The Weight of Small Things (24 page)

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Authors: Sherri Wood Emmons

Tags: #Fiction, #Contemporary Women, #General, #Psychological

BOOK: The Weight of Small Things
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46
“S
o you’re not going to stay in the house?”
Bryn stood at the counter in Bob’s kitchen, making scrambled eggs. The boys were at school and Bob at work.
“No,” Corrie said. “I mean, I love the house. But it’s
our
house, Mark’s and mine. I can’t stay in it without him. It’s just too sad.”
Bryn nodded, putting bread into the toaster.
“Plus, I’m not sure if I can afford it on my own.”
“I wondered about that,” Bryn said. “I mean, it’s a great house. But you could find something nice for a lot less.”
She scooped eggs onto plates, buttered toast, and set the plates on the table.
“Thanks,” Corrie said. “This looks good.”
“I’m glad your appetite is back.” Bryn laughed. “Mine is back with a vengeance. I feel like I’m hungry all the time. Pretty soon, I’m going to look like a beached whale.” She patted her stomach.
“You’re hardly even showing,” Corrie said. “Besides, you’re supposed to eat well when you’re pregnant.”
“Well, so are you, so eat up.”
They ate in companionable silence.
“I was thinking,” Corrie said, not looking up. “Maybe we could get a house together.”
“Oh.” Bryn sounded surprised.
“Only if you want to,” Corrie said. “I mean, if you want to get your own place, that’s fine. Or maybe you’ll just stay here. . . .” Her voice trailed away.
“No, I can’t just stay here,” Bryn said. “I’ve been putting it off for months now and Bob’s been great. He’s been so great. But I do need to find a place.”
“So what do you think?” Corrie asked. “We could look for a house to rent together. Something with four bedrooms, maybe near the park. Between the two of us, we could afford something nice.”
“Maybe,” Bryn said.
“We don’t have to,” Corrie said. “I understand if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that! I mean, I’ve actually thought about it, us living together. It would be fun, and we wouldn’t have to do it all on our own. But . . . what if you and Mark get back together? Or, what if you decide to go to Los Angeles with Daniel? Or . . . I don’t know, what if you just decide you don’t like living with me? Then where would we be?”
Corrie smiled at her friend.
“I know I like living with you,” she said. “We did it for four years in college.”
“That was a long time ago,” Bryn said. “We were kids. We didn’t have kids. I just don’t want to do anything that would ruin our friendship.”
“Nothing will ever ruin our friendship, Bryn! You are my best friend in the world. I love you. Yeah, it might take some getting used to. But I think we could make it work, if we tried.”
“And if Mark decides he wants to make it work?”
Corrie shook her head. “That’s not going to happen. He’s filed for divorce. He’s made it pretty clear that he can’t forgive me and he won’t raise Daniel’s baby.”
“And what about Daniel?”
Corrie smiled ruefully. “Daniel is in California, and he’s going to stay in California. I don’t want to live with him or even see him, really. If I could, I’d forget about him completely.”
“Well, you do whatever works for you,” Bryn said firmly. “You take care of you and your baby, and let Daniel take care of himself.”
They washed the breakfast dishes.
“I should probably go to work,” Corrie said. “I’ve been out of the office so much in the last few weeks, I think Kenetha is ready to quit.”
“Have you told her yet?”
Corrie shook her head. “I’ve been waiting until I had the test results, and then Christmas came and I just put it off.”
“She’ll be so excited for you.”
“I hope so. I hope she doesn’t freak out.”
Bryn laughed. “I don’t think so. This is Kenetha we’re talking about. She’s not going to judge.”
Corrie hugged her tightly. “Thanks, Bryn. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She picked up her purse and briefcase.
“Corrie?”
Bryn smiled at her.
“This weekend, let’s look at houses.”
“Okay!”
 
Two days later, newspaper in hand, they drove through the quiet park neighborhood of Middlebrook. The park was blanketed lightly in snow.
“There it is.” Bryn pointed to a small, yellow, craftsman-style house facing the park, sporting a F
OR
R
ENT
sign in the tiny front yard.
Corrie parked on the street and they got out of the car.
“It’s cute,” Bryn said. “And it’s got a great view.”
Corrie nodded. “It is cute. But it looks kind of small.”
They knocked on the front door, which opened immediately, revealing a large, matronly looking woman.
“Mrs. Winston?” Corrie said. “I’m Corrie Philips. We spoke on the phone.”
“Yes, come in.” The woman stepped aside so Corrie and Bryn could enter the house. “It’s cold out there today!”
The living room was small but cheery, with a stone fireplace and a cozy window seat.
“This is the living room,” Mrs. Winston said. “And through there is the dining room and behind that the kitchen. Then you’ve got two bedrooms down the hall and two more upstairs.”
They wandered through the house, opening closets and flushing the toilets. It was much smaller than Corrie’s house, but it felt homey.
Later, they sat in the car out front, talking.
“It’s awfully small,” Corrie said again.
“But it has four bedrooms,” Bryn said. “You can have the two downstairs, and I can take the upstairs. Or you can have upstairs, if you’d rather.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it!” Bryn’s face shone. “It’s cute, it’s cozy, and the park is right here!” She waved her hand toward the park. “It’s by far the nicest one we’ve seen. It’s not far from campus, and it’s not far from Bob’s. It’s perfect!”
Corrie smiled. “Okay, I’m glad you like it. But you know I can’t move on it until I talk to Mark about the house. We’ll have to put it on the market. I can’t afford that mortgage and this rent at the same time.”
Bryn’s face fell.
“Maybe I can,” Corrie said. “If Mark keeps paying half the mortgage on the house, maybe I can do both. I’ll talk to him about it. Are you okay?” She eyed Bryn’s face. “Last month you seemed perfectly content to stay at Bob’s, and now it seems like you’re in such a rush to leave.”
“He kissed me.” Bryn didn’t look at Corrie as she spoke. “A couple weeks ago, we were packing up some of Wendy’s stuff in the attic, and we found some old records, so we played them. And we danced. And then . . . he kissed me.”
Corrie stared at her for a minute. “Oh my God,” she said. “Did you kiss him back?”
Bryn nodded. “I did at first. It’s been so long since I’ve kissed anyone but Paul, and it felt really nice. But then I stopped. And I told him we couldn’t do that.”
“Why not?” Corrie asked. “You’re single. He’s about to be single. You obviously care about each other.”
“He’s not single yet. And he still loves Wendy. He told me so.”
“Ah,” Corrie said. “That does make things complicated.”
“I can’t be his rebound,” Bryn said. “I just couldn’t take that.”
“You care about him, don’t you?” Corrie asked. “Not just like a friend. You have feelings for him.”
Bryn hesitated, her cheeks red. “Maybe,” she said. “I don’t know.”
“Well, either way, it’s time for you to move out.” Corrie hugged her friend. “I’ll talk to Mark and get the money stuff figured out, and let’s take this house.”
“Thanks.” Bryn smiled at her. “That sounds really good.”
 
Two weeks later, they were ready to move in. Corrie hired a mover to pack and move her things. Bryn packed a single suitcase. The baby things her mother had bought were already in the car.
“You know you don’t have to go.” Bob sat on the bed in Bryn’s room, watching her pack.
“I know,” she said. “You’ve been so great, Bob. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your letting me stay for so long.”
“Is it because of the kiss?” He watched her carefully. “Because I promise that won’t happen again.”
“No,” she said, closing the suitcase. “I just . . . look, being here has been great, almost like we’ve been playing house. But now, it’s time for us, for me, to get on with the real world. I need my own place. And you need some time to figure out what’s next for you.”
He sighed.
“I’m only going a few blocks,” she said, smiling at him. “And you guys are coming for dinner tonight, right?”
“I know,” he said. “I’m being selfish. I’m just going to miss you. And so are the boys.”
“You guys will be fine. I’m sure they’re ready to have their house back.”
“I think they’re going to miss you.”
“Well, I’m only a few blocks away.” She picked up the suitcase and surveyed the room that had been her home since September.
“I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Bob rose and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s been fun.”
“Okay.” Bryn stepped away from him. “So we’ll see you guys tonight at six for pizza and unpacking.”
She walked to the front door and hesitated for just an instant. Then she dropped her key on the entry table and left.
47
“M
y God, Corrie! How is all this stuff going to fit?”
Bryn stood in the doorway of the bungalow, staring at the furniture crowding the living room and spilling onto the porch. Boxes sat stacked against the walls. Framed pictures leaned precariously against the door.
“I know.” Corrie smiled at her from the dining room. “I brought too much.”
Bryn shoved her way into the living room and dropped her suitcase onto the floor.
“Well, some of it is going upstairs, right? That will give us some more room.”
Corrie sat down on a large box.
“Actually, the stuff that’s going upstairs is already there.”
“Okay, that’s everything.” A man walked down the stairs, carrying empty boxes.
“Thank you,” said Corrie, rising. She reached into her purse and pulled out some cash.
“Do you want us to move anything around down here?” The man looked from Bryn’s pregnant belly to Corrie’s and smiled.
“Um, no. I think we’ll be okay.” Corrie handed him the money. “We have some friends coming later to help.”
“Well, don’t try to move that by yourselves.” The man pointed to a huge sideboard in the center of the room.
“We won’t, I promise.”
Another man appeared from upstairs, carrying more boxes.
“The beds are set up,” he said. “So at least you’ll have someplace to sleep tonight.”
The movers left, carrying still more empty boxes as they went.
“Why didn’t you let them put everything where you want it?” Bryn asked, staring forlornly at the moving van as it pulled away.
“I don’t know where I want anything.”
Corrie waved her arm at the room. “Where do you think everything should go?”
“You’re asking me?” Bryn laughed. “You’re the one with the designer show house.”
“Designer being the key.” Corrie slumped onto a box. “I had a designer tell me where to put everything before. I don’t have a clue about design.”
“Okay then.” Bryn set her shoulders and stared around the room. “Let’s start with the couch over here.”
They shoved furniture around the living room until they had a small seating area facing the fireplace, then sat on the couch surveying their progress.
“That would look nice over the mantle.” Bryn pointed to a large Degas print.
“Mark got me that for Christmas the first year we were married.” Corrie smiled at the memory. “We’d just gone to the museum in Chicago and I fell in love with that painting, so he got me a print.”
They sat quietly for a minute, each wrapped in thought.
“Okay, enough.” Bryn stood and pulled Corrie up by her hand. “Let’s start on the dining room.”
 
By the time Bob arrived with the boys, the house was beginning to resemble a home.
“Pizza’s here!” he called.
“Oh thank God!” Bryn appeared from the kitchen, towel in hand. “We’re starving!”
“This is nice,” Bob said, looking around the room. “Where’s the rest of this stuff going to go?”
“I have no idea,” Bryn said. “That won’t fit anywhere.” She pointed at the sideboard. “And the rest . . .” She plopped down on the couch and threw her hands in the air.
“The rest you’ll find room for or get rid of. Meantime, let’s eat.”
Bob set the pizzas on the dining room table.
“Micah, do you have the sodas?”
Micah stood with Cody in the living room, staring solemnly at them.
“Is this where you’re going to live now?” he asked, looking at Bryn.
“Yep,” she said. “What do you think?”
“Why aren’t you gonna live with us anymore?” Cody asked.
“I told you, honey. It’s time for me to get a place of my own, a place for me and my baby.”
Micah walked into the dining room and set two large bottles of soda on the table.
“You know you don’t have to go,” he said, staring at Bryn earnestly. “My mom can’t make you move out.”
Bryn knelt down and put her arms around the boy. “I know, Micah. It’s not because of your mom. It’s just . . . time. I loved staying with you guys. But we always knew it wasn’t forever, right?”
He said nothing, just leaned into her and buried his face in her neck.
Then Bryn felt another small pair of arms around her as Cody joined the embrace. Tears stung her eyes.
“Hey, guys,” Bob said. “You’ll still see Bryn all the time. You know that, right?”
“That’s what you said about Mommy.” Cody’s voice was muffled against Bryn’s shoulder.
“Hey!” Corrie came down the stairs, carrying a broom and dustpan. “When did you guys get here?”
“Just now,” Bob said, grinning at her. “Looks like you two have been busy.”
“Yeah, but we’ve got a lot to do.”
“The first thing we need to do is eat!” Bryn stood, gently untangling herself from the boys.
“That sounds like a very good idea. I’ll find some paper plates.” Corrie disappeared into the kitchen.
“I’ll get cups.” Bryn followed her.
“Are you okay?” Corrie whispered.
Bryn nodded. “I didn’t know it would be so hard to leave them,” she said.
Corrie squeezed her hand. “It’s for the best.”
“I know.”
After dinner, Corrie and the boys sat on the kitchen floor, unwrapping dishes and pans and cutlery and putting them into neat piles.
“So, give me the grand tour.” Bob smiled at Bryn. “Where are you and the baby going to sleep?”
“We’re upstairs,” she said, leading him toward the steps.
“Here’s mine.” She opened a door and waved him into a pretty room, wallpapered in yellow with white curtains. “The furniture is all Corrie’s, from her guest room. I’ve never had such nice stuff.”
“It’s nice.” Bob walked around the room. “I like the quilt.”
“That’s Corrie’s, too.”
“Well, at least you don’t have to go out and buy everything at once.”
“And this is for the baby!” She opened a second door.
The room was pale blue, again with white curtains. The port-a-crib and swing sat in boxes on the floor, beside a huge bag of baby clothes.
“Are you leaving it blue?” Bob asked.
“I think so. I like the color really well.”
“What if you’re having a girl?”
“Then she’ll like blue!”
Bob laughed.
“If you need a crib, I’ve still got the one the boys used. It’s in pretty good shape.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “My mom said she wants to buy one, and a changing table. She really has gone mad over this grandma thing.”
“That’s good,” he said. “This is nice, a nice room for a baby.”
They walked back downstairs.
“Okay, so you’ve seen all this.” Bryn waved around the living room. “And here’s Corrie’s room.”
Bob gazed at the heavy cherry furniture and smiled. “It’s definitely Corrie.”
“And this is for Emmaline.” Bryn opened a door and flipped on the light, then stopped and stared at the empty room.
“Corrie? Where’s all your baby stuff?”
Corrie walked into the room and smiled. “I’m getting new.”
“But you had the whole nursery,” Bryn said. “And you loved it.”
Corrie shook her head. “I got that with Mark, for our baby. I don’t want it anymore.”
Bob took her hand and squeezed it.
“You’re going to be okay,” he said. “So, here’s to new beginnings . . . for all of us.”
Bryn raised her eyebrows and cocked her head. “You all right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “My lawyer called today. The judge signed the papers. I am officially divorced.”
“I’m sorry.” Corrie squeezed his hand now.
“I’m fine, actually.” Bob smiled at her. “I’ve been ready for a while. I’m just glad it’s finally over.”
“And you have full custody?” Bryn asked, watching him carefully.
“Yeah.” Bob ran his hand through his hair. “Wendy’s parents wrote supporting statements for me, and I had the picture of Cody and that asshole blowing pot at him. The judge agreed I’d be the better parent. Wendy gets them every other weekend.”
“Thank God!” Bryn let out a sigh of relief.
“Yeah,” Bob repeated. “I’m really glad it went my way.”
“Do the boys know?” Corrie asked, looking back toward the kitchen where the two little boys still sat making piles.
“I told them this afternoon.”
“Are they okay?”
“Honestly, I think they’re more upset about Bryn moving out than they are about the divorce.”
Bryn stiffened, tears stinging her eyes again.
“Sorry,” Bob said abruptly. “I didn’t mean to guilt you like that.”
“They’ll be fine,” Corrie said. “They have you, and you’re the best dad in the world.”
“Thanks.” Bob smiled at her, then glanced toward Bryn, who was still staring at the floor.
“It’s getting late,” he said, shifting from one foot to the other. “I’d probably better get the boys home and to bed. They have school tomorrow.”
When they finally got to bed after midnight, Bryn lay wide awake in her new yellow room, the pretty quilt drawn up to her chin.
This was the right choice,
she told herself.
I couldn’t just stay there forever, pretending they were mine. This is a good thing
.
She rolled onto her side, willing herself to go to sleep. After a long while, she gave up the pretense and went down to the kitchen for a glass of water.
“Hey.” Corrie stood in front of the refrigerator holding a gallon of milk. “I’m making warm milk. Do you want some?”
Bryn nodded.
They drank their milk in the living room, talking about college and babies and where to put the sideboard. At three, Corrie trudged off to bed. Bryn lay on the couch staring at the ceiling until she finally fell asleep, just before four.

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