Surviving His Memory

Chapter 14

The walk to the restaurant is full of anxiety and adrenaline. I'm not sure how to approach this. Do I walk right up to her? Do I wait and see if she even knows who I am?

"Alright, how are we playing this El?" Sally asks the question that I've been struggling with. "I kind of want to see if she even recognizes me." I tell her. "Okay, so we find out what section she is in and make sure we're seated in it." Emery suggests. "Lets go around back and see if you can spot her through the windows." Sally loops her arm with mine. "We've got you El. I promise." She tells me. "I know. I'm so thankful to you all." I smiled at the women around me. My tribe.

We wondered around the backside of the Brickyard Grill. Looking through the big windows. I didn't see her at first. Then she strode out carrying someone's order and I huffed, "there she is." I pointed in her direction. "Gloria? No one can stand her." Diane mutters. "She goes by her middle name now, huh? Her first name is Harriet." I snicker. I can't blame her, her first name sucks. The ladies laugh and all generally say the same thing. It is an awful name.

"Alright. Let's go!" I told everyone and we made our way to the front door. When we walked in, I looked around the place. It's early, the lunch crowd is only now beginning to roll in. I try to avoid looking at her before I'm ready. I faintly hear the ladies talk to the hostess and deftly follow their lead.

Only a few minutes later, I was seated at a round table, in my mother's section. This should be fun. I remember the phone calls that I have received over the years. They're on a loop in my mind as I see her walking toward us. She makes eye contact with me but I don't see any recognition in her eyes. She has no clue who I am. I smirk to myself, this should be fun. Harriet took our drink orders and as soon as she was gone, I saw all eyes turn to me. I just laugh, "she has no idea who I am. We can eat first. I'll drop that bomb before we leave." I told them. They all agree. It'll be better when we're leaving anyway.

I shot a text to Ethan. "I'm confronting my mother today. The girls are with me. Don't worry. Can't wait to see you!" I've only been away from him for an hour, but I miss him already. My tummy flutters when I think about him.

"Girl, you've got it bad!" Sally says from across the table. "What do you mean?" I ask her. "I'm guessing you were texting your God-Man?" She asks and I nod with a laugh. "You practically had hearts in your eyes..it's adorable El. I'm happy for you!" She finishes with a smile that I return. "Thank you." I say sincerely.

Harriet returns with our drinks. I ordered a mimosa because Cheryl made it sound so good this morning. Also, I need a little liquid courage for what is yet to come. Harriet took our orders and left, thank the heavens. I just roll my eyes when I see the looks this time. Its pretty ridiculous that she doesn't even know the child she birthed. I just shook my head.

The ladies are good at keeping our conversation moving. We talked about Cheryl and Cal, and the incident this morning. I told them more about my date with God-Man. At one point, Cheryl excused herself to call her mom. She had forgotten to call her back earlier.

Our food arrived just after Cheryl returned from her phone call. Harriet sat my food in front of me and walked away again. I felt my phone buzz. A quick peak showed a text from Ethan.

Big Guy: you're a warrior, remember? I won't worry but tell the ladies that we need a video if you put her through a table. Have a good time with your friends. Miss you.

I informed the group of Ethan's demands. We all laugh as we eat and talk a lot about our last girls' night. Diane tells us about a few wild guests they've had recently at the resort. I can't believe how crazy some tourists get. It's almost as if they think the laws don't apply while they're on vacation.

Soon enough, our meal was finished and good old Harriet brought us our checks. As she handed me my bill I said, "thanks Harriet. Its been a while since you've served me a meal." I held eye contact with her until I saw recognition. "It's a damn shame that you didn't recognize your own child. I imagine that it would have to be tough though, after sixteen years. I came here today to tell you that I never needed you. I did everything without you. I learned to drive without you. I graduated high school at the top of my class, without you. I went on to college and through med school. I buried my father, without you. But you did call, didn't you? You called because you thought you were entitled to his estate. I fell in love and got married, then buried my husband. All of this while you lived your life, hell bent on forgetting about me. I used to try to be perfect for you. Maybe if I was, you would love me. I don't care about that anymore. I came here to tell you that, when someone asks me about my mother, I will tell them you're dead. To me you are. I would say it was good to see you Harriet, but that would be a lie and I won't do that." I threw the cash down for my check. "Keep the change." I told her as I locked arms with Diane and we all made our way to the door.

My heart felt lighter as we walked back toward the hotel. I feel like skipping. I don't because I would probably fall on my face, but I feel like I could.

"I'm so proud of you!" Cheryl begins, "we all are. You are an absolute bad ass, El." I smiled. I feel like every bit the bad ass she claims me to be. "I cant explain how good that felt. I feel free of her and that is the best feeling ever. Almost as good as my God-Man makes me feel." I practically sing the part about Ethan. We joke around and laugh the rest of the way to the hotel.

We walked out the back end of the lobby toward the beach, finding a table with an umbrella. We surround it and take our seats. A waitress comes to take our drink orders and I stick to mimosas. I learned the hard way about mixing my drinks in college. I'm not doing that again.

"Oh my gosh! I almost forgot! June, my mother-in-law, is coming tonight! I can't wait to see her. She's only staying a few days but still...super exciting." I said to the table, practically bouncing on my seat. "You have to bring her tomorrow. I'd love to meet her." Emery says. "Me too!" Everyone else says in a chorus, causing us to chuckle.

I'm not sure how many mimosas I've had when I hear my phone go off.

Big Guy: I'm here..I can't find you.

Me: Out back of the lobby sitting at a table.

My smile must give me away. "Uh oh. God-Man must be here." Sally teases. "He is!" I am once again vibrating with excitement. Across the table, I watched as Diane and Emery's eyes both widened. "What..." I began to ask. As I turn around, though, my words get caught in my throat. Ethan and Cal are walking toward us, wearing only swim trunks. Oh and they brought a few friends. I swallow hard. My mouth is watering but my throat is dry...explain that, because I can't figure it out.

I can't keep the smile from my face. "Hey big guy!" I say as he walks straight to me to peck my lips. "Hello my warrior princess. Did you slay it again today?" He asks, causing my cheeks to heat. "I have video!" Cheryl announces from beside me. "You do?" Ethan and I ask at the same time. "Well duh. I already missed you throwing' ol dude through a table. I will not miss it again." She says, causing everyone to laugh. I roll my eyes and shake my head at her. "It's not something that I make a habit of." I tell our new group. "I don't believe it. You've definitely done that before." Cal adds and I just shrug, "maybe once or twice.." I admit.

"Wanna play some volleyball ladies?" One of the new guys asks. I think Cal said his name was Frankie. "Wait, didn't you all just get done working out?" Cheryl asks. They all nod. "Then why on earth do you want to go exercise more?" She questions them. "Off-season workouts are nothing compared to the regular season. We're used to much worse," Cal explains. Diane, Sally, and Emery all decide they want to play. Apparently, the three of them have played together before.

After a long debate, the three newcomers, Frankie, Luke, and Tyson, will be playing against my girls. According to Diane, the boys would need each other to beat them. It's fun watching their banter. The six of them are competitive and witty. Absolutely hilarious.

Ethan brought over a lounge chair and umbrella for me. "Aren't you going to join me?" I asked him over my shades. "If I lay down there with you, we will give the entire beach a show. Or I could just carry you back to one of our rooms right now? Up to you." He kneels beside my lounge chair. "I'm not objecting to any of those offers." I smirk at him and wink.

Looking around, I realize Cheryl and Cal are already missing. I laugh. "Looks like Cheryl and Cal already took off." I announce. "Are you surprised?" Sally yells from across the court. "She was a woman on a mission." Emery adds as she spikes a ball into the sand on the boys side. I cheer! "Uh oh boys. Looks like you're going to have to up your game." Ethan hollers to the three men. They're currently complaining about how good the girls are.

Reaching up, I tugged on Ethan's shorts until he looked at me. "Please sit with me? I'm awful lonely." I tell him as I scoot to one side of the chair. "Alright, but I'm not responsible for my actions from here on out." He tells me as he takes the space next to me. "Come here baby. I don't want to crush you." He says as he hoists me up in front of him. I'm sitting between his legs with my back to his chest. I'm a happy woman. I sunk into him. "Thats better." I told him as I watched the game in front of us. He kisses the top of my head. "Yeah it is." He says, tightening his arms around me.

We watched the entire first match. My girls crushed the men. When the talks of a rematch begin, I interrupt to say our goodbyes. June will be here in a couple of hours and I want to spend some time alone with my God-Man.

Dragging Ethan away from the beach only lasts a few seconds before he picks me up bridal style and jogs the rest of the way. I can hear our friends hooting and hollering, but I don't care. His eyes hold promises that I cant wait for him to fulfill. I began kissing his neck. "I missed you today." I told him between neck kisses. I heard him groan. "I missed you too baby. All I could think about was having you back in my arms." "I have looked forward to it all day." I whispered in his ear. I feel his grip tighten as he picks up his speed. I giggle until he puts me down in front of my sliding door. He slides the door open and practically drags me through, but I don't mind. As soon as he slides the door shut, I jump on him. I have two hours to spend with him, but it'll never be enough.