“Wait … what? Are you serious?”
“Yeah, but it’s fine. It’s not like we were friends back then or anything, and it has been ten years.”
“That man is the most unobservant moron. Oh, the reason I called is that my daughter Madison and I were going to stop by today. How does his schedule look?”
“Actually, he’s free around noon, and he doesn’t have any lunch meetings today so that’s probably the best time. I’ll let him know you’re coming.”
“No, I think we’ll surprise him. Madison and I showing up unannounced won’t be nearly as surprising as finding out he went to high school with you.
You must have just started there not too long ago. I bet he’s been a complete jerk, too. I can’t wait to see his face! See you in an hour, Lexi.” Before Lexi could protest, Anna hung up the phone, her infectious laughter still ringing in Lexi’s ears when she placed the receiver back into the cradle.
Well, hell …
Lexi spent the next hour making sure there was a fresh pot of coffee, all calls were returned, and Vincent had everything he needed before Anna arrived. She wanted him in the best possible mood before he found out who she was. Part of her was afraid he would see it as a betrayal or the last straw and fire her on the spot, but the other part of her wanted to see what would happen. Would he remember her at all, or was she actually as invisible in high school as she had tried to be?
Anna and Madison arrived at Hunter just before noon. “Lexi!” Anna wrapped her arms around Lexi. “You look gorgeous, exactly the same.”
Lexi blushed at Anna’s kind words and was stunned by the show of affection from someone she hadn’t known very well or seen in years. “And look
at you. I love the short hair.”
Anna ran her fingers through her curled tresses, which were the same rich color as her brother’s hair. “Thanks!”
A smaller version of Anna with long hair and the same big brown eyes stepped forward and extended her hand to Lexi. “I’m Madison Caldwell, and I’m five years old. Nice to meet you, Miss White.”
Lexi bent down to Madison’s level and smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you too, Madison. Please call me Lexi.”
“So, Lexi, tell me what you’ve been up to. I remember you went out east for school, right?” Anna sat down in a chair, and Lexi slipped into the one beside her. Madison hopped up into the leather chair behind Lexi’s desk and began pecking away on the computer.
“Maddie, stop.”
“It’s fine.” Lexi stood up and stepped behind the desk. “Do you want to type a letter for Uncle Vincent?” Madison grinned and eagerly nodded her head as Lexi opened up a word processing program so she could type freely.
“Thanks.” Anna smiled as Lexi returned to her seat. “So, what have you been doing the last ten years, and how did you end up working at Hunter?”
Lexi shifted uncomfortably in her chair, not sure if she was up for spilling her long and painful history to someone she barely knew, but Anna’s warm smile and welcoming personality made Lexi feel like it would be all right, so she opened up about everything. She told her about dropping out of school to take care of Harry, about how she’d basically spent the last eight years as his nurse until he died a few months ago. A stray tear fell down Anna’s face as she listened to Lexi’s story, and by the end, they were both clutching tissues and wiping their eyes.
“Lexi, I’m so sorry about your dad.”
“Thanks.”
“Mommy, look what I made!” Madison’s brilliant smile lifted their spirits.
“That’s fantastic, honey.”
“Here, let me print it out for you. Push this button, and then the paper will come out right here.” Lexi pointed under her desk.
Madison jumped off the chair and intently watched as the paper crept out of the printer inch by inch. “I got it!” she cheered and waved it over her head. “Wanna hear what I said?” she asked Lexi.
“Absolutely.” Lexi smiled as Madison crawled into her lap and began reading the random letters and numbers.
“Dear Uncle Vince.” Lexi bit her lip to keep from laughing, assuming Madison must be the one person on Earth who could get away with calling him Vince without him minding. Lexi had noticed the way Vincent cringed when Jade used the nickname. “I want you to come to my house and play Barbies tomorrow. Mom said it was okay, and this time you can pick the wedding dress, I promise. Love, Madison Caldwell.”
“That is the greatest letter ever. I’m sure he will love it.” Lexi stood up with Madison in her arms. “You know what we need? An envelope. Do you want to come with me to find one, and maybe on our way back, we’ll stop by the lounge? I know where Leigh hides the chocolate chip cookies.”
“Mommy, can I please go with Lexi?” Madison’s big brown eyes pleaded with her mom.
“Sure, honey. I’ll go talk to Uncle Vincent about boring grown up stuff until you get back.” She gave her daughter a quick kiss and patted Lexi on the arm. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Good afternoon, dearest brother of mine!” Anna sang as she strolled into Vincent’s office unannounced.
“Would it kill you to knock for once, Anna?” Lexi heard Vincent’s deep voice chuckle as she walked away.
Lexi carried Madison down to the supply room in search of the perfect envelope for her precious letter. As soon as Lexi set her down, Madison pushed a chair over to the counter and climbed up, watching Lexi open the cabinets and pull out a box of white envelopes.
“Do you have any pink envelopes? This one is yucky.”
“No, sorry, only boring old white ones. But I do have some markers you could use to decorate it. Would you like to do that?”
“Yes!” Madison squealed.
Lexi gave her a small pile of highlighters and colored pens. Madison bent over and drew an adorable picture of two blobs. She explained the one with a bow in its hair was her and the one with a tie was Vincent and they were having a tea party.
“Do you like having tea parties?” Lexi asked as she watched Madison continue her art project.
“Oh, yes. Uncle Vincent is my best guest. He drinks all the tea!” She giggled and swung her feet over the side of the counter, recounting all the details from her last party, including the purple hat that Uncle Vincent looked very pretty in.
“That sounds like fun.” Lexi smiled, imagining Vincent on the floor drinking tea, sporting a glorious, purple brimmed hat on his head. When Madison declared her masterpiece done, Lexi helped her tuck the letter into the decorated envelope. The little girl stuck out her tongue, and Lexi gently ran the flap across it, then let her press it down, sealing the envelope.