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Grabbing the mop, I give him a stiff faux salute. "I'll be fine. Run along now."
He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and then heads out. I grab everything and pull it to the front door, locking it tight. Then I remember Delta's mail. I go back inside and grab it. It looks like a few letters and a bunch of direct mail ads for getting your AC repaired or a local pizza delivered. I shift the pile and a large manila envelope falls out. Curious, I put the letters aside and examine the envelope.
I gulp when I see that it's from the Internal Revenue Service and it's stamped 'IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS INSIDE’.
God, what could this be? I feel like there's almost no answer that's good.
My heart beats as I flip the envelope over, toying with the sealed flap. Should I open it? Aunt Delta would have a fit if I do. But then I would be in the loop with whatever the IRS is telling her.
My fingers hover over the seal. I feel like I have the devil on one shoulder, egging me on. And on the other shoulder is just a rather untalkative angel.
At the last moment, I roll the manila envelope up and stuff it in my pocket. Then I head outside again, head bowed as I fidget with the keys.
"Pearl?" comes the soft voice from behind me.
Nearly jumping out of my skin, I whirl and flatten myself against the door. Sarah Taylor is standing on the path, her arms wrapped around herself. She gives me a plaintive look. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I... I just wanted to talk. I hope that it's okay that I came here."
I feel sweat breaking out over my brow. "You came to talk to me?" I ask.
Sarah nods, clasping her hands in front of her body. "If you don't mind."
Pushing my hair back, I brush off my stretchy black leggings. Her presence here is making me anxious. After all, I've seen the luxury she lives in. I don't for a second believe she's not judging me, even if she is soft-spoken and kind.
"Why don't we sit over there at the picnic tables?"
Her smile is instant. "That would be great. I'm not going to take up too much of your time. Honestly. I just want to chat for a minute."
I force a smile to my lips and head over to the picnic tables. But my mind is going a million miles an hour.
What does River's mom want to talk to me about? I can't fathom why she thinks it would be a good idea.
When I reach the old wrought iron table, I take a seat. Sarah does too, after she brushes a spot clean. Then she looks at me.
"You know, Pearl, you're pretty special. River has never brought another woman home to introduce to the family."
My stomach sinks just a bit. "Mrs. Bennett..." I'm not sure what River has told them. Does Sarah even know that our whole relationship was fake?
"I know that River isn't the easiest man to love." She smiles sadly. "Sometimes, a tragic event that happens to a young person shapes them so much that they begin to grow around it, rather than actually healing. I don't know how much River has told you about his father..."
I sit up, interested. "Nothing at all."
She nods. "I thought so. He was pretty young when his father passed away. To my knowledge, he doesn't remember much. But when I met Sam and decided to blend our families... I think River felt a bit lost in the shuffle. He's been secretive since then, especially about his dating life."
"That tracks." I trace my finger across the whorl of wrought iron on the table in front of me. "I'm not sure what it has to do with me, though."
"I watched you two together. He has never seemed very happy or open at family gatherings. But when he was with you, he was... I don't quite know. Happier? More vibrant?"
Sarah shakes her head to herself.
"I'm not making much sense, but I guess what I'm asking is... is there any way that you two can forgive each other? He won't explain anything except for some kind of property dispute between you two."
I want to yell that River is a no good con-man, but of course that isn’t Sarah’s fault. He’s a big boy who makes him own terrible decisions.
How much should I tell Sarah? When she finds out that I'm pregnant in a few months, she will probably put two and two together. Is it worth hiding the pregnancy from her?
How about the fact that my engagement wasn't ever real?
I push out a long breath. River and I spent so much time lying to this woman. It's time for some honesty.
