Another week goes by with me trying to ignore my growing sense of dread about Max and my inability to deal with his job. I feel like I have a countdown clock running in the background of my life. I just have no idea what will happen when it reaches zero. Will that be it for me and Max? Game over?
I sigh and dig weeds out of Nan’s garden beds. My mood isn’t helped by the knowledge I’m turning into one of those women I used to think about with disdain. The ones who go out of their minds obsessing about a man and what they’d do if they lost him. The ones who are lovesick and pathetic.
Nearby, Nan kneels beside Moby’s pond and fusses with him. “I think he’s limping.”
“Nan, he’s swimming. He can’t limp while he swims.”
“He can and he is. I think he sprained something flapping around when Max came over yesterday. I swear he’s imprinted on that man. He gets way too excited whenever he sees him. Maybe he needs an X-ray.”
I shake my head and go back to pulling weeds. It’s good to see that Nan’s near-death experience hasn’t changed her. She’s been home for a week now, and everything’s almost back to normal. Her left arm still doesn’t have much strength in it, but at least she can move it.
Even though Max is still working day and night, he’s dropped over a few times. I know he’s coming to see me, but he spends most of his time chatting with Nan and charming her into a stupor. He still throws me glances that make me wish we were alone and naked, but I’ve been trying not to pressure him regarding sleepovers, because honestly, he looks exhausted. No wonder he’s never had a successful relationship. The man’s a workaholic. Just one more thing that doesn’t bode well for our future.
He’s asked me to give him time and trust him, and I’m trying to do that, even though patience and trust are two things I have in short supply.
“Not seeing Max again today?” Nan asks as she throws some bread into the water for Moby.
“Nope. Apparently, there are a whole bunch of other women he’d rather spend time with.” Jealousy, however, I have by the bucketful.
“Aw, sweetie, you know that’s not true. He’s a freelancer. He needs to take the work when it’s there.”
“I know, Nan. I just can’t help feeling ... we’re the right people who met at the wrong time. The odds are stacked against us.”
“He loves you. I know that much.”
“Maybe. But sometimes, that’s not enough.” I always swore I wouldn’t buy into the lie of ‘the one’ and the whole ‘love can overcome anything’ malarkey, but now that I have, it hurts like hell to find out I’ve been right to be cynical all these years.
I dust off my hands and walk over to her. “Anyway, I’m trying not to think about my issues with Max. I have to get ready for my final meeting with Derek. I’m going to beg him for my old job back and hope he’s in a good mood. If he’s not, Asha and I might have to come and crash here when we get evicted.”
Nan pulls me down into a hug. “I’m sad you can’t publish that beautiful article about Max, honey, but do you really want to hold onto that job? You hate it.”
“True, but I’m pretty sure I’d hate being unemployed even more.” I kiss her on the cheek. “So, tell me honestly, will you be okay here by yourself?”
She pulls back and scowls at me. “Now what have I told you about treating me like I’m an old woman? I won’t have it, Eden. One little coma, and you tiptoe around like I’m made of eggshells. I’ll be fine. Plus, your sister is getting back today, and I promised her we’d spend the afternoon making voodoo dolls of you and sticking them with pins.”
“She’s not going to forgive me any time soon for not telling her about your accident, is she?”
I hear a noise behind me before a familiar voice says, “No, she’s really not.”
I spin around, and then Nan and I both let out noises of delight when we see Asha standing there, looking even more radiant than she was before she left.
“Oh, my God!” I say as she runs over to us and wraps us in her arms. “Ash, I’ve missed you so damn much.”
She squeezes me as we all cling to each other in a three-way hug, and I don’t even care that I’m crying right now. My sister is home, and she couldn’t have come at a better time.
She pulls back, tears glinting on her lashes. “I got in early, so I came straight here.” She turns to Nan and gives her a thorough examination. “Are you okay?”
Nan rolls he eyes. “Don’t you start with me. This is why I choose to never get sick. People start to treat you like you’re an invalid.”
I hug both of them again, happy that at least this part of my life is holding together.
“I need to hear all about France, Ash, but right now I have to go get ready for my meeting with Derek.”
Ash takes my hand. “I’m so sorry about the article, Edie. I know how much you wanted that promotion.”
I shrug. “C’est la vie, right?”
She hugs me again. “At least you have an amazing man to console you.”
“Yeah,” I say, pushing down my emotions. “At least I have that.”
Ash says she’ll help me get ready, and then turns to Nan. “Will you be okay by yourself, old girl?”
Nan stares at her, unimpressed. “Get out of here before I forget why I love you two so much.”
We laughs as we head downstairs, and by the time Asha is finished with me, I look like a French model. She’s dressed me in the prettiest floral wrap-dress I’ve ever seen, rationalizing that if I look like a delicate flower, Derek might be less inclined to yell at me and toss me out into the street. I can only pray she’s right.
“Edie, no matter what happens today, know that I couldn’t be prouder of you.” She hugs me again. “But please know I will be torturing you for months as payback for not telling me about Nan.”
I laugh and squeeze her. “I’d expect nothing less. See you later.”
As I head toward the subway station, I take some deep breaths to calm my nerves. I wish I could talk to Max. I know he’s working, but I crave his support right now.
As if I’ve willed it to happen, my phone lights up with his number, and a wave of relief rushes though me as I answer. “Hi. I didn’t think I’d get to speak to you until later.”
“I snuck away.” Even through the phone, his voice soothes me. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I could win the World Barfing Championship.” I just have to remember I’m doing this for him. Maybe that will stop my stomach from churning with too much acid.
He makes a sympathetic noise. “I just want you to know I’ll never forget that you were willing to give up you dream for me. One day soon, I’m going to make it up to you.”
“With sex?”
He chuckles. “Among other things.” His voice gets softer. “You’re an amazing woman, Eden Tate. I hope you know that.”
I look both ways then cross the street. “I don’t think Derek would agree with that assessment.”
“You never know. He might surprise you.”
“Sure. And I might suddenly sprout a tail.”
“Is it wrong that I’d still do you with a tail?”
“Not at all. Mutant-girls need lovin’ too.”