Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [104]
“I mean, how’s it going in regard to figuring out what you want to be when you grow up,” continued Marcus as he set a sparkling glass in the drain rack.
“Oh.” I brought my thoughts back to reality and considered this. “Well, I’ve been thinking about it and trying to be really honest with myself. I’ve never told anyone this before, but I think I’d like to run some sort of shop.”
“A shop?” His brows raised with interest. “Hmm. I hadn’t really pictured you as a businesswoman.”
I shook my head. “No, neither had I particularly. But this would be a shop where I could express my creativity.”
“A creative shop?”
I smiled. “I imagine it as kind of a gift and decorating shop. It would have antiques along with decorating accents, maybe even flowers. Does that sound crazy?”
“No, not at all.”
“I’ve been in shops like that in other towns. But we don’t have anything quite like that in Stafford.”
“There’s the Decorating Den, but it doesn’t have antiques.”
“And I know we have a number of antique and secondhand stores, but they don’t really do much with them. I mean, to show off the antiques and how they could be used to beautify a home.”
“And you definitely have a knack for that.” He turned and nodded to the apartment. “You’ve made this place into something special.”
“Thanks.” I leaned my elbows on the counter and continued to watch him. “It’s funny though. I mean, I always wanted to decorate my home in a unique way, but I never really got the chance…before…”
He frowned as he scrubbed a plate. “Why not?”
“My husband.” I paused. “I guess I’ll have to start calling him my ex-husband before long. It sounds strange though.”
“Your husband wouldn’t let you decorate your home?”
I explained about Geoffrey’s grandparents giving us a home and furnishings and how the die had been cast after that. “Geoffrey has very strong tastes. He likes what he likes, and since he was the one who brought home the paycheck, well, it didn’t seem right for me to argue with him.”
“Wow.” Marcus shook his head. “You were quite the little woman.”
“I know…it’s pathetic, isn’t it? Sometimes I felt as if I’d gone back in time, as if I were stuck in a fifties family sitcom like Ozzie and Harriet or Father Knows Best I even wore sweater sets and pearls.”
He laughed. “That doesn’t sound like you.”
“I suppose not, since most of the time now I wear sweats and jeans. But that’s probably more a sign of depression than personal expression. Or maybe I’m just rebelling.”
He picked up a dirty saucepan. “Don’t worry, Glennis. I’m sure it’s all part of your journey to find yourself.”
“Find myself,” I echoed. “Do you think it’s even possible?”
“I know it is.”
When the dishes were done and the kitchen was sparkling, I offered to make us a pot of coffee. “Unless you need to go,” I said.
“Do you think I could have another piece of pumpkin pie with it?”
“Of course.”
And so we sat down in the living room with our pie and coffee and continued to talk. And to my amazement, I found myself relaxing even more. I was laughing and feeling as if someone had miraculously turned back the clock, and I was suddenly a carefree college girl again. And then someone knocked on the door, and, presto chango, the magical moment came to an end.
“Who can that be at this hour?” I set down my coffee cup and stared at the door. Already my chest was tightening, and, as usual, I feared something was wrong. Could it be the police? Had something happened to Jacob?
“Want me to get it?” offered Marcus.
“No, that’s all right.” I stood up and headed for the door. Bracing myself for bad news, I opened it, and there stood Jacob.
“Hey, Mom,” he said