I leaned toward the mirror and lifted the plastic, checking my color. It looked ready. “But if you really want to see it, you could try working longer than two hours in the middle of the day. That seems to be their down time.”
“Looks like I’ll have to if I’m going to see Mr. New Guy.” She was back to scheming. “Pete said he’s clearly got a backstory. What did you think?”
Turning, I leaned against the sink. “I didn’t see him. I left early.”
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
The tiny wedding band was still on my finger, and I stared at it for a few moments. Still nothing.
“Kenny?” Mariska’s voice was a little louder. “You okay over there?”
“I don’t know.” I turned my hand over and studied the small, black tear I’d inked in my palm. “I mean, Yes! Physically, I’m fine. But something’s different.”
“What do you mean? What’s different?”
“I’m not sure, but I tried to come home today and sort it out. My feelings are all mixed up, and I just feel this tension inside, like I’m going to bust open.” Whoa. I never talked this much about my feelings. No more wine tonight.
“Go out with me tomorrow night!” She was almost shouting with excitement. “Just say yes for once and don’t think about it. We can dance all that bad juju away!”
Images of me with her in a dance club flickered through my mind. “I’m going to Wilmington. I miss Lane.”
“You were just there last weekend!” she cried. “You’ve got to go out and be around guys your age.”
“Tell you what.” I pushed off the sink and walked back to my room. “Next week, I’ll go out with you.” I took the small band off my finger and returned it to the vinyl box.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
We disconnected, and I returned everything to the larger box and pushed it all the way to the back of my closet again. Switching off the light, I headed to the bathroom.
The water ran deep violet as I washed out the dye, massaging my scalp with my fingers. Once it was clear, I shut off the tap and squeezed out the excess. Then I grabbed the blow dryer and turned my back to the mirror. I hadn’t bleached it first, so no telling how it would look. When it was completely dry, I turned around, and gasped. It was perfect—dark, blackish-violet, cascading over my shoulders like a cape. I turned to the side and shook my straight hair down my back. I couldn’t wait for Lane to see it.
Running back to the living room, I scooped up my phone and shot a quick text to Patrick. Is it okay if I come for a visit tomorrow? You busy?
I waited, wondering if it was too late to order take-out when my phone buzzed in my hand. Sure! Lane misses Mommy.
A smile broke over my face, and I quickly replied. Will be on the road before eight. See you soon!
If anything could break me out of a funk, it was chubby little hands and a heaping dose of baby scent. I couldn’t wait to cuddle my little boy.
Chapter 4: “Live life. No regrets.”
Kenny
By mid-afternoon I pulled my car up to Patrick and Elaine’s place in Wilmington. The eight-hour drive was exhausting, but dashing up the stairs, I couldn’t wait to see everybody. Patrick had the door open before I’d even knocked twice.
“Hey, get in here.” He kissed my head before heading back to the bar where he was working. “Elaine and Peanut ran to the store to get more supplies.”
His back was to me, and for a moment, I took him in. His faded jeans were slung low on his slim hips and his green tee stretched across his broad shoulders. I dropped my overnight bag on the floor inside the door and walked over to where he was cutting onions, carrots, and potatoes into quarters.
“Digging the purple hair.” He hooked a long strand over his pinky and tugged before going back to his work. “But you’re still a bone. I’m making giant cheeseburgers, and I expect you to eat two.”
“Either your memory is for shit or you never listen to me.” I pecked his scruffy cheek, the warm, faintly citrus scent of him filling my nose before I hopped up onto the counter.
“What are you talking about? I always listen to you.” He only paused a moment to squint at me then he dropped the knife and pulled out several long, bamboo skewers.
“I’m lactose intolerant, dumbass. You know this. Now hand me one of those.”