Chapter Eleven
Angie
She could sense that Neva was still confused about the changes she had introduced, about her own apparent sudden change of mind.
She had to admit, remembering coming home to a chaotic house and a new pet had made her cranky that other time…
Given the challenge thrust upon her, it was important to keep the big picture in mind.
By the time they got closer to Amanda’s place, she was almost as excited as the twins in the backseat. It was almost Christmas. Which put more pressure on her to find a solution, but how could she not when it was her favorite holiday?
She had reacted badly that other time she had encountered the kitten. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Maybe it was as simple as that?
They drove past decorated houses and trees, snow people in creative attire, past suburban neighborhoods to the more rural area where Amanda and her husband lived.
Closer to their property, the road tightened, the snow piled high on either side.
The couple had made room for their guests to park in front, and the four of them headed for the entrance where Amanda opened the door to them.
“Hey! I haven’t seen you in too long!” she exclaimed. “You’ve grown so much since the last time.”
She said that to the twins every time, Angie reflected, but this time it might actually be true. Neva and Amanda talked on the phone regularly, but there hadn’t been much time for a visit in months.
I understand it now. I’m sorry I didn’t make more time for family, and I will.
The moment she walked through the door, Angie realized that nothing seemed to have changed in Amanda’s reality. Even though they were only three people in the house (now often two, since Kristen was in college), it was never quiet, laughter, music, pets.
She remembered a time when it felt too much for her, but now, her own home with the constant quiet seemed lifeless in comparison.
Had she really killed the mood that often? It would change, she vowed. For starters, she wouldn’t stand in the way of—
“Oh, and who’s that?”
She crouched down to carefully reach out to the fluffy bundle walking towards her. The kitten sniffed her fingers curiously. Angie waited a few more heartbeats before she picked it up. “She’s so light,” she said, in awe.
Fluffy. She looked just as Angie remembered. Not that she would mention it to Neva.
“I’m so glad you can take care of her for a few days,” Amanda said. “But are you sure you’ll be okay with your allergies?”
“It was a long time ago. Maybe I don’t even have them anymore,” Angie dismissed her concerns, aware of Neva’s worried gaze.
“Mommy, can we hold her?”
The kitten seemed to be very comfortable in her arms, but Angie reminded herself she should be careful. Just in case.
“Sure, but be gentle, okay?”
She was proud to see that both Fiona and Elsa handled the small animal with the required tenderness. Of course, having two puppies in the house from a young age helped.
No, one puppy. Brad. She could feel the first stirrings of a headache and decided to ignore it. Enjoying dinner with family was the first step to coming home. Bringing Fluffy with them, another.
She couldn’t wait to see Nadine again and tell her that this time, she had handled “Kittengate” so much better.
***
Angie’s enthusiasm was slightly diminished once they were home and getting ready for bed. Her headache hadn’t improved, and her allergy had come knocking.
“You know that they’re counting on us to keep the kitten, right? The puppy dog eyes will be worse than Brad’s.”
“I know, and I’m—” Sneeze. “Okay with that.” Sneeze. “I swear.”
“Oh, Angie.”
Neva brushed a cool hand over her forehead, a welcome soothing gesture that distracted her from the discomfort of her prickling skin and runny nose.
Yes, it was her fault. Yes, she should have known better than becoming closely acquainted with the kitten and trying to push back the first signs with plenty of the rich red wine Amanda had offered for dinner. Too little too late now.
She was trying, wasn’t she? Again, things hadn’t quite worked out like she had hoped, but her efforts had to be rewarded at some point.
“I’m really sorry,” she sniffed. “But if they want to keep her, it’s okay. I’ll ask Dr. McEwen for a new prescription.” She’d had one for an antihistamine before, Angie remembered, though that had nothing to do with cats.
“That took a while to work the last time. I don’t want you to be miserable 24/7,” Neva declared. “And I was kidding. I’m sorry too. They will understand.”
“I don’t want to disappoint them.” At least Neva’s magic touch seemed to have gotten the sneezing attacks under control, but Angie still sounded pathetic to her own ears.
“They’ll be fine, and they want you to be okay too. How about we wait until Amanda is back, and we decide then?”
“Okay.”
Neva lay down next to her, and after she’d turned off the lights, they gravitated towards each other like always. Angie was still puzzled, still wondering how all of this was even possible.
***
Unfortunately, she found out the next morning that her allergy was still very real. The girls had noticed it too, exchanging glances, expressing their enthusiasm about the house guest in a quieter way.
What was the right thing to do? How could she find a way to make everyone happy and still stay healthy?
Questions pressing against her mind, she had snuck out of bed early and made waffles, then a generous breakfast spread. Maybe part of her wanted to prepare everyone that Kitten might have to go, maybe she just needed to indulge herself. It worked both ways.
“Mom,” Fiona said, looking far too serious for her age. “Is Kitty making you sick?”
“Really, it’s not that bad,” Angie hurried to respond.
“Angie.”
“Yes.”
She half-sighed, interrupted by another sneeze. “We’ll keep her at least until Amanda is back. She can go in your room.”
Elsa all but leapt off her chair to hug her. “Thank you. Maybe you’ll be fine in a few days.”
Angie doubted it, but it looked like she’d successfully stalled the conversation for a bit longer. Good. She had bigger issues to deal with.
Like, maybe they should get another dog?
The thought almost made her smile though she was aware that she had only little time left to solve the riddle, and if she couldn’t, then what?
Angie looked around the table, wondering what would happen if she failed, and stayed in this reality forever. She saw Neva’s worried gaze and could sense that the girls were aware of the tension too, even with the happy news. And Christina at Caron.
No, simply keeping Fluffy wouldn’t solve anything.
She needed a big gesture, something, well, life-changing.
If only she knew what that gesture was…