Venom & Velvet

Chapter Four

Addison

I slam the car door shut and rummage in my handbag for my cell phone. It’s past noon. Cassidy had suggested we do lunch, but on second thought, I think it's best to drive to Jamaica Plain and have a late lunch with my foster parents.

Matilda has been texting non-stop, and this amazing opportunity isn’t something I wish to discuss over the phone with them. I’ll have to stop by the store to get a bottle of champagne and some beers. Dad will want to call his friends. He loves showing off Caleb’s achievements and mine. "Addison just got this gig with a tech firm in Boston. Hey, did you see my son? He's made it to the A-list!"

I dial Cassidy’s number and turn the ignition, then navigate out of the cobblestone driveway. The skyscraper towers over the buildings that surround it. Mr. Carson says it’s over 50 floors, and the firm occupies about 4. I’ll be remodeling two.

“Hey, girl!”

I grin as Cassidy’s voice rings out from the car speaker.

“I got it!”

“I know. You always do, and I’m so proud of you, Addie!”

I blink back tears. “It was fun. Mr. Carson, the admin, showed me around. He was cool.”

“So, did he ask you out for drinks to celebrate?”

I scoff. I’d be surprised if she didn’t ask that.

“He’s older. Looks married, and he’s disciplined.”

“Well, he wasn’t the only one in the building, I guess. Did you meet the CEO? What’s he like? Please don’t tell me he’s married too.”

“No, I didn’t meet the CEO. I don’t think I will. The admin or manager will be the one I’ll work closely with. I don’t have to meet the CEO at all.”

“Sucks. I was planning a shopping spree. You need new underwear, dresses, and stilettos for date nights.”

I turn into Gray Field. I’ll pick up Abigail, then take the short route to JP.

“So, tell me, did you meet anyone else? Tech bros are hot as f**k. I have a thing for them.”

“Maybe you should volunteer to be my assistant and snag one for yourself.”

She’s quiet for a long minute, then she sighs.

“I can’t, Addie. You know I have this thing with--”

“Right.” I cut in.

I hate the dumb situation she's in with this guy at her workplace. She says the s*x is good, but I think he’s an asshole she’s not supposed to even breathe the same air with.

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“Because I’m not interested. That guy isn’t good for you.”

She chuckles. I roll my eyes.

“This isn’t about me, girl. You need a man. You need to get laid. It’s been five years.”

“You’re wrong, Cassie. I got together with this guy at a party last year.”

“That doesn’t count. You said s*x with him was shit.”

“Well, at least I felt something.”

Abigail is sitting on one of the stone benches with her teacher and a few other kids. I’m ten minutes late, and I feel bad.

“Hey, we’ll catch up later. I’m at Abigail’s school.”

“Oh.” She pauses. “Where are we meeting for lunch?”

I sigh. I had called to tell her I wouldn’t make it but ended up talking about men and s*x. Typical. Cassidy always finds a way to bring up my sexless life. As much as I appreciate her concern, I doubt I’ll be taking her advice anytime soon.

“Um, I’m visiting Matilda and Archers. I need to tell them about the gig in person. It’s a big deal.”

“Yeah. Give Matilda a kiss from me. I would have tagged along for the love of food and fresh air, but I need to meet a deadline.”

“It’s okay.”

I wave at the teacher after Abigail settles in the car. She reaches for the radio dial, her eyes glued to my face to see my reaction. I roll my eyes, causing her to giggle.

“Caleb will be there. Should I give him one too?”

“No. Kick his balls. He’s a loser.”

I chuckle and hang up. Abigail crosses over the car console to wrap her arms around my neck.

“Hey, Momma.”

“I missed you, baby. How was your day?”

She kisses my cheeks and then settles back in her seat as she narrates her day’s event. I pull out of the school, taking the route on 6th Avenue to Jamaica Plain. It's about forty minutes, but the road is less congested, so I can likely cover the distance in a shorter duration.

I wonder if Caleb will be there. He texted last night to tell me about his plan to propose to his model girlfriend. I think he’s making a mistake, and I’ve told him, but when a man loves… his mind shuns logic.

Forty-five minutes later, I turn into the long driveway, releasing a long sigh as my eyes take in the space I grew up in. The very land I built my dream. I conceived Abigail here too.

I pull the car to a stop beside Dad’s sleek Range Rover. Abigail jumps on her seat and raises her arms to wave at Matilda, who is coming down the front steps with a wide grin etched on her chubby face. At 50, she’s still so beautiful and agile. I can hear the loud laughter and conversations from inside the house.

I turn to Abigail.

"Hey, always stay where I can see you, and don't get things from strangers, alright baby?"

"Okay, Momma."

Someone opens my side of the car door from outside. I raise my head, and my eyes collide with Dad’s warm gaze. He’s aged a bit since the last time I saw him two months ago.

I turn to get Abigail’s door, but Matilda is already lifting the bubbly girl into her arms. So, I turn back to Dad.

“Hey.”

He spreads his arms and beckons me.

“Come hug your old man. I heard congratulations are in order.”

I step out of the car and into his arms. His woodsy scent wafts into my nose. God, I’ve missed him. I’ve missed home.

“I missed you, Dad.”

“I missed you, too. Your mom and I were planning to visit this weekend. I guess you’ve saved us a trip, eh.”

Chuckling, I raise my head from his shoulder to search for Caleb’s latest toy, a white Lamborghini. It’s not here.

“Where’s Caleb, Dad?”

“He’s not back from Mexico. But the neighbors are here. Come on, everyone’s waiting inside to congratulate you,” he says and then suddenly stops as we get to the front step, leaning forward to kiss my hair. “I’m so proud of you, Addie. So very proud.”

"Thanks, Dad."

Mom hands Abigail to one of the women and then comes down to meet us. She wraps her arms around me and tugs my head to rest on her shoulder.

“God makes no mistake. He gave you to us, baby, and I knew you were going to do amazing things the moment I saw you in that park.”

I smile and raise my hand to brush strands of hair from her forehead. She’s blonde, so people seldom notice the dissimilarities between me and the Archers folks.

"Thanks, Mama."

We continue into the house. Dad tells me about his workout sessions with the gym instructor I contacted for him.

“I forgot to get champagne and beers. It slipped my mind.” I say with a disappointing frown.

Dad chuckles.

“We have two bottles of champagne and coolers stocked with beers. Come on, let’s get the party started.” He gushes.

As congratulations echo all around me, I make a mental note to avoid the north wing. The dreams are enough. I don’t need to torture myself any further by wandering into the room it was birthed.