Holly Shumas - Love & Other Natural Disaster by Holly Shumas

Author:Holly Shumas [Shumas, Holly]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-07-22T00:53:58.613000+00:00

It was the night of Tamara and Clayton's engagement party, which made it precisely the wrong time to look like shit. It was the first social event Jon and I were both attending since the separation. I was already nervous to face Clayton, whom I hadn't seen in months (since Thanksgiving, to be exact). I could tell that Tamara thought I hadn't squealed enough in excitement over her engagement announcement, while I felt the octave I raised my voice should have sufficed, given my own circumstances. I thought of explaining that it wasn't her and Clayton I was dubious about, but marriage itself, and decided against it. It seemed like there was so much she and I couldn't say to each other anymore. Our silences were more meaningful than our words these days.

Charlie was in support of me biting the bullet and facing the music, since now was as good a time as any—in other words, he had a whole host of clichés that meant seeing Jon would suck, but was inevitable. I didn't think my friendship with Tamara could survive my skipping this party, so I had to agree with him. Fortunately, he'd offered to go with me. It wasn't entirely selfless, since he loved parties and recreational drinking and I was the one driving.

Half my wardrobe was piled on my bed, and I was trying to convince myself that a strategically placed scarf could cure all ills. Laney wouldn't need a scarf, I found myself thinking. Her name still ran through my head in all sorts of contexts: Laney probably has a career she likes. Laney's stomach isn't convex. If Jon and I never get back together, women like Laney are going to be my competition.

I was slumped on the bed in my bra and panties when I heard the doorbell. It had to be Lil. She'd agreed to watch Jacob and Olivia, though mostly it would just be Olivia because Luke and Jacob would keep each other entertained. They'd been looking forward to their Saturday-night play date all week. I could hear the two of them tearing through the house, and I waited for Lil's knock on my door. Finally I pulled on a robe and went down the hall.

Charlie and Lil were in the living room, talking animatedly at closer proximity than seemed customary. When they noticed me, Charlie said, "Hey, shouldn't you be dressed by now?"

"Sorry I was late," Lil said. She leaned in and gave me a hug. "I thought you'd have been ready for a while."

"I've been trying for a while." I didn't like the whiny quality in my voice. Something about their shared good spirits rattled me.

"Do you want some help?" Lil asked. I glanced at Charlie, who was watching Lil. His attraction to her was obvious. "Some help would be great," I said.

“Well, you girls do your thing," Charlie said. Then he reddened. Lil was making him nervous, and when he was nervous, he got corny.

She didn't seem to notice, and we went back to my bedroom.

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