The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Ani's Pov
"I just don't understand why you love them so much," I teased as I looked over the list.
"How do you not!" She yelled back, offended at my teasing.  Jennifer had been going on and on about The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I truly don't care.  Their music is fine, but I'm not really a fan.  "What did you listen to?"
"Anything," I said, twisting my lip as she drove, "especially when Cassie was a cheerleader.  She danced to almost any and all songs."
Silence.
Dammit... you did it again.
"Sorry... she was a big part of my life," I mumbled, glancing over at her.  She took the time to go grocery shopping with me today.... and I'm repaying her by mentioning Cassie.  "I'll work on it."
"It's fine," she smiled at me, "I get it..... what do we need to get?"
Quickly I read off the list, "Mayo, pickles, tampons for Jessika, bread, some spices, and Dino nuggets - which are requested by Jakob."
"Of course he did," she chuckled, "Jessika likes the Playtex sport tampons, right?"
"Yes and for the bread Jakob needs wheat," I said.
"I know," she looked over at me when we came to a red light, "I've got this down."  Seeing her get excited about grocery shopping, making dinners, and just talking about the kids.... it was nice.
But that's all I wanted.... conversations.... only conversations.
When we got to the store, Jennifer pushed the cart around as I scurried up and down the aisles.  As I walked back, I noticed she took a work call and kept to myself.
"Are you sure that's the one?" There was a couple of girls standing a little ways away.  One was holding a can of beans and the other was looking weary.  "You know Kathy wants everything to be perfect."
"Babe, it's fine!  She said it's the yellow can!" The one holding the beans said, placing it in the cart.  After a hit more talking, they both left for another aisle.
I stood thinking - remembering something.
"Will it really be a problem if we get another brand?" I asked, holding the cart.  We were sent to go pick up some items for Jeremiah.  His kid's birthday party was today and they needed some bread for more sandwiches.  Apparently the bread had to be a certain brand.
"Norma told us to get that brand," she said, squatting down to look at the bottom shelves, "we're getting that brand."
"But there isn't any more!"
"Have you looked everywhere?" She shot me a raised eyebrow.  I sighed and joined in.  Looking through the shelves, I protested the entire time while Cassie just ignored it.  Finally on the middle shelf we found one last loaf, "See!"  I watched her cheer happily, bounce around a bit.  Then suddenly, I leaned in and kissed her.  She gapped a bit, but soon wrapped her arms around me and giggled.  "I love you Antonia Meryl."
"I love you Cassidy Meryl."
"Antonia?" I jumped a bit and saw Jennifer waving a hand in front of my face, "You okay?"
"Yeah, just thinking," I said, "we should head for the bread now."
As we walked to the end of the aisle, I heard my name be yelled out, "Ani? Ani Meryl?"
Looking back, there was a woman with grayish brown hair in a sun dress - a white one to be exact. It took me a minute, but I quickly identified her, "Alex?"
She pulled me into a tight hug, "I'm so happy to see you! It's been years." Though I was close to her so many years ago, I even called her my greatest friend... I felt awkward with her now. When she let me go, she smiled widely, "You look exactly how I thought you would look.... I hear you're in law?"
"I'm a psychologist that works close with attorneys," I said, "so not exactly law."
"That's amazing," she fixed her purse, "Cassidy looks well! I saw her the other day... I'm happy to see you two worked everything out."
"You saw Cassie?" I squinted, "Where?"
"She stopped at my work - well, on accident. I work at a book store that the retirement center visits from time to time. She came in one day and I immediately recognized her," she said.
I felt angry when she said Cassie's name. I wanted to interrogate her... ask her what they talked about, what Cassie said.
Did she mention divorce to her?
"Who is that?" She asked, her head gesturing towards Jennifer.
"Jennifer," I said, "a close friend."
She waved at her and Jennifer waved back. Then she came a bit closer, making me uncomfortable, "She reminds me of Victoria."
My eyes widen and my breathing ceased.
"Hi Jennifer, my name is Alex! I knew Ani back in high school," she said.
"Well you two must have been close," Jennifer said, "she doesn't let many call her Ani anymore."
"How odd," Alex pondered, "everyone called her that... well, our old friend Olivia called her Prez... she was a fun girl."
"I bet," Jennifer said. I couldn't stop thinking about Alex's comparison... I hated it. "Ready Antonia?"
Snapping back to reality, I nodded, "It was great seeing you, but I have to pick up groceries for the kids."
"Oh how nice!" Alex said, "Well here's my number! Let's talk again." She handed me her number and I left with Jennifer.
As we got the things we needed, I kept thinking about their similarities.
And the more I thought about it, the more I found to be identical.
And that scared me.