It takes me a minute to recover from my blunder. “No, I didn’t, and I don’t know why I said his name.” I look down at the pile in my arm and realize that the last few items I’ve picked up are indeed for this man, who I barely know yet seem to want to help. I’ve volunteered before at the homeless shelter, but never have I gone out of my way to buy clothing for someone who’s homeless.
“Who is he?”
“Do you remember the man Ruby was talking to at the ice rink?”
Eliza nods. “You’re buying clothes for that bum?”
The word bum doesn’t sit well with me. I grimace at her. “I see him differently. So does Ruby.”
“Have you fallen and hit your head? Do I need to take you to the ER?”
“It’s hard to explain, but I’ve spoken to him a few times and … I don’t know, there’s something about him.” I pause and shake my head. “I don’t expect you to understand, and maybe it’s because I’m going through this thing with Rory and I’m utterly confused, but Gabe has a way of knowing what to say when I’m in doubt.”
“Now I’m confused. Are you telling me that you’ve confided in this man?”
“No, I’m not saying that at all. Like I said, it’s hard to explain.”
“Well, you can explain it later over lunch.”
I shouldn’t be surprised when I spot Amber at the restaurant, sitting alone with two additional menus. As soon as my sister left me in the men’s section, she was on her phone, and my best guess is that she called Amber and likely told her I’m having a mid-life crisis because I’m shopping for Gabe.
Eliza slides in next to Amber, leaving me no choice but to sit across from the both of them. I smile, place my stuff down next to me, pick up the menu and hide behind it, pretending everything’s great. Okay, great might be stretching it, but I’m better since I last saw them at the ice rink.
The waitress stops, takes our orders and menus, leaving me vulnerable to Amber’s penetrating gaze. “So, how are things at work?” I ask her.
“Oh, no you don’t. We’re here to talk about your mystery man.”
After I roll my eyes, I stare sharply at my sister, who is conveniently looking out of the restaurant window. I’m tempted to look out as well, to see if I can spot Gabe so I can give him the things I’ve purchased. “First off, he’s not a mystery. You saw him at the rink the other day. Second, he’s not my man.” I mimic her voice when I say “my man.”
“Seriously, what’s going on?” Amber asks as she reaches across the table to grab my hand. “You’re starting to freak me out. Be straight with us, did you meet someone?”
“I think she got l-a-i—”
“Okay, now you’re just being foolish, Eliza.”
She shrugs.
“How else do you explain your giddiness?” Amber asks.
“What’s wrong with being a little happy?” I ask them.
Amber and Eliza look at each other, and then both lean forward. “Look, I know you’re technically married to my brother, but I would hope you’d still tell me …” She looks from me to Eliza and back, “you know, if you found someone else.”
“Oh my, just stop. Both of you …” I shake my head. I imagine my happier-than-normal demeanor is likely throwing them off, but it’s disheartening to think that neither of them expected or hoped that Rory and I would get back together. “Rory finally admitted that he put his job before our family and is promising to make a change.”
“Do you believe him?” my sister asks. It was just days ago when I cried on their shoulders after I served divorce papers.
They both look at me, each with an eyebrow raised. Clearing my throat, I say, “I can sense that the wheels are turning in your thoughts. They’re doing the same in mine. I keep questioning myself about what I should do.”
“Which is?” Eliza asks.
“That’s the thing, I don’t know. This is unchartered territory for me.”
Now it’s my sister’s turn to reach across the table and clasp my hand. “Why don’t you start at the beginning so Amber and I can help you make the best decision?”
I nod and smile. “Rory showed up to church yesterday. He sat with Ruby and me, as if nothing had changed between us. But it’s not just church. He also came to Ruby’s winter concert. He was attentive to both of us, acting like a doting father and being a husband who affectionately touches his wife. I wanted to scream and dance for joy over the attention, because this is exactly what I’ve wanted for so long.”
“And then what happened?” Eliza shifts her position.