The Last Thing She Wants (Chestnut Hills #1)

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theo

The lush grass cushioned my steps through the Chestnut Hills cemetery. With a six-pack of hard ciders from the brewery in tow, I stood staring at my father’s headstone. Loving husband and father.

A moment later, I found myself sat in a lazy position. Cracking open a cider, I lifted my head to the sky. Heat from the summer sun warmed me to the bone while a light breeze sent chills down my spine.

“Cheers, dad,” I raised my open can to the sky. Titling my head back, I took a swig. Sitting in silence, I soaked in the vibrant environment that surrounded me. The green grass was bright, like a child had just drawn it with a fresh crayon. Hills of headstones carried on as the gray tinted sky hung above, littered with clouds. Rays shined through in defined slices of gold.

“Mom and Thalia are doing well. Don’t tell mom, but Thalia’s pregnant,” I laughed, taking another sip. “We had a family movie night a few weeks ago. It was a heartfelt comedy about a couple moving from the big apple to a fixer upper farm in a small town. It was so cheesy—you would have loved it.

“I went to a small concert over the weekend. Some country artist, Taylor Black. He wasn’t around during your time, but he’s pretty good. Sings a lot about love and life. Some of his best songs are even about pain…” I paused, recalling the ache one of his songs had caused me, bringing me back to when I first lost my dad.

Blinking tears back, I leaned on my hands and looked up to the sky, reveling in the comfort the warmth brought me. “I have some news of my own, by the way. I met someone. You’d love her, dad. She’s witty as hell, smart as a whip, and fucking beautiful. I’m going to marry her someday; I just know it…I wish you could meet her.”

The thought of Ellie never getting to meet my dad pushed the tears past the brim of my lids this time. Quickly, I wiped at the moisture trailing down my cheek.

“Really, I have you to thank. I think a lot about you and mom; how you used to hold her, hit on her in front of us—still gross, by the way. You two seemed so perfect together, and recently I’ve been reminded of some advice you gave me. It seems it’s been working out pretty well for me. So, thank you.

“Love you, dad.”

Crushing my empty can of cider, I laid on my back. Orange filled my vision as I closed my eyes under the bright sun. An unknown amount of time passed before I heard footsteps approach.

“Get up, you heathen. You’re desecrating dad’s resting spot,” my sister’s voice rang from behind me.

Sitting up at the intrusion, I watched as she took a seat next to me. “Fancy seeing you here.” I said, offering her a cider.

“I had a check-up a few minutes from here. Figured I’d stop by.” She swatted at my extended hand, holding the can of alcohol.“You know I can’t have that. ”

“I thought you could have like a glass of wine a day or something when you’re preg-”

“Shhh, don’t spoil the surprise. He doesn’t know yet.” Covertly, she nodded to the headstone, and I sealed my lips, miming locking them and throwing away the key. I thought it best not to mention I had already let the secret slip. “How’re you doing?” she asked, now sincerely.

“I should be asking you that.” I raised my eyebrows at her. She rolled her eyes, and I sighed. “I’m good…I’ve actually started seeing someone.”

Grabbing my shoulder closest to her, she vigorously shook me. “Shut up! Is it Ellie? Tell me it’s Ellie.” I laughed in confirmation, and that was all she needed. “Yes! Family movie night this Friday.”

She started typing rapidly on her phone, her fingers moving swiftly and skillfully across the screen. Trying to stop her, I reached out, but my phone dinged before I could slap her phone away. Tapping the notification, I opened the family group chat.

Thalia

Family movie night this Friday! Theo’s bringing his new girlfriend.

Mom

Oh my goodness, Theo! You have a new girlfriend? Why didn’t you tell me?

Thalia

You didn’t tell mom?! Tsk tsk.

Marc

Leave the man alone

Theo

Thanks Marc. I’ll have to check with her if she can make it.

Mom

Theo Edwin Emerson, your poor momma’s heart will give out if you don’t come and bring your new girlfriend.

Thalia snorted and snapped a quick picture of me. Cider in one hand, phone in the other. Dad’s headstone sat in the corner. It was like a cruel punchline to the joke.

Waiting for the family chat to continue, I texted Ellie asking her to join me for family night. I had to, right? With my mother’s heart health at risk and all.

Thalia

Not the best joke right now, mom.

She followed up the text with the picture.

Marc

Dark babe, dark.

Theo

We’ll be there.

Mom

Yay! I’ll make a cheeseboard.

“Look what you did,” I accusatively said to Tahlia, “she’s making a cheeseboard. Please make sure she doesn’t go spending another fifty dollars on that awful hazy blue cheese thing.”

“Hey, I liked it,” she defended mom’s choice of cheese, even though we both knew it was disgusting.

Standing to leave, I left the remaining ciders behind for her to take home to Marc. Returning to the mostly empty parking lot, I wove through the headstones. Thalia called after me, “see you Friday!”

With a flip of my middle finger, I climbed into my car and drove away.