“I met with Zach last week. I told him you are shifting to St. Peppers. So, the Teagers now know about your move.”
“Okay.”
It’s not really a secret. I didn’t have time or I’d have called Hope, Zach’s wife, myself and made a plan to meet once I’m settled in St. Peppers. Zach is the brother-in-law of my friend and previous apartment roommate, Rose, who also happens to be the sister of Oscar’s wife, Kristy. So, I am pretty close to the Teagers.
“There’s something you need to know.”
I feel like I’m in a haze of confusion when Oscar tells me about the mess between my new boss, Vanessa Hilbert, and the Teagers. This doesn’t sound real.
“Jesus, Oscar! I had no idea,” I whisper in shock. “Vanessa and Zach!” I cringe. I cannot see Zach with anyone but Hope. “You mean they had a…thing?”
“I don’t know, and I have no interest in knowing any further,” my brother admonishes me, as he does to his son, Charlie. “It’s not our circus, not our monkeys. Got it?”
Geez! I nod and then say a gentle yes.
“I just told you what Kristy witnessed last year. Now that you’re moving to St. Peppers, you’ll see Zach and Hope more often.”
“How did I never hear any of this?”
“Because until last month I had no idea there could be a connection between you and Vanessa,” he groans in anger.
The Teagers are family to Kristy. My brother spends almost every weekend with them. What’ll be their reaction if they learn about me working for Vanessa? Did I put my brother in a rough spot? I shuffle my feet, drawing lines with my heels on the small patch of dirt by the bench.
My mother’s voice rebuking me that I don’t think before acting, hits me hard.
“I’m sorry, Oscar. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just go there and do your best work.” He pauses. “Clem, if you’re serious about living life on your own terms and this is not just a…phase…” Before I can interrupt him, he adds, “This is your golden chance.”
“It’s not a phase.” My stomach tightens hearing my brother’s meager confidence.
“Then make the most of it. If my sources are right, Vanshionista is on top of its game. Just keep it professional at work and don’t engage in a personal friendship with Vanessa.”
“Vanessa doesn’t have personal relations with anyone.” My excitement of finding a place is slowly draining as I talk more to my brother.
“Do your three-months’ probation period and then see how it goes.”
My heart sinks further at his words. Now I know my family is rooting for me to be back in three months with my tail between my legs.
4
CLEMENTINE
I look at all the paper bags splayed out on the limo seat by Mrs. Lurch.
“There’s a cheesecake for you, when you feel alone tonight.” Gram places some more bags on the seat. “That’s a cake for your new landlord. And these are my Cookie’s favorite.”
I can smell the delicious, warm scent of the mint cookies as she places a red tin box in my hands before pulling me in a tight hug.
“Gram! It’s just two hours away,” I whisper.
“Yes, you’ll be two hours away now.”
All my control snaps when I hear her sniffling. Big, fat tears roll down my cheeks and I sob in her arms. “Oh, Gram. I’ll miss you so much.”
“You call me whenever you feel homesick, yeah?” She rubs my back.
I nod relentlessly. “I will. I will.”