucks,” Caleb said as if that explained everything.
Ginny gave him another squirt. When his hands were very clean, she handed Caleb the bag of mini marshmallows. “You get the most important job, putting the marshmallows in the salad.”
Caleb proceeded to drop the marshmallows in one at a time, talking the whole time about how yummy marshmallows were and how icky strawberries and blueberries were.
When it was done, they carried the rest of the food to the patio. Pierce served the chicken.
Ginny took a small scoop of fruit salad, avoiding the marshmallows. She skipped the store-bought potato salad and the potato chips.
“That’s all you’re eating?” Pierce asked.
“I need to lose a few more pounds so that I can fit into the dress my sister wants me to wear to her wedding.”
“Why don't you just buy a bigger dress?”
Ginny sighed. Leave it to a guy to think it was that simple. “The next size up was too big. I’d rather wear a different dress altogether, but Bryn is insisting that we match, which is dumb, but it’s her wedding.”
“You’re starving yourself to make your sister happy?”
“I wanted to lose another five pounds anyway.”
“Why? You’re not fat.”
“I’m not fat because I’ve been working at it. If you had seen me a couple of months ago, you would have thought I was chubby.”
“Maybe, but you’re not now. Now you’re perfect.”
Perfect? The words gave her a warm tingly feeling. This was a man who had seen her in only bra and panties, seen her not-so-slender thighs up close, put his hand on abs that were far from flat, rather squishy actually. Not sure how to react to the compliment, Ginny was grateful that Caleb picked that moment to start chattering. He told them about Bradley, the mean boy at daycare, and Christa, who let him play with her bunny rabbit. Pierce served as the interpreter when Ginny didn’t understand him.
While cleaning up, Ginny noticed a fifty dollar bill on Pierce’s refrigerator. “Why is there money on your refrigerator?”
“You don't want to know.” Pierce began loading the dishwasher.
“Sure I do.”
“You don’t. Caleb, why don’t you show Ginny your cars while I clean up?”
Pierce was, for some reason, trying to distract her, but Caleb reached for Ginny's hand and said, “Play cars?” so she gave in because he was adorable.
When he was done in the kitchen, Pierce sat down on the floor with them. For the next half hour, they played cars and trucks with Caleb. The game involved a lot of crashing noises as the vehicles smashed into each other. Ginny couldn't help noticing that Caleb took all the best cars for himself.
Caleb stood up suddenly and announced, “I wear big boy pants.”
Ginny was trying to come up with an appropriate response, when Caleb lowered both his jeans and his big boy pants, then quickly pulled them back up. “See?”
“Caleb, it’s not polite to flash the girls,” Pierce said with a barely concealed smile.
“I go pee?” Caleb said.
Pierce stood up. “Let’s go.”
Caleb shook his head. “No, not have to go.”
“Are you sure?” Pierce asked.
“No pee.” Caleb sat back down.
Pierce looked doubtful. “Come on, Caleb. I’ll go with you.”
Caleb shook his head and began driving a race car over Ginny’s leg. After a moment, Pierce gave up and sat back down.
Five minutes later Caleb said, “I go pee,” but this time it wasn’t a question. Ginny saw the guilt on his face and had to turn away so he wouldn’t see her smile.
Pierce sighed. “I think you’re missing the whole point of big boy pants. You’re supposed to pull them down, and use the potty chair.”
Caleb jumped up. “Go potty?”
“It’s a little late for that now. Come on, let’s get you changed and then we’ll read stories.”
Ginny picked up the toys.
When they came back, Caleb was in his pajamas. He held Mr. Stinky under one arm. Pierce held a few books. They sat on the sofa, Caleb nestled between them, while Pierce read a story about trucks. When he was finished, Caleb asked for another.
“Your turn,” Pierce said, handing Ginny a book about dinosaurs.
Ginny started reading. Caleb moved closer. His soft hair brushed her arm. She could get used to this.
Caleb talked them into one more story before Pierce put him to bed.
A few minutes later, Pierce came back and sat on the sofa. “I like to wait about ten minutes to be sure he's asleep before I go downstairs. Once he's out, he rarely wakes up until morning.”
“You’ve done this a few times.”
“Yep. Steele and I arrange our schedules so that he doesn't have to spend as much time at daycare.”
Ginny was impressed. He was a good uncle. She reached for his hand. “Is this a good time for a kissing lesson?”
Pierce put his arm around her shoulders and moved closer, “Yes.”
The first kisses were soft, tender. His fingers lightly touched the side of her neck. His thumb brushed her jaw. His lips parted. Ginny opened her mouth.
“You don’t have to open quite so wide,” Pierce said.
“Sorry.” She felt her cheeks get warm.
“No reason to be sorry, we’re just practicing.”
He kissed her again. This time when his lips parted, she opened just a little and felt the tip of his tongue touched hers in a sensual caress. This might not be so bad.
Twenty minutes later Pierce announced, “You're getting the hang of it.”
“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“You don’t find kissing me as gross as letting a dog lick your mouth?”
“No. That's not exactly what I said, you know. I was referring to germs though I was also worried about it being too wet and slobbery because that happened to me once. Your kisses aren't like that.”
“Are my germs okay too?”
“Yes.”
“Now that that's settled let's go sit in the hot tub, which is full of germ-killing chemicals just for you.”
“Chemicals that cause cancer?”
“These are non cancer-causing chemicals, I promise.”
“Yeah sure, that’s what they all say.”
In the downstairs bathroom, Ginny changed into a lime green two-piece. She stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom just in time to see Pierce pulling on a pair of gray and white swim trunks. His back was to her, and she caught more than a glimpse of his nicely shaped behind.
They went outside. The rain had stopped, but it was still chilly.
“Wow, this is hot,” Ginny said, as she slowly lowered herself into the water.
“You’ll get used to it in a few minutes.”
She took her time sitting down. It still felt too hot.
“How are the jets?” Pierce asked.
“A little low. I get this pain in my upper back, right between my shoulder blades from sitting at a desk all day.”
Pierce pressed his thumbs into the spot. After a few minutes of this, his hands moved to her shoulders, massaging those muscles as well. She closed her eyes. The water didn't seem to be getting any cooler. There was an uncomfortable pressure in her chest. Her heart was beating too fast, but she didn't think it was anxiety this time. Too hot. She knew she should get out, sit on the edge of the tub and cool off, but he was kissing her, and she didn't want him to stop. His hand slipped under her top.
“Pierce?”
“Hmm?”
“I think we should go inside.”
“Good idea.”
Ginny stumbled and landed on her knees in the cold, wet grass.
“Are you okay?”
His hands were under her arms helping her to her feet. She fell into him, nearly knocking him over.
“You’re not okay.”
Pierce helped her inside. When they reached his bedroom, Ginny lay down on the bed. “My heart is beating way too fast.”
Pierce went into the other room and came back with a glass of cold water. He sat on the edge of the bed while she took sips, waiting to feel better.
“Do you think it was the heat or another panic attack?”
“I think it was the heat. I haven't felt well today because I was worrying last night and I didn't sleep much. I'm sure those things didn't help.”
Pierce reached for her hand. “What were you worrying about?”
Ginny spilled it all out, her evening with Jason and Peter, how Jason wouldn’t stand up to his mother, how he’d been stressed out and losing weight and wouldn’t talk to her about it. Pierce listened and sympathized and gently suggested that maybe she was worrying about things that she couldn't do anything about. He went upstairs to get her some food, saying that she probably felt sick because she hadn’t eaten enough or drank enough water.
Pierce returned with Caleb on his hip and a small plate of food. “I think he had a nightmare.”
“Bradley bad,” Caleb said, hugging Mr. Stinky close. “Where Daddy?”
“He’s still working,” Pierce said.
“But I want him.”
“If you go to sleep he’ll be here when you wake up.”
Caleb’s blue eyes filled with tears. Pierce patted his back, reassuring him that daddy would be home soon. Giant tears continued to form.
Ginny went into the bathroom to get dressed. When she came back out Caleb was still teary-eyed. He seemed to be wide awake. She sat on the bed, ate a bit of potato salad and more fruit salad. Soon, she started to feel better.
“I guess I did need to eat. Thanks.”
“Sure. So, what are you doing tomorrow night?”
“Baking cookies for Bryn’s bachelorette party.”
“Cookies?”
“That’s what the bride asked for.”
Lately, it had been all about Bryn getting what she wanted. When would it be her turn to get what she wanted? Did she even know what that was anymore?