A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

“You don’t know what I’m going through,” Jen told her.

“I had three kids. I think I know something. You’re neglecting your marriage. That’s not a good idea, Jen. One day Kirk isn’t going to be so understanding.”

Oh, God! Zoe wanted to cover her ears with her hands and start humming. She so didn’t want to be hearing this, only she couldn’t figure out how to quietly escape.

“You’re a part of this?” Jen asked Zoe. “You think I’m stunting my son through my ridiculous concerns?”

“That isn’t what I said,” Zoe told her. “Jen, you’re my friend.”

“Not really. Not like this. I can’t believe you ganged up on me with my mother. Who else have you been talking to? I thought I could trust you. I thought you were on my side.” Tears filled her eyes. “You two had better get out. Just leave.”

Zoe’s stomach turned over. “I’m sorry. Jen, please understand. We just wanted...”

“You wanted what? To make me feel like shit? Well, you did. Congratulations.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Get out now!”

Pam rose. “You’re making a mistake, Jennifer. We only want to help you. I hope, with time, you can come to see that.”

Jen pointed to the front door.

Zoe and Pam walked out to the car. “I’m going to throw up,” Zoe said. “That was horrible. She’s really upset.”

“She’ll get over it.”

“You sound very casual.”

They got in the SUV.

“Jen has always had a dramatic streak. You should have seen her in high school. Sometimes I get a little impatient with her. I know I shouldn’t but she frustrates me.” She started the engine. “I meant what I said. She’s missing out on wonderful days, coloring them with her incessant fear that something bad is going to happen. Sure, it might, but what if it never does? She will have suffered for nothing. Worse, she will have missed out, and that makes me sad. I want more for her and for her relationship with Jack.” Pam offered a smile. “Don’t worry. She’ll come around.”

“I hope so.”

“Thanks again for inviting me to your barbecue. It was fun.”

“I’m glad you could come.”

Pam glanced at her. “What do you think of Steven?”

“He’s nice. Very—” Zoe felt her eyes widen. “You set us up? Is that why you had him call me about my attic stairs?”

“You’re single. He’s single. I gave a little push. If it works out, great. If not, no harm done.”

Pam’s smile was friendly enough, and on the surface, her sentiment was perfectly fine, but Zoe had a feeling that there was more to Pam than she’d realized. A determination and view of the world that were unique to her. She supposed everyone was like that. What was the old saying? That everyone was the star of their own life.

Pam was a powerful, self-confident woman who took control of most situations. Zoe hadn’t expected that. Now she was caught up in Jen-drama in a way that might not end well. She also had to consider that if things went badly with Steven, there would be ramifications with Pam. Her seemingly sad, empty life had just taken a turn for the complicated.

*

Pam sat at her small kitchen table and stared out at the ever-changing ocean, phone in hand. Lulu was stretched out in a patch of sun, while Pam chatted with her friend Olimpia.

“The day trip to Moscow is going to be long,” Olimpia was saying. “We’ll have to make sure we take protein bars with us.”

“They’ll have food in Moscow,” Pam teased, shifting her phone to the other ear. “I’m confident Russians eat just like we do.”

“You know how the tours go. Rush, rush, rush.”

Pam laughed. This always happened. About six weeks before their trip, Olimpia got crazy. In a couple of days she would calm down and be up for anything on the trip, but the pretravel jitters were always powerful.

Pam had met Olimpia, Laura and Eugenia two years ago on a Caribbean cruise. Pam had been recently widowed and was by herself. Olimpia and her friends had taken her under their collective wing and gotten her through a very rough time. As the three of them were also widows, they had understood what she was going through.

The three friends had become four friends. Now they traveled together a few times a year. Mostly cruises—like their upcoming Northern European jaunt in June—or weekends to hang out. They would all be in Phoenix in a couple of weeks.

“I’ll make sure I bring the protein bars you like,” Pam said.

“Only chocolate,” Olimpia told her.

“Would I bring anything else?”

“No. You’re very good to me. How are things otherwise?”

Pam sighed and told her what had happened with Jen. “We’re still not talking. It’s been three days of radio silence. I know it can’t go on much longer.”

“You should reach out to her.”

“I knew you were going to say that.” Pam also knew her friend was right. “I’ll text her when we’re done talking.”

“I guess this means she won’t be taking Lulu while you’re gone.”

Pam rolled her eyes. “She never takes Lulu. Not since Jack was born. Imagine the germs. She’s a dog after all. Lulu will stay with my friend Shannon.”

And while Shannon took excellent care of Lulu, she worked all day, so Pam also had to hire a dog sitter to spend a few hours with Lulu each afternoon. Yes, her dog was spoiled. She was also used to being with someone all the time. It wasn’t fair to leave her alone day after day simply because Pam was going on vacation.

“I’m sorry about Jen,” Olimpia said.

“Me, too. I wasn’t tactful. I should have been more gentle. It’s just she makes me crazy.”

“I believe children are supposed to make us crazy. It makes them leaving easier.”

“God always has a plan. You okay about the trip?”

“No, but I recognize my process. I’ll be fine in a week or two.”

“I’m still bringing protein bars. In case they try to starve us.”

Olimpia laughed. “You’re a good friend. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Talk to you soon.”

They hung up. Pam allowed herself thirty seconds of pouting before she texted her daughter.