When Does the Pretending End?

Chapter 47- Friends Calling

  Lucy's Pov

I run as fast as my legs will take me to the bedroom. I can't breathe. The shirt feels tight against my chest. My heart is pounding. The glass. The sound. Oh shit Lacey. I pull off my clothes and turn on the shower. The water falls on my body but I'm still shaking as the tears fall down my face. I thought I was ok. The day had been good. I had thought of Lacey of course. But it was all happy memories. I remembered how she used to play with me when I was Rodrigo's age. I even managed to make Dad laugh talking about the time Lacey burnt his suit ironing. But the sound of the glass breaking. Oh that night. Cris tried to help by hugging me but couldn't take any more sympathy. The hot water cascades down my body but I'm still cold. I turn off the shower and reach out for a towel. I quickly dry my body and as I begin to wrap the towel around me Cris barges in.

"What the hell Cris?" I shout. "Tina is on the phone" he says. What I gape at him. I didn't think she would call. It's been weeks since I spoke to her. I take the phone from his hand. "Tina" I whisper watching Cristiano's face the whole time. "Long time no speak Lucy" she says. Cris leaves the room. "It's so good to hear your voice" I say. "How are you? I know it's Lacey's anniversary" Tina says. "I'm ok considering. But I want to know how are you?" I say as Cris returns and stands in front of me. He holds up my pink dressing gown and I put it on.

"I'm fine. Getting better. I have a lot of time to think here" Tina says as Cris ties the knot on my gown. I undo my towel and drop it to the ground and head to the couch in the bedroom. "Everyone misses you" I say noticing Cris closing the door to the bedroom. "I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you since well since everything with the car" Tina says. "I understand. You needed time to clear your head. Josh was so happy to see you the other weekend" I say. "Yeah I could tell. I actually can't wait to see you in person. Maybe you could visit me soon" she says. "Tina I would love that" I say. "So how bad was today really" she asks. "Honestly it's been ok. For the first time in years I have good memories of Lacey on this day" I say truthfully.

"I'm happy for you. So tell me who the hell answered your phone. That was a guy" she says and I could tell she was grinning. "Just a friend" I say. "A friend. You don't have guy friends" she says. "Hello what do you call Josh, Luke and Matt" I say. "You work with Matt and as for Josh and Luke, hello we both know why you can't date them" she says and I laugh. "You sound like Elena" I say. "Well she does talk some sense" she says. "I'm glad you pleaded guilty" I say finally bringing up the court case. "Me too. It's better in the long run" she says. "Lucy I've got to go. But I'll ring again soon" Tina says. "Oh ok. I'm glad to phoned Tina. I've missed you so much" I say holding back a sob. "Me too" she says and the phone goes dead.

Even though it wasn't a long conversation it meant so much that she remembered Lacey's anniversary and that she phoned me. What if I had missed her call? I head downstairs. "He's in the movie room" Elma smiles as I run down the stairs. "Thanks" I shout. Cris is sitting opposite Nuno and Elma when I walk into the movie room. I don't know why but I run to him and jump into his lap. His legs sit between my thighs. He looks shocked to see me in his lap. "That was Tina" I say. You idiot he already knew that I think.

"Why do you look sad?" he asks wiping away a tear on my cheek. "These are happy tears" I say. "Thanks for bringing the phone up" I say. "Any time" he says. "Well since your friend spoke to you I think that is a sign for a celebration. Who wants ice cream?" Katia asks. "Yes please" I say standing up. "I'll just get dressed" I say as Katia and I walk out.

"I'm pleased you are happy Lucy. Cris was worried about you" she says. "I'm sure he wasn't" I say. She puts her hand on my arm. "Lucy he texted Máe about thirty times today to see if you were ok, so don't think he wasn't worried" she says. I nod. "It's nice to see him like that" she says.