I look at them in the rearview mirror, and their concerned faces make me desperate to provide for them. Without a job, I only have one option. “Let’s go home,” I sigh, preparing myself to stoop to new lows as I drive away.
Six
Lucille
I ’m such an idiot. Why did I have to go and ruin everything with Sara by offending her? I should have known offering to pay her to lie wasn’t the best way to approach the subject.
As I sit in the back room of the bookstore wallowing in my own self pity, I try to think through yesterday’s interaction with Sara. She seemed sympathetic enough to my situation at first, but then I completely blew my chances. I shouldn’t have come on so strong.
I adjust myself on the couch and pull the blanket tighter around myself. It’s so unlike me to be so melancholy, but I can’t help but regret pushing Sara away. Sure, I've had a crush on her for two years, but now I'll never get my chance.
“Here’s your coffee. Let me know if you need anything else.” Heather places a steaming cup on the side table, her face filled with pity.
Taking a sip, my mouth instantly twists into a frown. “What did you put in here, toilet water?”
Heather crosses her arms. “I’m not a coffee drinker, okay? If you want something better then make it yourself.”
I shake my head, forcing myself to take another sip. “Never mind. Thank you.”
She nods, waiting a moment before moving to sit beside me. “You’ve been curled up on the couch all day looking glum. There must be something else on your mind besides the coffee.”
“It’s nothing. I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately.” I lie.
Heather isn’t satisfied with my answer, but she shrugs, knowing I’m not going to say any more. “Alright then. Well I have to go stock some new books, just holler if you need anything.”
“Mhm.”
After she leaves, pulling the break room door closed, I stand from the couch and toss the blanket aside. I can’t sit here feeling sorry for myself any longer. With the terrible coffee in hand, I slide over to the desk to begin recording a list of fake wives Aunt Adelaide would approve of.
“It has to be someone attractive, someone she would believe I would go for. Someone sweet and passionate, someone who loves children, and someone who would create an image of an ideal family.” It doesn’t take long for me to realize I’m describing Sara.
With a sigh of frustration, I push my empty list aside and cradle my head in my hands. If I wasn’t such an idiot, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. Maybe if I approached the question differently, Sara would have agreed.
I don’t have much more time to sulk over what might have been because in the next instant, Sara herself comes bursting through the door.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Her cheeks are stained with tears, and her sparkling brown eyes are bloodshot. “Heather said I might be able to find you in here.”
I straighten up, blinking a few times to ensure I’m not imagining her. “Are you alright? What happened?” Without taking my eyes off of her, I move back to the couch and throw the rumpled blanket aside.
She wipes at her already irritated eyes and forces a smile. “Not really. But I’ll be okay.”
“Sounds like you and I are in the same boat.” I gingerly pat the couch and Sara sits beside me. “Look, I’m sorry for yesterday, I was out of line.”
“No, don’t apologize. I was just worried about the children.” Sara sits, looking somewhat unsure if she should allow herself to be this close to me. “I love doing kid’s corner, but there’s so much going on right now I’m not going to be able to participate next time.”
“That’s not a problem, I’m sure one of the others would be able to cover for you.” It hurts me to see her in tears, and I restrain myself from throwing my arm around her trembling shoulders. Instead I offer her a tissue, which she shyly accepts.
“Yeah, I actually spoke to Cody. She’ll cover for me, but only because I’m a crying mess and she couldn’t say no.” Sadness and guilt consume her, and I push to know who’s to blame for her current state.
“If it’s not our conversation yesterday that’s bothering you, what is it? Something I could help you with?” My instincts win over, and I clasp her delicate hand in mine.
Sara’s face reddens, but she squeezes my fingers as more tears fall. “I’ve fallen on hard times lately. With the twins depending on me, I’ve come to realize that I was too harsh yesterday when I turned you down.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Is this gorgeous woman beside me about to solve all of my problems? “Are you saying you’ve reconsidered?”
My breath hitches in my throat as I await her response. The future of my inheritance depends on her answer. “Yes, I want to make sure that the girlfriend offer is still on the table.”
Overjoyed and extremely shocked, I bring her hand to my lips. “It most certainly is.”