JUST A LITTLE LOVE

Eight

E I G H T

I wracked my brain on the things Colleen could possibly want to discuss seeing as she hated my guts with a passion. I never understood why but maybe she could give me some clarity on that once we had our sit down. She did say we were family after all.

Her daughter, Fawn, and her granddaughter were something we shared. I tried to be a mother figure in Fawn's life after her dad and I officially married plus she became very interested in me when the babies were soon to be born.

"Can I get a water with lemon & light ice, please?", I ordered after sitting near the window.

I wanted to get a good look at her before she came through.

When she finally did come up to the window, I noticed her eyes were slightly red as well as her nose. She tried to take a deep breath and ended up coughing, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. I raised a brow when she seemed to break out in a mild sweat.

"Can I get you anything else, Miss?"

"Um... A peppermint tea with lemon and sugar for my guest. I'll order some food a little later."

The brown haired waitress smiled before walking away.

Finally I was joined by Colleen who looked like she was two seconds from fainting. I stood up to help her but she raised a hand to keep me at a distance.

"It's been three weeks. I didn't expect you to be so—"

"So what, Alexis? Sick."

I bit my tongue and counted to 10 in my head backwards because no she wasn't angry at me but her tone better come down before we make it an issue.

"Colleen, I'm clearly trying to make an effort."

"And I thank you... for this," she finished in a whisper.

Our waitress returned with the tea and I gestured for her to place it before the lady sitting before me. She did as suggested and left us to our conversation.

"I ordered it for you."

"Thanks," she whispered taking a generous sip. "Peppermint, I hate it."

I laughed at the joke even as she licked her lips and went back in for more.

"Is it because I gave it to you?"

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm not that childish, but no... I hate it because my mom used to be obsessed with it when I was little. Every Christmas we'd have peppermint hanging as decorations, half the recipes included peppermint, and I assumed my name was peppermint until I was 5."

"That makes perfect sense," I joked as I sipped my water.

She took several moments to get herself together. She brushed her brown hair behind one shoulder, cleared her throat, and fixed her posture in her chair.

"I've been thinking about this for quite some time and my daughter, Fawn, wanted me to speak with you seeing as you are the current wife," Colleen spoke and my brow rose in curiosity. "We've discussed moving closer and I know it's best I talk to your husband but he's never been good with planning."

"Okay, so why now?"

"Because I'm in remission. I want to be close to my child and my grandchild. I want to enjoy the last bit of family that I have left. My ex husband made it hard for me to be involved in my own family but I won't miss any more years."

I took a large gulp of water and chewed a little on my ice.

"Who else knows?", I wondered.

"Just you, Fawn, and my best friend."

"Tell Tig and I'm all for the move. I won't be the bridge between you because you both need to grow up and realize that you became family the moment your twins were born."

"Don't you want a chance to be the bearer of good news especially about me," Colleen tried to make a joke but she ended with a cough that was horrendous.

No. I did not.

"I wish I could laugh at another woman's pain but that's never been me. Of course I'll be by your side if you want but I can't be the one to tell him."

"I still hate you," the other wife mentioned.

I winked at her as I finished my water.

"Okay enough of the heavy. Waitress, can I get a 10 piece wing with hot Garlic pepper & a side of fries?!", I called over my shoulder.

A bitch was starving!