Page 86 of Friends That Heal Us
Her eyebrows raise. “Oh, yeah, I’m free.”
“Okay,” I say softly. “I’ll let them know we’ll be there.”
“‘Kay. Do you want me to help you with anything?”
“Do you want to peel the potatoes?”
“Sure.”
We cook in the kitchen together quietly. It’s almost too quiet because each cling of kitchenware echoes throughout the house. Normally we’d be joking or talking about our day, but the silence stretches out. Sometimes I watch her more than the food, trying to get a glimpse of the Violet I know.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
VIOLET
The last coupleof days have felt awful. I’m trying to get all my thoughts and feelings together, but to be honest, I don’t know what to do, what to say, or how to feel.
We’re both still married, and we continued in our relationship as if we’re together. I’m partly to blame, but what if this ends up being a rebound situation? I trust we can both put our feelings aside and continue on as friends, but I don’t want us to be put through that.
The door to Ezra’s parents’ house squeaks as he opens it and we walk in. We came over for Sunday dinner. Another thing I felt like I should’ve said no to but didn’t…once again.
I don’t owe Ezra’s parents anything, and I know they’re not those types of people, but in a way I felt like I should come. Not that I didn’t want to because I love his family, but if I’m still questioning us, I can’t keep acting like we’re together.
“Hi,” Annie says, smashing potatoes in a pot.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Annie,” I say.
She eyes the plate in my hand. “What do you got there?”
I set the plate down. “Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.”
“Did I hear cookie?” Sean asks, walking inside from the back.
I giggle. “You sure did. They’re pumpkin chocolate chip.”
The rich smell of smoky warm ribs swirls around the house. Sean sets down a tray of ribs in the middle of the kitchen table.
“Is Dani coming?” Ezra asks.
“No. She said she had plans with some friends,” his dad answers.
“Why don’t you all have a seat and start serving? I just need to put these mashed potatoes into a serving bowl,” Annie says, eyeing the table.
The love I feel being around Ezra’s family makes me miss my own as we sit around the table and serve ourselves food. My parents deserve to travel the world, and I’m happy they’re enjoying their lives, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Sometimes I wish I could curl up on the couch with them and watch a movie. I miss those simpler times so much, even though at the time I couldn’t wait to grow up and be an adult. I’d give anything now to be back there.
“How’s the bakery going?” Annie asks.
After swallowing the last bite of my food, I say, “It’s going really good. I had to hire two bakers to help me.”
“Oh, that’s great, Violet. We knew your baking would be a hit.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
I was worried about the cafés I deliver to, but they still make their usual orders, and come by and pick it up at the bakery since I have a storefront now. Since they serve my baked goods, some of their customers have come over to see the bakery. It’s been great for my business.
“Yeah, it’s nice to have Violet home more,” Ez says, glancing over at me.
