Olivia (25 page)

“
So if you found out you were
pregnant tomorrow, facing your graduation and all of those
dreams... you’re telling me you wouldn’t have an abortion? You’d
raise a kid at seventeen? You think Jon would want to be saddled
with kids while he goes to Columbia so he can realize all of his
dreams?”

I think about our conversation this past week, when
he suggested applying for custody of his brothers. He may
have
to be saddled with his brothers
because of the irresponsible actions of his mother. It still
doesn’t seem fair, and I don’t like the idea of Jon being burdened
with anything while he’s going to school. “I don’t know that I’d
raise one, but I’d consider an adoption. I know there are a lot of
families out there who want children. My mom and dad were two such
parents once, remember?”

“
I remember. I was there. Can you
imagine the heyday the press would have over you being pregnant,
though? Can you imagine what your dad would do? I mean, pretend you
had to tell him that. He’d kill you.”

“
First of all, I don’t have to
imagine the press, we’ve already been through that.
Remember?”

“
Oh, the ring at the
funeral.”

“
Yeah. But anyway, Dad would not
kill me,” I correct her. I imagine breaking such news to him, and I
can envision the expression on his face, the sadness and
disappointment. I know I’d never want to have to give him that sort
of news. “Not only that, he’d probably help me get away from the
press. Maybe we’d go out of the country for awhile or
something.”

“
Oh, I forget, little rich girl has
money to make all of her problems go away. We’re not all that
lucky, Liv.”

“
What is with you,
Clara?”

“
This is just the lamest holiday
ever. I’m going to call Javi.”

I take advantage of the first moment of peace and
quiet I’ve had all day. With babies still fresh on my mind, I call
Jon, hoping for a distraction.

“
Happy Thanksgiving,” he says, his
smile obvious.

“
To you, too,” I respond, my teeth
gritted.

“
What’s wrong, Olivia?”

“
Everyone in my family is pregnant
and you and I are never sleeping together again,” I blurt quickly
and quietly. I know I’m overreacting, but I can’t get the image of
my dad’s disappointed expression out of my head, and I never ever
want to tell him such a thing.

“
Who’s pregnant?”

“
Kaydra and Lexi... and Clara’s not
careful, so who knows? Maybe she’s next, but she’d abort
it–”

“
Whoa,” he says, interrupting my
rant. “That’s crazy.”

“
I know.” I sigh as I tap my feet
in a quick rhythm on the old carpet.

“
Livvy, baby,” he says, and his
voice is sweet and caring. I get butterflies in my stomach, and
wrap one arm around my waist as if trying to contain them. “We
are
careful. Listen, out of all of your
family members who may or may not be pregnant, how many do you
think got that way using the pill
and
a
condom?”

I smile a little, seeing his logic. “None of
them.”

“
Probably not.”

“
Accidents can happen,
though–”

“
Which is why we use both. Plus, at
this rate, we’re never going to have time alone again,” he jokes
with me, but I can feel the sad realization setting in.
When will we?

“
Your mom’s apartment...” I suggest
meekly.

He’s silent for a few seconds. “I don’t want to go
back there until my brothers are home.”

“
I understand. How are they? Was
Max happy to see you?”

“
You have no idea,” he says as his
happiness quickly returns. “We drove by the schools they’ll be
attending while they’re here, and you wouldn’t believe these
campuses. The junior high is, like, this huge complex of new
buildings and a stadium and gymnasium and track. And the elementary
school has the most incredible playground,” he says. “That’s all
Max needed to see to get excited about going to school on Monday.
Plus, Aunt Patty has some neighbors who have a little girl his age,
and they came over for dessert, so he’ll know someone at
school.”

“
Is Will okay?”

“
Liv, I didn’t know it, but he was
being bullied at his school in the city. He told me about it last
night. He was so thankful to have a fresh start.

“
This is hard, and it will continue
to be hard without them close by, but I can’t help but think that
this is some sort of blessing,” he says. “I’m just so glad that
Patty was able to help with them, and with Mom. I just hope she
knows what she’s getting herself into,” he adds.

“
What do you mean?”

“
I just worry that Mom will quit,
or relapse, and Patty will have squandered all of her savings on a
lost cause. I could never forgive myself for letting that
happen.”

I bite my tongue, remembering the deal Dad had
struck with Jon’s aunt. I’m confident she’ll succeed in the
program. “Don’t call your mom that, Jon. She’s not.”

“
I hope you’re right. I’ve seen too
much, though.”

“
I know.”

“
So, when can I see you?” he
asks.

“
Will you come for dinner on
Wednesday?”

“
Is that the soonest?”

Clara comes back into my room. “Javi’s not
answering.” She doesn’t care that I’m on the phone.

“
Hey, can I call you later? Clara’s
here.”

“
So I hear,” he
comments.

“
Go make the best of your time
there,” I encourage him, “because I’m going to want an inordinate
amount of attention when you come back. I miss you.”

“
Gotcha,” he says. “I miss you,
too. And I love you.” I tell him the same, watching Clara roll her
eyes in response.

A couple weeks before Christmas, Dad, Abram and I
sit in a crowded café, discussing the show my agent wants to have
toward the end of the school year. He’s pushing once more to reveal
my identity, but my father and I both maintain that it’s not
necessary. My dad suggests he’s getting a little greedy, at which
point Abram drops the issue.

“
I need to do a little Christmas
shopping, Tessa,” Dad tells me.

“
And I need to see Jon,” I add,
impatient and ready for this meeting to be over. I had complained
to my dad for scheduling it on a Saturday when he knows that’s when
I spend time with Jon, but he’d been busy throughout the week, and
this was the first chance he had. He hated putting off business
meetings that had to do with my art. He said he never wanted to be
the cause of a delay in our progress. Once he told me that, I
quickly forgave him because I knew he was being sincere.

“
Liv, you’ll see him tonight. I
need you and Abram to go look at the spaces, okay?”

“
All right,” I agree. Dad kisses
the top of my head on his way out. I turn to Abram, looking at him
expectantly. “Well? You’re going to know about this a lot more than
I am.”

“
Yes, but you’re the artist with
the vision. We have to make sure it all meshes well.”

“
Let’s go, then.” He holds the door
open for me.

“
Nice jeans,” I tell him as I walk
by. “Really, you look so much younger... so much
cooler.”

“
Not hotter?” he asks, and I
internally laugh at the way he says it.

“
Okay, hot-tuh,” I tease
him.

I can feel his eyes on me as he thanks me for the
compliment.

“
Listen,” he starts as we walk
toward the first vacant building. “The last piece in your portfolio
is remarkable,” he says. “The one called
The
Better Option
. What was your inspiration, if I may
inquire?”

“
You may,” I say. “But first tell
me why you want to know.”

“
I’m just curious.”

“
No, that’s a lame excuse. If I’m
going to open up to you, you have to do the same for
me.”

A faint smile forms on his lips, and he nods,
accepting my challenge. “Because–and your title supports this–it
seems to me you are faced with a decision,” he says. “As if two
opposites were vying for your attention, and you didn’t know which
one to bestow your affections upon.”

“
You think it’s about guys?” I ask
him.

“
It could be,” he suggests. “But I
suppose it could be a choice between any two things... it’s
not
about guys?”

I think about the piece he’d mentioned. It was a
concept I’d derived last year, when I was struggling between my
unrealistic obsession with Granna’s son, Nate, and the growing
frustration I was feeling with my father. At the time, it was too
difficult for me to finish, because I was too entrenched in the
emotions to create, but after weeks of mending the relationship I’d
broken with my father, I was finally able to complete the work,
still bringing in a considerable amount of emotion but managing to
keep a safe distance. I loved my father more than anyone in this
world, and I’d never go back to that place that doubted his care
for me.

“
No, it is about guys,” I admit
with a smug smile, knowing that’s not exactly what he was implying.
“You really are good.”

“
Miss Holland,” Abram says, “rest
assured that whatever man you choose will be a very lucky
man.”

I think only of Jon. “Yes, he will.”

“
I would love to own that piece,”
he adds. “I normally don’t make a habit of buying my client’s art,
but I’d like to talk to your father about a fair price.”

I hold his arm back to stop him from proceeding.
“You really like it that much?” I ask him.

His eyes search mine for a few seconds, making me a
little uncomfortable. He puts his hand on my shoulder and nods his
head. “I like it very much, Miss Holland. Yes.”

“
You know, the piece means a lot to
me. It’s something I know I can’t hold on to, but it’s something I
wouldn’t mind seeing again from time to time. You can have it,
Abram.”

“
Livvy,” he says, and I think it’s
the first time he’s called me that.
Finally, he’s
breaking down his walls.
“I couldn’t.”

“
I insist. You’ll be doing me a
favor.”

“
But your father–”

“
Abram, shut up!” I laugh at him.
“I am in charge of this, ultimately. And honestly, I don’t think I
want to make money on this one. It feels a little like exploitation
to me anyway. Seriously, please keep it for me.”

“
If you truly mean it–”

“
I do.”

He smiles larger than I’ve ever seen him smile. He’s
not one to typically show a lot of emotion, but I can tell this
means a lot to him. He hugs me quickly, then kisses me on the cheek
before whispering a quick thank you in my ear.

I pull away and laugh, diverting my attention to the
street and beginning to walk toward the shop we’re supposed to
visit. He catches up with me, resuming regular conversation about
stuff that means nothing to either of us. It’s small talk, and its
familiarity feels comfortable.

After we visit all three of the spaces my dad was
interested in buying and converting into my own gallery, I return
home. Dad still isn’t here, and a note on the kitchen counter says
that Mom and Trey have gone shopping, too. Thankful I’d finished my
shopping early, I decide to go downstairs and get ready for my
date.

Matty is in the media room watching a movie.

“
Where were you?” he
asks.

“
I had a meeting with Abram and
Dad,” I tell him, sitting down on the couch next to him.

“
Abram, huh?” he asks.

“
Yeah.”

“
Tell me about Abram.”

I shrug my shoulders and try to explain my quirky
agent to my uncle. “He’s a little awkward and a little socially...
odd... but when he has to do his job, he’s just really good at it.
He can schmooze well, I guess.”

“
Single?”

I look curiously at Matty. “Yeah...” I say,
lingering on the word.

“
Who would he be more interested
in?” he asks. “Me or you?”

“
I don’t know,” I laugh. “You, I
think, but I’m not sure.”

“
Yeah, he kind of threw me the
other day, too.”

“
Did you see him?”

“
Jacks needed me to pick up a check
for that painting he sold. He’s very attractive.”

“
He’s too young for you,” I tell
him.

“
Mid-twenties?”

“
Yeah, he’s
twenty-five.”

“
You think that’s too young for
me?” he laughs.

“
That’s, like, twenty years
younger! You could be his dad!”

“
How?” he asks. “How does that
work, Little Liv? Last time I checked, two men couldn’t make a
baby.”

“
You know what I mean.”

“
Honey,” he says. “Twenty-five is
fine with me. And trust me, there are plenty of guys his age who
are looking for older, more settled men.”

“
More settled as in you’re living
in your brother’s basement?” I tease him.