The Friendship List(19)

She waved her cell phone. “I’m about to call Unity. We’re, ah, going to hang out with some friends.” She tried to look amused. “Sort of an old people party.”

Coop looked doubtful. “Really?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

“You, too.”

He left. Seconds later, she heard his car start up. When he’d pulled out of the driveway, she told herself at least half of the statement had been true—she was going to call Unity.

But before she could dial, her phone rang. She glanced at the unfamiliar number.

“Hello?”

“Ellen, it’s Jeremy.”

Who? She didn’t know any...

Crap, crap, crap. Actually she did know a Jeremy, or she had back in high school. They’d dated for a month, he’d gotten her pregnant and then he’d disappeared. Since then she’d heard from him every five or so years. He asked about Coop but never wanted to see him. She supposed every now and then the guilt got to him.

“This is unexpected,” she said.

“I know. How are you?”

“Good and you?”

“Good.”

There was a moment of silence. She heard him clear his throat.

“I, ah, I’ve been thinking about what happened all those years ago. About Cooper and how he’s doing. I’m in a different place now and thought maybe, if you wouldn’t mind, I could meet him.”

If Ellen had been standing, she would have fallen. Or fainted.

“He’s seventeen. He’s practically an adult and you just now want to meet him?” She knew she sounded shrill, but was the man on crack? “You signed your rights away before he was born. You walked out on me and him. You’ve shown absolutely no interest in him.”

Something she’d had to explain to her son over the years, when he’d asked about his father. She’d always had to go out of her way to make sure Jeremy wasn’t the bad guy. She’d always had to take the high ground and say things like he hadn’t been ready to be a father and no, she hadn’t been disappointed to be physically and emotionally abandoned as she’d gone through her senior year of high school pregnant.

“People change, Ellen.”

“Oh, do they?”

“I can see you’re still upset. I suppose you have reason to be. You’re right—I have no legal rights, but he is my son and I was hoping I could get to know him.”

She wanted to tell him not a chance. That he didn’t deserve to know Cooper or have anything to do with him. That neither of them was interested. Only she knew that last one wasn’t true. Cooper might not show it, but she knew he was curious about his father, and in her gut, she was pretty sure he would like a chance to meet him.

“Are you still there?” Jeremy asked.

“Yes.”

Why did she always have to be the adult in the room?

“I need to think about this,” she said.

“Of course. Let me give you my contact information.”

She got up and walked into the kitchen where she grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, then scribbled down his number and email address.

“I’d really like a second chance with him,” Jeremy told her.

She thought about how alone she’d felt as she’d struggled as a single parent, how much he’d missed and how bitterly unfair his request was, and then she remembered Coop.

“I’ll get back to you,” she told him. “Give me a few days.”

“Thank you, Ellen.”

She hung up and swore. Now? Did this have to be happening now?

Her phone rang again. She answered without looking at the screen.

“Yes?”

“It’s me,” Unity said. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Relief eased the tightness in her chest. “Only if you promise to come over and get drunk with me.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“The front door is open.”

  Ellen dug out a frozen pizza and turned on the oven, then opened a bottle of red wine. When she heard the door open, she ran out of her kitchen and met Unity in the living room where they hugged each other tight.

“I’m sorry,” Unity said, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have understood. I should have listened.”

“No, it was me. I was so upset that I lashed out. I’m sorry. I was insensitive about Stuart. I hurt you.”

“No, I hurt you.”

They looked at each other, then hugged again. Ellen hung on, feeling her world right itself.

“I’ve had a horrible day,” she admitted.

“Me, too. I missed you. I can’t believe we had a fight.”

“I can’t, either. Let’s promise to never do it again.”

They smiled at each other.

“Deal,” Unity said.

They linked arms and walked into the kitchen. After taking a seat at the table, Ellen poured them each a glass of wine. Unity sat across from her, her expression sad.

“I really am sorry.”

“Me, too. I’m okay if you’re okay.”

Unity hesitated, then nodded.

“You sure?” Ellen asked.

“Yes. I’m fine, or I will be.” She bit her bottom lip. “I was thinking about what you said about Coop and how you’re worried about him. Plus what you said about me.”