Love You Forever (2013 Wattys Finalist)

Chapter 32 - One Step Forward . . .

When Greg dropped Robert off at May’s, he said he’d call Georgie later since he had to get back to the university to study for an exam.  As Robert walked to the front door, he remembered the look of pain and disappointment in Georgie’s eyes that morning and stopped.  What if Greg was mistaken?  What if Georgie hadn’t been alright with him leaving?  And what about May and Marianne?  Did the entire household hate him now, he wondered with despair. 

Stop it, he thought harshly.  Whatever the consequences were for what happened that morning, he’d just have to deal with it.  He took a deep breath and let it out, steeling himself before he continued to the front door. 

When he let himself in, the sitting room was empty and he could hear the sewing machine running in the small office.  He walked in the kitchen and found May and Georgie sitting close to each other at the kitchen table.  There were papers and open books covering the table, and Georgie was writing on a piece of lined paper. 

“Oh, Robert.  You’re back,” May said warmly when she noticed him. 

Just as he felt relieved she didn’t seem angry with him, Georgie’s head snapped up and her eyes were wide. 

Shit.

“Did you have a –?” 

May stopped because Georgie had begun scooping up papers, slamming books closed, and stacking everything on top of each other as hurriedly as she could.  May looked at her with surprise for a moment, then turned her attention back to Robert.

“Did you have a nice time with Greg?” she asked, looking like she was trying to ignore Georgie’s frantic scrambling.  

“Uh, yeah.  I did,” Robert said, unable to stop watching Georgie, completely confused.

“That’s good.  Oh, my goodness!  Look at the time!” she said suddenly, as she looked at the clock on the wall over the table.  “I didn’t realize it was so late.  I better start supper or we’ll be eating in our pajamas,” she said, chuckling at her own joke as she stood up.  Georgie stood up too, clutching the stack of papers and books to her chest. 

“Do you want me to help?” she asked breathily, seeming flustered.

“No, I’m just going to heat up leftovers from the party.  Didn’t you want to talk to Robert about your plans for tomorrow?” she suggested gently.

They looked at each other then Georgie lowered her eyes.  “Oh, right,” she said quietly.  “Only – if you want to, Robert.  I mean, if you’re too tired –.”

“No.  Its fine, Georgie,” he said quickly, still unsure if she was angry with him or not.  

“Why don’t you two go in the living room?  Oh, and Georgie, can you tell Marianne I’m starting supper?” May asked, opening the fridge.

“Yes, ma’am,” Georgie said, ducking her head as she walked past Robert, clutching the stack even more tightly.  He followed her onto the sitting room, where she hesitated before turning to face him.

“I’ll go get my laptop and be right back, okay?” she said, barely able to look at him. 

“Alright, Georgie.”  

As soon as she was gone, he sat on the couch, feeling awful.  It was obvious she was still upset with him.  Just then Marianne stepped out of the office and greeted him warmly on the way to the kitchen.  At least she didn’t seem to hate him, he thought grimly.  Georgie came out, clutching her laptop to her chest and sat next to him on the couch, leaving a space of several inches.