Chapter Thirty-Two
Rachel
I woke up the following morning with happiness in my heart. I’d hung up the picture of the little girl the night before. I loved having her in my home, and I was so glad I’d come across that painting. It was just what I needed to put in my apartment. It made it feel more like home.
I decided to go see Sadie this morning. It was a shame that I could really only see her while she was working, but that’s just how things went. She didn’t hire too much help her bakery. I think it had more to do with the fact that she didn’t want anybody else making or touching the things that she had made. I could understand that, but I wondered how she’d handle it with another location opening.
After a quick shower, I got dressed and quickly did my hair and makeup. I skipped breakfast, but I knew I could get something at the bakery.
When I got there, I took one look at Sadie and realized she looked very hung over. She did not look good at all.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
“Stop shouting,” she whispered.
I laughed and then quickly covered up my mouth because my laugh was loud. Then I laughed again. I didn’t mean to laugh at her, but I hadn’t been shouting, and I knew she was really hung over.
“What happened last night?” I asked her.
“I met this guy. He’s an artist, and he took me out for drinks. We had a few too many, but it was seriously the best time I have had in a very long while,” she said.
“What was his name?” I asked her.
“I can’t remember. I think it started with a D,” she said.
I laughed at my friend. It was totally like her to not remember the guy’s name that she had just hung out with the night before.
“Can you tell me anything else?” I asked her.
“Well, he just had an art show recently. One of his pieces was called ‘Infinity’ I think.” She got a funny look on her face, “or something like that. Anyway, it sold for like $450,000. Can you believe that?”
I wanted to tell her that I knew exactly who it was. The person she was describing was Derek. He had a piece called Infinity, and it had sold for $450,000 at his latest art show. There was no way to deny it, but I decided to play it off like I had no idea who the guy was. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that he was kind of a scumbag, or a player anyway. Who knows? Maybe this one would work out for her. I really didn’t know Derek that well, so I really couldn’t judge him.
“Well, it sounds like you had a nice time. He sounds like an interesting fellow,” I said.
Sadie laughed at me, “Fellow?” she said. “Since when do you talk like that?”
I laughed. I hadn’t really thought through about my choice of words. But it was because I was flabbergasted by who she was even talking about in the first place.
“How are things going with you and the art gallery owner?” Sadie asked.
“Yeah, it’s James,” I told her. “Things are going really good, actually.” They really had been. So good that I was really starting to envision a future with him. Even though the thought scared me a little bit, it made me even more excited.
A customer came into the bakery. Sadie looked like she was going to hurl any moment so I got up and I helped the customer. She ordered a chocolate croissant to go, so I got it ready, gave it to the customer and rang it up.
“Thank you for that,” Sadie said.
“Well, we couldn’t really have you throwing up all over the pastries, now could we?” I said with a laugh.
Sadie looked at me for a moment as if she was thinking, and then she said, “How are things with the little girl?”
“Nell?” Sadie nodded her head, and I continued, “Well, the other night she asked me to put her to bed. So, I did. I could tell something had been bothering her all afternoon. So, I asked her about it, and she told me about girls bullying her. You want to know why?” I asked her.
“Why?” Sadie asked. Just then another customer walked in, so I got up and helped them as well. This one wanted coffee and a muffin. I poured them a black coffee and put in the creamer they wanted. After bagging up the muffin, I ran the credit card and sent him on his way. Then I walked back over and sat down with Sadie once again.
“Where were we?” I asked her.
“Bullies,” Sadie said, and put her head down on the table as if it were a pillow.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. So, she is getting bullied because she doesn’t have a mom,” I said, and folded my arms across my chest, hoping to make my point that this was absolutely ridiculous.
Sadie looked shocked, “Are you serious? Who would bully someone over not having a mom?”
I nodded my head in agreement. “I have no idea. And I don’t know quite what to do. I haven’t told James; I didn’t want to worry him. Obviously, she wanted me to know and not him. There’s gotta be a reason behind that. I’d hate to ruin the relationship we're building because I went and told her dad something that she didn’t want him to know.”
“You’re right, Rachel. But, at the same time, it is his daughter. Maybe if it’s really concerning you should sit down and have a talk with him about it.”
I knew Sadie was right; I just needed to find the time to do it. I also really didn’t want to hurt Nell. We were just starting to have a great relationship together, and I didn’t want to screw it up.
“God, that’s terrible. It breaks my heart for her. Kids can be so mean,” Sadie said, sincerely.
“I know what you mean. It’s just absolutely ridiculous that children are that thoughtless. I just really wish there were something I could do for her,” I said.
Someone else came in and I took care of their order. This customer wanted to stick around and enjoy his coffee and look at the newspaper. Thankfully, he chose a table far enough away from us that I didn’t feel like I had to be too quiet when talking to Sadie.
I decided since I was so hungry, I should grab myself a chocolate croissant. I did and popped it in the microwave. Then I went back and sat down next to Sadie, just in time for more customers to come in. I got up and waited on them despite Sadie’s protests. But I was there and capable, and I’d done it before. I knew what I was doing, and Sadie could trust me. I had everything under control. I wanted to help a friend, so I did.
When those folks were gone, I sat back down with my chocolate croissant, which was cold now, but I still ate it, and it still tasted delicious. No matter how many times I ate her treats, they still continued to taste better and better.
“Why don’t you go home early?” I asked her.
“I can’t. This is my business,” she said.
I shrugged, “It’s always an option. People will understand. Everybody has a bad day once in a while, right?” I said. Sadie didn’t say anything in response, and we spent the next few minutes sitting in silence. I could tell she really didn’t feel good because usually she was so upbeat and talkative.
After a few more minutes of silence, I thought I would ask her more about Derek. “Do you think you’ll see this guy again?” I made sure not to use his name, as that would give me away for sure.
“Yeah, I’m hoping so. I really like him. He was so funny and smart. You know how I feel about those artistic type guys. I’m just blown away by how amazing he is. He’s like the full package. I know I just met him, but something is just different about him.”
I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. She had no idea who this guy really was. I didn’t want to be the one to break it to her. Besides, there was a chance that he could turn out to be a really great guy for her, and I didn’t want to ruin that without her finding out for herself. She hated my ex-husband and yet she hardly ever said anything about it.
“Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. But if he hurts you, I’m kicking his ass.”
Sadie laughed at me and then put a hand to her head and made a pained face. I tried not to laugh at her.
“What?” I asked her.
“It’s just… I tried to picture you kicking someone’s ass. It didn’t work out,” she said.
“For me? Or for them?” I knew she was talking about me, but I wanted to mess with her.
“For you, sweetheart,” she said in a sarcastic tone. I hated it when she used the word ‘sweetheart.’ It drove me nuts, but I left it alone because I knew it was in good fun, and I didn’t want to be ‘that friend.’
“No, I’m pretty sure that it wouldn’t work out for them. It won’t work out for him if he does hurt you. I promise I got your back,” I said. It was my warning of sorts for her to be careful.
Sadie looked up at me, “I really appreciate that. You’re a good friend, Rachel,” she said.
I smiled at her, and then I helped her close up the bakery. She finally took my advice and since her morning rush was about over anyway, she agreed to just go home and get some sleep. It wasn’t good for her to try to work through a hangover like that. Her customers probably would prefer it that way anyway.
“Thank you so much for helping me today,” she said as we were saying our goodbyes.
I leaned in and gave my best friend a hug. “I’m glad I got to do it. It was fun. We need to hang out more often. I can’t wait to hear more about this newguy,” I said.
“I can’t wait to hear more about James,” she said.
We parted and went our separate ways. I walked slowly and thought about different things. I thought about how things had turned around for me. And how things seemed so different. Everything seems so much brighter the last couple months. I thought about Sadie and Derek. I thought about James and Nell. And I thought about the one thing that had been holding me back from really enjoying life.
When I got into my house, I walked over to the picture frame, the one I’d hidden away from Nell and James. I picked it up and held it close to me. No matter what, I think a piece of me will always be torn apart about what happened. I looked down at the picture of the little baby girl, and a single tear rolled down my cheek as I held the picture to me. I wrapped my arms around it and pretended like I was rocking the baby girl. I missed her so much, and the only thing that had helped me get through was James and Nell.