I glanced at my phone with the itinerary that Matt had sent me earlier in the car.Oh, look at that, we only had thirty minutes for coffee. I was just about to remind them that we needed to move out when I saw the driver from earlier come into the room. He was carrying a bag and I sighed in relief.
Mary Ellen noticed him at the same time as I did. “Ah good, the driver’s here with the package from Amy Louise.” Matt glanced over his shoulder and grinned at me.
“Seems like a full bag for shoes mom,” he commented slyly. His mother glanced at him sharply and then stood.
“Come Arielle, I secured a changing area for you earlier.”A changing area?My earlier relief at her saving my day turned to trepidation. I reluctantly stood and followed though, it wouldn’t be polite not to.
Mary Ellen motioned to a gentleman in the corner and he scampered off at speed. I looked over my shoulder to Matt who was on his phone. This was his fault, I was about to be subjected to who knows what in that bag and this was because he hadn’t reminded me that we were doing this today. Ok I was being slightly mean and hypocritical, his mom was helping me, which I was grateful for really.Yeah, just remember this when she unveils the bag,I thought to myself.
We were shown into what was obviously a staff room, the gentleman from earlier had seemingly been checking it was unoccupied and now stood guard outside. Mary Ellen was unpacking and I caught site of some material before she turned to me. Her smile was indulgent.
“I am sorry for that Arielle, Matthew is so strong minded and forgets he should not discuss his disappointment in his sisters in company.”
I didn’t say anything, I didn’t want to say Matt discussed hisdisappointmentabout his sisters on a regular basis with whoever would listen. I must admit I also found it baffling that the two girls were happy to just secure good matches and be housewives for the remainder of their days. However, maybe they thought that way about me? That I was baffling fornotwaiting for a man to provide for me. I mean I had been so desperate to leave Big Sky and get to college not only to learn – but to get away from my mother – that I had never considered anything other than making a life for myself.
Maybe if you were in a family that actually liked all its members then the desire to run far away from it wasn’t so strong? Matt was different but that was accepted as he was a boy. My irritation at the whole situation rose again but then I reminded myself that this was not my business, nor my family.
I merely smiled at his mom in what I hoped was a non-committal way and waited to see what Amy Louise had sent by way of shoes. Mary Ellen produced a neatly folded pair of black capri pants, followed by a form fitting black blouse with a small nondescript flower printed on it. A pair of matching black flats were also produced. I looked at the items of clothing and then I could feel my eyebrows reaching my hairline as a bra and panties were handed to me.
“Ah there’s a note,” Mary Ellen murmured. She hadn’t been able to hide her confusion at the underwear either. She nodded as she read it.
“Theo,” she said as she looked at me. I must have looked completely blank as she handed me the note.
Lil Bit, texted Colton, he told me what to get in your room and I helped Amy pack. We didn’t know what you needed so he said just to put a whole outfit in, but to make sure we sent you pants. Amy picked the blouse. I’ll bring a jacket with me later when we meet for dinner.
T x
PS I didn’t touch your underwear, Amy picked it out.
I smiled at the last bit, I wonder who that was for, me? No. I shook my head, that was for Matt’s benefit. Not mine.
I looked at Mary Ellen, so Colton had told them what to send me. I worried a little at the ‘your room’ and she was going to wonder why I had a room and clothes. I didn’t know why I had a room and clothes, so I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to explain.
“I think you should just change,” she said. “It will be easier and it means that you will be dressed for dinner later too, what do you think?”
I nodded mutely. She inclined her head in acknowledgement and turned to leave the room to let me change. I quickly pulled out my phone and texted Theo.
Me:Thank you for the clothes x
I slipped off the clothes I was wearing and slipped into the underwear. I noticed the tags were still on them. I shook my head in bewilderment. I don’t know who had bought them, but I needed to have the conversation with them all to find out. I put on the pants and buttoned up the blouse. My phone buzzed, it was Theo.
Theo:Don’t thank me, thank Cole, he knew exactly what you would need. How is your day going? Did we pick the right things for you to attend?
I read the message twice.
Colton.
It always came back to Colton didn’t it? My stomach fluttered. He had picked out the clothes. He had told them what I would need and I had no doubt standing there as I slipped the shoes on, he would have planned the weekend. He always had me covered. I don’t know when he paid so much attention – but it was obvious he did – I just wished I could catch him at it. I mean, wouldn’t it have made sense for them to ask Connor? It wasConnorwho had been my boyfriend for over two years, not Colton. How was it that they all turned to Colton when it came to me?
I smoothed my blouse down as I took a deep breath. I would thank him but maybe I was reading too much into this. After all, if this had been Matt or Theo in this predicament, he would have done the exact same thing. Was I overthinking? Was I looking for more than there was here? A slight knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
Mary Ellen entered as I shoved my phone into my purse, grateful it was black. She nodded in approval as I folded up my dress and my mismatched underwear from earlier. I put everything into the bag and we went outside to meet Matt.
We went to the Leeds building next. I loved CU, the gorgeous predominant red brick buildings really stood out and I loved how the old buildings merged with the new. The CU colours of black, gold and silver were on display everywhere today. Parents and siblings milled around everywhere as families took part in the weekend. It helped that the college football team was playing at home today.
I felt a dull ache inside, not having my own family with me. I missed my dad. He would have loved this. An arm slung over my shoulder, I leaned into Matt with no hesitation. He squeezed me softly to his side and I felt the ache dissipate a little.
A warm soft hand clasped mine and I looked to Mary Ellen with surprise. She squeezed my hand and that’s how the three of us entered the Leeds Building – Matt with his arm round my shoulders and me holding his mom’s hand. I smiled in contentment. I was not alone. They simply wouldn’t let me be. How lucky could I be really?