Love on the Lifts by Rachel Hawthorne

finally relaxed,” Aunt Sue said.
    She had her arms lifted high over her head and was stretching at the waist from side to side. For a woman with gray hair, she was awfully limber.
    â€œNot really. I was just thinking.” I shrugged, which was a strange feeling with my back on the floor. “Nothing important.”
    â€œEverything’s important.”
    I knew Aunt Sue dated. Over the years, she’d introduced me to several guys. They were always good-looking and fun. She never took her trips alone, but I never had a sense that she was totally serious about any of the guys.
    â€œWhy didn’t you ever get married?” I asked.
    â€œI almost did once,” she said. A dreamy expression came over her face. “Loved him something fierce.”
    â€œSo why didn’t you marry him?”
    â€œIt just wasn’t meant to be.”
    She rose to her feet, and I sat up. “You can’t just leave it like that without giving me a real answer.”
    â€œSure I can.” She laughed and walked into the kitchen. A bar with stools separated it from the living room, so I could still see and hear her clearly. “Besides, the history of my love life isn’t going to help you figure out yours. And isn’t that the reason you’re here this morning?”
    â€œI’m here because we always meditate together,” I lied.
    â€œWhen you’re staying with me, sure. But you’re not going to traipse over here every morning, are you?”
    Didn’t anyone want me around?
    â€œWould it bother you if I did?”
    â€œOf course not. But I figured you’d want to spend time with your friends. Isn’t that the reason you brought them?”
    Without answering her, I got up and walkedover to the bar and sat on a stool. I watched as Aunt Sue prepared her morning shake. She put all kinds of healthy stuff in it. Whey protein, fruit…
    â€œI thought I’d help you in the bookstore today.”
    She turned away from the blender and gave me a pointed stare. “That’s what you thought, huh?”
    â€œYeah.” I scrunched up my face. I knew what her expression meant. Honesty time. “I don’t want to see Brad with Cynthia.”
    â€œSo you’re going to hide away?”
    â€œJust today.”
    â€œMmm-uh,” she said, like she could see through my lie, and knew I was considering never again returning to the slopes. “I think you’re making a big mistake, but it’s your life.”
    She pushed the button on the blender, the buzzing stopping us from talking further. Which was fine by me.
    I didn’t have anything else to say, anyway.

Chapter 7
    A llie and Leah were totally bummed when I called to tell them that Aunt Sue needed help in her shop, so I was going to forego skiing. I tried to make it sound like I was making some great sacrifice for Aunt Sue, instead of what was really going on. I simply couldn’t stand the thought of seeing Brad with Cynthia, or Joe looking at me like he thought I was a total loser for not hiding my feelings any better than I did.
    â€œBut what about Operation Hook-Brad-Up-With-Kate?” Leah asked.
    â€œPlease tell me that you’re in your bedroom where the guys can’t hear you.” Using my cell phone, I’d called her cell phone, so as far as I knew, she was sitting at the breakfast table surrounded by everyone.
    â€œI’m outside making a snow girl for our snowman. He was getting lonely. Allie’s helping me.”
    â€œAnd the guys?”
    â€œFollowing the rules, cleaning the kitchen. You missed a scrumptious breakfast. Did you know Allie knows how to make omelets? The guys were majorly impressed.”
    So was I. “I had no idea. I had breakfast with Aunt Sue.” The energy shake. An omelet sure sounded good, though.
    â€œOkay, great, we won’t worry about you eating, but what about Operation—”
    â€œNot today, Leah. Aunt Sue