13 October 2012
Chapter 35:
Cindy answered the telephone within seconds. I had spent enough time on my ideas to know they would be for the better. "Hello?" Answered Cindy excitedly. I could tell from her reaction that any contact with the outside world was welcomed. "Hi Cindy, it's me. How are you?" "Oh Sophia! I'm so glad to hear from you. Yes I'm fine, how's the shop and everything?" "Yes everything's great. Listen, I'd love to come and see you if that's ok. Are you free this afternoon." "Yes, yes, yes!" She replied. I was overjoyed she was happy to meet me. "Great, I can pick you up in an hour, is that alright?" "Perfect."
En route I picked up Jasmine and little Amelie. Without hinting at my plans, I could tell Jasmine had caught on to my enthusiasm.
I took the two ladies to a quiet restaurant outside of town, the soft air resting in the sunlight. We sat at the table outside admiring the roses and daisies, and I knew I had to share my ideas that were bursting from within. "Guys, I've had some ideas that I'd like to tell you about, are you interested?" Jasmine leaned on the table with a grin, Cindy quickly swallowing her tea. "Oh yes, please do tell dear." "Cindy, I know how much you hate working at the library. You've not been yourself since Maggie passed away, and we need to bring you back to life." Her face sank slightly as she recollected her memories of her late sister. "As for you Jas, you can't look after a baby all by yourself. It's just not possible! And I know how hard it's been to find help, so..." I paused, waiting to see if they'd caught on. Their faces only stared in anticipation with no guessing at all. "Cindy, I think you should consider doing some child care for Amelie! We all know how much you love her, and it's far more interesting than working at the library!" I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad to do this, but she gave Jasmine a pleading look, and the excitement gradually arose between the two. "I'd love to! But it's up to mummy, of course" she responded, with desperate willingness inside her. "Of course it's ok with me! I'd love to have someone so loving with my little girlie." Jasmine said tickling baby Amelie's toes. "That's perfect then!" I replied hugging the two in sync. "I can't wait!" Cindy insisted at Jasmine. "Oh, me neither. And you don't have to do it full time. Two or three days a week is fine with me." Jasmine said so sweetly. "Well we can discuss the details later. Right now, I think we should celebrate." Replied Cindy, lifting her glass.
I came home to find Matt arranging his paperwork. "Hey Soph. How are you?" He said taking off his glasses. He'd usually greet me with a kiss, but instead stayed seated, concentrating on his work. "What are you up to?" I asked, quite nosily. "Actually, working a few things out for the wedding. What do you think about a winter wedding?" He asked, I knew exactly how he wanted me to reply. "Um, I don't know Matt. It seems a bit, tacky." I said, not really giving it much thought. "I always imagined getting married in spring." I said, daydreaming slightly. "Ok Soph." He said with a sigh. "Why are you being so horrible, Matt? I can't talk to you anymore! You're too miserable every single minute of the day and I'm sick of it! Ever since you proposed you've been acting so strange, not like the Matt I fell in love with all that time ago." "So what, you don't love me anymore?" He asked, standing up to face me. "That's not what I said." In response. "So what is it you're trying to say then, Sophia?" He voice turning to a whisper. He ran his fingers through my hair, never leaving my glance. "I don't know. I don't know what to say anymore. I don't know why I even try sometimes." I took his hand from my hair, running out the front door. I sat on the porch, staring into the evening light. Our months of planning had been no use, our friendship had slowly faded away, and I felt myself coming apart from the one person I had ever loved.
by vera©
The Wedding Shop • Opuss № I