Chapter 25 - Life

Cam arrived at the bar just after eight p.m, striding inside confidently, several heads turning her way. She paid no attention though and continued her sweep of the room, looking for her friend.

Lucy was already there, sitting in a booth with a glass of white wine in front of her and a cold bottle of beer waiting.

She waved over at Cam.

“You cut your hair? Suits you,” she said, standing to greet her English counterpart.

“Yeah, fancied a change. I did it when I was here last but then I had to dash off, so you never got to see it.” Cam ran a hand through her short hair and ruffled it, still getting used to it. Pulling off her leather jacket, she slid in opposite Lucy and picked up the bottle. “Thanks.” She took a long swig and then slowly placed the bottle down in front of her without taking her eyes off of it. “How are the kids?”

“They all seem good at the moment. Storm is in the school play; I am sure she told Michelle already.” Lucy laughed. “Summer is a boy apparently, Rain is still Rain, and Wynter is growing too fast.”

“Wow, things change quickly around here.” Cam smiled. “And Nicole?”

“She is doing great. The therapy sessions are really helping.”

“I’m glad,” Cam said, lips pressed together. “And you’re working now?”

“I am. Just a few music lessons here and there, and some handyman work, I guess you could call it. It’s fun.”

Lucy waited as Cam sipped her drink, and waited a little bit longer for Cam to place the bottle back on the table, but when Cam didn’t speak, she continued.

“So.” Reaching for her own drink, she twiddled the stem between her fingers. “Do you want to talk about it, or keep talking about anything but?”

Cam rubbed a hand over her face. “Michelle ran away.” She put her other hand around the bottle and started to pick at the label. “It appears she has been suffering with antenatal depression, and now it’s moved into postnatal, and none of us spotted it.”

“Why would you?” Lucy asked casually, taking a sip of her drink. “I wasn’t aware you had a medical degree?”

Cam picked up her bottle and swigged from it. “Yeah, I know, but still…”

“Beating yourself up about it won’t make it any better. Is she seeking proper medical advice?” Lucy smiled.

Nodding, Cam said, “Yes. Took her to see a doc around here.”

“And?”

“And she gave her some pills and told her to come back in a couple of weeks.” Cam leaned forward and put the bottle on the table. “But what do I do in the meantime?”

“With the kids?” Lucy clarified.

“Yeah. Do I leave them where they are, take Michelle home, or go get them? I dunno what to do.” She sat back in the chair and sighed.

Lucy sat silently for a moment. She sipped her drink and then delicately placed it back down on the table. “Have you asked Michelle?”

“What?”

“Have you asked Michelle what she needs you to do? Or are you just going to decide for her? Because it seems to me that maybe it’s a conversation you should be having with her, not me.”

Cam winced at the truth behind those words.

“I just don’t want to pile more pressure on her…”

“When you were recuperating after Jessica, how did you feel when everyone ran around trying to fix things for you?” Lucy asked gently, reminding Cam of that time in her life when she felt helpless.

“That was different.”

Lucy didn’t speak, she just stared across the table at her.

“It’s not different, is it?” She ran a hand through her hair again. “God, you’re right. I’ll speak to her in the morning.”