Chapter 10
***RYAN***
Ryan wound his way through the packed tables, following the hostess to the back of the restaurant, glad that Abby had thought ahead and reserved a table in the back room for them weeks ago.
It looked like every student from Parkhurst College was there that night, and the noise had reached monumental levels as they all celebrated the beginning of winter break.
Not even bothering to try to be heard over the crowd when they reached the door to the private room, he mouthed a thank you to the hostess, then slipped inside, relieved by the relative silence that greeted him.
Pausing in the doorway, he looked around, spotted Jackson and Abby right away, and headed their way.
They were sitting at a long table with Walker and Maddie chatting with a waitress, a woman they’d all known since their freshman year.
He grabbed an empty chair, not wanting to interrupt, and waited until there was a pause in the conversation.
“Who did you have to bribe to get this table?” he asked, when Marline paused to tap their orders into the tablet in her hands. “It’s a madhouse out there.”
“A little planning and a big deposit,” Abby said, grinning at him. “I’ll let you know what your share is after dinner.”
“Hey, Ryan, do you want something to drink?” Marline asked. “I’m headed that way right now.”
“Oh, hey, Marline, I’d love a soda if it’s not too much trouble,” he said. “Maybe you should just make it a pitcher. The rest of the guys can share with me when they get here.”
“No problem,” Marline said. “I’ll be right back.”
Before Marline could make it through the door, Cooper and Stephanie walked in and were able to give her their drink order as well. “This is nice,” Cooper said when they joined them. “I’m ready for a little fun. Last semester was brutal. Changing my major at the last minute is killing me.”
“What are you complaining about? Abby and I have to study for our regular classes plus the MCAT, you’ve got it easy,” Jackson said. “Medical school will be a breeze after this.”
None of them had seen Taylor and Emily walk up. “Are we having a competition to see who has it worse?” Taylor asked, helping Emily into her chair. “Because I think we’ve got you all beat, getting ready for a baby, studying for the LSAT, and all our regular classwork.”
“I’d just like to point out that you’re not the one growing that baby,” Maddie said, pointing at Taylor. “Emily is doing all the work, so maybe she’s the one who has us all beaten.”
“What’s Emily doing?” Aaron asked, sliding into the seat next to him. “We must have missed something.”
“She’s growing a baby, which seems to trump all of our complaints about how hard last semester was,” he explained. “Since I have no idea what she’s going through, I’m going to give her that one.”
“Well, we can always compete for second place,” Gabe said from across the table. “But honestly, I don’t think last semester was all that hard. I mean, we had a few problems and everything, but it all turned out fine in the end, though, so…”
“We should be celebrating making it almost to the end,” he said, raising his glass. “To all my old friends and the new ones who have brought so much to all our lives. I hope next year brings everything you’ve ever wanted.”
There were cheers of agreement, and the night was off to a perfect start.
They ordered a ridiculous amount of pizza, then forgot everything else but stuffing themselves and having a good time.
The party was just beginning to come to an end when his phone began to buzz in his pocket, confusing him because everyone who might call him was sitting right there.
When he pulled it out of his pocket and saw Erin’s name on the display, he felt a little guilty; he’d completely forgotten about her.
“Hey there,” he answered, wondering how much trouble he was in. “I was going to call you when I got home.”
“Really? Where are you?” Erin asked, a hard edge to her voice. “It sounds like you’re at a party.”
“I just went out to dinner with the guys to celebrate the end of the semester. It’s not a party,” he said. “We were just getting ready to head home.”
“Well, that explains why you haven’t called me tonight, but what about the nights before that?
” Erin asked. “I’ve been sitting here by the phone every night waiting for you to call.
This is no way to treat your fiancé, Ryan.
I’m beginning to think that you don’t want to get married.
you’re never here, you never make time for me.
It’s so embarrassing, everyone notices when I go places by myself, and I’m tired of making excuses for you. ”
He'd heard that same speech so many times since they’d become unofficially engaged that it was the last thing he was in the mood for right then.
“Erin, I’m not going to do this with you right now.
This is the same argument we have once a month, just think back to the last time and imagine me saying the same things I did then,” he said.
“I’m out with my friends right now, I’ll call you tomorrow when I have more time to fight with you. ”
“Ryan, that’s so mean,” Erin sniffled. “Why can’t you be nicer to me? We’re going to be married; you’re supposed to love and cherish me. I’m going to tell your mother about this.”
“Go right ahead and tell her, I would expect nothing less,” he said with a sigh. “While you’re at it, tell her not to bother calling me, I’m going to shut off my phone for the weekend. I’m taking a break from you and my mother.”
“You can’t…” Erin started to protest, but he hung up on her, then powered down his phone with a sense of satisfaction, looking forward to a couple of days of peace and quiet.
***Paula***
Feeling an intense sense of accomplishment, Paula filled in the last few boxes in the crossword puzzle, then held it up to admire her work.
It had been a long time since she’d given herself enough of a break to do a puzzle from start to finish but she was pleased to find that she hadn’t lost her touch.
Closing the book, she stashed it in her nightstand, then stretched her arms over her head with a huge yawn before throwing back the covers.
It had been a long, lazy morning, which she’d definitely needed, but life was knocking on her door in the form of a huge pile of laundry and a bathroom that hadn’t been cleaned in weeks.
The kitchen was just as grimy and she was pretty sure it was her turn to clean it, so it was going to be a day full of chores, followed by an evening running errands since the refrigerator and cabinets were basically empty.
After throwing on some old clothes, she scooped up the first load of laundry and carried it through the apartment to the utility room.
Once the load was started, she headed for the kitchen, thinking a cup of coffee was just what she needed to get started.
Connie was sitting at the kitchen table reading a book and munching on some toast when she walked in, but there was a fresh pot of coffee and she helped herself before sitting down across from her friend.
“I’m going to clean today. I think it’s my turn to clean the kitchen,” she said when Connie put the book down. “Then I was thinking about hitting the grocery store, there’s not much to eat around here. Do you want to tag along?”
“That sounds great,” Connie said. “I don’t think I’m going home for Christmas this year. It’s so much hassle, and I spend more time traveling than I do visiting. My mom isn’t going to be happy, but I’m just not into it.”
“Why don’t you invite your parents here?” she asked. “I wouldn’t mind; we could even get a tree. I wasn’t planning on going home until right before the holiday. I can’t now that I took that job with Hattie; she needs me right up until the end.”
“Your dad isn’t going to be happy about that,” Connie said, shaking her head. “Have you told him yet?”
“No, I’ve been putting it off,” she said, then sighed. “He’s probably already got a bunch of stuff planned for us to do. I hate to disappoint him.”
“You should invite them here too,” Connie said, a spark of excitement in her eyes.
“We could do it right, a small party on Christmas Eve, then a big dinner the next day. We’ll sing carols and play games; it will be a blast. Say you’ll do it, invite them, Paula.
We’ve always wanted to get our parents together. ”
She thought about it for a second, “It would solve all our problems,” she said, the idea growing on her. “I don’t know if they’ll go for it, though. I mean, they have the bakery and everything.”
“Didn’t you tell me that they close the store for the holiday?” Connie asked. “I bet they could make it for a day and a half, they’ve done it before.”
“I don’t want to get my hopes up,” she said, jumping up from the table. “I’ll go call them, maybe they’ll surprise me.”
Her father picked up on the second ring. “Hey, pumpkin, your mom and I were just talking about you,” he said. “Your ears must have been burning.”
She laughed, “Right back at you,” she said. “Connie and I were just talking about you and Mom.”
“Hopefully you were discussing when you’re coming home for Christmas,” her dad said, his voice full of warmth. “We miss you; it’s been too long since we’ve seen you.”
“I miss you guys too,” she said, then paused, feeling guilty. “The thing is, I might not be coming home this year, a few things have come up, and well…I don’t know if I can get away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” her dad said, his voice full of disappointment. “Is there anything your mom and I can do to help?”
“No, Dad, but that's very sweet of you. I’m not in trouble or anything. I took a seasonal job, and it looks like it’s going to last longer than I thought it would,” she said, hoping he’d understand.
“It’s not just that, though. I might have made a connection that could land me a real job as soon as I graduate.
I’m supposed to call the guy for coffee next week. ”
“Now that is good news,” her dad said, a little note of pride in his voice. “I don’t have to warn you to be…”
“Careful, I know, Dad, I haven’t forgotten anything you’ve taught me,” she said. “I’ll do my homework, but I know this guy is on the level, he’s not a scammer or anything. Even you’ve heard of the Portland Examiner.”
“That’s a top-notch newspaper, or at least what passes for one today,” her dad said. “I’m proud of you, kiddo. We’ll make do without you this year.”
“Well, that’s the other reason I called, I was hoping you wouldn’t have to do that,” she said.
“Why don’t you and Mom come here for the holidays?
Connie is going to invite her parents. We could celebrate here.
There are some really nice hotels in town, and the rates are really cheap right now.
I’ll get you and Mom a room. It’s been a long time since you got away… ”
“Sweetheart, that sounds like a wonderful idea,” her dad said, his voice full of excitement. “We haven’t been anywhere in a long time, and the new assistant manager we hired actually suggested we take some time off this year. She’s amazing. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
“Just tell me when you want to come and I’ll book the room for you,” she said, a big grin on her face. “Elmwood Junction is such a beautiful place this time of the year, I just know you and Mom are going to have a wonderful time.”
“Don’t worry about the rooms, I’ve got a little nest egg saved up for something just like this,” her dad said. “Your mom and I are going to indulge ourselves a little. I’ll let you know when I’ve got everything booked. I can’t wait to see you, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Dad,” she said. “Call me as soon as you know where you’re staying.”
“You bet,” her dad said. “Love you too.”