A Cosmic Kind of Love(89)
“Alison is a spoiled brat and could do with a few less pools in her life.”
Dad gave a bark of laughter. “You’re not wrong.” His smile died as he studied my face. “I am so sorry for taking you for granted. It shouldn’t have taken your mother reaming me out for me to see that. Can you forgive me, Hallie?”
The tears welled up before I could stop them as I nodded, pinching my lips to stop the sob from breaking out.
“Oh, Cupcake.” He pulled me into his arms, and I melted into my dad’s familiar embrace. “I am so damn sorry for hurting you.” His voice hitched with emotion. “I’m going to do my best to make it up to you, okay?”
I nodded, still unable to speak through my tears.
My body shook with the force of my relief. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how heavy my estrangement from my dad had been weighing on my heart.
* * *
My dad left a little while later, and we’d made plans for Chris and me to visit him in a few weeks once he settled into his new house. He’d also come by to check on me, to make sure I was okay after our relationship was outed online, and I told him a little about Chris. Seeing how happy I was, Dad seemed to relax about the whole thing.
It was difficult to concentrate on work after that, but I had a tour of venues with a client today, which kept me focused. I texted Chris in between to tell him about Dad’s visit, promising him I’d fill him in later.
However, I had one thing still to do before I left the office that night.
Sitting on my desk, staring out the window to the street chock-full of people and vehicles during rush hour, I listened to my cell ring out.
On the fifth ring, my mom picked up. “I wondered when you’d finally call.”
Pushing down my irritation with her, I replied, “Dad paid me a visit today. Thank you for what you said to him.”
Mom sighed. “Hallie, none of us are perfect, but, except for the last few weeks, you’re a good kid and your father treated you unfairly.”
Though it was beyond nice to hear her say that, I pushed past the sudden pounding in my chest to say, “I can’t be a part of your lives again if you’re going to keep me in the middle of this war between you. I spent my whole life in the middle, Mom. I can’t do it anymore.”
She was silent so long I repeated, “Mom?”
“I’m here.” Her sigh crackled the line. “While I think calling it a war is a little dramatic, I can agree to leave you out of it. Not that there’s anything to be in anymore. I need to move on, and so does your dad. The toilet-paper incident made me realize how damn crazy it had gotten. And while I do think you should have picked up when I called you, I heard about what you said to your dad, and I know it was directed at both of us. And you’re not wrong. We’ve been selfish. It’ll stop. Anyway, your dad and I are holding on to stuff that doesn’t even exist now.”
The word “relieved” did not do my feelings justice, and I just had to hope they’d stand by this newfound perspective. “I think that’s great, Mom. And thank you.”
“Yeah. Well, I booked this retreat in the Catskills. Jenna is coming with me. We both feel we have some soul-searching to do.”
“Mom, that sounds great.”
“Can I count on seeing you when I get back?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “We can do that.”
“Not this weekend but next?”
“I have an event in the Hamptons that weekend. Weekend after?”
“All weekend?”
I rolled my eyes at her irritated tone. “Chris’s aunt lives there, so we thought we’d stay with her since I’ll already be there for this event.”
“Ah, the astronaut. Well done, Hallie.”
“Mom,” I warned.
“What? I mean it. I’m impressed. He’s very handsome.”
“He’s also brilliant and kind and considerate.”
“Hmm. Just be careful. Does his aunt have a pool?”
“Yes, why?”
“Don’t take that polka-dot bikini you wore during our spa break last year. It wasn’t flattering. Or if you must, wear it with a sarong. And do you have beachy high-heeled sandals? Wedges maybe? Those will make you look taller and leaner in a bikini.”
There she was. “Mom.”
“What? You sound like you really, really like this one. I’m just trying to help you keep him.”
“He’s seen me naked, Mom. And he’s still here, so I think I’m good. I have to go now.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I arrive in the Catskills. Oh, that’s if they have a signal up there.”
“Um, they might not. Send a carrier pigeon. It’ll take you back to your childhood.”
“Oh, aren’t we Miss Sassy Pants now that we’re dating an astronaut?”
Hearing the amusement in her voice, I smiled. “I hope you and Jenna have a wonderful time.”
“Thank you, honey. Oh, and if you need to fix your hair color before you meet the astronaut’s aunt, my stylist will fit you in last minute. You can’t socialize with the Hamptons set with pink hair, Hallie. As cute as you looked in those pictures, your hair was really distracting.”