Chapter Twenty-Six
Oliver
Tom and I worked through the night and I’m exhausted. While he fixed the pipe, I vacuumed up the water with the shop vac. Let me tell you that I seriously underestimated the size I needed because after a thousand trips out of the basement door to dump the water, my back may be in need of chiropractic assistance. Once the furniture and water were out of the way I pulled up the carpet to find that even the concrete was damp from the fiasco. Fans are fanning to help dry things out and I’m sitting at the kitchen table waiting for the insurance adjuster to come look at the damage.
I’m having a hard time sitting still. I don’t have my computer, so I can’t work or email anyone. I don’t have Ally’s number because my dead phone is holding it hostage—I knew I should have written it down—and as much as I’m eager to let her know that I’m not dead or blowing her off, I’m severely hesitant to send Mom over to fill her in.
I’m not ready to share her with the family. I want us to have time for the lightness and fun of a new relationship. If Mom goes over there, the wedding will be planned and there will be talk of grandchildren.
I’m brought out of my thoughts when there’s a knock at the door. I let in the adjuster and lead him to the waterlogged realm. I explain the events of the night before as he looks over the entire basement. The adjuster informs me that he’ll submit his findings to the insurance company and Mom will get an email with all the information she needs to get the cleanup process started. I thank him and walk him to the door.
When I return to the kitchen, I realize it’s gotten late. I can’t call Mom or Ally with an update without a phone, so I grab my keys and head to the store to get a new cell phone.
“Welcome to Verizon. I’m Christina, how may we help you?” A petite brunette with a kind smile greets me as I enter the store.
“My phone is water-damaged, and I need to get a new one and transfer all my data.”
“Sure thing. We don’t have a wait, so follow me. Do you plan to upgrade or just replace?”
“Might as well upgrade.”
“Just pick out the phone you’d like and meet me at the second desk along the back wall.”
“Thank you.”
I decide to get the newest model of an iPhone in black and meet her at the desk.
“If you give me your phone number, I can bring up your account.”
I give her my number and we confirm that I am eligible for an upgrade and that they do have the new phone in stock. She takes my old phone, inspects it, then confirms it is in fact dead from water damage and that she’ll have to get all my info from the cloud to transfer.
“When was the last time you backed up to the cloud?”
“Uh, I don’t remember. I thought I had set it to automatically backup because I knew I’d forget to do it.”
“Okay then, we should have it all up and running in a few minutes. Let me get your new phone. I’ll be right back.”
As I’m waiting, I hear someone call my name and the hairs on the back of my head stand on end. It’s…my ex.
“Tracy.”
“Oliver. It’s so good to see you.” She leans in for a hug, but I step back and she stumbles but quickly corrects her footing.
“Huh, you didn’t seem like you were going to miss me all that much when you canceled our wedding.” She swats my arm.
“Ooooh, don’t hold a grudge, Oliver. It will make you old before your time. I’d love to get some coffee with you and catch up.”
I straighten my back and look down at her. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. I’m seeing someone.”
“So am I. It would be a purely innocent, old-friends meet up.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you. I’m sorry but I’ll pass. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to this,” I say, gesturing to Christina who has returned to her desk and is unboxing the new phone.
Tracy huffs. “Fine. I was just trying to be nice. Now, I’m even more confident that I made the right decision. I better go catch up with my new fiancé. Later, Olly.”
She abruptly turns on her heel and wraps her arm through some guy’s as she approaches the door and storms out.
“Wow, I don’t mean to get into your personal business but you totally dodged a bullet there.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, if it doesn’t work out with your current girlfriend, you have my number.” Christina winks and continues the transfer process.
I huff out a laugh and thank her. She has me pay for the phone and then starts the download process. I fidget with the seam on my pant leg while I wait. It’s amazing how much we rely on our phones to keep us entertained.
“Okay, Oliver. I have pulled all the info you had backed up from the cloud and you should be good to go.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.”
I scroll through my photos and contacts and am happy to see everything is there…except…hold on…Ally’s number is missing. Shit. I hang my head in frustration, and when I look up, Christina is looking at me with concern.
“I’m missing some numbers,” I explain.
“If it’s newer information, it’s possible it was entered after the last backup.”
“Thanks. I’ve gotta run. I appreciate all your help.”
“I’m here any time.” She winks again and waves goodbye.
When I get into my car, I hook up the new phone to the Bluetooth and call Mom.
“Hi, honey.”
“Hi. I’m on my way home to get some rest but then I’ll come by Ty’s in the morning.”
“I don’t think so.”
“What? Why?”
“I need you back at my place to meet with the cable guy,” she responds, and I bang my head on the steering wheel.
“Mom.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Fine. At least I can get some work done while I wait.”
“Thank you. You know I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“It’s okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I drive home and crash into bed, hoping I can dream of Ally if I can’t talk to her.