Every New Beginning... (Chris Evans AU)

.153.

 Opal POV

  The end of September  marks more than two months since Chris and I called it quits. I haven't called him again since the severe anxiety attack caused by the nightmare of him moving on. That's not to say I haven't reached for the phone, pressed call, only to end it before it can even register that I've called. Or the amount of times I've gone back and read through countless text messages. 

  Every once in a while he'll send me a short quip of an experience he had during an arrest or a random new fact he's learned. I'll respond with a simple remark or an emoji. I'm still in the mindset that he can do better with someone who carries less baggage, so I try not to give him much hope that I'm changing my thoughts.

  Thumbing through the mail on my way back into my house I notice a small card postmarked Atlanta, Georgia. Intrigued I drop the rest of the envelopes on my foyer table and rip into the beige colored card. 

  "Surprise, surprise," I mumble as I notice it's an invite for a gender reveal party for Laura and Spencer's baby. I pull my cell from my pocket, calling my friend immediately. 

  "This is Laura."

  "Seriously? That's how you answer when it's me?" I ask, confused.

  "Sorry, Ope. I didn't look at who was calling. I'm in the middle of foiling a client's hair. What's up?"

  I didn't even think about the fact that it was Saturday, her busiest day in the salon. "It's fine, we can talk later."

  "Nonsense!" she exclaims. "I'm guessing you called because you got the invite?" I can hear the excitement in her voice.

  "I did, actually. Not sure I'm gonna make it friend." 

  "Hang on one second," Laura says. I try and tell her I can call back later. "Not you, Ope. I'll be right back." I'm about to get a scolding without even giving an explanation.

  "You better be having another surgery because that will be the only acceptable reason you could give me as to why you can't come," she scolds, just like I knew she would. 

  I start to wrack my brain, attempting to come up with something other than the truth. I have one ace up my sleeve, but it's a long shot. "I'm going to be going through Pop's stuff at the house that day." 

  "You're full of crap, Ope."

  I try to hold back my laugh at the fact that she's calling me out, with good reason. "I'm being serious. It's already planned."

  "I'm not buying it," she scoffs. "You don't want to come because you know he'll be there." 

  Anybody who ever said pregnancy brain was real must have never specified that it doesn't happen early. 

  "I don't know what you're talking about, Laura. But, I'm sure you need to get back to your client, so I'll let you go!"

  "Opal Lillian you better  not hang up on me woman!" 

  I recoil as she yells my full name loudly through the phone. "Don't full name me. I really do need to get Pop's stuff taken care of. I've set that day aside."

  There's a pause. "Okay, well then I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed that you can get it done before then."

  I roll my eyes, knowing full well that will not happen. "Maybe I will. We'll see. Now, go before you burn your clients hair off. Love you!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The same afternoon finds me curled up on my couch with a book and my third cup of coffee for the day. I'm just getting to a part that is making my heart race as I hear a knock on my door. Choosing to ignore the interruption to my reading flow I take a sip from my mug.