It All Started With a Lima Bean (33 page)

“This is getting uncomfortable now, Peter.” He instantly pulled back with a bashful look on his face.

“I’m sorry. Can we sit a little longer and catch up? I really want to know what you’ve been doing with yourself.”

Abby looked around, uncertain. They were in a public place; they could catch up, couldn’t they? She didn’t know what Caleb would think of her playing catch up with an old flame. As far as he was concerned, she was here to forgive and be able to move on in her life, with him, her new boyfriend. Maybe she could get away with summing it all up quickly then be on her way? They both took their seats once again. “Well, as you know, I became a teacher. My mom re-married, and now I’m happily in love with my boyfriend.”

“Yeah, you look like you are happily in love.” A sad expression made a quick appearance on his face before vanishing just as fast. That was weird.

“Tell me about Janice. Where did you meet?” Taking a sip of what was left of her coffee, she really didn’t care what his answer was, and she only asked to be polite.

“I broke off the engagement a couple of weeks ago. Right after I saw you at the tree lot.”

“I’m so sorry, Peter. She looked like a really nice girl.”

“She is, but it was only fair for her. I would have always compared her to the one that I let slip through my fingers.” Abby didn’t want to make assumptions, but was Peter talking about her? “I saw that my sister was wearing her down already too. She deserves a better life than that.” He really looked somber now; her heart ached for him. How did things turn around so drastically? She went from hating him to feeling bad for him all in one afternoon.

“I wanted to apologize to you for the whole Tiffany thing too. I know it’s not my place to apologize for my sister, but I know she’s been really hard on you.” That captured her attention, and she was suddenly willing to chat a little longer.

“Yeah, what is up with her?” Abby leaned in a little, with her elbows on the table and her head propped up in her hands, extremely curious for the answer. Peter sat back in his chair, seemingly shaking his head at the unpleasantness of what he was about to say.

“She’s got a pretty tough situation going on with her husband. Justin is a handful, as you know and she is on the attack for anyone she thinks she can manipulate. I’m sorry that her radar has been on you though. With me coming back to town and her having to move back in with my parents, it’s just been really difficult for her.” Abby understood Tiffany was going through a hard time, but what did that have to do with her?

“What did I ever do to her to be the one she is picking on?”

“This really isn’t my place to share.” He hesitated, eyes darting around the room before finally landing back on her. “Her husband is in jail for embezzling millions of dollars and all of her assets are frozen.” Abby tried but failed to contain a gasp.

“She is used to buying and getting whatever she wants but now she has nothing. She feels weak, so in order to feel that she has the upper hand, she manipulates things in her favor, even if it’s just to cause chaos and step away. She can look back and see that it was her creation. It’s been really bad since I broke things off with Janice and she doesn’t have her to push around.” Abby could see that Tiffany clearly had issues, but still believed it was no excuse to take it out on others around her. She was an adult and should know better. There was no sympathy to be felt here.

“She’s tried it with my parents too and they are ready to throw her and her little brat out. I’m afraid she will try to move in with me next. There is no way that is going to happen, Blaine will be the one stuck with them before long.” He seemed unsure about sharing anything further, but Peter kept going anyway. “There’s one more thing. Tiffany’s been drinking a lot lately and we’ve tried to talk her into getting some help but she hasn’t admitted to having a problem yet.” This all made so much sense. “Please don’t share that information with anyone though. This is me trusting you, just like old times.” Yeah they trusted each other with their deepest secrets growing up. They told each other everything. She could do that; she could keep this secret. There was one thing she needed to do with Tiffany but she’d have to figure out the right time to do it.

“I really am happy for you, Abs. Caleb seems like a pretty stand-up guy. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Peter placed his hand on top of hers looking into her eyes a little too long.

“Thanks, you too Peter, I’m glad we finally had this conversation but I should really get going now.” She stood and moved her chair back a little before allowing him to hug her one last time.

Just as she left his arms, the door to the coffeehouse flew open and a disheveled looking Tiffany stood in the doorway staring directly at Abby. “YOU!” The wild woman shouted while pointing directly at Abby. Tiffany came charging through the cafe like a bat out of hell, with all eyes glued in horror on her, including Abby’s. She was an absolute mess. The hair that was not sticking straight up in the air was matted to the side of her face. Make-up ran down her cheeks, her clothes did not match, but she wore chandelier earrings, and a very expensive looking gaudy diamond necklace as though she thought the extravagant jewelry would hide the rest of her crazed appearance. The only thing Abby could compare her appearance to was that of a homeless person. Her shoes were even different from each other.

Peter bolted the short distance between him and Abby, turning his back to her in a protective stance. “Tiffany. What are you doing?” He demanded.

“What? Is she your little bitch again? Didn’t you learn your lesson already? She eats everyone alive, and then spits them out when she’s done. She’s already had you, Blaine and Caleb. Even my own damn boyfriend wanted her in high school.” As she swayed, Tiffany slurred each of her words as tears slipped from her half opened eyelids.

“Peter, what is she talking about?” Abby whispered into his ear. His only response was to hold his hand up as though he needed her not to speak.

“Did you drive here?” He spoke to her like this was a normal thing.
Could this be a regular occurrence in his life? Did their entire family have to deal with her like this often?

“I need to sit down...” Tiffany dropped her body into the seat Peter had been in and passed out cold with her mouth wide open. The smell of stale alcohol swirled through the air.

“Is she okay?” Abby’s heart was beating a mile a minute.
What the heck just happened?

Turning to face her, Peter shook his head. “Yes and no.”

“There’s a silver Mercedes parked in the middle of the street getting towed outside. Does it belong to anyone here?” A man announced while standing in the doorway.

“I have to get her home. I am so sorry again, Abs.” The look on his face broke her heart.

“Can I help you at all?”

“No. Her car can just get towed. She shouldn’t be driving anyway.” He started to bend down to pick his sister up when Abby placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“Hold on a minute.” Abby squatted down until she was face to face with the sleeping Tiffany. “I know you can’t hear me and you probably don’t care but, I forgive you. I forgive you for every horrible thing you’ve ever done and said to me.”
There. I did it.
It really didn’t matter if Tiffany knew or not because Abby didn’t do it for the woman who had so many issues of her own.

Standing up, she found Peter staring at her in awe. “That’s why I’ll always love you, Abs. If you ever get tired of Caleb, please don’t forget about me.”
Well that was unexpected. Time to go.

“Goodbye Peter.” Grabbing her purse from the back of the chair, she strolled out of the coffeehouse with a much lighter step than when she entered it.

Several weeks had passed since school resumed after the winter break and Abby jumped right into her new role as a fifth grade teacher. The kids turned out to be a lot different than she expected, ridding her of her initial preconceived ideas. Their current project was in full swing and they were getting ready to present what they’d learned. The kids researched and studied about the Catholic missions that had been planted up and down California by Father Junipero Serra at the direction of King Charles III of Spain starting in 1769. They were lucky enough to have one of those magnificently beautiful church buildings established right there in Santa Barbara and the class went on a field trip the previous week. Each student represented the founding missionaries from every single one of the twenty-one missions. This project reminded Abby of when she was in fifth grade learning about this same subject. The difference back then was that the students had to build their own replica of one chosen mission, outside of school. The problem came when the parents got involved and it became a competition between them and who could make the most elaborate masterpiece. Abby’s students were only allowed to work on their projects during school hours, on the premises, so all of the work was guaranteed to be their own.

Tomorrow was presentation day but tonight was date night. Abby rushed home after school to get ready for her double date with Caleb, Leah and some guy that had been pestering Leah to go out with him. Caleb insisted on a double date when Leah brought it up in front of them. Abby loved how protective he was over her and her best friend.

She only had a few moments to throw herself together before Caleb knocked. Abby made her way to the front door while smoothing down her long sleeved, off-the-shoulder blouse and her heeled boots clicking on the wooden floor. The anticipation of what she would find on the other side was overwhelming. Slowly, she opened it and peeked out with a sinister smile. As expected, he was a sight for sore eyes. No man should ever look that good wearing jeans and a sweater. His freshly showered scent hit her nose as she took him in. Entering the living room, Caleb closed the door behind him. “You look beautiful.” Playing along with her smile, he wrapped his arms around Abby’s waist, inviting her body to align with his. “I could just eat you up.”

Flashing him a look he loved so much, bedroom eyes included, she teased. “That could be arranged.”

“Don’t tempt me like that.” Trailing small bites on her neck and shoulders, he took his time until she shamelessly made sounds she never realized she had in her.
Damn he was good.

“Hey guys, lock the door if you are going to do that.” Leah’s voice broadcasted from behind Caleb, triggering him to chuckle while his mouth was still on Abby’s sensitive skin. Giving her a peck on the lips before turning to greet Leah, Caleb explained. “Sorry, our girl here is just too irresistible, and I can’t keep my hands off of her.” Abby’s skin now scorched, first at having this man nibble on her then at her friend walking in on them.

“Or your mouth apparently.” Leah snorted. She knew how to add that one missing element to a conversation to make it go from awkward to AWKWARD. “Are you guys ready to go, or do you need a little more time to devour my friend here?” Leah giggled as she started to head out of the door.

Caleb didn’t know what to expect this evening; he’d never gone on a double date before. All he knew was that when Leah started talking about a guy that has worn her down asking her out, Caleb had to meet him. Although he didn’t have siblings, he felt that older brother protective side of him come out as it did when Bri talked about guys she was dating. Not only had he fallen in love with Abby, Caleb found himself wanting to protect her best friend as well.

The three of them walked into the seaside fish house when a guy approached with his eyes glued on Leah.
Brownish hair lightened by the sun, brown squinty eyes, decent build. Surfer maybe?
Yeah, Caleb checked him out. The way guys do.

“Hey Leah, glad you made it.” Squinty-eyed guy reached over and kissed Leah’s cheek.

“Did you expect me to stand you up?” Leah did not reciprocate his affection.

Caleb watched him closely waiting for his answer. “I hoped not, it took me long enough to get you to say yes. Our table is ready when you guys are.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Devon. These are my friends, Abby and Caleb.” Leah introduced everyone.