April and I ended the evening on a weird note. The night progressed like a roller coaster, alternating between highs and lows every half hour. By the time we finished the cheesecake and wine, it was past 11. She invited me to stay over again if I didn't want to drive back so late, but I declined. I couldn't spend another night on the couch and had stopped drinking way before she did, knowing I wanted to get back home to my bed later.
After we finished talking, we cleared our plates and glasses. I offered to wash, but April said she'd just do it in the morning. I took that as my cue to leave.
Now, I'm stuck staring at the ceiling above my bed with sleep not even on the horizon. Our conversations tonight about Jordan and Montana dragged up a lot more of those pesky emotions I've been trying so hard to ignore. April is very purposefully keeping me at arm's length, and I don't blame her. I should start doing the same thing myself. It was all too much tonight – comforting her over her breakup with Matthew, hearing her apologize for her decisions after Samuel, thinking about how gorgeous she looked all evening in that purple dress. I needed to stop. April made it very clear she only wanted to be friends and wanted as much distance between us as possible. She's scared of us having sex again, and I don't blame her given our history. Although, I can't lie – it does hurt a bit. I wonder if she senses that what I feel for her isn't entirely just friendship and hasn't been for years. I try my best not to make her uncomfortable, but sometimes the little touches and stares happen before I can stop them. Still, that's no excuse. I'll have to try harder in Boston, especially if we'll be living together.
I groan and roll over. If I had a dollar for every night in my life I've lost sleep because of April, I'd be rich. Or I guess richer. I get up and head to the kitchen to grab a glass of milk in the hopes it helps me fall asleep. There's one day left before I go back to work, and still a hell of a lot to do. Plus, my time with Harriet starts in the evening, which means I'll have even less time to get stuff done. I really need to sleep tonight if tomorrow is gonna be at all productive. I head to the fridge to get the milk, but on the way there pass the medicine cabinet. Melatonin is calling my name. I open the bottle, pop a pill, and go back to my bed for some much-needed rest.
In the morning, I'm greeted by the sun bursting through my window just after 7:00. As tempting as it is to pull a pillow over my head and go straight back to sleep, I stretch, stand up and head to the shower to start what I know will be a long day.
Around 5:30, I get tired of packing and call April to see if Harriet is ready a little early. April usually drops her off at my place on her way home from work, but I know she's still off today after taking a few sick days for Harriet. I don't want her to have to drive over unnecessarily, and I have a few errands to run anyway. As usual, she picks up the phone on first ring. Before she can say anything, I hear a loud bang.
"Is everything okay over there?" I call out, concerned.
"Yeah, my bad, I'm just multitasking and dropped my phone. What's up?" she says, voice fading back in as she presumably picks up her phone.
"I'm hitting a few stores, so I'll be in your neck of the woods later. I was wondering if I can just swing by and pick up Hattie. It'll save you the trip. If she isn't ready now, I can run my errands first and grab her after I'm done."
"That would be…so helpful actually. I can have her ready pretty fast. You can leave whenever you want." April sounds relieved. I wonder how busy she's been today – it sounds like she could use a break.
"Alrighty then. See you soon." I end the call and start the usual search for my keys.
When I pull up at April's door half an hour later, she all but pushes Harriet into my arms. "She's been a handful today. Ever since yesterday's dinner, I can't seem to get her to behave. I think the change of environment for a few days might do the trick," April says desperately.
Harriet grabs my hand while yelling "bye Mommy" and practically drags me to the car before I can tell April goodnight. She laughs, waves and closes the door. Once I have Harriet buckled into her car seat, it's clear she has too much energy to be going to bed anytime soon.
"Okay Hats, what's the plan gonna be for tonight? How about ice cream?" She nods her head vigorously and I drive us to Dairy Queen. Because of COVID, we grab two tubs of our favourite flavours to take back to my place. We make a couple more stops at some stores to get packing materials, then head home. When we get inside, I put the ice cream in the freezer and get a start on dinner while Harriet unpacks in her room. After about fifteen minutes, I check my phone to see a text from my mom. "Give me a call when you're home," it reads.
I call Harriet over and set her on my lap while we FaceTime my mom from the couch. Once she sees my mom's face appear on the screen her hyperactivity worsens.
"Grandma!" she screams.
"How's my favourite granddaughter doing today?" Mom asks happily. Harriet giggles and starts updating Mom on her very interesting three-year-old life. After about ten minutes, she's tired of talking and disappears off to her room to play.
"Someone is happy to be with Daddy tonight," my mom says once Harriet is gone.
"I don't know about that," I laugh. "According to April she's been a bit high strung all day. I think it's the news we kind of dumped on her yesterday"
"Mmmm, of course. How did she take it?"
"Pretty decently, I'd say. She was a little confused about Matthew and Ruby not coming, but overall seemed excited," I say while shoving a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. My mom lets out a gasp on the other line.
"They aren't coming with you?"
Oh no. I totally forgot I hadn't breathed a word of the Matthew and April situation when I talked to her yesterday. Mostly because it wasn't my story to tell, but also partly because there is no greater meddler than Catherine Fox. I need to fix this and fast.
"Uh no, they aren't. And no mom, I won't say anything other than that. You can save your questions. It's really April's business, not mine." I speak firmly and unquestionably. As much as I love my mom, she knows no boundaries. Her getting in the middle of this whole situation is not what I need right now.
"Alright Jackson, I'll let it go. But don't think I don't see through you. You've been waiting for Matthew to be out of the picture for a long time. You can't hide it from me, son." Damn, was it that obvious? I hope April hasn't been able to read me as easily.
"Yeah, okay fine, mom. You're right. But can you blame me? The guy literally proposed to April right in front of my face. And she said yes. That was definitely a power play on his part," I say angrily. My voice gets louder the longer I speak. Just thinking about that day gets me all heated.
"You were long divorced then, Jackson. Nobody who wasn't still in love would be offended by that." My face contorts, and my mom catches it before continuing. "Don't contradict me, baby. Anyway, I think April is good for you. She's a great friend and a wonderful mother. I hope you two can finally come to your senses when you move to Boston."
Mom is certified insane. Is she talking about April and I reuniting? In my dreams. I let her know how unrealistic she's being in the hopes she lets this go.
"That ship has long sailed. Can we just…forget about it. I'm not talking about this with you any longer. It's not even your business. Don't meddle in my relationship with April again. What did you want me to call about in the first place, anyway?"
"Oh, don't worry about it. But speaking of April, I do have something else to ask you. I need to ship something to her on behalf of the Foundation – a welcome package of sorts. Could you let me know her address?"
I raise my eyebrow. This is suspicious. Since when do we mail welcome packages? And why couldn't she ask April herself? My mom and I get into a staring match for a few minutes.
"Oh come on, Jackson. I'm not up to anything," she says semi-convincingly. I sigh and rub my hands down my face. Guess it couldn't hurt. I'll deal with any fallout from April after.
"Fine. I'll text it to you."
"Wonderful! Have a great night, baby," she says and ends the call.