Wildflower Read Free

caused his bedroom walls to vibrate.  He wasn’t asleep but had been resting with his partner, hoping for the last hour of relaxation before starting his shift at the restaurant.
    “Are you okay?”
    Iris continued pacing the floor, only looking at Camden long enough to nod.
    “You’re going to wear a path in the carpet with all of that pacing. What’s up?”
    “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
    “It’s something. Your nose is flaring, flames are shooting out of your ears,” he said with a slight chuckle.
    She just shook her head.  Camden looked at her for a moment, waiting to see if she’d say anything. But she didn’t.
    “Okay. Whatever it was, I’m sure I’ll hear about it later,” he said.
    “Peter. That’s what’s up.”
    Camden sat on the sofa and motioned for Iris to sit beside him.  She paced a few more rounds then plopped onto the couch, laying her head on his shoulder, curling her legs under her butt.
    “So, what did the jerk do this time?”
    Camden knew how hard it had been for Iris to get over the devastation of her divorce from Peter, with all the late night crying sessions and pints upon pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to soothe her hot burning fury – not to mention the alcohol and, well, the stint in rehab.
    “Nothing,” she pouted.
    “So, you wore a path in my carpet for nothing? It’s never ‘nothing’ when it comes to Peter. Spill it, woman.”
    Camden was her good friend who had allowed her to sleep on his couch for as long as she needed. She had been reluctant, but accepted his offer because she knew it wouldn’t be long before she and Peter reached an agreement on their assets. Besides, she really had nowhere else to go. She had tried to lean on Sara, but Sara had just moved in with her boyfriend, who she now knew was actually Peter. Camden, who was happy to take her in, was the only one who could help with room and board until the alimony kicked in.  Once she received the alimony, she decided to stay to help Camden with the rent and bills. He needed the help.
    Iris repositioned herself so that she faced Camden.  She took a deep breath and was about to dive into the details of her fury when Camden threw up his hand, signaling her to wait.
    “I think we need some Ben & Jerry’s for this. Agree?”
    Iris nodded.  When he returned with a pint of Willie Nelson Peach Cobbler and two spoons, Iris shoved a scoop in her mouth and closed her eyes, savoring its sweetness.  The cold creaminess quelled some of the fiery anger that had been building inside of her.
    “So, spill it,” Camden ordered.
    “She’s pregnant!” Iris shouted, having told Camden every sordid detail. Her heart was beating in her throat. Her hands trembled as heat rose through her body.
    Camden sat the ice cream on the end table and held her shaking hands.
    “How pregnant is she?”
    Iris shrugged.  Sara looked like she could have been anywhere between six to eight months pregnant.
    “So, what did you do?” Camden asked.
    “I followed them, that’s what I did.” Again, Iris gave him blow-by-blow details of what happened.
    Camden grimaced. “I can’t believe you followed them. And I can’t believe that jerk Peter moved that skank into the house you wanted.  I never liked Sara. I told you that before.”
    “Cam, you have no idea how hurt I was to see Peter and Sara looking like the happy, expecting couple.  I was so thrown for a loop.”
    A tear dropped from her eye. She didn’t even know it was there.  She hadn’t wanted to cry — she was too angry.
    “I don’t know, Cam. I — I’m tired. I’m ready for a change. Maybe I need to leave Houston. Maybe I can repair my relationship with my mother. Maybe I can do the cross country train ride I’d been talking about.”
    “It’s not a good idea to make decisions when you’re in crisis, sweetie. Why don’t you give yourself some time?”
    “But that’s just it, Cam. How much time do I need? I know, now, that Peter and I will never ever