Page 29 of When People Leave

Greg seemed to lean in a little closer and lightly touched her arm while she told a story about her ‘caretaking.’ and how one of her patients kept forgetting the days of the week. So, I left out that this is my two-year-old. Greg doesn’t need every detail.

After an hour, a text popped up from Morgan asking if Abby was okay. Abby told Greg that her sisters were waiting for her and that she should go.

“I’m sorry you have to go, Kelsey; I’ve enjoyed talking to you,” he said.

Abby picked up her purse and stood up. Greg stood up also.

“I have a business dinner to go to, but would you be up to meeting back here when I’m done?” he asked.

Abby felt herself flush. “Sure,” she said before she had time to think about the fact that she had just accepted a date.

“Great. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.” He asked for her phone number and said he’d text her when he finished his meeting.

Abby nodded. As she headed to the elevators, she felt lighter and bouncier.

She turned to look at Greg to make sure she hadn’t been dreaming.

When the elevator closed, and she was alone inside, she caught her reflection in the doors.

She noticed how peachy her skin looked, and her eyes sparkled as if her face enjoyed flirting with someone new as much as her mind did.

That was fun! I haven’t felt like this since…

Hmm, it’s been so long I can’t even remember.

Her heart felt like it was beating to the rhythm of her favorite dance song.

He’s so cute, and he gets me. What if he’s the guy I was supposed to spend my life with, and I’m only meeting him now in a bar far from home?

Abby ran her right hand along her naked ring finger on her left hand while continuing to fantasize about Greg, I’m so glad Kelsey isn’t married .

In a daze, Abby exited the elevator and walked down the hall to her room. Before she went in, she put her wedding ring back on. Morgan and Charlie looked up as soon as Abby opened the door.

“You’ve been gone a long time. We were beginning to worry about you,” Morgan said.

“I’m fine. I just had a drink at the bar…by myself.” Abby didn’t want to look at them, fearing that her expression would give something away.

Her phone began ringing. Even before seeing the caller ID, she knew it was Alex. They spoke every day while the kids were napping.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, going into the bathroom and closing the door.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey,” Alex said. “I wanted to check on my gorgeous wife. I miss you.”

Abby smiled. “I miss you, too.”

“How is everything?”

“About the same, nothing new.” At least, nothing I want to tell you about , she thought, then added, “I feel bad for saying this, but I can’t come home yet. We need to look into a few more things when we get back to Los Angeles.”

“Take all the time you need.”

“Thank you!” And I hope you don’t mind if I start dating again. Abby continued, “I appreciate it.”

“I know you do. I don’t mind holding down the fort for a while.”

Emma began to cry, so they had to hang up. Abby looked at Greg’s phone number in her contacts.

If Alex never knows, what harm would it do to see Greg tonight? I’ll be back home in no time, and it’ll all be forgotten. Abby took another shower and put on more makeup.

When the sisters entered the pizza parlor that evening, it was packed and lively. Families, groups of women drinking and chatting, and two men who looked madly in love enjoyed their dinner.

Dylan pointed out the only empty table. Unfortunately, it was close to the front door.

The women sat down but kept their jackets on.

The temperature outside had dropped to sixteen degrees.

Whenever a customer opened the door, the frosty air hit Abby like she had gotten trapped inside the walk-in freezer at a meat processing plant.

Dylan had finally washed his hair and left the beanie at home.

This time, instead of pot, he smelled of Calvin Klein Obsession.

Abby recognized the scent, as she had bought it for Alex as an anniversary gift.

The pimple on Dylan’s nose was barely visible under the concealer he must have used to cover it up.

Abby wondered if he had a date after work, too.

“Dylan, is Antonio here?” Morgan asked when he brought food to the table next to them. “We wanted to say goodbye before we went back home tomorrow.”

“He’ll be back soon. He had to run to the market because we ran out of milk. Lots of kids here tonight.” Dylan went into the kitchen.

An older man leaning on a walker made his way slowly over to their table. The top of his head was completely bald, but little tufts of white hair surrounded the lower part of his scalp. He wore wireframe glasses and had on a sweater vest and khakis. He looked as if he belonged at a nursing home.

“Are you Carla’s daughters?” the man asked.

Abby brightened. “Yes,” Abby said. “How did you know?”

“Antonio described you all; I’m his father, Antonio Sr.”

The women introduced themselves by name and shook his hand.

“This used to be my restaurant until I had my knee replaced, and I couldn’t stand for long periods anymore,” he said, then patted his knee as if to prove what he’d told them. “I do miss running this place, though.”

“When did you open it?’ Abby asked.

“Over forty years ago. My first restaurant was in New Jersey, but my wife and I moved to Brooklyn when Antonio was in elementary school.”

Antonio Sr. pushed his walker against the wall a few feet away, then put his hands on their table to steady himself. Even though he was old, his muscles were taut against his shirt. He leaned in toward them.

“Did Carla really die?” he asked in almost a whisper.

What a strange question , Abby thought. Then a shiver ran through her. “Um, yes…” she said.

“You wouldn’t lie about that, would you?” he asked.

“No…” Charlie said. “Why would we lie?”

“My son said your dad passed away, too. That’s too bad,” Antonio Sr. said. Abby noticed he didn’t seem sorry.

“He died a long time ago,” Morgan said.

Antonio Sr. got in Abby’s face. “You must be her youngest. You look exactly like Carla.” His voice had a deep, menacing quality.

“Uh huh,” Abby said, her hands rubbing her legs and a sheen of sweat appearing on her forehead.

“Your mother’s lucky she’s not here,” Antonio Sr. said so quietly that Abby wasn’t sure she heard him right.

“What did you say?” Abby asked, trying to keep her voice from quivering. The man was old and had a bum knee, but Abby was still worried that he was going to grab one of them.

Antonio Jr. walked into the restaurant carrying two grocery bags. He saw the women and immediately walked over. Antonio Sr. stood up, reaching for his walker.

“You guys are back,” Antonio Jr. said to the women, then looked at his father. “Dad, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“I was just leaving; your mother needs me home. Goodbye, ladies, come back anytime,” Antonio Sr. said in a voice suddenly as cheery as SpongeBob’s. “It’s been nice talking to you.”

“Bye, Dad, see you tomorrow,” Antonio Jr waved.

Abby looked at Morgan and Charlie, sure they were all thinking the same thing. It was clear that Antonio Jr. was utterly unaware of what had just happened.

“I’d love for you three to try a new pizza I’m thinking of putting on the menu,” Antonio Jr. said.

“Thank you, but we were about to leave,” Morgan said, and all three women stood up so quickly the table shook. “We just wanted to say goodbye to you before we fly home.”

“Thank you for talking to us yesterday,” Charlie said.

“It was great hearing what our mother was like when you knew her,” Abby said.

“My pleasure. Our conversation brought back wonderful memories. If any of you are in Brooklyn again, please come by,” Antonio Jr. said.

Abby nodded but knew none of them would ever step foot into that restaurant again.