Free Happy New Life by Tonya Kappes Page B

Jenna about the kiss. “Are you planning on going over any of the benefit
information over the weekend?”
    “I think we should, because we only have a few more weeks to pull this
off.” Jenna pulled out her Blackberry and thumbed through it. “What looks good
to you?”
    “Probably Sunday night would be good.” Liz pretended to thumb through
hers. “I’m dropping Hayes off in Cincinnati for my nephew’s birthday and he
won’t be back until Sunday afternoon. What do you have going on?”
    “Nothing; just the general running around.” Jenna sat her coffee down,
folded her arms and looked Liz square in the eyes. “You don’t seem like
yourself today.”
    “No? I just have a ton of new clients, that’s all. I’m trying to get
all of them taken care of so I can spend the first week of winter break with
Hayes and the second week focused on the benefit.” She pretended to search her
purse so she didn’t make eye contact with Jenna.
    She wasn’t good at hiding her feelings, and she certainly didn’t want
to lie to Jenna. She pulled out her lotion and offered some to Jenna before she
put some on.
    Jenna shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
    “Hayes is going to spend the last week of winter break with his dad, so
the first week I want to take off to be with him. The second week, I’m sure we
will be busy running around tying up last minute loose ends for the benefit.”
    Her stomach turned thinking about Hayes being gone for a week. It will
be the longest amount of time she’s ever been away from him.
    “Most of my client’s want to meet with me before the New Year, so I’m
trying really hard to squeeze them all in.”
    Liz was getting some great donations from friends back in Cincinnati.
She was delighted most of them had responded to her emails begging for
donations.
    “Let me know if you need something or just want some company while he’s
gone.” She reached over and gave Liz a hug. “I am sure that you will immerse
yourself in work. . .or that dog of yours.”
    “You can thank yourself for that dog of mine. You got him for us, so
technically we should have shared custody.” Liz cherished her friendship with
Jenna. If not talking about the Cole situation helped to maintain their
friendship, she wouldn’t even bring it up.
    As a matter of fact, she didn’t see or hear from Cole the rest of the
week.

 
     
    NINE
     
    “You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to
you, as you are to them.”
    ~Desmond Tutu
     
    Liz felt more like a grownup than ever on her way back to Cincinnati.
She’d done it. She’d moved away and made a successful life for her and Hayes.
    Her parents and sister were running around doing last minute decorating
for the party in anticipation for all the boys coming over to celebrate with
Mike.
    “He looks like he’s enjoying himself.” Her mom patted her on the back,
“Maybe you shouldn’t have moved.”
    That was Liz’s cue to leave. She was tired of defending herself. She
was an adult and didn’t have to explain her motives.
    “If you think he looks happy now, you should see him with all his new
friends. I can barely keep him home.” Liz checked her watch.
    She needed to go. After all, Tramp was home alone.
    “I miss seeing my grandson.” Her mom gave a half smile. “I like seeing
you two happy.”
    She wasn’t going to get into an argument with her mom. Before the move,
her mom called or came by every day begging her to stay and not move.
    “Mom, I love you. I am not going to talk about this anymore.” Liz
hugged her mom.
    “Please stay the night.” Her mom begged.
    “I wish I could, but Tramp is at home and I can’t leave him alone.”
They embraced with their hands and their eyes. “I love you. I will see you
tomorrow.”
    “I already have a luncheon with the girls from the club, but I can
cancel.” Her mom went to the country club with her friends every Sunday for a
round of golf, and afternoon tea.
    “No. I will see you at