Chapter Three
MEREDITH
"Darling, you're so busy today. You didn't have to bother," Mom exclaimed on Friday. It was the second time this week I was stopping by with goodies. I loved to surprise my parents.
"But I like to spoil you."
"That's right. You do," Mom said with a shy smile, opening the front door wide. I went in with the small container of fruit, oranges, and grapefruits.
"Can you stay for a cup of coffee?" she asked as we stepped into the living room. Dad was watching the Red Sox with my sister, Everly. This was their last month in this house, as they were downsizing to a one-bedroom bungalow. I knew it hurt to sell our childhood home, but it couldn’t be helped. They couldn’t afford it anymore.
My sister and I tried our best to keep this from happening, but it was the best solution.
"I don't have a lot of time before the gala. I need to get ready for tonight."
Mom beamed at me. "Look at you. You're so radiant and happy."
"I am," I said. I’d attended a few black-tie events over the years, so I was really looking forward to this. "It's going to be amazing."
"What will you be wearing?" Mom asked. Everly turned from the television to hear the details as well.
"Oh, I've got a nice red silk dress I keep for special occasions."
Mom pursed her lips. "Something black would look better. It's very flattering on any figure."
I sighed inwardly. Mom meant well, but she always hinted that I should wear flattering clothes. Whenever she bought me something, it was extremely loose, almost tent sized. I wasn't ashamed of my body and preferred more stylish clothes than the things my mother liked.
My sister, on the other hand, was thin and could wear anything she wanted. When I was younger, I’d always wanted to have a figure like hers, but I was more than happy with my size now. Fat-shaming didn't work on this girl.
"Red looks good on me, Mom," I said with a wink. "I want to make a splash."
“Mom, stop hassling Meredith. She looks great in anything she wears.”
Did I mention how much I loved my sister? Everly was sitting next to Dad, her feet on the couch, one hand on her enormous belly. I smiled at her. I couldn't wait for my niece to be here.
"How are you holding up?" I asked her. Everly looked nothing like me. She was petite, brunette, and had Mom’s slim figure. I loved her dearly and couldn’t wait to hold her baby.
"Oh, I love my baby, but I want her out. I can't believe I still have a few months to go. I feel like I'm going to pop any moment."
"I didn't know you were here when I drove up," I said.
"I bought you some goodies from the bakery. I've got them in my car." My sister had gestational diabetes. She’d been a bit depressed while reading about everything she wasn’t allowed to eat, so I’d hunted down a bakery that made products especially for diabetics, and they were delicious.
"I'll come out with you before you leave so we can transfer them into my car."
“Want an orange? I can peel one for you now,” I offered. "Vitamin C is good for you."
Something happened to my brain after my sister got pregnant. I suddenly got overprotective, pushing vitamins and stuff. I wondered where this second personality came from.
"Shh, girls," Dad said. My sister, Mom, and I groaned in unison. Mom always said that Dad's first and biggest love was the Red Sox, and I agreed with her. My parents were one of the happiest married couples I knew. They were two peas in a pod.
My sister had followed in her footsteps. Her husband, Derek, was a great guy.
"I'm going to help Mom put everything away in the kitchen," I said. Ever since I turned fourteen, I had taken it upon myself to organize the family pantry. Mom said it was my superpower, and she was right. I could organize even the tiniest of spaces.
"How's the competition?" Mom asked. "Do you know the other companies?"
"Yes, some of the big players are also participating. Guess who's one of the biggest? Remember Cade?"
I heard a movement on the couch. My sister's neck snapped back around as she turned to look at us.
"Cade, yes! You used to tutor him in math," Mom exclaimed but didn’t seem too surprised.
"Yeah, I did. Good memory."
"How is he nowadays?" She glanced away, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Is she avoiding my eyes?
"I haven't had the chance to talk to him too much. I just saw him at the booth on Monday."
In a matter of seconds, my sister joined Mom and me in the kitchen. I barely held back laughter. She liked to complain all day long about how difficult it was for her to move around, yet she practically teleported here.
"Cade, huh?" she said, giving me a knowing smile.
I glanced into the pantry and immediately took out a box with cleaning supplies. "Mom, we spoke about this. They go in the bathroom."
Mom nodded feverishly, taking the box from me. "Yeah, you're right. That's a much better place for them. I never need them in the pantry. I have no idea how they got there."
In a second, Mom was out of earshot. My sister stepped closer. "So, you've seen him in person?"
I nodded as I organized the oranges on the shelf.
"Spill it. How is the man? Did he turn out as gorgeous as we always thought he would?"
Guess who knew all about my crush on Cade? That's right, my sister. She'd always been my confidant. She'd even given me tips on how to capture his interest, but I failed miserably.
I turned to look at her with a huge smile after I finished stacking the oranges. "He seems to suffer from acute arrogance and has a particularly nasty case of know-it-all-itis."
My sister started laughing so hard that she had to grab the wall with her hand. "Jesus, woman, you can't do that to me."
I put a hand on her belly, watching her. "Are you in pain?"
"I'm not even sure. Laughing does strange things to my body these days."
"Okay, no more making you laugh, although I didn't mean that in a humorous way. The guy showed up at my booth, and the first thing he did was start criticizing everything I’d done."
Everly smiled. "That does sound like Cade. He thought very highly of himself even in high school."
"That he did," I said, "and it's only intensified with age."
"Do you still think he's hot?" She looked into my eyes, intent on my answer.
I cleared my throat, feeling my stomach somersault. It always did that when Everly caught me in a pinch. "Yes. I'm not blind, you know? I've got eyes, and I can admire a fine specimen of a man."
"Is he going to be there tonight?"
"I think so."
She wiggled her eyebrows. "Cool. I require photographic evidence."
"Of what?" I asked, bewildered.
"How hot he is."
I snorted. "Everly, I'm not going to snap pics of him."
"Ahh, you're so mean." She tapped my temple. "Fine. Then register every delicious detail there and call me to tell me all about it."
"You’re even feistier since getting pregnant."
"Lots of changes going on in my brain. I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but I damn sure can remember every single detail about Cade in high school."
"Okay. You've distracted me enough. I have to go. It's going to take me a while to get ready."
She wiggled her eyebrows again. "Putting in extra effort for someone?"
"No," I said. "I always like to look my best."
"And you always do, sis. I'm so proud of you."
"Aww, thanks."
After goodbyes to Mom and Dad, we both went out to the car, and after transferring the goodies I got her to her trunk, I drove home.
I was already mentally putting together my outfit. I was sticking to my guns about the red dress and would pair it with tights, black pumps, and an elegant black coat. Even though it was only the end of October, it was windy enough for a thick coat.
I lived in a one-bedroom apartment in North End.
The best part about it was that it was close to my workplace, only a fifteen-minute walk.
Stepping into my living room, I threw my coat onto the gray couch.
Then I stepped behind it, rearranging one of the three paintings hanging on the wall.
It was always a bit lopsided and drove me nuts.
Something was probably wrong with the hanger, but I never had time to check it.
The wall was painted dark blue. It had thrown me off when I first visited the apartment—as did the dark green shade they’d painted the bedroom.
The owner was adamant that I wasn’t allowed to paint it white, so I did the best I could by covering it with paintings.
Afterward, I hurried to my bathroom, showering quickly. Then I put on the tights and the dress and secured the belt around my waist. I loved it. It was one of my favorite outfits. I always felt extra confident in it.
Moving into my bathroom, I took out my makeup kit.
I applied plenty of mascara and a new lipstick I got the other week.
I didn't like wearing too much makeup; it made me feel fake. I took special care of my hair, styling it with some of it up and some down. It looked sophisticated. Once I was done, I stepped back, glancing in the mirror I’d hung on the bathroom door, and nodded at myself.
Yes, I was ready for this evening.
As I gathered my things and walked back into the living room, I realized I still had a bit of time.
I didn't want to be there too early, so, almost unwillingly, I headed to my bookshelf.
Wedged between Moby-Dick and the Harry Potter series was my high school graduation yearbook.
I had no clue why I wanted to look at it tonight. I hadn't done so in years.
I absentmindedly perused the pages. There was a blank space where Cade Whitley’s photo should've been. He had transferred to a new school midway through our senior year. It had been a shock for everyone—most of all for me. One day, we were meeting early to do our math together, and the next day, he was gone. No text, no goodbye. He’d simply vanished. I never heard from him again.