“Not just her daughter, Liz. Addy’s been a part of our family for longer than I can remember.”
“Oh.”
I want to say “take that!” but I don’t. Because I’m an adult and right now, arguing in the middle of a cemetery where we just buried someone we love isn’t helping anyone. Nor is it appropriate.
“Anyway, what’s up, Lizzy?” I ask, only because I want to move on from the ridiculous argument we were just having.
“Not much. Just moved back and heard about Chris. I’m so sorry, again, Beau.”
“Thanks.”
“Where did you move from?”
“Most recently I’d been living in Tampa.”
“And now you’re back in Michigan?” I ask, skeptically, knowing that Tyson announced his early retirement from the major leagues because of a knee injury and that he would be making his home in the hills of Michigan once again. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if she decided to move back here for that very reason.
“I thought it was time. So how have you been, Addy? What’s new with you?”
“Well, we just buried my daughter’s father. My mom died a few years ago. I own the flower shop now. Other than that, not much.”
She has the decency to look marginally embarrassed by my blunt response in keeping her up to date on what’s been happening in my life since she never bothered to check in. Not that I gave her the same courtesy, however, if something major had changed in her life like one of her parents dying, I’d have at least sent her a card.
Luckily, Max interrupts us at just the right time, saving all three of us from the awkwardness.
“We’re heading back to Mom and Dad’s. They wondered if Zoey could just ride with them and we’ll meet you there?” Max asks. Then with a start, he realizes who’s standing with us. “Liz.” He nods once to acknowledge her but that’s it.
“Hey, Max. Long time no see.”
“Yeah,” he replies, dismissing her. “Anyway… so we’ll see you at the house?” he asks us. “They want some time alone as a family.”
Beau nods. “Works for us. Addy and I will take her car.”
Lizzy scrunches her eyebrows when Beau loops an arm behind my back and turns us to leave. “See ya, Lizzy.”
“Beau! Wait. Can we talk a quick second?”
He looks over his shoulder. “Can we do it another time? Kind of have a lot going on today.”
“Oh! Sure! Yeah. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. But that would be great. Better, even! We can meet for coffee or dinner or… whatever. Here, give me your phone and we’ll exchange numbers.”
Leaving no room for argument, she holds her hand out and I’m irritated once again when I see Beau hesitantly place his phone in her palm after unlocking the screen. Though I’m not sure what the other option is. It wouldn’t be right to cause a scene right now and I wouldn’t put it past her to do just that.
As soon as she has his phone, she begins to type away and then sends herself a message so she has his number as well.
“There. Perfect. I’ll text you.” She smiles brightly like she just won the lottery.
I have no doubt she’ll use that phone number often.
Beau takes his phone back and places a hand on my lower back to guide me to my car. Wordlessly, I hand him my keys and we climb inside just as the clouds part and a heavy summer storm falls from the sky.
“That was close.”
“Yeah.”
“You okay?” he asks me, concerned. For me. Meanwhile he’s hurting, too.
“No. Nothing about today was okay. Chris shouldn’t be gone. My daughter shouldn’t have to live the rest of her life without her father. Those students shouldn’t have had to say goodbye to someone who helped them. I hate that your parents and Max and you had to do this. I want to blame someone and there’s no one to blame. I want to punch something or scream at Chris to watch his health better. I’m angry. I’m sad. I’m irritated.”
Beau reaches over the console that divides us and pulls me across and onto his lap. “You’re right. Today was the worst.”
I rest my cheek on his chest and do my best to wrap my arms around him in the small space. “It really was. I just… I can’t believe he’s gone.”
His arms spasm as he tightens his hold on me. “I can’t either. I’m having trouble making sense of it.”