Chapter Nineteen
P IPER
A loud horn blared the next morning, rousing me from sleep. I let out a groan, my back aching from a night spent on a cot.
“Make the sound go away,” Kerrie murmured, covering her head with a pillow.
“Not likely in this place.” Maude snorted, pulling herself up into a sitting position.
“Alright, campers, time to get up, have breakfast, and make your way to the main camping area,” Karolina’s annoying voice came over the loudspeakers.
How could she be this chipper this early? Maybe she’d partaken in a little of nature’s weed or something.
“It isn’t realistic to have Karolina waking us up on a retreat. In a jungle, it should be the sounds of nature or rain.” I gave a yawn. “So much for realism.”
“And sleeping in,” Kerrie added. “I never get to sleep in. I was actually excited to have this weekend to recuperate from all the running I’ve been doing.”
Swinging my feet over the edge of my cot, I sat glancing at the other two, recalling our confessions last night. If there was one thing I realized, it was that I wasn’t the only broken one. We were all broken in some way or another—and that brokenness had somehow brought us together.
I had no idea what today would bring, but I was ready for it. Even though I was tired, I felt sort of mentally refreshed. Finally, I kicked my blanket off and hurried to get dressed, wondering if we might be able to shower or if we’d have to bathe in the river later.
We got dressed, then went outside to find someone had added eggs, bacon, and bread to our cooler. I got the grill going again and grabbed a cast iron skillet to cook in. I fried up the bacon, dumping some of the left-over grease in an empty bean can from last night’s dinner. The rest of the grease I used to keep the eggs from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Maude grabbed the bread and used the pronged sticks to toast it over the flames. When it was done, we sat back and enjoyed our food. I cleaned up the pan with some water from the river and put it on top of the cooler.
After everything was taken care of, we grabbed our bags and suitcases, and made our way back through the makeshift jungle toward the main camping area.
Soon, we arrived to find our fellow staff members waiting in a large circle, Karolina at the center. God, what was she having them do now? It looked like some sort of warm-up exercise. Or perhaps they were meditating? It was hard to tell from here.
“Yay, everyone is here now. Ladies, please stretch out for our next task.” Karolina’s smile nearly maimed my eyes with its brightness.
Carlos gestured for us to join him. “Phew, I was worried you guys didn’t survive.” He eyed Maude, who donned a pair of shorts with a red and white halter top. “Dang, Maude, if I was twenty years older, and not gay, I’d totally date you.”
She snorted and waved him off. “I’m no cougar. I like my men older.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He grinned, giving her a wink. “So, what was your camping area like?”
“You mean our death trap?” I quirked an eyebrow. “Seriously, we had to traverse the jungle, which was hotter than Satan’s ass crack, we almost died twice, once by animatronic alligator jaws, and a second time by going over a waterfall in a raft.”
His nose wrinkled, mouth turned down in a frown. “Are you serious?”
“She’s dead serious,” Kerrie said. “It was complete madness.”
“Honey, you don’t know madness until you had to boat out to an island.”
I chuckled. “An island?”
“Yeah, don’t ask me how in the hell they managed to make an island, but this place was surrounded by water. It had a few trees on it, but was mostly sand. Partway through setting up our tents, a huge storm blew in. The waves were crashing so badly, we couldn’t leave. We had to forage for food that washed up on shore. I was having a real Tom Hanks in Cast Away moment, only without Wilson the ball.”
“You had Edmund and Wooyoung,” I said.
He smirked. “Yes, I did get to look at those fine men all night. However, when facing imminent death, you kind of lose the enjoyment of the moment.”
“True.” Maude nodded. “But see here, we’re all back together again.”
“Right, only problem being, I feel like we’re about to be tortured again,” I said.
Sure enough, once Karolina made sure we were all stretched out, she clapped her hands together. “Everyone, can I have your attention please? Today we are going to work together as a whole group. I mentioned the trust bridge when you got here, and now, we’re going to make it a reality. I have some gear for you all to put on, then we’ll make our way up. Your goal is to cross the rope bridge over to the mountain.” She pointed to a large rocky-looking area constructed of metal, cement, and faux trees.
I swallowed hard, wrenching my hands together. The only thing I hated more than snakes was heights. No way could I do this. It was so far above the river. And if I fell, was the water deep enough to keep me from dying? Or would the impact of the fall kill me first?
“You okay?” Kerrie touched my arm. “You’re super pale.”
“I, um, sorta hate high places.” Which was the understatement of the century. A few other people came to help Karolina get us harnessed in. At least they were using safety precautions, which meant there wasn’t much chance of injury.
My stomach churned as a wave of nausea washed over me.
Karolina had people line up and start making their way up the to the rope bridge above. However, I lingered where I was, letting everyone else cut in front of me. My hands fisted at my sides as I watched each person take steps across the unstable ropes.
From above, Maude cursed. Carlos cheered her on, and at last, she made it.
Soon, I was the only one left to go. Taking a deep breath, I forced my wobbly legs forward and began to climb. Sweat beaded my brow. When I got to the top, I clung tight to the sides of the bridge. The word ‘bridge’ was a very loose definition for this rope monstrosity.
Suddenly, my feet no longer wanted to move. Mouth dry, I attempted to suck in deep breaths of air.
“I can’t do this,” I said. No sense in pretending otherwise.
“Noone’s going to force you.” Karolina gave me one of her annoying smiles. “You can just say the words and quit now. We’ll help you back down.”
Annoyed, I glowered at her. Was she seriously calling me a quitter?
“Come on, Piper, you’ve got this,” Kerrie shouted.
“Piper, don’t you dare turn back. Come to us,” Maude said. “Us girls stick together, so get a move on. You climbed the rock wall yesterday and navigated the rapids. This is nothing compared to those things. Grab the bull by the balls.”
“I think you mean horns,” Carlos shouted.
“No, I mean balls.”
I took a hesitant step, but when the bridge started to swing again, I stopped. My lids squeezed shut. I stood there until I felt the sway of the rope from someone else moving. I opened my eyes to find Wooyoung making his way toward me.
“Piper, don’t look down, okay? Look at me.” He reached me, clutching my hand in his. “I want you to hold onto my waist. I’ll help you get to the other side. All you have to do is keep staring straight ahead and put one foot in front of the other.”
“I’m scared,” I whispered.
“I know, but you can do this. Do you trust me?”
His mahogany gaze swept over me, cocooning me in warmth. Did I trust him? I mean, he’d lied to me about his sister, however, I never believed for one moment he’d intentionally let harm come to me.
“I...yes, I do.”
“Then come with me,” he said softly.
Heart thudding like a charging rhino, I gripped onto Wooyoung’s waist, and he led me over the bridge. Several times I wanted to give up, yet I didn’t.
Wooyoung’s back and shoulder muscles were taut as we made it to the other side. Once there, I released him, and everyone cheered.
“Thank you,” I said to him.
He nodded, then rejoined his friends. And just like that, he was back to ignoring me. Before I could become too emotional about it, Maude and Kerrie hugged me.
“I knew you could do it.” Kerrie patted my back.
“Me, too,” Maude said. “Although, having a well-built Wooyoung leading the way didn’t hurt, am I right?”
My cheeks burned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure, sure.” Maude grinned.
Karolina led us down a steep trail to the other side of the river where there were grills set up cooking various food items. There was even wine. So much for the no alcohol rule.
“I thought you said no alcohol?” Carlos said, handing his climbing harness to one of the workers.
“That was before the challenges. We didn’t want anyone intoxicated during their foray into the wilderness.” Karolina handed out several glasses. “But this is to celebrate all you’ve achieved here.”
“Wait, are we done with all our bonding activities?” I asked, running a hand through my loose hair. I’d lost my hair tie sometime after we’d gone over the waterfall yesterday.
“Not exactly. There are a couple of other small things, but nothing you can’t have a drink before doing.”
“Cheers,” Kerrie said, accepting a glass of red wine.
“Cheers,” Maude and I answered.
It turned out the other activities we had were cooking a big meal together and some weird tug of war thing. As we sat, listening to the sounds of “nature” later that night, I found myself watching Wooyoung across the fire. His dark hair was stuck to his forehead due to the humidity, but he still looked hot.
I missed him. However, I had no idea how to win him back. Well, I did, but how the hell did I get over Minho, who I’d spent half my life with? In the end, I knew I had to let Minho go and move on. Not just because I wanted Wooyoung in my life, but it’d be healthier for me, too, if I could stop grieving my breakup and relearn how to trust someone again.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Maude nudged me out of the Wooyoung-laced trance I was in.
“A penny, that’s kind of cheap,” Carlos said with a laugh. “How about a quarter? You can at least get a piece of bubblegum out of a machine with that.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just trying to figure out how to finally get over Minho and move on.”
“Hmm, and I think I know the object of your affection that could help with that.” Carlos winked, nodding at Wooyoung.
I shook my head. “No, I think I’ve screwed up too badly for that.”
“Remember, he was in the wrong, too, and I don’t think that ship has fully sailed yet,” Kerrie said. “Not that I’m an expert in the area of love, but the way Wooyoung came to your rescue today proves he’s not as over you as he pretends to be.”
“He’s a bad actor, too. He’s not even good at pretending. You know how many times I’ve caught him watching you on this trip?” Maude held her fingers up and started counting. “Well, it’s more times than I have fingers, I can tell you that.”
“What I need is a plan, or to talk to someone who knows how to let people go.” Who did I know like that? Then, it hit me. My mom. She was the expert at breaking up, leaving, divorcing, remarrying. Surely, she’d have some advice for me.
***
A FTER THE BUS DROPPED us off in our work parking lot, I hurried home, not even accepting a ride from anyone who offered. It gave me time to think and mull over what I needed to do. Seeing my apartment for the first time in a few days, I felt relief flood through me. First thing I planned on doing was taking a shower, then I’d call Mom.
I had no idea if she was even in the States at this point. Last I’d been aware, she’d taken a trip out of country with her newest husband.
When I finished scrubbing the remnants of dirt and river water from my skin, I made my way back into the living room and sat on the couch, holding one of my throw pillows to my chest.
It was now or never. With a sigh, I picked up my cell phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before she picked up.
“Piper, hey what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice crisp and melodic, just as I always remembered it to be.
“Does something have to be wrong for me to call?” My free hand gripped the arm of the chair, bracing myself for the lecture about my never calling her.
“Well, when else do you call?”
“Jesus, Mom, I called to talk for a few minutes. And besides, it’s hard to know when you’re available and not. Wasn’t sure if husband six or seven took you on a trip or not.”
“Husband seven has a name, you know,” she said.
“Francois, I do know. I was teasing. If you’re busy, I can call another time.” Yep, I was a chicken when it came to confrontation with my mother.
“No, I’m not. Please don’t hang up. It’s been too long, Piper, since we actually had a conversation. I know you don’t always agree with the things I do, but I still love you.”
“I know.” I took a deep breath. “The thing is, I need help. I want to move on from Minho, but don’t know how. I met this really great guy, but he thinks I’m too hung up on mine and Minho’s breakup to really be committed to him, and he’s right.”
“Well, you came to the right place,” she said, somewhat sarcastically, but I caught the hint of seriousness behind her words, too. “I’m the expert on moving on and starting over.”
I remained quiet, not arguing with her, because what she said was true.
“You need to give yourself closure,” she said. “Whether that closure comes from you talking to Minho, moving to a different house, counseling, whatever your closure might be. I can’t tell you what you need to do, I can only relay what’s worked for me. But the biggest thing is to make a decision and see it through. If you’re done with clinging to the idea of Minho, then be done with it. Wash him out of your life. He’s not worth your tears. And admittedly, you’re better without him, Piper. Find someone who will cherish you.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you.” For the first time in a long time, I felt close to my mom.
She’d hit the nail on the head. I was better off without Minho. I’d managed to live on my own without him. I was happier now having Maude and Kerrie, Carlos, and Wooyoung in my life. Although, Wooyoung was currently on hiatus from my social circle. I had a feeling I might be able to fix it. I just needed to brainstorm how.
“When I lost your father, it was excruciatingly painful,” Mom said softly. “But your father made me promise to not waste my life in sorrow. He wanted me to be happy. So, his words became my closure. I know you think it was easy for me to move on, but it wasn’t. However, I had you to think about, too, not just myself. I wanted to find someone who could fill the role of a father for you as well as be a companion for me.” A sigh sounded on the other end. “And well, you know how that went. I met David. While he was someone who let me lean on him and helped me raise you, I realized it wasn’t the kind of true love I’d had with your father. David was a true friend, one who did so much for us. Anyway, enough about me.”
“Thank you,” I said again, appreciating her honesty. Mom and I didn’t normally do these kinds of serious talks, and I wasn’t quite sure what to say at this point. This was the only time I’d ever heard her be so candid about my dad.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Maybe when I’m in town next, we can meet up for dinner or a spa day.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure I’m up for any spas anytime soon, but dinner would be great.”
“I hate to cut this short, but Francois and I are meeting up with his parents to take the boat out. I’ll talk to you soon?”
“Yeah, I’ll give you call and let you know how everything turns out.”
When we hung up, I went out on my deck and sat. I watched the waves crest and fall on the shore across the street. Things were changing again, but this time, I was ready. Ready to let go and dive in.
After a half an hour of sitting outdoors, my cell rang, and I hopped up to grab it. “Piper, hey, it’s David.”
My stepdad always identified himself, even though he’d had the same number for as long as I could recall. “Hi, what’s up?”
“So, I’m downstairs and thought I’d check in on you since I was in the neighborhood.”
With a snort, I headed toward my buzzer. “You mean, Mom called and asked you to make sure I was fine?”
“That, too.” He laughed.
“Sure, come on up. I buzzed you in.”
A few minutes later, David knocked on my door and I let him in. He smelled of sandalwood, a scent I always associated with him since before his and Mom’s divorce. His brown hair was speckled with gray now, a reminder he was getting older. He still wore a friendly smile and gave the best bear hugs.
“Piper, how’s my girl doing?”
“Better. Believe it or not, Mom’s pep talk kind of helped.”
I ushered him over to the couch. “Your mom is not always bad. She’s a loving person. Um, maybe a little too loving sometimes,” he teased.
“I wish she would’ve stayed married to you.”
“In the end, we weren’t right for one another, but I gained a daughter out of it, so it wasn’t all horrible.”
“Did Mom tell you why I called?”
“Yeah, she did. So, I wanted to let you know I do have an apartment available in another building if you decide you want to move. I know it won’t have the view of Lake Michigan, but it’s in a nice area.”
David was a businessman and owned several apartment buildings in Chicago as well as a hotel chain, and a fancy restaurant, too. He had no other children, other than me, and even though I wasn’t blood related, he’d always treated me as such.
“I’ll think about it. Would I be able to check it out?” Might as well leave no stone unturned at this point.
“Of course. I’ll call the building manager and let him know you might drop by, that you’re to have full access to it. If you decide you want it, just let him know, and I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you.” Honestly, I had no idea how I’d gotten so lucky to have so many great people in my life recently. Maybe everything really would be okay.