chapter 22

Monday in the breakroom at Met Transit. Ros joins Nickola at her table.

"Como fue tu honeymoon?" Nickola ask intrigued.

"Girl! I didn't want to come back to this place. The weather, the water, I could live in the Bahamas for the rest of my life. And don't get me started on the food," she rolls her eyes remembering the taste. "How are things with Miles?"

"I broke up with him," she strains to say.

Ros mouth drops open. "What happened?"

"You were right. It's always been Herring. Just took a while for my head to match my heart."

"See. I know what I be talking about," she gives a satisfied smile. "So are you and Herring together?"

"Yes. I stayed the night at his place Saturday."

"Oohh!" Ros says excited. "How did Vanessa take it?"

"I haven't told her yet," the words leave her mouth slowly.

"Nikki!" Ros frowns.

"The timing is bad," she defends. "Vanessa's grandmother had a stroke, fell and broke her hip." She's been at the hospital all weekend."

"Oh," she says in a sad understanding tone.

"I plan to tell her when things settle."

"What made you finally choose Herring?"

"Miles is a good guy. But the spark just wasn't there. It feels like I'm in the prime of my life. I kept thinking, what if it could work with Herring. I don't wanna be regretting not giving it a try with him five years down the road."

"Yeah. I have a good feeling about this," Ros says dreamily.

The two look at each other smiling. "Oh boy," Nickola says.

******

A week later Vanessa's grandmother condition is worse. Nickola offers to take Madalyn to dance. When she returns to the house to drop her off Herring is waiting inside.

"Dad is at the hospital. It doesn't look good. The doctors don't think she will live through the night," empathy in his voice.

Nickola's phone rings. "It's Vanessa," she says before answering. "Hello?"

"Nikki do you mind staying with the kids for a while? Greyson is staying here with me," her tone sad.

"Yeah. No problem," Nickola's voice is soft and low.

"It's not looking good. The staff infection has spread into her blood stream. I don't think she's gonna make it," Vanessa says through tears.

"I'm sorry Vanessa."

Sniffling is heard. "I'll text you when we are on our way home."

"Let me know if there's anything else you need me to do."

"Thank you," Vanessa's voice comes out as a whisper.

Nickola makes mac and cheese for the children to eat. After eating they put their plates on the counter. She sends Madalyn and Trent to brush their teeth and change into pajamas before heading to bed. Zara goes into the living room and flips to the Disney channel. Nickola loads the dishwasher and sits at the dining room table.

"You're a good friend," Herring says pulling out a chair.

"Thanks. I try," she half smiles.

She can't erase yesterday's scene from her mind. Krista talking to Herring in the parking lot of his condo. Smiling and listening to him intently. to whatever it was he was saying. She wonders if he is still seeing her. Believing that he wouldn't do that to her. She rubs her hands up and down her thighs nervous to ask.

"I came by your place yesterday after work," she says.

"Really? I'm sure I was there," mentally recalling the day.

"You were. I saw you talking to Krista in the parking lot."

He takes a breath, "she continued calling and texting me. I hoped she would get the idea by my lack of response."

"But she didn't," Nickola says piecing it all together.

"No. I told her we could no longer hang out. That I'm dating someone."

"Oh," Nickola now feeling silly for thinking the worst.

"You're the only woman I want to be with Nickola," he says reassuringly. And squeezes her hand.

Vanessa and Greyson walk through the door. The quickly get up from the table. Vanessa looks as though she hasn't slept in weeks. Greyson helps her remove her coat. He hangs her coat on the hook on the wall and slips away to make tea. She walks into the living room and lets out a long sigh before falling onto the couch. Nickola sits beside her while Herring watches from the entryway.

"You're gonna get through this," putting a hand on Vanessa's shoulder.

She gives Nickola a somber look. Nickola hugs her. "I'll call you tomorrow," she says.

Vanessa lays down with her legs curled behind her. Nickola and Zara put their coats on. Herring waves goodbye and disappears into the kitchen. Unable to be of any more help she ushers Zara out the door.

The next morning Nickola receives the news that Vanessa's grandmother passed away. She spends the next few days caring for the children after work. Giving Vanessa time to morn while Greyson comforts her.

It's the day of the funeral. Everyone gathers at Vanessa's house after the service. The atmosphere is somber. Meat, fruit, and vegetable platters fill the kitchen. Flowers overflow in the living room. Nickola joins Vanessa in the kitchen as she talks with her sister and mother about past memories. Their laughs are forced though it seems to help lighten the mood. Nickola receives a text.

Herring: Come to the pool house.

Nickola: Okay.

She waits a moment before slipping away from the conversation. The pool house appears empty and dark. Its late afternoon but the absence of the sun make it feel much later. As soon as she enters Herring pulls her close. He inhales deeply as his lips press firm against hers.

"I have wanted to do that all day," holding onto her by the waist.

"Haven't you had enough of me already? We've been together all day," her arms rest against his chest.

Back in the kitchen. "Remember when grandma took us to the Big Bird show and I got a picture with Big Bird?" Vanessa's sister ask.

"No. I got the picture with Big Bird," Vanessa correct her. "Cause I was wearing a Big Bird shirt that's why I got asked to take a picture."

"I thought you had on a Mr. Snuffie shirt," her sister says. "Mom do you remember?"

"That was too long ago," her mother says shaking her head.

"You know what. I got the newspaper clipping somewhere around here. I'm gonna go get it. Well settle this right now," Vanessa says determined. She goes into the living room. "Greyson where did you put that box we got from grandma's house?"

"In the pool house," he says.

Vanessa hears voices as she approaches.

"But I haven't been able to do this," Herring nuzzles his nose in her neck. Nickola giggles quietly. "Or this," holding her chin with his hand and gazes into her eyes. He kisses her.

Vanessa enters. "What the hell!"

Startled the two quickly separate. Vanessa's mouth hangs open. "What is going on?" She looks at Herring.

"I," Nickola begins.

"Nikki. How could you do this to Miles?" Vanessa says disgusted.

"I was gonna tell you but with everything going."

"Tell me what!" Vanessa now upset. "That you're cheating on Miles with my stepson. And Herring. I thought you had more respect than this," she picks up the box labeled granny's things. Before leaving she looks at both with disgust and closes the door hard behind her.

Nickola runs after her. "Vanessa just listen for a second," she pleads.

Vanessa stops. "I can't," she takes a breath. "I...can't deal with this right now Nikki." She leaves Nickola standing.

Herring rubs Nickola's arms. "Don't worry. She needs time to process this," he assures her. She and Herring return to the house. Family and friends give their last condolences as they make their exit. Vanessa is nowhere to be seen.

"Did something happen?" Greyson directs his question to Nickola. "Vanessa came storming in here."

"I'm sure she'll tell you later," Nickola says putting on her coat. She and Zara leave.

******

Days pass and Nickola still hasn't heard from Vanessa. "It's been a week Ros. Maybe I should just go over there," she speaks into the phone.

"I don't think you should," Ros says. "When she's ready to talk she'll call you."

Nickola sighs. There's a knock at the door. "I gotta go." She hangs up with Ros. "Come in!" she yells from the couch.

Herring walks in. "She still hasn't called or texted," Nickola says. A look of sadness on her face.

"Dad and I had a chat," he sits beside her in the middle.

"He thinks I'm a terrible," she says plainly.

"Of course not. He thinks the news came at a bad time."

"That's for sure. If only I could've resisted you," defeat in her tone.

"Oh. I'm irresistible?" he ask proudly.

A soft chuckle escapes her.

"Is that a laugh I hear?" he mocks.

Nickola tries to suppress a smile.

"And a smile," leaning forward for a better look at her face. "I miss that smile," he strokes her cheek. Her smile grows. "She'll come around."

"I hope so," stretching her legs over him. "So Greyson wasn't upset?"

"He finds it a bit weird but respects my decision to be with you. Though I was warned there will be no protection from the wrath of Vanessa if I hurt you."

"I like Greyson even more now," her smile devilish.

"I leave for London in a few days. I'll be back before Thanksgiving," rubbing her legs.

"I hope we can squash things before then," she says doubtful.