Escaping the Past

“Well, I married him. Do you have the same opportunity?” Sadie asked.

“Probably not,” Lou replied.

“Then you need to figure out what you’re doing before you do it. It’s hard to make decisions that might affect your future when you’re feeling all flushed and warm and a man is holding you.”

Lou squeezed her eyes shut tightly. “Sadie,” she moaned.

Sadie stood up and wiped Lou’s bangs from her eyes. “He’s got you all tore up inside?” she asked softly.

“Yeah,” Lou replied, just as softly.

“You’re a mother. You’re a friend. Are you ready to be someone’s short-term lover?”

“No.”

Sadie patted Lou’s arm. “Then there’s your answer.” She took a dramatic bow, as dramatic as her old bones would allow. “Glad I could be of service.”

Sarah ran out of the bathroom, one hair bow already falling out of her hair. Lou reached to repair the damage. Sadie held up a hand and said, “I got it,” as she ushered Sarah from the room.

As Sadie walked through the threshold, Lou called out, “Sadie?”

“Yeah, honey,” Sadie replied, smiling softly at Lou.

“Thanks.”

All she got in response was a nonchalant wave.

****

Lou walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Brody was already up. He sat at the table with the newspaper and a box of Lucky Charms before him.

She stared at him. “Is that my hidden stash of Lucky Charms?”

He grinned broadly and tipped it over. A few crumbs fell into his bowl. “Not anymore,” he said around the cereal in his mouth.

“You think it’s funny to eat all my Lucky Charms?” She picked up the box and tapped him gently over the head with it.

“It was for a minute, yeah.” He was still smiling. He pulled out the chair beside him, and in it sat a gaily wrapped present.

Lou’s eyebrows drew together and she frowned. “What’s that?” She pointed at the package.

“Why don’t you open it and find out?”

She cautiously walked around the table and picked up the gift. She sat down in the chair and lifted it to her ear. She shook it gently.

“Would you just open it already?” he scowled.

“Would you wait a minute? Playing with the package before you open it is half the fun.”

“Don’t I know it?” He spoke again around another mouthful of Lucky Charms.

Lou raised her head. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Lou slid her finger under one corner of the wrapping paper and lifted it slowly.

“Good God, girl. You’re killing me, here.”