The Serendipity of Catastrophe by Lisa Fellinger

Author:Lisa Fellinger [Fellinger, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lisa Fellinger

“It was absolutely ridiculous,” Carrie said later that evening to Jack as she relayed the macaron class incident. Her mother had already gone to sleep for the night, but she wasn’t yet tired. Instead, she’d gone for a walk and Jack had called her on his way home from a happy hour with his coworkers. She had found a bench near a statue and watched a group of local teens skateboard while she talked.

“It sounds like it,” Jack said. “I can’t imagine getting so worked up about being a few minutes late for something.”

Carrie chuckled. “Says the man who’s always early for everything.”

“Fair enough.”

“I didn’t even know what to say to her. And then I just lost control.” She felt terrible for basically telling her mother she wished she were dead rather than her father, but she’d only been able to hold in so much. “I tried so hard to get us there as quickly as possible. She just didn’t understand her anxiety was actually making it take longer. Then she comes at me and tells me that wouldn’t have happened if my dad had been there instead? Honestly? He’d have taken even longer trying to navigate the GPS!”

“I mean, you’re not wrong.” Jack’s voice trailed off, the way it did when he had more to add but wanted permission first.

“But…” Carrie prompted.

He sighed. “I guess I feel a little bad for her,” he said. “She’s on this trip with you but she must be constantly thinking what it would be like if your dad were there instead. It must be really hard for her is all I’m saying.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side, you know,” Carrie teased.

“I’m always on your side.” Jack paused. “But your mom is your only family now. I completely understand your reasoning for pulling away from her before, but she needs you now, and whether you want to admit it or not, you could use her too.”

“You’re my family,” Carrie said, then regretted the words instantly, trying to be cognizant of not unintentionally leading him on.

He was quiet again. “I’ll always be here for you, Carrie. You know that. But you’re on this trip with your mom. Maybe just ask her how she’s doing? Give her the opportunity to be open with you rather than the two of you constantly having your guard up with each other.”

She looked around at the other tourists walking by, several couples walking hand in hand. They were in one of the most romantic cities in the world, and Carrie could imagine being here with her daughter rather than her husband had to be difficult. Still, her mother’s anxiety was so unbearable.

But she loved how Jack cared about her—truly cared—even after how terribly she’d treated him just a week ago, and it killed her to still have this awkwardness hanging between them.

Carrie sighed and cleared her throat. “Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Um…” He paused. “What for?”

“I shouldn’t have come over there the other night. I’d had too much to drink, and I wasn’t thinking clearly.

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