The Do-Over(52)

“I’m glad you guys found each other again.” Stacy’s words were blowing me away.

“You know what, Stace, I’m glad we did, too. But what I’m also thrilled about is that you and I are getting a chance to really know one another.” As brusque and as off-putting as she was on the outside, I was quickly being exposed to the caring and loyal side of Stacy Bergman.

She just nodded her head in acknowledgement, coughing a few times.

“Should we have the infusion nurse call in the doctor to check out your cough.” I had gone into mama bear mode.

“Nah. It really feels like allergies. You know how when you’re getting sick you feel overall icky, but when it’s just allergies it’s just that one isolated thing that’s bugging you. Well this is that one thing and it’s itchy versus hurting. Plus, they said on the news this morning that the mold count was off the charts high and mold always sets me off.”

“Okay,” I acquiesced. “I wonder if Andie has finished the trilogy yet?” We stood waiting for the elevator to take us up to the third floor.

“Oh I hope so, because I want to talk about it and I don’t want to have to censor what I say.” Stacy paused and laughed, “Not that I ever censor what I’m saying.”

“That’s a freaking understatement,” I laughed. “As you were the woman who once told me to stay away from your brother.”

“A lot of good that did me. You two found one another again and he’s crazy about you.”

“He’s crazy about me?” I so wanted to hear her say those magic words.

“Crazy about you. Well, that’s an understatement. I think head over heels would be a more accurate description.”

I know I had a loony smile on my face as we emerged from the elevator. “Head over heels.” I repeated.

“Certainly that’s no shock how crazy he is about you.” Stacy was very serious.

“Well, it’s nice to hear and also good to know that I’m not wandering down a path by myself,” I admitted, letting a fear surface.

“C’mon Tara, you know that you and Wes have always had that special something – from the moment you met. There’s no one else in the world when the two of you are together. No one else.”

I wondered how much Wes had confided in Stacy about our relationship. Obviously some, and it was comforting to know that I had someone on my side not telling him to stay away from me.





Chapter 18


“I can’t believe you zip lined, Mom!” Scarlett squealed at the end of the course, as I was unhooked from the harness.

“It wasn’t my first time.” I slung my arm over her shoulder as we walked away. “But I haven’t done it in a very long time. It was before I even met your father.”

Frank and CB had waited for us in the dining hall. CB’s outfit for the day was not conducive to participating in any of the Camper/Parent activities.

“So, am I going to get to meet Cameron?”

A long, drawn out, “Mom,” accompanied her blush. “Did Wes tell you?”

“Well, I was scrolling through his phone after he told me about your fall from the horse.” The bruise on her leg had faded significantly, now appearing almost green and yellow in hue.

“Scrolling through Wes’ phone?” Scarlett raised her eyebrows and gave me a pointed look.

“Yeah, well that’s kind of my news. We’ve been seeing each other.”

Stopping dead in her tracks on the dirt path. “And you complain I don’t tell you like anything? This is literally like so huge. And you didn’t tell me this, really?”

“Well, it’s pretty new.”

“I can’t believe he didn’t like tell me. I am like literally so mad at him right now.” She had become very dramatic over the summer.

I laughed. “Well, bitch at him. I want to see Cameron. You don’t have to introduce me if you think I’m going to embarrass you.”

With an eye roll, we headed over to the soccer field. “He’s number 12.” She nodded her head toward the right side of the field.

Elbowing her with a smile, “You’ve got good taste, little one. He’s a cutie.” With thick blonde hair and a preppie look, I could see why my daughter had fallen for him. “How about if I take off and get your father to load your trunk and your bags into my car, so that you get a chance to say goodbye to Cameron and then meet up with us in the dining hall.”

“Okay,” Scarlett agreed with a smile, visibly relieved that she would get to say goodbye to him alone.

“See you in a little bit.” Taking off toward the dining hall, it was time to get Frank off his butt and working or we’d never get Scarlett packed up and on the road home at a decent hour.

As I climbed the hill to the dining hall, I pulled out my phone. I had one bar of phone reception and my data was reading 4G. 4G? I hadn’t seen that on my phone in centuries. There were no text messages from Wes and my heart took an immediate tumble. I needed a Wes fix. And then I chuckled, thinking once I get to a place with decent cell signal, my phone is going to blow up and all the messages will show up at once and my craving for him will be satisfied.

Just saw Cameron. He’s cute. My daughter has a bone to pick with you. And I miss you. Big time!!!