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I shook Courtney’s hand, probably longer than I should have.
When I finally let go, her chunky fingers fell back down to her sides. She was kind of scruffy and fat, pushing at least three hundred plus pounds. And her dirty strawberry blonde hair looked to be littered with gray strands. This Courtney was a sight to see. She even made Epiphany look good sitting there.
When Eric said he had someone he wanted me to meet, she’s not who I was expecting. I never pictured my husband associating with someone like Courtney. Her skin was all oily, accompanied by noticeable breakouts and a few dozen blackheads. Her breasts looked to be soon making one with her stomach; she wore wire-framed glasses, she smelled funny, and her voice might’ve been an octave deeper than Eric’s.
“Katie, Courtney has been my head hygienist for many years.” That was Eric’s voice shooting out toward me. “She’s very beneficial to me and my practice. She’s like my right hand.”
‘Very beneficial?’ ‘My right hand?’ I thought, since when? I’ve never even heard him mention a head hygienist before.
From Eric’s strange behavior alone, if Courtney looked even halfway decent, I would be a little concerned right now and would have Eric’s right hand chopped off. He’s left-handed anyway. Something tells me I have nothing to be worried about, though.
If I weren’t so trimmed and beautiful, with straight white teeth and thin ankles, Eric still wouldn’t touch Courtney. Ew, at least I hope he wouldn’t.
“Epiphany, . . . Katie, there is someone else I want you two to meet.” When Eric motioned again, a tall, stout gentleman walked up to us with a little girl by his side.
“Katie, this is my brother Thaddeus Reynolds, we all call him Thad for short.” Eric looked down at the little girl. “And this is his daughter, my adorable niece, Miranda.”
So now I’m really confused. Why is Eric introducing all of us now? One would think he would’ve taken care of these formalities before we got married, or at least at the reception.
“It’s nice to meet you, Katie.” I hugged Thaddeus as his arms suddenly became wrapped around me. He embraced me like he’d known me all his life.
This was a little uncomfortable, but I went with it. I’m happy Eric is finally letting me into his world; I just wish I knew what took so long.
I now have a new brother-in-law and a niece. Eric was right; she is adorable.
Miranda tugged at my dress as her big doe eyes looked up at me. She obviously wanted a hug or something, but I wanted to warn her first: this is Gucci sweetie, so stop tugging on me with your dirty little hands.
“It was really good to meet you both.” That was Thad as he shook mine and Epiphany’s hand.
He, Miranda, and Courtney were about to vanish as quickly as they came into view. Just as they were cued up, they seemed to be prompted out; and just like that, they all disappeared.
“Katie, I’ll be back shortly; I want to walk Courtney, Thad, and Miranda out. This isn’t an appropriate setting for a seven-year-old.”
“Eric . . .” I wanted to stop him. Say something that would make him stay. I wanted him to sit down next to me and relax for once, but he was already gone.
Soon after I took my next breath, my heart jumped and landed in my kneecaps. I suddenly felt sick on the stomach, like I ate some bad tuna the night before or something.
My intuitions landed in my stomach, resting comfortably next to the ache that had me almost doubled over. Something wasn’t right, and I knew it. I could feel it. I could just feel it . . .
“Katie, what’s wrong?!” Epiphany jumped out of her seat and darted over to me. Her face looked concerned because she knew something was wrong with me.
I felt like I was going to pass out. My breathing became heavy. My hands were trembling. My mouth felt like someone had stuffed cotton in my jaws.
“Katie, sit down.”
I didn’t want to sit down. I had to find Eric. I wanted him to explain to me what just happened.
He introduced me to his head hygienist, Courtney, his brother Thaddeus, and his niece, Miranda—what other explanations did I need? I was fully aware of what just occurred, but something isn’t sitting right. My insides are telling me so.
“Oh no, Katie! Kate, get up!”
Epiphany screeched when I hit the floor. I lay there shaking uncontrollably. I couldn’t stop. Sweat poured from my pores, and I’m almost sure foam just rolled down my cheek after it escaped my mouth.
“Someone, please, help me! HELP!”
Poor Epiphany, she was frantic.
“Katie, help is coming, sweetie, okay. Just hold on!”