Thank you so very much for your comments, feedback and patience. Hope you enjoy Chapter 4.
I had just started pressing the accelerator when Linda asked about Abby finishing things. I tensed causing my foot to push all the way down. The car jumped and my reflexes thankfully kicked in as I quickly hit the break causing both of us to lurch forward.
"You okay, Linda," I asked.
"What did you do" was her reply.
"I'm so sorry, but I got a cramp in my foot" was all I could come up with.
Although only seconds, I felt like we were sitting there for an hour! I did start driving again and for a few moments there was silence. During that time my mind was racing. Then Linda spoke again. "Abby was so happy to help you guys get things in order after the party." She went on, "You know, I am proud of both our girls and what young adults they've become."
I am sure at that point I let out a huge sigh of relief. Guilt does cause one to overthink! And sitting next to the mother of the girl you were just in bed with is one cause of that guilt!
After my initial panic attack our trip to the grocery store was uneventful. After all, we grocery shop quite often together.
Our conversation moved from one thing to the other from our husbands to the news to her son, who was still in school for a couple more weeks, a high school freshman. Linda and I also talked about our daughters with her voicing concern that Abby had nothing to keep her busy at the moment and she wished she had a job like Stacy. I assured her that Stacy's job happened by chance and that Abby had time.
After driving back, I parked in front of Linda's house to drop her and her groceries off. Abby came out to help her mother. She was now wearing a short, loose button up dress. "Why don't you drop your stuff off and come back," Abby said. "I made some omelets for a late lunch."
Linda thought that was a good idea so I agreed.
I drove the rest of the way to my house and brought my bags in and put the items away. The entire time feeling mixed emotions about being around Abby with her mother there. But I also did not want to shake up what was a normal occurrence.
I got to their house and, as usual, let myself in and walked back to the kitchen. Abby greeted me as she placed silverware and napkins on the little breakfast nook in the corner. "Where's mom," I asked.
"She's putting stuff in the basement freezer" she replied.
Abby stepped toward me as I stood by the small island in the center of the kitchen. She placed a hand on my arm and breathlessly whispered, "I have nothing on under my dress" and moved past me toward the fridge just as Linda walked in. The effect on me was immediate.
"I didn't realize how full the freezer was, Abby" she matter of factly told her daughter. She went on, "I think I have another summer project for you."
Their little exchange allowed me to catch my breath, but I needed to focus.
"Grab a seat, Brenda" Linda nodded toward the nook as she washed her hands. I sat by the window and Linda came over with our plates and sat across from me at the other window seat.
Abby asked what we would like to drink and brought her plate and placed it next to me. We all were having orange juice which Abby brought over before sitting...next to me, the warmth of her thigh against mine.
There was a lot of general conversation, mostly between Linda and I until she brought up how her husband was going to take their son on a boys' camping weekend when he finished school. Abby excitedly chimed in by suggesting to her mother that a girls' weekend would be a good idea, too.
"What do you suggest" Linda asked, "because you know I'm not camping outside."
Abby went on to tell Linda about a girl's shopping weekend and finding a hotel with a pool and then she turned to me as she spoke suggesting "...and Mrs. G and Stacy can join us." As she looked at me and said this, I felt her hand rest on my thigh.
I may be too young to have hot flashes, but I was feeling one now. For just a moment, I wasn't hearing any of the conversation, but Abby squeezed my thigh just enough to bring me back.
"Brenda, what do you think" Linda asked as she got up and walked her plate over to the island.