Oral Care

Chapter 29: Holiday Plans

*** Evelyn's POV ***

It is nearing the Thanksgiving holiday. Meagan is contemplating a quick trip, claiming she misses me. But I'm sure it has more to do with the blue-eyed hunk who she has kept contact with since her visit in late summer. I laugh and tell her that she knows where to find me if she is even planning on seeing me during her visit. She scoffs, but doesn't deny it. Christian has already gone down to Texas in the few months they have been apart and it is only a matter of time before one of them moves. I selfishly want her to come here.

All has been quiet on my family front after they threatened to visit shortly after I moved. Typical. They can't be bothered from their hum-drum lives to inquire about mine, which by the way, is fucking fantastic.

Work keeps me mentally busy and satisfyingly exhausted. My colleagues are intellectual matches and provide a mostly collegial work atmosphere. I definitely steer away from some of the more confrontational and testosterone-laden of the bunch. I know they would sour my opinion if I spend too much time in their company. I think they avoid prolonged exposure to me too, knowing I won't suffer their brand of chauvinism for too long. But superficially, we all got along and make progress on projects.

Outside of work, I spend most of my free time with the Baumanns. I have yet to miss a Sunday supper which now also includes football. I actually went to my first live game with Tish, Len, Nick, Stacy, Marlee, Dane, Christian, Marco, and Rafael. We tailgated and sat in pretty amazing seats thanks to Rafael's connections. Apparently, he does dental for a few of the players and their families.

Other weekends have been spent enjoying the season, apple picking, leaf peeping, and more. It has been damn near perfect and has sold me on the virtues of living in a place that has all four seasons. I am also more certain than ever that I am in love with Rafael. Other than that blip with Kevin months ago, we have been on this moon-shot trajectory of bliss.

He reads me and responds like no one I've ever met. I used to think all that hokey stuff about finding the other half of your heart or your soulmate was something only needy people subscribed to. But now that I have that with someone, I get it. I believe.

I think Rafael feels it too, but has held off on saying it, probably afraid that I'll flee. The Evelyn he first met would want no part in what our relationship has become or where I think it's headed. And ever since I walked away from him when he needed to reconcile with Kevin, he has been extra careful. I think he fears old Evelyn walking away and breaking his heart.

But I'm not that woman anymore. At least not with him. I am starting to see a future as his wife, even maybe as the mother of his kids. As long as he doesn't want too many and doesn't expect me to be the one to sacrifice my career without us talking it through first. I see myself settling into these roles and being happy which is something I never imagined happening.

Miguel has kind of disappeared. He still lives here, but started seeing someone. I don't miss him, but Joel and Liam tell me that he still asks about me. I asked them if they knew anything about his new girlfriend, but supposedly he never brings her around. Sounds a lot like when we dated except he was hiding me from his wife. Stupid fucker.

I am getting ready to head out with Rafael to an art exhibit when I look out my floor-to-ceiling windows and am dumbstruck by what I see. White, gloppy precipitation is falling from the gray sky. I stare because I don't quite believe it. It is November. Surely it doesn't start snowing this early?!

Evelyn: Your state is defective.

I send out a text in our Baumann family group message. As usual, Wilma is the first to reply.