Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
FREYA
“Ifeel bad! I can just picture him sitting in his little hutch all sad and lonely,” I say, phone pressed between my shoulder and my face. I’m in the back room of the store, getting everything ready for a workshop I’m running tonight.
“Doesn’t he stay in there when Oscar’s working anyway?” Luci asks, voice skeptical.
“Yeah, but he’s already missing him, and now he’s all alone at my place.”
“He’s been fine every other day, hasn’t he?”
“Well, yeah, but this morning he made these big, sad eyes at me. And I won’t be home until late.”
“He probably just wants you to let him roam around so he can brutalize more of your furniture.”
Two nights ago, Harvey decided he was done with my shit and chewed halfway through the leg of one of my favorite chairs. I was mad for a minute, but it’s hard to stay that way when he makes his sweet face.
“He’s just acting out because he misses his daddy.”
“How long has it been?”
I sigh. “Ten days now.”
“I thought it was just going to be a week?”
“It was supposed to be, but something happened with the wind and they had to stay longer to get it controlled.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.” I’ve been trying not to think about it too much, especially when I haven’t had any news. Things must be busy over there because I’ve tried to reach out a few times and not had anything back.
“Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“No idea.” I step back from the box I’m unpacking, only just managing to avoid hitting my head on the shelf above me. “Valerie got back last week, she offered to take Harvey but it didn’t seem necessary to move him again.”
“Has she heard anything?”
“No, he hasn’t messaged either of us since the first time he texted.”
“And how are you doing with that?”
A sad little laugh escapes me.
I’ve been trying not to let myself worry, but it’s all too easy for my brain to spiral into the worst-possible scenarios. I’m just going on the basis of no news is good news in order to maintain my sanity.
I sigh. “You know, just waiting it out.”
“At least you have a fluffy friend to keep you company.”
“He’s certainly keeping me busy.”
There’s some shuffling on the end of the line. “Hey,” Luci says, suddenly sounding nervous. “There was actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes?” She says it like a question.
“What’s going on?” I grab a kick stool and sit down, hard enough that it scoots back against the wall with a thud.
“So, you know that MA program I was looking at?”
“Yeah?” A few months ago she mentioned a grad program for Creative Writing in New York. She was thinking about applying for it in a couple of years, assuming things were still good with her mom.
“So, I actually applied.” She takes a long breath. “And I got in.”
“Oh my God!” I shoot to my feet, knocking the stool into the wall again. “Luci! That’s huge!”
“And I’m not deferring.”
“Okay?” I frown. “And Marie is cool with that?” I know how reluctant Luci’s mom has been for her to move out.
“She doesn’t know,” Luci rushes out.
“Right. Okay. Right. Sure.” I don’t quite know what to say. I’m so proud of her, of course I am, but this is a big change. “What made you decide to go this year? I thought you were waiting?”
“I’ve been waiting for four years. It’s time.
” Not for the first time, I wish we weren’t stuck having all our interactions over the phone.
I wish I could see her in person. Maybe then, I could understand this better, do a better job of giving Luci what she needs.
“She’s eighteen months seizure-free, and she should even be driving again soon. ”
“That’s really great news.”
“I just feel like this is a good thing.”
“Then, why haven’t you told her?” She doesn’t hide anything from Marie, not as long as I’ve known her. I’ve always been jealous of their closeness, and how they’re more like best friends than mother and daughter.
“She’s gonna freak out.” She sighs. “She doesn’t think she’s ready, but she’s just scared.”
“I mean, that’s kind of understandable.”
“I know, I totally understand where she’s coming from, but I think this will be good for both of us.”
“Sure.” Luci and her mom have been living out the same routine for years, and it’s become a bit of a comfort bubble for the both of them. Maybe Luci’s right, and it is time to break out of that.
“And it’s not like I’m moving across the country. I probably won’t even move out.”
I chuckle. “Fuck, yeah, don’t pay New York rent if you don’t have to.”
“Campus is only an hour away, I can just commute. Though I don’t know, maybe I should move, have a bit of a clean break?”
“Play it by ear, but you should talk to her.”
“I know,” she whines. “I just don’t want to.”
“Go tell your mother you’re ditching her.” I laugh. “It’s Marie, she’s not gonna be mad.”
“I feel like that’s worse,” she groans. “She’ll be all nice about it, but she’ll make her disappointed face like I dropped her birthday cake again.”
“That only happened once.”
“And she’s never let it go!”
“It was pretty spectacular.”
“Fuck off.”
“Whatever, I’m hanging up now so you can go confess your sins.” I can’t help but grin, happy that we’re talking shit again.
“Love you, loser.”
“Love you too! And I’m so fucking proud of you!”
“Byeeeeeeee!” she yells before hanging up. As the line clicks dead, I feel the silence drape over me like a blanket. I hope she’s okay, but I don’t think she’d tell me if she wasn’t.
Fuck, I miss her so bad.
I head out to where I cleared the shop floor, making space for a large folding table and five chairs.
Each one is set out with crochet hooks, a few balls of yarn and a printed pattern for a stuffed hedgehog.
It’s my first time running a workshop. I’ve wanted to have them since I opened, but I wasn’t sure where to start.
It wasn’t until I chatted to another store owner at the convention and got some tips that I felt like I could actually do this.
When the clock hits six, I see Becca leaving the diner and heading toward me, a tote bag slung over her shoulder.
She enters with a warm smile. “Hi!” she says, coming over and giving me a hug.
I squeeze her back and she gives my back a little rub.
When she pulls away, I gesture for her to sit, just as the door opens again to reveal my biggest surprise - Andrea.
I hadn’t been expecting anyone from the knitting group to make an appearance, but she was the first person to sign up.
“Andrea! How are you?” I say as she puts down her many bags and sits next to Becca.
“I’m ready for you to finally explain these darn teddy bears.
” She laughs, gently setting aside the supplies I laid out and rummaging in one of her bags to find her own.
I don’t take offence, I know how particular craft people can be, but I didn’t want anyone to feel like they couldn’t have a go just because they didn’t have the materials.
“I can’t believe you’ve really never tried this before,” I say to her. I’m teaching beginner’s amigurumi tonight, and I’m shocked that someone as advanced as Andrea would never have done this.
“Oh, I’ve tried.” She smiles to herself. “But I know when to admit that I need help.”
Once the other two members of the class arrive, I get started, explaining each of the basic stitches, and then watching as they each try it.
Becca gets tangled at one point as she tries to join up her magic loop, but after I show her a couple more times, she’s able to get it.
She knocks her shoulder against mine. “You’re a great teacher,” she says, too softly for anyone else to hear.
I grin. “Thanks,” I whisper. I was so worried that I wouldn’t be up to leading a workshop like this. I’m not great at public speaking, or talking in groups, especially with people I don’t know. But if there was ever a subject that I could try with, it’s crafting.
“See, I told you you’d like it,” I say to the rabbit in my lap. In the ten days since Oscar dropped him off, we’ve definitely become besties. Maybe Oscar would be up for some kind of shared custody?
I get a nose scrunch back, but I know his game. It took a little convincing before he allowed me to put the sweater on him, but once he was in it, he had a good time. At least, he hasn’t started ripping it to shreds. I pick him up, holding him close to my face as I snap a picture.
FREYA
I don’t think you’re getting him back.
*Image attached*
Is it weird to send him a selfie? I mean, it was just me and Harvey, but I don’t know if we’re at the selfie-sending stage yet. I put Harvey back on my lap, just as my phone lights up.
Holy shit, it’s Oscar. I scramble to read it.
OSCAR
Did you make him clothes?
You know he kind of has that covered, right?
He’s alive! He’s texting!
FREYA
I think he looks very distinguished.
OSCAR
Just what every domesticated animal is concerned with
FREYA
Should I take it off him?
OSCAR
Hell no
It’s fucking adorable
FREYA
Is everything okay?
I can’t wait any longer to ask.
OSCAR
Hi
Sorry
Should have led with that
We’re good. Maybe another day and I’ll be back
I let out a sigh of relief, the weight I didn’t know was there lifting off my shoulders.
FREYA
I know Harvey will be happy to see you.
OSCAR
Just Harvey?
FREYA
No…
Not just him.
OSCAR
That’s lucky
Because I’m gonna be really fucking happy to see you too
When I get into bed later, the silence of my apartment settles over me like a heavy weight.
I grab my headphones as I get under the covers and queue up another sleep audio.
The narrator’s tone is soft and reassuring, but there’s something off about it.
I wish it were a little raspier, deeper.
My stomach clenches and I have to wrap my arms around myself as I realize who I’m wishing was here.