Chapter 5
Whitney
Walking down Main Street, I look in the window of any store that may take my interest. I’m not just window-shopping today, I’m looking for anything I want for the cottage. It already has a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and refrigerator, so I’m thankful that those costs are not on my list.
Seeing a furniture store across the street, I head for the crosswalk. I can’t wait to see what they have.
Stepping inside the shop, the excitement builds as I zero in on a leather sofa. It’s beautiful, and in a tan leather that I know will look good for years to come.
Heading over to it, I give it a check over and I like it even more. It has two matching easy chairs and will look great in the living area of the cottage.
After calling an assistant over to where I’m standing in front of the sofa, I explain what I’m looking for, and the young woman nods quietly, taking in everything I’m saying.
“Okay then. Let’s make a start and see what we can get for you.
I’ll speak to my manager about a discount if you purchase a lot.
He’s a fair man, and I’m sure he’ll be happy to do that.
” Giving me a smile, she holds her hand out to shake.
“I’m Rhea, and I’m happy to help in any way I can.
If you need anything outside of shopping, give me a call.
Being new in a town isn’t easy, but I’d be happy to help you. ”
I take the card that Rhea hands me with the shop contact details, but at the bottom is her phone number. “Thank you, Rhea. Now, let’s get shopping.” I rub my hands together in excitement as I point at the sofa.
I’m in the shop for three hours in total. Spent a small fortune, but I have everything I need. I even purchased a vase, a candlestick and a few other pieces to place around the cottage.
Rhea speaks with the manager, and I get a staggering ten percent off my purchases, and they are delivering free of charge. I have to wait two days, but that’s nothing in the scheme of things.
When I leave the shop, I tell Rhea to pop in and see me at the cottage, have a cup of coffee with me, and see what everything looks like when situated. Maybe I’ve made a new friend?
Back at the cabin I look at the Christmas tree and think I’m going to take that down and put it up in the cottage. I’ll be moved in well before Christmas, and it’ll be my first one in my own home. Honestly, I cannot wait.
Opening my laptop, I work for two hours before closing it again because I need to go shopping. I’m going to get some much-needed groceries. The fridge here is about empty, and I need a few feminine things, too.
Walking around Walmart, I steadily fill my cart.
I’m trying very hard not to shop for the cottage, too.
I’ll do a separate shop when I’m ready to move in, which is as soon as I have all the furniture delivered.
I’ve already given notice regarding the cabin’s lease, and as it was a month-by-month lease I can leave whenever I’m ready, as long as it is before the end of the month.
Picking up a TV dinner, I place it into the cart, but sigh, because honestly I hate the things.
I’ve missed Thanksgiving, but it’s okay, I had nobody here to celebrate with.
Lee is neck deep in a harsh divorce case, and she apologized for not coming to me, but as I told her, she has to put priority on her work.
I stop at a display of Advent calendars; there are some really cute ones.
But I see one with bikes, cars and planes, which has me thinking of Oren.
I pick one up and place it into the cart.
Yeah, I’m getting one for him because I can’t resist his smile, and I know he's going to give me one when he sees it.
I’m checking out the tampons because the last ones I had were not that effective. I do have a heavy flow for the first two days, and I don’t want to have any disasters.
I place one box in my cart when I hear my name called.
Surprised, I turn and see Oren hurtling towards me down the aisle.
“Hello, Oren. It’s nice to see you here.
” I give him a huge smile as he throws himself at me and gives me a hug.
I’m a little overwhelmed if I’m being honest because this kid just oozes affection.
“We’ve been to the museum…saw dinosaurs…not real ones…got a book…” Oren rants, telling me everything without taking a breath. Then he stops speaking as he looks at my cart. “You've got a calendar. Who is that for? I want one with dinosaurs on.”
“Oh, it’s for a friend's son,” I quickly cover my tracks, but think shit, I’m going to have to go back and swap it for one with dinosaurs on.
Clem shakes his head before speaking to Oren. “Hey, bud, stop yapping. Whitney’s ears will fall off if you keep that up.”
Horror crosses Oren’s face as he checks out my ears. I want to laugh but contain myself. “It’s okay, Oren. My ears are fine.”
“We had Thanksgiving, but my daddy couldn’t come,” Oren tells me, and he looks sad about it.
“Your dad face-timed you, bud. You know he’s busy and will be back as soon as he can,” Clem tries to calm Oren.
“Hey, I missed Thanksgiving, so you did better than I did.” I give Oren a nod of the head, then smile as he frowns thinking about it.
“You could have come to us,” Oren says so innocently, then gives Clem a nasty look like it’s all his fault.
“I couldn’t have come because I had this huge pile of work to do.
” I change the subject quickly. “I’m moving into my cottage soon.
I am expecting a delivery of furniture in two days.
Then, I’m going to do some shopping for the place before I move in.
You want to help me put things away when I do that? ”
Oren’s face lights up as he gives Clem a cocky look. “Uncle Clem, I’m going to help Whitney. Is that okay?”
Now, even I can see he’s put Clem on the spot if he’d rather him not come around to my cottage. A small giggle bursts from me, and Oren looks at me, then laughs, too. Clem shakes his head but is smiling. “Yeah, it’s okay, bud.”
I don’t know why these things happen to me, but Oren points into my cart. “What’s that?”
Following where he’s pointing, I blush. Shit, hell, he’s spotted the tampons. “Um, they are for when you get a nosebleed,” I do some quick thinking, but notice Clem is smirking.
“Nose bleeds? What do you do with them?” Oren frowns at me.
Goddamn, this is painful. “Oh, you stuff them up your nose so it stops the bleeding, and they have a string on so when you breathe they don’t disappear up your nose. Then you can pull them out with no danger.”
“Oh, that’s good thinking.” Oren thankfully has a short concentration span, as he quickly grabs Clem’s hand as he finds this conversation boring now. “Come on, Uncle Clem, I’m hungry.”
“See you around, Whitney,” Clem gives me a shit-eating grin.
“See you, Clem. See you soon, Oren. Remember two days for my delivery.” I wave as they walk away, but I hear Clem mumble, nosebleeds, right before I hear him laughing, and I mean loud, very amused laughing.
I change the Advent calendar for a dinosaur one, and I'm pleased that I bumped into them both so I could get the one he’ll really like. But I’ll have to remember to be more careful when Oren is around.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I finished the editing of the cowboy book. It’s going to sell well because it holds your attention from the first page to the last. It’s a fantastic read, although it took a lot of research to keep it from being questionable.
I get it all uploaded to the cloud, making sure all my notes and comments are uploaded too.
Gerald likes me to do that as he says it keeps him on his toes.
It would be easy to slip into reading without seeing all the errors that slip in; no author is perfect, and neither are editors.
All that can be done is our best, and to keep any mistakes to a bare minimum.
Placing everything into my personal cloud as backup, which Gerald knows I have, and which has come in handy a time or two in the past, I call it done. Leaning back in my seat, I sigh, knowing I’ve done a good job.
I get a fork and microwave the TV dinner, putting it on the table after moving the laptop. I'm eating another lonely meal, a thought I can't shake, which seems like my new reality.
As I’m eating I realize I can’t remember the last time I sat at the kitchen table with Kyle. It’s a shocking thought because he should have been home eating with me. The excuses were always about work, or some other crap reason.
Once I’ve finished eating I clean up the fork and glass I had juice in, then settle in front of the fire before making a call to Lee. It rings only four times before she picks up. “Hi, Lee, are you busy?”
“Hi, Whitney. No, I’m still in Florida, but I’m done for the day. How are you?”
“I’m good. The cottage sale came through for me. I’m having furniture delivered in two days. Then I’m going to move in and make it home. I wanted to ask if you would like to come for Christmas?”
“Hell, yes! I want to come to you for Christmas. I’ve booked three days to be with you. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. We are besties, and I’m going to be there for you, but I’m looking forward to the time relaxing with you away from work.”
“Good, I can’t wait to spend time with you. I wanted to ask what’s going on with Pamela and Stacey? They’ve not spoken to me since I left Kyle. They’ve not answered my text messages either.”
Lee snarls, and that surprises me. “They are two pieces of shit. I’ve had it with them.
I mentioned you when we had a catch-up, and they sneered, saying you were a baby walking away as you did.
Nothing was going on with Kyle and Gemma, who it seems are now very snug with them.
I let them have it, full blast in the middle of the restaurant.
Left them both with red faces, and yes, some due to the wine they had been drinking.
They're both behind us, and that’s where they are staying. ”
“Oh,” is all I say because we’ve all been friends for years, yet they are taking Gemma and Kyle’s side. “You know, Lee, they are no loss to us. If that is how deep our friendship went then it wasn’t worth having.”
The next day finds me back at Walmart, placing dinosaur toys and books into the cart. I can’t wait to wrap these for Oren. I already feel a massive soft spot for him, and I hope I’m not overstepping by buying him Christmas gifts.
I buy more decorations for the cottage, soon piling the cart.
I buy two pairs of pajamas patterned with reindeer and robins.
One for me and one for Lee. I’m sure she’s going to be amused at wearing them.
A top-notch divorce lawyer walking around in silly pajamas.
I will have to take a photograph on my phone so I can get it printed and framed.
I reverse the SUV under the carport, and grin to myself when I open the back door to the cottage and step inside. It feels so good having my own place. I’ve just got to make it home.
Emptying the car takes me half an hour as I keep stopping when I notice little things I missed previously. Such as the winter pansies that are growing at the side of the carport. They are so pretty and look like little faces smiling at me.
By the time I return to the cabin, I’m exhausted, but tomorrow is furniture day. I quickly packed my things, making sure I had clean clothes ready for the morning.
I dismantle the tree and get it packed into the SUV. I have little in the kitchen, so that’s not going to take long to sort out in the morning.
I take a shower and quickly grab my pajamas and climb into bed, falling asleep with a small smile on my face for the first time in a long time.