studied her. “How are you?” She’d dyed her hair nearly black, but two inches of gray roots showed. She’d lost weight, giving her face a pale, sunken appearance, and dark circles shadowed her golden eyes. “Stacy says you’re not sleeping?” Her sister had also told her the doctor indicated most of Mom’s health issues were most likely psychosomatic. What did that mean exactly, and how could Paige best help her? Or, at the very least, not make things worse?
Mom waved a hand and shifted Ava to her other hip. “That’s the least of my problems.” Moving into the living room, she stepped over a box of papers on her way to her recliner. “The good Lord knows I’ve got plenty of other things to tackle, like my chest pains and breathing issues.”
She grimaced and sucked in a series of quick, shallow breaths. “Been to more doctors than I can count, and not a one of ’em can figure out what’s ailing me. Some days I’m so tired, it’s all I can do to pull this aching body out of bed.”
She sat and bounced Ava on her knee. “But enough about my health woes. Your uncle Ken called. To check on how you’re feeling about leaving Chicago, I suspect.”
“I’ll call him later.”
“He said he was heading out for a business trip but would call you next week sometime.” She eyed Paige’s things. “That all you brought?”
“I’ll unload the rest later.” When she was certain Jed wasn’t around. Obviously she couldn’t avoid him forever, not with his grandmother living next door. But she could delay their next encounter, at least until she had a better handle on her feelings.
After fourteen years, she was starting to wonder if that day would ever come. She’d expected to feel awkward seeing him again. But she hadn’t anticipated how raw her emotions would be.
Then again, she’d been through a lot over the past year and a half, first with the divorce, and now losing her job and having to move... Her recurring bouts of insomnia certainly weren’t helping.
Crossing to the green couch, she glanced about at the mess. Papers piled on a rudimentary desk shoved against the wall, a mix of clutter crowding out the old computer.
A foot or two away stood a metal folding chair that had a torn seat cushion with wads of paper scattered near its legs and overflowing a plastic garbage can. Next to this, Mom had stacked manila folders, notebooks and what looked like medical dictionaries. Had working from home been good for her? Or had it allowed her more time to obsess? If only Paige knew how to help her.
She kicked off her shoes. “How’s work going?”
“Busy. Stressful. It’s not helping my health issues—that’s for sure.” She started talking about a slew of tests her latest doctor had given her. “If they don’t figure things out soon, I may need to find me one of those specialists they got in Houston. Though I imagine they cost a pretty penny.”
Paige listened, but other than with the occasional “Uh-huh” and “I’m sorry,” she wasn’t sure how to respond.
The doorbell rang, and she raised an eyebrow. “You expecting someone?”
Mom huffed. “Probably one of those cleaning-supplies salesmen. Last thing I need is more lemon-scented spray bottles under my sink.”
“I’ll get it.” Paige opened the door to find Jed and his grandmother standing shoulder to shoulder on the stoop.
“Oh, sweet Paige, it’s so good to see you.” Mrs. Tappen swooshed inside, set the plate of cookies in her hands on the entryway console and then swept Paige into a tight hug.
The familiar scent of her almond-cherry lotion warmed Paige’s heart. And almost soothed the unexpected jolt at finding Jed a few feet away, waiting to be invited in.
“What a pleasant surprise.” Mom crossed the room. Ava ran over and tugged on Paige’s leg.
“I hungwy.”
Paige scooped her up and held her close.
“There’s that sweet little girl of yours.” Mrs. Tappen smiled and tickled Ava’s ribs. “Not going to scare the poor thing by asking to hold her—just yet.” She winked at Paige.
Mom laughed. “Oh, I’m sure she won’t act bashful for long.” She glanced at the cookies. “My, these look delicious. Would you like some coffee? I can make some right quick. My heart’s been giving me fits, racing for no good reason, but my hands work just fine.”
“I’d hate to put you out.”
“Not at all.” Mom led the way to the kitchen. Mrs. Tappen followed, leaving Jed and Paige in the living room, staring at one another. Ava began to squirm. Paige set her down and she scampered after her grandmother, calling out, “Me some? Pwees? Me want some.”
“Hey.” He hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “Long time no see, huh?” He gave a half-hearted chuckle.
“Right.” She followed his gaze to a mound of what she hoped was clean laundry, piled on one end of the couch. If he and his grandmother had called first, she could’ve cleaned up some.
“Have a seat.” She motioned toward a plaid love seat with sunken cushions, made sure Ava was occupied with some toys and then followed Mom into the kitchen.
“Grab some napkins or something, will you, sweetie? For the cookies.” Mom filled a dingy coffee carafe with water, which she then poured into the percolator. She faced Paige with her hands planted on her hips. “Have you had supper?”
“We had plenty of snacks on the drive.” Paige grabbed four dessert plates from the cupboard—using just napkins felt too...shabby. Whenever she’d been to Jed’s place, which had been a total of three times back in high school, all she’d seen was fancy china.
“I’ve only got peanut butter and corn chips in the pantry.” Mom swiped hair from her face with the back of her hand. “I meant to go shopping—wanted to cook up some steak and potatoes, along with baked squash for little Ava. But I just didn’t have the energy. I told you how tired I get.”
Paige nodded. “I’ll go tomorrow, Mom. No problem.” She’d do an inventory of her mother’s cupboards in the morning. Then she’d stock them up with healthy foods. Was she eating well? Getting out of the house? Spending time with friends?
“You should’ve told me you were running low on groceries.” Mrs. Tappen frowned. “Jed would’ve picked up whatever you needed. Matter of fact, write him up a list. He’s grabbing a few things for me tomorrow—he’s sweet like that.”
Mom poured four cups of coffee and then placed them on a porcelain tray, one of the few nice serving sets she owned. “You’re lucky to have him so close by.” She led the way to the living room.
Paige followed to the archway that signaled the end of the kitchen, and then she stopped short. Jed was sitting on the ground, next to Ava, and had begun playing with her grungy stuffed cat, talking to it as if it were real. The image triggered memories of dreams—of her and Jed and their happily-ever-after—she’d long since let die.
She could not—would not—allow them to resurface.
Two heartbreaks in one lifetime were more than enough. Besides, by summer’s end, she’d be back in Chicago with its museums, restaurants and shopping malls.
Upon seeing Paige, he stood and sort of hovered there, as if uncertain where to land. He eventually chose the edge of the couch where her mom hadn’t piled laundry.
Paige took his place on the floor, largely to distance herself from him.
She grabbed some board books from her backpack and handed one over. Ava started flipping through the pages, repeating random words from memory.
That entertained the adults for a bit, but soon the conversation, which had already felt stilted, stalled.
Jed shifted. He scratched at the back of his neck,