Happy & Sad

“I know, as a teacher, I’m not supposed to say this but…I’m off the clock and this is my…” he paused momentarily, looking at the bottle of beer in his hand. “Fourth beer? Whatever! The point is, I don’t know which is worst; the dumbass students that are shocked by things they should have already known or the smartass students that try to correct me when I’m teaching.” Another pause, this time to stake a swig of his beer. “Basically, what I’m saying is, I can’t fucking wait for winter break.” 

Andrea smirked at the teacher, impressed by his candor. She would be afraid of running into parents at a bar were she a teacher, though surely no one would ever allow her to step foot in SFHS as a teacher or otherwise anyway. And she was just fine with that. “A winter break would definitely be nice for anyone but ya, I would say I’d definitely be more annoyed by the smartass students, but then you’re right because teenagers are just generally terrifying.”

“You think so?” the blonde ended up asking even though she knew that Andrea was right. There was nothing that could go wrong with this wedding. For the first time in her entire existence she felt like things were finally lining up just for her. It was a silly notion to think that all the events taking place in life were accommodating for her. She was not naive but for this event she was allowing herself to be. After an entire lifetime of having the worst luck with everything no one could fault her for doing that. “If not then you can just kick him in the nuts. You have my permission. Or we can just steal the car and have a honeymoon with just you and I. I am worried though about one thing,” One little thing she hadn’t told anyone about because she felt like she was perhaps overthinking the entire thing but she wasn’t totally sure, so what other way to make sure than by telling one of her best friends about her concerns. “What if I can’t live with him? What if Theo is an absolute pig and I am having to clean after him all the time? Or worse what if he can’t cook? We both know that my kitchen skills end with making tea and preparing a damn good cheese board and that is all.” What if she was not made out to be a wife? Wife duties tended to put her to sleep half the time – the cleaning, the cooking and the whole frozen smile that most females had in this town. Sometimes she wondered if this town had not been taken over by stepford wives and that most of them were outnumbered by robot versions of what used to be real people. “I know right? When I ended up with the list I thought there were fake names on there. I ended up calling everyone and guess what? They are real – which is why this wedding is going to end up costing a dime because apparently we have to feed them all and Theo did not go for my idea of just hiring the local McDonalds and having the dollar menu served.” Hey if it was good enough for the President then it was good enough for everyone. Not to mention that just one plate per person was costing them about 156 dollars. “I managed to reduce the list by a smudge by saying no kids allowed. Some people have been kind enough to leave me a voicemail expressing how they feel but how I see it is that they can get a babysitter or they can stay home. Either way I win – we win.” she correctly herself quickly, as a slight smile danced on her lips. “Now if our mothers went head to head, I think they would end up going to war world three and this town would be left with ashes. I am surprised your mother has not started to pawn you off to notable suiters left in this town. Theo ended up saving me from that – did you know that there is a cruise every year of single individuals and parents of this town round up their kids and ship them off? Most of them come back engaged. Call me crazy but I am pretty sure that experimental shit is down on that cruise.” There was nothing anyone could say to make her change her mind. Andrea and Celeste were perhaps the only solid people in her life, the only ones that Tess did her best to always be there for at a drop of a hat. No matter what the situation was and even though both of them left town it didn’t affect their friendship at all. “He left? So he is out of town? Or did he just walk out? How did he not respond? That man was walking around like a lost pup when you left. And this whole Ryan thing just reeks of delusions of a lonely stubborn man if you ask me.” 

“Hell yes. He’s going to cry like a little baby because he’s head over heels for you. You make him melt into a little puddle. Theo was such a pompous little shit--well he still is to most of us. I just get to the be the bestie that he has to suck up to now so--that is a bit fun to watch him grovel for you.” Andrea chuckled to herself as she took a sip of her drink. She was joking of course, though not entirely. Theo wasn’t exactly all that easy to get along with generally, Tess being the ultimate exception. But underneath it all she’d come to discover he actually was a genuinely good guy and most importantly treated Tess like she’s always deserved. “Can we steal the car and go off on your honeymoon either which way? Or how about you two can go on the honeymoon, but I get the car? I think that is a fair trade since you are going to be leaving me for a month on your romantic getaway.” A devious little grin filled up her face with that comment, knowing that if anyone was at fault for leaving the other in a time of need it was most certainly Andrea and her escape to Ireland. She was just glad she’d managed to come to her senses by the time Tess was getting engaged. “Kidding, of course. --Not about the car though.” She’d never really cared much about cars until she’d ridden around with Theo in a few of his babies. It was quite an experience and he has still to this day not allowed her drive a single one of them much to her chagrin. Her head cocked to the side as she listened to Tess’ worry, “That’s what you’re worried about? I mean, I feel like if that is the case then you will definitely figure it out. I mean, you could learn to cook together or something. And be really, really special and domestic. And then I’ll never see you again because you’ll only want to play house with Theo.” Andrea playfully sighed, “Is that really what you’re worried about though?” She pressed a little bit, though she’d never been blessed with grace or subtlety when it came to this sort of conversation either. However, Andrea was very familiar with the fears that went along with marriage and a commitment like that. She laughed at Tess’ assertion of McDonald’s at the wedding. “That’s a damn shame. I can just see the pyramid of Big Macs now. And with all the drinking that happens at a wedding--it’s truly perfect. I think I’m going to have to sneak some Big Macs in for us for a little fuel to get us through the evening now. Plus, you know how I love to spite the elite of Sahalie Falls so--” She winked at Tess, “Only with the brides permission though of course.” Yes, Andrea did enjoy ruffling feathers. And the idea of a McDonald’s bag gracing the nuptials of Mr and Mrs. Theodore Luna was simply delicious. “Good thing they are friends and not enemies. But wouldn’t that be fun.” Her eyes blew up like those giant bug eye sunglasses everyone was obsessed with in college, “Oh, I know of that cruise. I’ve been threatened with it at least three times. But, I’ve trained my mom to realize that there’s no chance I would be caught dead on that boat. Although, I think my time is starting to run out with that one.” Andrea sighed, knowing where the conversation was turning. Though she was just thankful to have Tess to confide in. “He walked out. He just didn’t respond. And then, next time I saw him it was like nothing had happened and we were just playing friends. I’m going to paint his office this week.” Because that’s what friends do. Another sigh was quick to leave her lips at the mention of Ryan, “Ryan who? He hardly talks about her if at all. I don’t know anything about their relationship but I just tend to ignore the fact that she even exists.”

Perhaps the only difference in their dynamic was that Cameron was dating Ryan. He was the one that had made a formal change that threw a wrench in their relationship. Even if it had been Andrea that had emotionally upset everything between them. “That is great. Just remind me on the day because I still have not gone all out and gotten myself my own personal assistant. Something about bossing people around still does not sit right with me.” Not to mention delegation, the man suck at letting others take tasks that he felt like he could do himself. His sister had kept telling him that he needed to loosen on the reigns otherwise he was going to go insane with everything and quickly burn out. He was starting to see that there was logic in that observation. He was aware that there was a turn to the conversation, not sure this was he had wanted he just kept looking at her, allowing her to talk and doing his best to not interrupt her. He had open this can of worms so it would be unfair to just shut her down or to walk away. There were only so many times that he was able to walk away and not be a complete asshole. His following words were not to hurt her, but he was aware that it was going to do just that. “So you had to lose what you had in order to realize what you had?” So what they were supposed to get back together and whenever she had memory loss it would be round two? Not that they were going to have round two. God damn it, just a simple conversation with Andrea managed to make him do cartwheels in his head, even when they were just friends, “It’s ok,” he meant that, he didn’t hold anything against her. Not really. Most of the comments that he made came from his own insecurity of having to relive the most painful period of his life. His walls were up and he had to deal with that, that was his issue and not hers, “I think that you leaving did you good. I can tell that there is a difference and that is what you needed.” Wasn’t at all what he needed. Especially when his parents ended up dying in that fateful car crash and he had half a mind of actually purchasing a airplane ticket and landing on her front porch because he actually needed her. Yet he had managed to stop himself from looking like a greater fool than he had already let on. “You didn’t lose my trust. I just lost faith in us.” He still trusted her, and if he had to put his life on someone’s hands that was not a family member Andrea would be the first choice. There no point in trying to negate that point. “I do trust you. We’re always going to have our history and just because you did what was best for you – even if it did hurt me, doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong. You didn’t.” He needed her to know that, with a slight exhale he nodded in agreement, “I know I haven’t done the best job to make you believe that but it is true. We both had to grow up and it was naive to think that we could do that together. It’s even more navie to fault you for doing what you wanted.” 

Andrea nodded in confirmation, keeping with the status quo of keeping their relations at this point--business professional was it? Navigating the way they interacted now was a bit of a labyrinth but if she just kept chugging along then hopefully things would start to shift in the right direction. “Well I mean, you could always delegate that your personal assistant be the one to boss other’s around and you can just--I don’t know boss from afar? I’m probably not the best to be giving advice on this though because I enjoy bossing people around.” She chuckled softly to herself. To be fair though, it had taken her some time to get the hang of working with different contractors on projects. But it was more often less about the bossing and more about the fact that Andrea always believed she could do a better job if she did it herself. However, juggling multiple projects at once didn’t always afford her that luxury so it came down to quality control in the end. Andrea was sure that Cam would be a far better leader than she was. He had just the right disposition for it. And in any case, so much of what she drew on as she led a team to remap a house were strengths that she’d gleaned from Cam over the years. Seeing as they’d grown together, pieces of Cameron were woven into every fabric of her life. It was hard to understand sometimes, how she’d manage to leave all of it behind. Andrea drew in a breath, holding it there as she listened to him try and piece all of it together. She could tell that it was tearing him a part just as much as it was her but she knew that these conversations needed to happen. She just prayed that they weren’t about closure, but about working towards something new for the two of them. Either way, she knew she couldn’t shy away from answering these questions. She owed him that much at the very least. “Sort of--but not exactly. I knew what I had Cam, I knew. But that didn’t mean that I felt like I could live up to it. We got together so young, you know? You were always the one that was taming the wildness in me and picking up the pieces. And then I was left with the guilt of dragging you into that. I didn’t want fuck things up and ruin them like I usually do, I didn’t want you to get tired of me. And then look back and regret everything. I couldn’t handle doing that to you Cam.” Andrea was worried that her words were only making things worse and hurting his feelings all over again. She wasn’t sure if what’d she’d even said was going to make sense to him. And looking back at it now, it didn’t always make sense to her either. But in Ireland, she had managed to let go of so much that used to hold her back. Which was why she knew things were different this time. When he’d said it was ‘okay’, Andrea wasn’t sure what to feel. She wasn’t sure if she wanted her leaving to be okay in Cam’s eyes because it felt like that meant it didn’t matter that she’d ruined them, that she didn’t matter anymore. But she reminded herself that this was Cam, one of the most level headed people on the planet. It was a wonder he’d fallen in love with the mess that she tended to be. But he was always there, drawing her back from the brink, except this time. Andrea hated that what she needed was so far off from what Cam had needed. Her selfishness had left them in different places, but she continued to hope that they were not too far away from one another that it was completely irreparable. Though hearing him say the words that he’d lost faith in them was a crushing blow she had not prepared herself properly for. Andrea looked away immediately, nodding curtly as she drew in only shallow breaths, suddenly wishing so desperately that this conversation would end. But, it was her punishment. As he continued, it was clear that he understood, but Andrea couldn’t let herself off the mat for hurting him as much as she did. “Hurting you and leaving was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Her tone was low and Andrea could no longer meet his eyes. She knew that if they were to salvage whatever friendship they were trying to build she had to get it together. “So I guess I’ll see you at your office then.” She finally met his eyes, brushing a wayward tear away as she drew her head up looking off to the side, attempting to hide it from Cam. Andrea wanted to keep talking but knew that she was in no state at this point to do so.

Andrea never failed to deliver a sarcastic comedian comment in dire situation, and for once Layla was happy that was true. Because as fucked up as the situation was that she had managed to roll herself up in she needed someone she could confide in and make her laugh and the brunette knew all too well that she could not go for Sean for that. Sure Sean was Poppy’s father but that was all their relationship would ever be able to be. Which was fine, it was going to be okay it had just been a couple nights of fun that resulted in Poppy, that was all. This notion of soulmate that she had managed to fall into was just nonsense, utter complete nonsense and Layla was too rational to let that part take over her life. “Larissa just finds the perfect family members and it all works out. The doting mother, the obliged stepfather – brother and sisters to play the roles and now she has the perfect husband. Can’t even fault her for going after she wants,” At least she managed to do something – she ran and fought for what she wanted, her sister had the traits that Layla lacked. Layla just ran towards storms because she knew they could do no real emotional damage. Getting lost in one didn’t scare her as losing another person she loved did. Intimacy was the worst fear she had and clearly she had fucked up due to it. “I guess I did.” Layla had been watching way too many rom coms to have thought that the story of Sean and her hadn’t ended that night almost five years ago. The question ended up hitting her like a load of bricks that had been released from the sky, and for a moment there was silence between the sisters, even as step siblings that they were Layla was closer to Andrea than she was with Larissa or even her own mother. “I thought he would take Poppy away,” she disclosed to Andrea, “I have a job where I risk my life everyday. He could easily claim I am a unfit parent. That he would throw money at me and tell me to make the problem go away – that he would call her a problem. I already know what it is like to not be wanted by one parent I didn’t want Poppy to feel that or…” for her to feel like that by him, “I guess I was scared of the reaction that I just took that away from him.” 

Andrea really should not be joking at a time like this. The gravity of this situation for Layla was much more intense that either of them fully realized yet. Not only was there Poppy to consider, but Layla and Larissa and the pain that the existence of this entirely innocent child was going to inflict on all of them. Her head was quick to shake at Layla’s assumption about Larissa as Andrea saw things quite differently, “Things work out, sure. But Larissa isn’t happy playing that role. I think she knows what she gets out of it but at the end of the day, I think she ends up feeling pretty empty. It’s what makes you such an easy target Lay, they’re jealous.” This certainly wasn’t a new conversation for the sisters. It was always the same in their family, twisted words and contorted comments leading to zero happiness for anyone involved. They were all going to be dragged through the muck together, it was just how it was. Was it any wonder that Layla and Andrea were professional escapists at this point? But the feud between the Morales sisters was only the tip of the iceberg compared to what the family now faced. At this point though, all Andrea could do was take it one step at a time. And right now that meant being there for Layla. She nodded at her sister, “I mean, pretty sure it’s natural that you’re supposed to want to have a happy family in the end. Plus, you’re not exactly a one night stand kind of girl so he must’ve been something to land you with Poppy in the first place.” Fascinating. She could just imagine the passion that led to Poppy that night, as was Layla’s normal speed--following her passion. And his relationship with Larissa couldn’t be more opposite of that. Yet here they all were tangled up together. Andrea gulped as she listened in to Layla’s confession, leaning towards her youngest sister with bright empathetic eyes, seeing the weight of the world on her shoulders. A new found weight, now trying to crush her. Andrea would do everything she could to ease that load. Passion or not, he was still a one night stand and letting the storms go was never going to be an option for the young mom in front of her. “It’s okay and it all makes sense. You’ve done everything right Layla and we will all get through this. Though it may take others in the family more time, they will understand eventually too. I promise.”

He knew Andrea like he knew the back of his hands, so it didn’t take much for him to realize that something big had taken place last night. He wasn’t too surprised about this either considering her stepmother was a bit dramatic and extra and her father was a silent nun – or pastor, though pastors didn’t stay silent much did they? Not to mention that eating a pancake as if it was some sort of oatmeal cracker was a clear indicator that she was not completely okay. He decided to take a seat beside her on the street as his hand covered his mouth before grabbing his beard and looking over at her. Here he was cursing his name while at the same time wishing she had stayed so that he wouldn’t be sitting beside questioning what the boundaries were with this new relationship that they were trying to have. “Is that so? Here I thought you had a perfect right hook. After all didn’t we work on that before you left?” He questioned her before he looked over at her. How did she managed to get more beautiful every time he spoke to her? Never in a million years did he ever think that he had forgotten how she looked but he was realizing that his memory didn’t do her any justice at all. “What happened? Did Miguel end up giving someone else a shiner? Or did Larissa’s wedding venue end up cancelling her? – Wait – do not tell me.” He paused for dramatics before locking eyes with hers, “She gained five pounds and now her wedding dress now fit?” 

-

Andrea watched Cam sit on the curb, wondering how on earth she’d managed to get herself into this situation. She wanted to go home but on the other hand, taking a break sounded wonderful. Andrea made sure to sit with the sun at her back, holding her head up within her hands as it continued to pound. Her eyes shut for a moment, wishing she could just fall asleep right there. She sighed at his words, “I wasn’t doing the hooking, just the drinking. Miguel was doing the hooking or punching--or whatever. You and Sean are now bruise bros, congrats.” She pushed out a sigh, smelling Cam’s bagel again, without a second thought Andrea reached out for it bringing it straight up to her mouth. “I need this more than you.” She nodded with a mouthful of bagel. “Asiago is still better than Everything.” Andrea knew that she looked ridiculous at the moment, mascara giving her those sort of raccoon eyes, a clammy sheen to her skin despite the cold, her loose curls matted and disheveled, but she honestly couldn’t be bothered to care about anything. Cam was there and they were sitting on the curb together and this was her life right now. Andrea met his eyes, though hers weren’t nearly as bright as his, more so offering him a dead pan than anything else as he guessed what festivities the Castro-Morales’ got up to last night. “Try Sean’s the father of Layla’s kid. Breaking news for a lovely Thanksgiving night at the Morales’ household.” She faked a smile before huffing, taking another bite of Cam’s bagel.

Layla sat there in the middle of her story regarding the latest storm, but even her passion was not enough to distract her from the impending bomb that was going to go off real soon here. Instead she grab onto the wine bottle, as her fingers played with the label. This had been her trying, trying to not be the black sheep for once and just have her mother be proud of her but lately with her actions she was starting to come to terms with the fact she was never going to reach that level. She had managed to leave town after high school and leave her sister and mother standing alone to run the charity that had been her fathers. But something about staying around and pushing her fathers legacy just didn’t feel like living. Not to mention that at the same time the constant reminder that her favorite person was no longer breathing wasn’t exactly the cup of tea that Layla found herself wanting. Then you throw in a unplanned pregnancy outside marriage – well that was something that her mother would have stomach with a couple of years but now that the father was her precious Larissa’s future husband, well she knew that she stood to lose every single time. Placing her hand up she shook it side to side, signaling that she truly did not want to hear it. The comments about how insane this was, was the last thing she needed to be reminded of. “You know I still don’t get what he see’s in her. He actually is going to marry her – I mean jesus, have I been lying to myself all this time and Larissa and I have more in common than not? Please do tell me.” She posed the question before she took another swing from the bottle, “I think Poppy will be fine. She has no fault in this mess. As much as our sister and mother can be insane they can’t be that bad as to fault an innocent child.” No, who they would go after would be Layla. If that was what it took to make sure Poppy was spare she would just take it. “I always thought how it would be to see him again – let me tell you, out of all the scenarios I created in my head – this….this was not one of them.”

Life was always moving. Somehow Andrea always had to remind herself of that. There was this part of her that would always exist, always begging for all the noise to stop and to just have quiet. She knew exactly when and who had brought about the quietest moments in her life, and somehow those had felt too quiet. Did balance in life truly exist? Andrea was in search of it. Did Layla feel that too? Had she passed along this frustrating juxtaposition that got her caught up in all the wrong scenarios? A part of her couldn’t help but feel some responsibility for this even though there was no place for it at the moment. Andrea shut herself up though, thoughts and all as she tried to catch herself up to where Layla actually was with all of this. Layla had clearly had a long time to come to terms with everything, though Andrea didn’t think any amount of processing or storm chasing could truly prepare Layla for what was about to occur. “I think she sees a man who will take care of her and be loyal to her. I don’t think Larissa really knows what she wants. But I think she wants someone she can rely on. Sean is reliable.” At least, that was the sense that Andrea had gotten about the two of them. Sean wanted to be a family man, and Larissa wanted a family man. Did she see their relationship as one being filled with passion and best friendship, not exactly. But people like them got married all the time. And Larissa’s happiness would always be something to celebrate. “I think you both have daddy issues. And apparently, Sean is daddy?” She placed an awfully timed joke into the mix though for some reason this felt like the exact right time for it somehow. Weren’t these two a pair. “Right. Well I am not their daughter and I have dealt with more than a few backhanded comments and compliments that were rolled up into insults. I don’t underestimate their powers in the resentment realm. Just watch out.” She knew she didn’t need to lecture Layla about this. But being the wild step daughter had been--an experience. She couldn’t fathom a similar fate for Poppy. “Wow. You have really been holding out for Sean--why didn’t you look for him harder? Couldn’t resist the storms?”

Thanksgiving had been something unique. Each holiday was strange now without his parents making the usual events. Even with his sister being there something was always missing, before his parents had died it had been Andrea. Then his parents died – and it was as if this hole that he had was never going to end up being full. As if he was a ghost just walking around was going to be the best thing that he was going to do. Ryan had to cancel at the last minute because she had to follow a lead on one of her stories, not that he minded. He just ended up coding throughout the night while listening to music. Of course, in between all that he had managed to get into a fight with his google home because he still hadn’t figured out how to adjust the volume on that damn machine. Early in the morning he decided to get his usual – an everything bagel and a cup of coffee. He hadn’t expected to run into Andrea and yet when he saw her walking bare feet with her heels on her left hand the smirk that was dancing on his face couldn’t be hidden, “Damn, the turkey ended up winning last night?”

@andreacamilacastro·

Andrea trudged along the sidewalk, keeping her eyes on the ground for anything that might cut her foot. She should probably just put her heels back on but the effort that would take felt far too great so one foot in front of the other it was. She was trying to piece together what all had gone down last night. The last thing she remembered was ‘accidentally’ breaking the crystal vase in the hopes of creating a diversion and some relief for Layla. Her step-mother was unrelenting with jabs and honestly Andrea was just done. The only thing she could think to do once the dam had broken was drink, drink, and drink some more. Thus, driving home was not an option was it. She brought the pancake Poppy had given her up to her mouth, savoring the last bite before she heard a voice. Of course, her eyes looked up to see Cam smirking right in front of her face. She stopped squinting up at him and the sun before dropping her head to his chest where she saw the bagel. Craning her neck upward at the sun and his face was too much energy. Why now of all times? Already the fate of this moment was sinking in, knowing that the last thing he would miss was dealing with her mess. “Yeah it was a real battle. Got me good in the end though, a real knock out punch. Spiked punch that is, good and spiked...” She trailed off, eyeing the bagel.

Friendship with the love of your life – now that was a challenge for the strongest hearts out there. As he stood there listening to Andrea talk, the more he wished he could wave a white flag and say that he was over this. That he was done pretending that he was not in love with her and that her confession the other day hadn’t warranted a response back. That his reply was at the tip of his tongue. It was dangerously insane how quickly he was ready to let bygones be bygones and jump back in bed with Andrea. He was aware that if he spoke to anyone about the situation and the thoughts in his head that he would be told to think twice. That this is the same woman that packed her bags and walked out on the world that he was ready to offer to her. That her engagement ring was still in the red box underneath his jerseys that he had pushed off to the corner of the basement. And even though it was underneath his house he knew exactly where the ring was. “I can take a look at it. When you come over just bring your laptop and I can take a look at the stats and see what is the best way to manage your traffic.” Then she said the following sentence and Cameron laughed, not even a nice friendly laugh but most sarcastic than he was used to. It was not as if he had bought some clock downtown and put the timer on and see how long it took Andrea to leave town but he was not going to hold his breath for her to actually stay, “Andrea…” He began the sentence because he was fully aware that he would need to explain the reaction that had just taken place. “You had all that the moment you decided to leave and more.” Perhaps he hadn’t popped the question – he had thought about it but he knew if he did and she said yes and stayed that she would learn to hate him for clipping her wings. Or that she would still choose to leave him even when he was offering himself entirely to her. Or perhaps she would ask him to come with her and she would have to hear from him that he would not be able to. How they had ended things had been the best way. They both got to do what they wanted; it didn’t matter though because the pain was still there. The scars were as visible as the day she left and his change of tone said exactly that. “Your mother, Miguel, Larissa, and I were all here and you decided to go as far as possible from all this. Layla and you both decided to leave family behind and now just walk in — and you expect us to believe you’re actually staying? What’s different this time? If anything you have less reason to stay.” The man didn’t mean to be as cold as his words roll off his tongue, but essentially the question as to why hadn’t it all been enough for her to stay still stayed on the table with no solid explanation. “It’s like you took a shot through everything for what? To come back here? Doesn’t justify the pain. But – I mean maybe that is how your family is like, leaving isn’t anything different.” Another blow, Cameron knew that it was best if he stuck to simple topics but the thing with them was that talking was a damn minefield and sometimes it was bound that they would step on an active patch. 

This was what friends did right? They supported each other’s endeavors in careers, offered each other their own strengths wherever they could. And that was that? She guessed she should just take everything she did with Tess and now apply that to Cameron--well not everything. But try as she might to even picture what that would look like, even in a realistic sense, it just didn’t compute. But she also wasn’t supposed to have it all figured out in this exact moment either. “That would be great thank you. I’ll bring my laptop then.” She nodded. And with that, the exchange had been made and the plan set in place for them to meet again, under these incredibly painful circumstances. But if she was going to prove to Cam that he could trust her again, she’d have to start small. Andrea was here for that fight and any other obstacle he would try to throw at her to prevent them getting back together. Ryan who? While she appreciated that Miguel was upset about Cam dating Ryan, she wasn’t sure which of them he was more upset about. And so long as Andrea didn’t have to see Cam and Ryan together, Andrea did not feel the need to acknowledge her existence between them. His laugh though, led her to gulp uncontrollably as she swallowed the nerves that suddenly popped up without warning. She’d thought this conversation had been going well, at least, as well as it could go. But she could tell it was now taking a turn. “I know that.” Her voice now soft as a whisper as she let him piece through what he was feeling as she realized she’d poked a bear. She knew that she should be grateful for the opportunity he was affording her to even offer a rebuttal to his mistrust of her. But that didn’t mean it didn’t drag up all the pain she’d caused him and the unrelenting space she’d managed to put between them. What surprised her though, was how far he kept going with it. But she had to just remind herself that she could go back to Miguel’s after this and hide for a while, and that, she’d never given him the opportunity to express his anger and pain with her. It was his turn and she had to give him that and just take it. “What’s different is that I left and saw that there was nothing outside of Sahalie Falls for me. My life was here and running from it wasn’t going to make things any easier. Me, I’m different. I’m still Andrea, but I’m stronger and I have faith in myself and us. I’m sorry I couldn’t give that to you before and I’ll never stop being sorry for that.” I told you Cameron, that I was damaged, that I was scared, that I was a mess, that I didn’t know if I believed in a successful relationship. She had tried to warn him that she wasn’t the perfect girl next door that he could ride off into the sunset with. Andrea managed to go from being so hopeful moments before, to now letting a reality that she’d truly broken them for good sink in. She couldn’t let it take hold, “I know that lost your trust. But I intend to work as hard as I need to to restore your trust Cam.”

“I mean, it is the biggest drinking night of the year,” Skylar commented, coming down from her tiptoes where she had been restocking the top shelf liquor. Didn’t they have tall bartenders that were supposed to do that for her? With a sigh she grabbed the nearest dish towel, starting to dry the glasses she had taken out of the washer just moments ago. “Not that I can blame anyone. Forced family time with no escape? Hell, if I wasn’t the one making the drinks I’d sure as hell be the one drinking them, too.”

“Is it? That surprises me. I would’ve gone with New Year’s Eve, but what do I know. In Ireland though, I know that everyday was the biggest drinking night of the year.” Andrea pushed out her bottom lip with a sigh as it caught some of her stray hairs, blowing them back. Family time on Thanksgiving was actually something she looked forward to, despite the mess her family often was. However, this years mess would serve to be quite a bit bigger. “Hmm, all I heard you say was escape. And although my step-mother would find ways to torture me for the next few years over escaping Thanksgiving dinner, I still find the idea quite charming this year.” 

Closing her eyes, the blonde took in the good news before opening them up and laying on her friend perhaps one of the biggest smiles in her life. The wedding was just around the corner, she had always imagined for a Christmas wedding and now it literally was a month away. The bridesmaid dresses were perfect. “I tried my wedding dress, for the last fitting and lets just say if Theo does not start to cry the moment that he see’s me then I don’t want it. Just throw the whole wedding out,” she joked as she tucked in one of her golden strand of her hair behind her ear, “You know it is actually killing me. I see everything is going ok and getting crossed off but then I have Theo’s mother at my ear telling me how I should’ve expanded the 650 guest wedding to 900 and included all these other business people and I am literally a inch away from asking Theo to just elope with me.” Her parents were just glad that Tess was getting married with someone was from such a high social standing that they didn’t meddle in the wedding planning. Whereas Theo’s parents kept telling Tess what she should and should not. How she should behave and even went out to buy her an entire closet which she ended up donating to Goodwill. There were moments where she felt bad for making Theo’s life complicated. “I am however – having writer’s block with my vows,” she confessed to her best friend, “And I don’t know if Celeste will be able to make it. Scott is on his tour right now.” Which sucked, but she understood. Bringing her water closer to her she looked up at her brunette, yes hers, “But enough about me – how are you and — Cam?”

Andrea couldn’t even attempt to the curb the smile that filled up her features as Tess spoke, a smile that honestly felt somewhat foreign these days. Her life was a mess but she was always one to keep pressing on. Tess’ wedding was providing a much welcomed distraction at that so diving into her ooey gooey love life with Theo would be all that she’d need. “Theo is definitely going to cry. It’s always the serious ones that cry that hardest and I live for it. Meanwhile, the rest of us will still be reeling over the fact that this wedding is even a reality--well not me though. I’ve been thrust into the reality for a while now and you two really are great together.” The foreign smile continued to blossom as she spoke about Tess’ and her upcoming nuptials. “900? That’s twice the size of Sahalie Falls High. How do they even manage to have enough people on their invite list? I can barely manage seven friendships--which is being generous by the way. I can’t even imagine having any where close to that.” Her head shook as she rolled her eyes. With Tess though, it’d always been easy. Even though she’d left everyone behind when she ran off to Ireland, her friendship with Tess had survived the day. And now, she’d managed to come home and ensure her wedding would go off without a hitch. Her step mother did probably have that many people in her contacts though. “I wonder what it would be like if my step mom and Theo’s mom went head to head. I mean can you even imagine how epic that would be. I should figure out how to set that up one day, you know, after all wedding festivities of course.” She chuckled to herself before sighing. “In any case, don’t worry about Theo’s mom. I’m going to have Layla on Mrs. Luna watch all wedding and if anything is going awry I’ll make sure to clean it up before it ever manages to get to you. Just do you and it’ll all work out in the end.” She concluded with a nod before a bright sort of twinkle hit her eye, “I feel like you’re supposed to have writer’s block with those, you know? Like that means they’re just that important. Anything I can help with? I’d be happy to take a look.” She offered gently, so happy to be a part of this moment in Tess’ life. “We’ll figure out a way to get them here, I promise.” Andrea would be on the phone with them and looking up tickets right after this, she was sure. But when it was her turn to spill about her life, Andrea grimaced as she relaxed back into her chair, more in defeat than anything else. “It’s painful. I told him how I felt and why I left and why I’m here to stay and that I want him back--was amazing honestly. The stuff of legend you know--but he left. And now we’re trying to be friends I guess. I don’t know. I told him where I stand so I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.”

“But we both know that I can out drink the entire family, even Miguel, times two.” After all Layla had started to drink soon after her father had passed away. No one could truly fault the brunette, her mother had made that her copping skill and that was why she had followed suit. Now unlike her mother Layla hadn’t become dependent on it and coudl easily walk away. It explained why these past three years she had been sober but she doubted that her tolerance had just gone to shit. Maybe tonight was the night to test that theory out. “You can tell them – those two are just a given but you can’t tell anyone else.” Layla was aware that everyone had those people that they did not consider to be part of “Everyone” when asked to keep a secret. “Well we both know I am not here to fuck – actually on second thought I have no idea what would be worse – me fucking Theo and having a kid and telling everyone now or the future husband of her princess sister to be the baby daddy to Poppy – think either way I am royally fucked.” And that was not even including the family dramatics was sure to arise from here. “Poppy’s father is Sean – well he thinks taht he can make himself the villian and our family won’t curse me into banishment – then I grew a fucking soul and told him not to lie so when I wake up tomorrow I expect my house to be in a ring of fire. Or I might be deaf by the afternoon cause Larissa still goes into that high pitch when she is upset.” As she took another sip of the bottle before placing it in front of her on her lap, “You know the worst part? A part of me – a part of me just never saw it playing like this. I thought we would find each other. We would fall in love – because …” Because he is the one, was the one, she wanted to say but knew how pathetic that was, “Because – I don’t know. Was I crazy to think that he would’ve been fine to never tell Larissa?” 

-

Andrea nodded, “See, you think that but then you remember that I was in Ireland and well, let’s just say I may have managed to surpass ya sis. Lest we forget who taught you how to drink like a fish. Because we both know it was not Miguel.” She chuckled with a mocking face of smarminess coloring her features. The smarminess because it was of course her, the mocking bit, because well she wasn’t exactly proud of it. But then, where would the two of them be now? Maybe, with decidedly less messy lives. But would they be as close as they were nowadays? Who knew. Andrea didn’t regret it but she couldn’t help that protective tug that was ever present in this conversation, sensing that the world was on Layla’s shoulders even more so than usual. “I mean are you sure about Miguel? Because that’s going to be a whole thing--” She thought about it for a moment longer, “No you’re right, it’ll probably be best coming from me.” Andrea braced herself for what might be coming but no amount of bracing could actually prepare her for the shapes Layla’s mouth had just made. Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. Somehow her mouth was giving way into a smile as her entire body felt like it was shaking, she covered her mouth trying to stifle a laugh. The situation, of course, couldn’t be further from a laughable one. No this laugh was one of shear shock and nervousness. “Damn Lay, that is some shit. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I mean--I knew it would be bad--but this is. I mean, you can’t even write this shit.” Her head continued to shake trying to actually listen to what her sister was saying beyond the fact that Sean was Poppy’s father. “I mean, it’s not like either of you guys are at fault. But it’s also not like we could ever classify Larissa as a rational one..” She reasoned out. Andrea knew that she needed to connect with her more caring, affectionate side when it came to comforting and supporting Layla but it was taking her some time to recover from the shock. Andrea sighed, listening to her as Layla’s words finally began to bring her back to reality, the new reality, “No of course not. You’re supposed to want a family. It’s going to be okay. We’re all family. And we always will be. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or Poppy.”

This friendship could help all the parties involve in this mess, it would let Andrea settle back into town and he would be able to move on. Andrea would realize that the small town was not something that she actually wanted nor needed. Then Andrea would be back on a flight and would be gone just like that. That was one of the reason that he just didn’t say anything when she said everything that needed to be said. To think that he could go through the entire cycle of emotion terrified him. He knew that if he wanted to he could easily tell Ryan that she wasn’t the one for him and go back to Andrea, but for how long? How long till she decided that this was not in fact the life that she wanted and the real mistake that she had made was not leaving here but actually living her entire life in Ireland? Or wherever the hell she had gone. “That is very true. Think about the powerful duo team we could be. I could create an entire new website for individuals and their corporations and you can redo their entire store or business. Think we could easily go hand by hand.” It was not like he had actually taken a lot of time to think about this when they had been dating. Cameron had thought about how they both could get their dreams together and be happy, damn he had thought about their future for so long for them to be this way. To just be two independent individuals in the same town and for some inexplicable reason not being together. This was enough to make him stay up in the middle of the night and reconsider hie entire life and this entire situation. “The same here. I am always here for you, I hope you know that. I know that this is not a place we thought we would ever find ourselves in. Or anyone else thought. Trust me my parents think it is strange how we are not together. I guess they thought that the moment that you came back that we would get back together – but the friendship is always going to be there even if the romance aspect isn’t. I can help you here – whereas when you go back to Ireland then maybe by that time I can expand there or something,” he suggested as he scratched the back of his neck, “Then that sounds like a plan. We can do that. When should I expect you over at the company? That way I can give Gabe notice and he will let you pass to my office.” It was strange to see how far his company had managed to come since she left. When she had been here his office had been his bedroom, or their living room and now it was an entire building with various different units. He was running his own damn corporations, most of the time it didn’t feel like it was real till he actually said things like that. Her cheeks still had the perfect pinch red shade that managed to bring out her eyes, just like before. “It is a deal.” He confirmed. 

She wished beyond all belief that she knew what on earth was actually going on in Cameron’s head. Sure, Andrea knew Cameron more than most people, or so she believed anyway. But she had also spilled her guts to the man and Andrea was left with absolutely nothing to show for it. So the woman was left to teeter in a land of hope where maybe he still wanted her but wasn’t ready to trust her. But then, maybe that hope was wholly foolish on her part. And would only serve to cause her all the more pain in the end. “Always have and always will make the best team.” Her head cocked as she tried desperately to uphold her end of the bargain in keeping up this friendship that he seemed set on. But for her, the team they were together was far deeper than that. They were a team that was meant to tackle far more than just their careers together, but their marriage and raising a family. And what did she do but leave all of that in the dust. “Speaking of which, I am really starting to grow my blog following. So I could actually really use your help because I’m sure that there is more I could be doing with my website, you know with like SEO and all of those sort of things.” She really didn’t know much of what she was doing as her blog was more of a side business, though it was managing to gain traction. Cam was more than an amazing resource to grow her business. Andrea began to nod as he spoke, knowing that there would always be this desire to support one another, even if eventually it would need to be more so from afar. But her nodding ceased as she continued to listen. Andrea swallowed, hearing him talk about how his parents believed they would be together. It was just another blow, but she was doing this. She was doing this friendship thing. Andrea reached for her necklace, her eyes unable to remain on his as he continued to speak. She knew she shouldn’t be so shocked by his words, recognizing that she had shattered his trust in her. But after all she’d confessed to him she couldn’t believe he actually believed she wanted to go back to Ireland. “I’m never going back to Ireland. And I’m not going to leave Magnolia Springs either. This is my home.” You are my home. “My life is here. My niece is back and if I have anything to say about it, Layla will hopefully be able to find her happiness here. And Miguel needs me. He would never admit it but he needs me. So--you don’t have to worry about that.” Andrea wanted so desperately to include how much he had factored into all of that. But she already had and Cameron hadn’t responded. Plus, in the friend zone that probably didn’t fly, did it? But he needed to know, she wasn’t going anywhere. “How about tomorrow?” She regretted the words after they came out, wondering if that would end up giving her enough time to recover. “Good.” She nodded, this smile was smaller than moments ago. Andrea was sad that he thought she’d leave again, but she understood too. She’d prove it to him yet.

“Ah ok, well then I am going to get white girl trash – whatever that means. I have heard it around town. With the results that come after it I am guessing it’s just really trashed,” the single mother concluded as she turned around to look at her sister. It was a strange world that she was living in. The father of her child was engaged to her sister and she found herself closer to her step sister than the one that she shared DNA with. “If I tell you something and I tell you that you can’t tell anyone, what is the percentage that you will actually be true to that?” She had to tell someone about what was going in her life and she knew she couldn’t truly tell their brother because before she knew it, he would be having a “sit down” with Sean and everything would be brought to the light. Perhaps that was what should be happening, but she didn’t want that. Not right now. It was too soon. Not that anything was going to change the bomb effect that the revelation was going to have but it delayed Layla from having to deal with it. Perhaps the woman did have a tad bit of selfishness left in her. “The father of Poppy is in town and he’s engaged. Then I decided to tell him that Poppy is his and then basically told him that he could go fuck off and make another kid with his soon to be wife and leave us alone. It has been a damn great day – you?” she asked as she opened the bottle and took a sip from it, her actions followed with a slight roll of her shoulders as some innocence from her childhood washed across her face. 

“Ah, I doubt you could ever truly be white girl trashed. Although, Poppy has likely knocked out some the alcohol tolerance you once built up. But yeah, it’s definitely just really trashed.” She agreed as lips pursed with a nod towards Layla. But the white girl trashed level Layla intended to get to, only served to confirm that something had gone considerably awry. She could only imagine it had to do with a certain baby daddy given that she, at the very least, knew that Layla’s one night stand was from Magnolia Springs. “Well, does that include our dear brother and Tess? Because, you know I you and them everything.” Andrea was joking, but only sort of. Though when the time called for it, as she suspected this would, Andrea could absolutely keep a secret. “Kidding. I promise.” And she sat across from Layla at the table, as instructed. Andrea’s eyes moved about the room as her brow furrowed, listening to Layla’s words, “Well, the only people in town I know of that are engaged are Theo and Sean.” Her eyes widened, not asking the question outright because she genuinely did not want to know the answer at all. “So, I mean, how did he take all of that?” Even though she wasn’t all that shocked about why Layla wanted to get ‘white girl trashed’, the actual reality of it all was definitely shocking. Andrea grabbed the glass in front of her, pouring herself a shot of whiskey and taking it all at once. Yes, she would get up in the morning and watch Poppy but she needed a shot in this moment. “Well, shit sis.”

                    No matter how he divided this someone was going to get hurt. If he told Andrea that she had never stopped running across his head than Ryan got hurt – and if he choose Ryan than actively telling Andrea she was not the one would be lying to her. Throughout their entire relationship the man had not lied to her, and he wasn’t going to start now. He didn’t even trust himself to be able to do just that. It seemed like saying nothing did the least damage of them all. The only one that it did hurt was himself, and if it spare pain from the two females he cared about then he was fine doing just that. Andrea would think he had just moved on and the other would just proceed to move on, Cameron could learn to have the same passion he did with Andrea with Ryan. He could. At least that was the logic that he was following. Logic that he knew was flawed but once again what was a man suppose to do in his position? “That is true – I just never know how to do a room – it is not the same as coding you know? Not to mention it is a thousand times cheaper to change a code than to go back to the store and get a new color chair or table.” The man was not the best with interior design. That was perhaps why his bedroom had never truly changed since high school. Plaid went with everything and the black and white aesthetic was the easiest to do. He was certain that it took someone with some special skill to fuck that one up. “Well you don’t have to donate anything – there is no obligation.” Not like they were dating and she was trying to be the supportative girlfriend, which she had been. That was one of the many things that he missed from her. The little ways that she went beyond and above what she needed to do to ensure that he was ok. The encouraging notes taht were left behind not to mention the midnight snacks when he would forget to get out of his cave. “But maybe I can take you out for lunch to make us even?” He suggested; lunch was not romantic right? Both were trying to be friends now so that was one way to go about it he figured. “Could even take you to the pier – heard they now serve wine and look at that – “ he paused, as a gentle smile settle across his lips that was usually reserved for the brunette, “We’re of age to drink some wine – what do you say?” Maybe just maybe they would be able to do this whole friendship thing. As that thought crossed his mind, it was quickly met with the reality that they were just one borrow time till one of them cracked. Till one of them realized this was perhaps actually the worst thing they could do and both of them were dying inside.

Patience. Not a trait that Andrea ever had in spades. But she knew this friendship experiment between them was going to require that of her. It was becoming clear to her that this was Cameron’s intention with her. It left a part of her being hopeful for their future, that there was still a chance for them. Maybe this was all just one big test for them, something they had to get out before they could truly find their way into each others arms. It made sense right, they needed time to find themselves as adults before coming back together? But another part of her was also incredibly frustrated. To be his friend was going to constantly require that she swallow her feelings while being with him. And she honestly wasn’t sure if she was going to be strong enough for that. “I don’t know at all but that is why you have your area of expertise and I have mine.” She smiled a little bigger than any smiles she’d had previously, probably for weeks in fact save the smiles from finally seeing Layla and Poppy home. It wasn’t lost on Andrea that the conversation being brought up was another reason why the two of them made such a great team. Andrea, the artist and creative, filled with a boundless energy. Cam, the calm after a storm with his technical mind and great ambitions. She wanted that back. “Look just don’t worry about it. I will take care of all of it. It’s my line of work so it’s no trouble and you know that I’m always going to do whatever I can to support yours.” She hoped that would be true anyway. But in her heart she did know, that if Cam had really moved on without her, then she would need space from him. Ironic, that she would be requiring space again, she knew. But being his friend and being in love with him, knowing that Ryan was the one he went home to at the end of the day, was not something she could do. For now though, she would follow his lead. And on a wine date with him in the middle of the day. Again, hope was sparking in her heart. The idea of being so close and yet so far had never been so harshly real to her. “The pier sounds great. I don’t go down there enough and I’ve been meaning to have one of those wine lunches.” She tried to sound as though he’d just managed to come up with the perfect friend idea for them. But that soft smile of his had her head spinning. Without warning, she could feel that shy smile of the little girl they once knew showing up on her features. “It’s a d-deal.” Heat flooded her cheeks, unsure if he’d noticed. She really had meant to say ‘deal’ when the irony of it all truly struck her mid sentence.

The truth of the matter was that Andrea could say she was welcome a million times, and Rebecca would never quite believe her. Years under the same roof as her parents, two people who actively didn’t want her around, and never hesitated in saying so, had left her with a lifetime of feeling ever so slightly out of place, no matter where she was. She could still play the gracious host, the smiling wife, the generous benefactor, but that didn’t mean there would always be a tiny voice in the back of her head saying that she wasn’t welcome. It was entirely self sabotaging of course, and something her therapist had tried to interrogate many times, but it was hard to throw out a type of thinking that had taken root for over thirty years. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Rebecca couldn’t undo every thought with a snap of her fingers, no matter how much she wished for it. There were many things she had wished for in her life, and it seemed this was simply just another thing she wouldn’t get. “What were you reading?” she asked curiously, aware that ever since they’d arrived in Magnolia Springs, her ability to do anything other than read the glossiest of magazines had completely disappeared. 

Of course, he did stop. Most days her husband could barely get off the couch and walk the dog, much less pick up a power drill, but Rebecca greatly appreciated Andrea’s words. They made her feel normal again, like she was surrounded by similar people and they could gossip and chat and complain about husbands and boyfriends without feeling like they were betraying their other half. Of course, she barely knew Andrea, she wasn’t like one of her friends back in the city who knew her warts and all, but it was something. A strand of normality to cling onto. “He’s…he’s getting by” Rebecca said diplomatically, moving so she wasn’t in Andrea’s way. “I don’t think it helps that his dad has taken things…badly”. Badly was indeed the understatement for Charles Walsh, who was usually a stoic man, but since his wife’s passing seemed to have had the stuffing knocked out him. He was a ghost, never quite in the room no matter where he went, and that behaviour seemed to reflect itself back in Brennan. “But he’ll get by. Though hopefully he can be tempted into some quieter hobbies this time” she added as a feeble joke. 

-

Andrea grimaced a bit as she popped the cork from the wine Rebecca had brought over, “Well, I’m not much of a reader so I thought I’d start out with a short story sort of book, you know so I could stay focused for long enough--it’s always been kind of hard for me to sit still. But it’s called The Overstory, short stories that all sort of revolve around trees. It’s cool, I like it.” But books so far had been the only thing that worked well enough to truly distract Andrea. Her mind would wander whenever she turned on a new show, even her favorites weren’t cutting it. And Andrea needed a break. She needed to feel like herself. But so much of herself was wrapped up in someone who was dating someone else. She realized she should be taking this time to figure herself out and maybe her new self was a bookworm? Doubtful. But it was working for now so she was going to go with it.

She nodded, passing a glass to Rebecca at what seemed like the perfect moment in their conversation. Her mind fluttered back to her childhood when some of her worst memories occurred. Time had healed so many of those wounds but the excruciating pain in the beginning felt impossible to overcome. “A loss like that..someone’s there and they’re suddenly gone..” Her words were soft and kind as she really did feel for the Walsh’s. “Only thing that really seems to help is time--or moving on to someone new.” The latter of which her mother had been keen to accomplish. Her eyebrow raised, “Should we go the nursing home in town, scope out some ladies for Charles?” Andrea was, of course, joking. Her nervous tick of expertly timed jokes seemed to have followed her back from Ireland as well. Though it seemed she wasn’t the only one who appreciated the power of a joke. “Well, I for one am glad for his choice in hobbies because it means that you can save me from my boring books.” And with that she leaned her wine glass in towards in Rebecca in the hopes of clinking with her in cheers. 

A sheepish smile stretched over Rebecca’s face as her cheeks flushed red. It was fairly safe to say that Andrea’s assessment was the correct one, she had turned up every time promising that her neighbour would have peace and quiet and all too quickly, Brennan decided to prove the opposite. She was just glad that Andrea could see the amusing side to her husband’s antics, and wasn’t like the elderly couple who she’d visited in the earlier weeks and who had sent her away with a dog with fleas and a glare that still occasionally haunted her. “Well,  okay I can’t promise it will be the last time” she conceded with a half shrug, glancing over at the house they were staying in, and where she’d left Brennan staring absently at the television screen. “But I’ll try and make sure he get it out of his system at a more sociable hour”. A compromise. Of course, she hadn’t clued Brennan into that promise she had made…but then, she was just letting Brennan get on with things, quietly clearing up any messes he left behind him. 

“He mentioned something about the carpets” she explained with a shrug, closing the door behind her and following Andrea into the kitchen. “I tuned out after that”. She loved her husband, and she loved the few occasions when he seemed to come back to her, but try as she might she simply couldn’t get that excited about ripping up carpet. Designing the rooms was much more her cup of tea and she could easily spend hours considering the merits of oak verses stained floors, but the actual physical doing? No. Not her game. “I mean, I’m not sure the landlord will be thrilled, but you know Brennan…when he gets something in his mind, nothing will stop him”

-

Andrea understood that Rebecca felt as though she was imposing on her, but honestly she always welcomed the woman’s company. Not only was she very kind, but she also didn’t have any knowledge of wreckage she’d left in her wake throughout this town. Or if she did, she never seemed to judge her for it anyway. So Andrea was glad to have had the Walsh’s move in next to her. Tonight in particular though, she was extra glad that Rebecca had made her way over to her place because her book only provided so much of a distraction. Andrea waved her off, “It’s really okay Rebecca, you are always welcome here. My book was starting to get boring anyway.” She admitted, wondering if Rebecca had come over any other times in the last week when she’d been cooped up at her brother’s house. 

She nodded with a shake of her head, “He never stops does he?” She questioned with a cock of her head as she lightly made fun of him. “And I thought I was a busy body when it came to houses. I don’t think I can hold a candle to Brennan.” She chuckled, it was different though, given that houses were also her job. “How’s he doing? You know, other than all of the projects?” She knew that game all too well too, having thrown herself into a couple of houses the moment she returned from Ireland. She reached up to open a cupboard, pulling a couple of wine glasses from it.