Gerri Hill - Pelican's Landing

Annie shook her head. “Not yet. We had my parents out to the house for dinner,” she said. “I thought maybe…well, they didn’t know where I was living, who I was living with. I thought having them out, having them see me, might bring them around.” She shook her head. “My mother can’t seem to get past the fact that I’m pregnant and unmarried.”

“They know Matt is the father?”

“Yes.”

“And now that he’s gone, that probably makes it worse for them. There’s no chance of a marriage now.”

Annie took a bite of her sandwich, debating whether she should tell Loraine the truth about her and Matt. She decided she didn’t want her to think that they had been on the brink of marriage.

“Matt and I…well, I liked him fine. We had known each other forever, of course. But we were just together the one night,” she said. “We weren’t actually dating. I’m sorry if that shocks you. Or disappoints you.”

“Matt was always very open about who he was dating. Quite unlike Jordan,” Loraine said. “Now that I think about it, he only mentioned you in the context of the store. He always spoke so highly of you. Whatever happened between you two for that one night, it’s none of my business. You were both adults.”

“Thank you. I wish my mother would be as understanding.”

“When the time comes, I can’t imagine that she won’t be excited to hold her baby grandchild in her arms. I know I can’t wait,” she said as she patted Annie’s hand.

Annie felt near tears, and she wondered what it was about the Sims women that did that to her. “Thank you,” she said again. “It means so much to me that you’re as supportive as you’ve been. If not for you and Jordan, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“Jordan has always been the responsible one,” Loraine said. “I guess you know that by now. She and Matt were so different growing up. She was always mature for her age and we trusted her to make her own decisions. Matt…well, he was carefree and loved to have fun. We were terrified of having him run the store at first. Jordan would have made a much better manager. The financial numbers the last couple of months prove that,” she said.

“Yes, she runs a much tighter ship than Matt did,” Annie said.

Loraine sighed. “I’m not sure where we went wrong with her.”

Annie frowned. Was she insinuating that they’d failed in some way because Jordan was gay?

“What do you mean?”

“We were a close family. Always were. For some reason, she never felt comfortable telling us she was gay. I don’t know if she inferred from our actions that we wouldn’t accept her or not…but she withdrew from us and we had no idea why.”

“You never guessed she was gay?”

“No, never. And when we found out—quite by accident—it was almost too late to salvage our relationship.” Loraine smiled. “Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. She’s still so very private about her life though. I don’t know if she has someone in Chicago or not. I would like to think that she’s found someone to love, someone to love her.” Loraine shrugged. “My subtle questions to her are always left unanswered. Like I said, she’s very private.”

Annie decided it wasn’t her place to tell Loraine the little that she did know. She did, however, think Loraine should know why Jordan withdrew from them.

“She thought you would hate her.”

“Hate her?”

“That’s why she withdrew from you. That’s why she went away to college. And when you found out she was gay, she said you cried. That convinced her that you did hate her. That’s why she stayed away, that’s why she’s in Chicago.”

Loraine leaned her head back. “Oh, my goodness. Yes, I cried. We surprised her at her apartment. There was…there was another girl there with her.” Loraine waved her hand. “Well, I won’t go into details, but you can imagine,” she said. “Anyway, yes, I handled it poorly and yes, I did cry. I don’t think I was crying because she was gay. I think I was crying because she seemed so lost to us.”

“I’m guessing you never talked about it.”

“No. Jordan wasn’t much for talking. We talked around it,” she said. “I tried to include her in everything. I invited her home for each and every holiday. It was rare that she came. And when I suggested that we visit her up there, she was never receptive to it.”

“She and Matt were close growing up?”

“Yes. Matt adored her. It didn’t faze him in the least that she was gay.” Loraine folded up the rest of her sandwich. “After his accident, we weren’t sure what to expect from Jordan. When she offered to come stay here, offered to take care of things, it was such a relief. And having her here this summer has made us realize how much we’ve missed her.” Loraine turned to her. “We love having her here. It’s going to be so hard once she leaves again, but I know she’s got her life now in Chicago.”

Annie nodded. Yes, it was going to be very hard. So hard, she didn’t dare even think about it.

“You know, you’re starting to show more. That maternity blouse looks pretty on you.”

Annie smiled, wondering if the change in subject was intentional or not. “Thank you. I finally went shopping for new clothes. These shorts are so much more comfortable than my old ones,” she said. “I was having to unbutton them, they were getting so tight.”

“You should have let me take you,” Loraine said. “You shouldn’t have to bear the financial brunt of this, Annie.”

“I’m okay. This is my problem, not yours. You’re not responsible for this.”

“Nonsense. As Jordan said, it took two. My son is responsible for this. And if Matt were still here, it would be his problem and he’d be expected to help you.” She patted Annie’s hand. “I shouldn’t say problem. It’s a blessing, really. And we want to help,” she said. “Your expenses will add up before you know it.”

“I’m living with Jordan and not paying rent,” she said. “I’m working full time this summer. I’ve been able to save. So I’m doing okay.”

“Well, even if you are okay, you still won’t have to face the financial burden all by yourself. We’re going to help.”

Loraine reached in her purse and pulled out some folded bills. Annie saw the top bill was a hundred and she shook her head.

“Loraine, I can’t accept that.”

“Annie, it’s not much. A few hundred dollars. Just something to help with your new clothes or whatever.” She smiled. “Please take it. That’s my grandchild you’re carrying.”

Annie gave in, taking the money from her. Loraine squeezed her hand. “We want to help you in any way we can. Jordan has already told us that once you go back to part-time, we’re still going to carry you on the insurance at the store.”

“Really? Jordan never said anything to me.”

“Yes. She told us that weeks ago. And it’s as it should be. We need to help in whatever way we can. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for anything, because honestly, Annie, I’m so, so happy about this baby. I think it’s a wonderful thing.” She smiled. “You probably didn’t think so at first and I know you’re most likely scared…being alone and having a baby. But just know that we’ll be there for you and we will help you with anything you need. You can count on us.”

Annie felt tears in her eyes and she tried to swallow them down. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say…but thank you.”

A tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away. Damn hormones.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jordan stood at the window, staring out at the high-rise office building across from hers. It was a view she’d admired for years. Well, maybe not admired. She’d rarely taken the time. Her corner office, though, was coveted by the others on her staff. She half expected Antonio to have staked a claim to it in her absence. Actually, it looked undisturbed, and she wondered if anyone had even set foot in there since she’d been gone.