Page 93 of Broken Butterfly
Elizabeth gets up and comes over to where I am, wrapping her arm around my waist. “I can’t fight back against an unknown. Now I know who to fight, and a fight is what she’s going to get. Old me never stood up to her, but she’s going to find out real quick that I’m not the same person anymore.”
“Why do I feel like spouting some Dylan Thomas poetry right now?” Julien chuckles.
“More like listening to angry chick music.”
Elizabeth gives my side a squeeze and walks over to the piano; the upright I bought her that now lives against the wall of the living room.
“I don’t want to talk about Maria or my car anymore tonight. Let’s talk about the Seattle trip instead.” She looks at all of us while fingering the keys lightly.
Jules walks into the kitchen and comes back with two sodas, handing one to Jay. “Mom and Dad are going to fly up the day after we arrive. They’re staying at the same hotel we are.”
Elizabeth starts playing Pachelbel. “I know we had talked about all going to the gravesite together, but I think it would be good for me and Jayson to have some time alone with her first if that’s alright with everyone.”
“I like that idea,” Jay tells her.
Jules and I share a look and acquiesce to her request. We know that Elizabeth and Jay will be dealing with a lot of emotional issues when they meet their daughter for the first time. I wish I could spare my girl the heartbreak she will face that day.
“You said you wanted to see Daniel and Drew as well? Do they know we’re coming?” Jules asks her.
“I sent them an email last night.”
“That’s kind of cold, don’t you think?”
“Forgive me Julien if I’m still a bit ticked off at them. An email should be enough.”
Jay sits down beside her on the piano bench and hits a few base keys, disrupting the melody of her song and causing her to dissolve in a fit of giggles when he purposefully knocks her hand with his. They change to playing chopsticks. I grab the guitar that’s sitting on the stand next to the piano and join in. I wish I could say we sounded great, but honestly, it sounds like a bag of cats.
Jules, not one to be left out, sits on the other side of Elizabeth at the piano and shoulder bumps her. “Heart and Soul?”
“Let’s do it.”
It’s like old times when the four of us would sit around my backyard firepit and Elizabeth and her dad would play their guitars and sing.
“I’ve been meaning to ask about Christmas.”
“We’re stopping by my parents’ on the way back from Seattle and then heading off for New Year’s,” I answer.
“I’d like it if you would come to our house for Christmas supper,” Jay tells Elizabeth like I’m not sitting right here.
Elizabeth glances over at me from the piano, her eyebrows quirked in question on what to say. I make a suggestion that both of our families could get together that day. I’m sure our parents can hash out the details. More than likely, Mom will have everyone over to our house since it was the go-to place for all of our families for backyard cookouts when we were growing up.
“Don’t forget Fallon is spending Christmas with us,” Elizabeth reminds me. Jay stops playing and she shushes him when he opens his mouth to comment. “If you can’t say anything nice, Jayson Jameson, keep it to yourself, please. Fallon is coming. End of story.” He grumps and gets up, flopping back down on the sofa.
“Not to change the subject, butyouguys should hang out on Friday when Meredith and I have our girl’s night out at Belly’s. You can have a boy’s night.”
“Not a bad idea,” Jules says. “Elijah has that night off from work.”
“There’s a sports bar near Belly’s. We can meet up for a late dinner after.”
“Meredith won’t try to remove our balls if we intrude on your girl time, will she?”
Elizabeth sticks her tongue out at Jay. “She’s not that bad.”
“That girl is a pit bull dressed as a fairy,” he states. “I’m glad she’s on our side.”
“Jay, if you’re in, do you mind picking me up?” I ask. “I’m letting Elizabeth drive my car while hers is in the impound.”
“I can drive all of us in my truck.”
