Chapter 7
Seven
Ellison
It’s been two weeks since Copeland arrived back in town, and I’ve managed to avoid him, aside from the first few days he was here. I might have involved my sisters to help me find out where he is so that I can sneak in and out of my office without being noticed.
I know I’m hiding like a coward, but I’m just not ready to face him and our past.
Besides, this self-imposed exile to my office has been great for my productivity.
I’m caught up on the books, so much so that Baylor would be proud, my desk is clean, and my office is free of dust. The only thing I haven’t managed to do yet is order a new chair.
I know I’m being too sentimental and that I can push the chair to the corner, but something about replacing it feels wrong, even if my back screams that the chair needs an upgrade.
However, today was Mary’s appointment for the results of her PET scan. I need to visit her, and I’m scared to admit that I’m dragging my feet because I don’t want to run into Copeland. Even after all these years, my heart still beats wildly when in his presence.
So, what’s a coward to do? I call instead. Dialing her number, I place the phone to my ear. It rings three times before she answers. “Hello, my dear Ellie,” she greets me.
“Mary, how are you?” I ask.
“Oh, I’m just fine.”
“Do you need anything? Anything at all?”
“Actually, you know, a slice of Alice’s apple pie sounds divine. She mentioned she was making a few today. You wouldn’t happen to have a piece left over, would you?” she asks.
“I’m sure we do. Alice always bakes several. Is now a good time to bring it over?” If I run into Copeland, so be it. Mary never asks for anything, so this is a concession I’m just going to have to make.
“Ellison Moran, you know my door is always open to you and your sisters and your grandparents, anytime, day or night.”
“Gram and Gramps are in Alabama. Gulf Shores,” I tell her. “They’re living their best retired life.” I laugh.
“Good for them. At their age, still getting around the way that they do, they need to be living each moment as if it might be their last,” she says, her voice hitching just slightly.
“I agree. I told them to go, but stay in touch.”
“Let me guess? Ruby told you to stop hovering.”
“You know her well.” I laugh. “Let me get that pie together, and I’ll be right over. How many pieces do we need?”
“It’s just me, dear,” she says, and I can hear her smile. I’m busted, asking if I need to bring a slice for Copeland, Chandler, Macie, or the kids. I would have brought them all a slice, but she knew I was fishing to see if Copeland was there.
“Okay. One slice of Alice’s apple pie, coming right up.”
“Thank you, Ellie. I’ll see you soon,” she says, ending the call.
It’s just after five, and I was hoping Copeland and Chandler were no longer there. It seems like holding out helped.
Quickly, I close down my computer, grab my phone, keys, and purse, and head to the kitchen to get Mary her slice of Alice’s apple pie. Tonight’s dinner is chicken pot pie, so I scoop her up a helping of that, as well. If she’s already eaten, she can warm it tomorrow so she doesn’t have to cook.
Instead of leaving through the dining room, just in case Copeland is there having dinner, I slip out the back door and walk around to the other side of the building, where the employees park.
I drove today, knowing that I’d be going to visit Mary at some point.
Sure, I could have walked to her place, but I have a better chance of not being detected if I drive.
Hiding from Copeland is becoming a full-time job.
I’m constantly thinking about how to change my routines so I can evade him.
It’s pathetic, really. He’s a man who once held my heart—still does.
The past is the past, even though there has been no one else for me but him.
I should be able to be in the same room with him.
We were kids. It’s been nearly two decades, but there’s nothing about how I feel about him, now or then, that feels like we were just kids.
Copeland James was my everything. I’ve accepted that a huge piece of my heart will always be his.
I was okay with that, but now that he’s back in town, it’s harder to ignore.
When I pull into Mary’s driveway, she’s sitting on the front porch swing. She waves as I climb out of the car, before reaching into the back seat to grab her treats.
“That looks like a lot of pie,” she teases as I make my way up the steps.
“Well, tonight’s special was chicken pot pie. I wasn’t sure if you’d eaten, but if so, it’s just as good heated up,” I tell her.
“That sounds wonderful. We had a late lunch, but that will hit the spot in a little while. Thank you, Ellie.” She smiles at me as she pats the open seat on the porch swing next to her. “Sit with me.”
Nodding, I place the goodies I brought her on the small table next to what looks like a half-empty glass of lemonade and take a seat as she instructed.
“It’s in my lymph nodes,” she says, not beating around the bush.
“The doctors are hopeful that they can get it all. We caught it early, but sitting here, I’ve decided that I’m going to have the mastectomy.
They said we could try treatment without it, but I’m geared up for a fight.
I will not let this disease win…” she says, her voice trailing off.
“Oh, Mary.” I reach over to take her hand in mine.
Tears prick my eyes, but this strong woman sitting next to me gives me a soft smile, her eyes dry.
“I need to see both of my boys happy and settled. I miss Heath every single day, but I’m not ready to join him yet.
There is still just so much—” she says, and this time her voice wavers.
“What can I do?” I feel helpless.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I need to tell the boys my decision, and I’ll call the doctor to let them know.
I already told them to fight aggressively.
Based on what they’ve already told me, we’ll have to schedule surgery for the lymph node removal under my arm and the mastectomy, and then chemo will follow.
We’ll do another scan and see if radiation is necessary.
With the mastectomy, that might not be needed. ”
“Lots of big choices being made,” I say, because I don’t have any other words.
“Yeah, but I’m going into this with my eyes wide open.
I know what chemotherapy and radiation do to your body.
I’m going to be sick, I’m going to lose my hair, lose weight, and I know that it’s going to be a tough road, but I want to travel it, Ellison.
” She turns in her seat to face me, and I know before she opens her mouth she’s going to ask something of me, and no matter what it is, I’m not going to be able to tell her no.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know how my body will react, and my boys might need support. Chandler has Macie, and I don’t know if they’ll need help with the kids. Her parents are in Ohio, and then Copeland…” Her voice trails off as she clears her throat.
Mary was my rock when we lost our parents.
We’ve lived next door to them our entire lives, and she helped me so much.
I’d suddenly found myself running a business, with a sister still in high school, and Mary was my lifeline.
I had Gram and Gramps, too, but they’d just lost their daughter and son-in-law, and I didn’t want to burden them with my fear and anxiety.
It was Mary, my ex-boyfriend's mom, who pulled me through.
“Whatever you need,” I tell her, and I mean it. If that means I have to spend time around Copeland, the man I’ve gone out of my way to avoid, then so be it. This is more important. She is more important.
“I know that I’m asking a lot, but Copeland keeps things in here,” she says, tapping her chest. “He’s just left the life that he’s built for himself over seventeen years, and honestly, I’m more worried about him.
I know Macie will take good care of Chandler and the kids, but Cope, he’s not going to want to put more on either of them, or me. ”
“We’ll figure it out. Whatever it looks like.
” I smile. “Appointments, meals, someone to sit with you, someone to stay with you, whatever you need, Mary, we’re all here.
Leighton and Courtlynn can help or fill in for me at the Manor.
We’ve got a strong foundation. You have a strong foundation in us, in your sons.
Let us be the ones that help you through this,” I say, a tear sliding down my cheek.
“My sweet girl,” she says, leaning over to pull me into a hug.
“You and your sisters, all four of you, are family. I don’t know everything about what happened back then, but that’s never changed my feelings for any of you girls.
Love is complicated, and adulting is hard.
” She laughs. “I hate to even ask this of you, but if I know they’re okay, then I know I’ll be okay.
It sounds weird, but I’ve accepted this, and I’m ready to fight with everything I’ve got.
My boys, after losing their dad so young, it was just me, and I fear this is going to hit them hard. ”
“Understandably. Even if Heath were still with us, it would hit them hard, Mary. You’re their mother. My second mother.” More tears race down my cheeks, but I don’t bother to wipe them away. I know that more will take their place.
She smiles, her eyes glassy with tears. “Your mom was my best friend. Your parents would be so proud of you; you know that, right? All four of you girls—” She swallows hard. “They’d be so proud of you.”
“Thank you,” I croak.
“Enough of the heavy. How about you sit with me, and fill me in on how you and your sisters are doing while I warm up dinner and enjoy that slice of apple pie?”
“Deal.” We stand, and she grabs the containers as I follow her into the house.