I listened to music as I drove. I needed the distraction. I wasn’t sure if River was still there, but I hoped she was. I stopped to get them some breakfast because I was sure nobody was in the mood to cook. I wouldn’t be surprised if my mother was over there cooking for them, but she hadn’t called and said anything.
I stopped at the pancake place and got them platters of food. Jordan told me he and his family went home later so the kids could sleep in their own beds. I knew Pops stayed there, so I made sure to get him a plate as well.
Once I had everything, I drove the few minutes to the house. I felt relief when I spotted River’s car in the driveway, in the same spot as it was last night.
I gathered everything and walked up the few steps to the front door. In one hand was the bag of food, and in the other wasa cup carrier with coffee and hot chocolate for River. Ever since she was little, she loved hot chocolate with whipped cream.
I rang the doorbell with my elbow and stood back.
A few minutes later, Momma Dana came to the door.
“Hey, Coye. I didn’t know you were coming by.” She stepped back and let me into the house.
She looked like she didn’t get that much sleep. I kissed her cheek, then put the stuff down on the table.
“I got you guys some breakfast. I figured you probably wouldn’t be in the mood to cook. How are you feeling?”
“Thank you, and as good as I can be, I guess. Still trying to wrap my head around it all. I was mad at him for not telling me right away, but I also get it. We know how he is. He doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him, and he’d rather go through things alone. That was one of the things that drove me crazy about him. It still does.” She offered a close-lipped smile.
I shook my head. “I know how stubborn he is.” I glanced near the steps in hopes that River would come downstairs.
“River is still upstairs.” She looked over at the table. “I see you got her some hot chocolate. Bring it up there. I don’t think she’s come out of the room except to use the bathroom. I wanted her to try and eat, but she hasn’t yet.”
“I got you. I’ll see if I can get her to eat.” I grabbed one of the platters from the bag, along with some condiments, and the hot chocolate.
When I reached the room, I knocked on the door. I waited for some type of movement or for her to say something, but nothing happened.
I knocked again.
“Go away,” River mumbled from the other side of the door.
“Babygirl, can I come in?”
I wasn’t sure if it would make a difference who it was, but I hoped maybe she would at least let me in.
A few seconds later, River opened the door. I wanted to pull her into my arms. Her eyes were red and puffy. Even her nose was red. She had her headscarf on and some pajama pants with a tank top. Her nipples were hard, and I tried my best not to look at them, but it was hard not to.
Her eyes went to the stuff in my hand, then back at me. “Is that for me?”
I snapped out of my lustful gaze and responded. “Yes.” I passed her the food but held on to the cup. “I heard you haven’t eaten, and we can’t have that.” I stepped forward, forcing her to move back so I could enter the bedroom.
There were tissues on the nightstand, and the covers were all over the place.
“I’m not hungry, Coye,” she informed me as she sat on the bed. Her scent filled the room.
The curtains were closed, and the light was off, so it was a little dark in the room.
“I need you to eat a little bit, and I’ll leave you alone.”
She sucked her teeth but opened the platter. Her eyes slightly lit up when she saw the pancakes with the slightly burnt edges and the crispy bacon.
I placed the hot chocolate on the table, then sat in the chair across the room, watching her as she poured syrup on the pancakes, then took a bite.
I responded to some emails on my phone because I didn’t want to stare at her while she ate.
River and I hardly ever spent more than a few minutes alone in all the years I’d known her. It was usually when I came by and had to wait for Jordan, but that was it. Once Jordan moved out, I saw her even less. Sometimes I would go by the cookie shop to see her. This little crush I had on her just started a few years ago, and it was getting harder to keep it to myself.
“I’m finished.” River’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. She sounded stuffy, which I assumed was from the crying she had done overnight.
