11. Fragile Foundation
Chapter 11
Fragile Foundation
Lila
“How’s it going with the florist? Did you talk to him?” I ask Katie, checking items off the to-do list I had made earlier. It’s the only way to make sure that nothing’s forgotten.
“Yeah, he’s got our orders taken care of. He’ll have the flowers delivered to the venue the day before the event,” Katie responds. I can hear her fingernails clicking away at her keyboard over the phone.
“I don’t like the idea of that. What if something goes wrong? It would be too late to order from another florist. I think I’d like to have them delivered at least two days before,” I say.
“Have we seen the flowers yet? I know we’ve done business with this florist before, but I’m not comfortable not seeing a sample in person. Can’t leave anything to chance.”
“I already knew you were going to say that, which is why you have an appointment set up to meet with him so you can see the flowers for yourself, and make sure they’re exactly what you envisioned.”
“That’s why you and I work so well, Katie. You already know what I want even before I say it,” I chuckle.
“Is that the beginnings of a raise I smell coming my way?” she asks slyly. I can hear the grin in her voice.
“Nice try, kiddo,” I chuckle, ticking flowers off my list.
“Come on, Lila. I should at least win employee of the month,” she sulks.
“You’re my only employee,” I mention dryly.
“Exactly!”
I roll my eyes, a smile on my face as I run through the list again.
“Okay, so we’ve got the venue confirmed, the rest of the decorations, and now the flowers. Can you send an email to our client to update them on the progress so far and have them send you the guest list? We need to get started on seating arrangements soon,” I say, my eyes glued to my computer screen. I study the 3D view of the event space, my mind already playing with the different types of table arrangements that would work well with the shape of the hall.
“Yes, ma’am. Anything else?” Katie asks from the other end of the line.
“That’s all for now. We’ve made really good progress, and once we have the guest list, we can move on to the next phase. Let the florist know my availability to see what works best.”
“Will do, ma’am. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You too, Katie,” I say absentmindedly, my mind already painting a picture of the empty hall I’m staring at on my computer screen. Soon, it will be transformed into something straight out of a fairytale. It’s my favorite part of being an event planner. Watching it all come together. The hall, the lights, the decoration, the flowers. There’s nothing better than seeing the smiles of wonder on my clients’ faces when I bring their dreams to life. It’s truly a humbling experience that leaves me in awe of my own abilities every single time.
“Oh, and Lila?” Katie calls.
“Hm?” I mutter distractedly.
“Time to get away from that desk I know you’ve got piled high with paperwork. You need to take care of yourself. Go take a walk and get some fresh air. At least eat something.” she says.
“Yes, ma’am,” I chuckle, doing a salute even though I know she can’t see it.
“I’m serious, Lila. You work too damn hard,” she sighs.
“No, I work just enough to keep us both employed,” I say drily.
“Food, Lila. No more computer screens for today,” Katie says sternly.
“Now who’s being bossy?” I grin, picturing the scowl on her face.
“Well, someone’s gotta look out for you,” Katie quips.
“And that someone is you?”
“I happen to think you’re an excellent employer and I would like you to stay healthy so you can continue to employ me,” she says matter-of-factly, jokingly, but serious at the same time.
“I appreciate that,” I chuckle.
“Have a good day, Lila,” Katie finally says right before dropping the call.
I yawn, my neck making a satisfying cracking sound as I tilt my head from side to side. I stand and stretch, glancing at the clock that hangs on the wall across from me.
6:07 P.M.
Katie’s not wrong. I’m definitely due for some dinner. All I had today was coffee and toast. It only takes me a couple of minutes to heat up the pasta I’d made for dinner last night. I make my way back to my work desk, trying to clear some space. I accidentally knock over a pile of files, and they clatter to the floor with a thud.
Sighing dramatically, I set my food on the table, crouching down to pick them up.
I’ve just about put them all back together when something slips out of one of the folders. It’s a small photo of Sue and me.
We were just about to turn seventeen when we took this photo. I remember that day vividly. We didn’t make the cheerleading team our freshman and sophomore years, so we decided to try one more time as juniors, and to our excitement, we both got on the squad.
I smile softly as I stare at us grinning from ear to ear in our cheerleading uniforms. We’d fantasized for years about being in those short skirts and waving our pompoms at a crowd full of cheering people. I didn’t think life could get any better. We were living the dream.
My fingers trace the curve of our smiles in the photo. Food long forgotten now, I pick myself off the floor and sit back in my chair, my gaze still fixed on the photo, wishing for the days when our biggest worry was making the cheerleading team.
Today, we have much bigger things to worry about. Me, the family I’ve dreamt of having my entire life slipping further away from me with each passing day, and Sue having to deal with the idea that the man she’s been married to for the last eight years may be cheating on her.
It’s not a reality that I want to accept.
I know the misery that Sue is living in right now. The chaos that must no doubt consume her every thought day and night. The fear and the uncertainty of what is to come.
My heart hurts for her. If it does turn out that Greg is cheating on her, it will destroy her, and as selfish as it sounds, I need it to not be true for me too, because Sue and Greg are my last hope of faith in love.
I’ve faced that pain, and I hate that my best friend is experiencing it too. It’s scarred me for life, and is the reason that I’m still single at thirty-nine.
I’ve never been able to completely trust another man. That’s why my dream of having a family is slowly slipping out of my reach.
I drag a hand across my tired face.
Picking up my phone, I dial Sue’s number, my fingers drumming nervously along the smooth surface of my desk. We’ve barely spoken since I left her house the other day, and I have no idea what to expect.
Is she mad at me for saying no to her? Or does she—
“Hey,” Sue’s voice comes through the speaker.
“Hi, Sue,” I start awkwardly, clearing my throat to release some of the tension I feel. “I uh—I wasn’t sure if you were mad at me after the—”
“I’m not mad at you, Lila. I understand why you said no. I just…I didn’t know what else to do. I thought maybe there was a way you could help me, but you’re right. It’s not fair to you, and it’s a terrible plan anyway,” she sighs, exhaustion evident in her voice.
“I’m really sorry, Sue,” I murmur, feeling utterly useless now. “I take it you still haven’t talked to him about it?”
“No, but I plan to as soon as he gets back.”
“Gets back? I—I don’t understand.”
“He’s out of town. Another unexpected trip that is most likely just him going to be with his mistress. I can’t—I can’t keep doing this, Lila. I’ve buried my head in the sand long enough.” Her voice catches on a sob.
My shoulders slump, body falling back against the chair limply.
“Oh, God, Sue.”
“Yeah. Hey, listen, I have another call. Let’s talk later?” she asks.
I can’t help my sigh. This has been one of Sue’s favorite evasive techniques for as long as I’ve known her. Every time she doesn’t want to talk about something, she finds a way to steer conversation away. And this time, I can’t blame her for it.
“Sure, we’ll talk later.”