“Probably not gonna add that to the website of amenities.”
“Good call.”
They sat there in silence again, Ethan silently passing her a package of tissues. She accepted it and took care of her running nose. “Thisis a nice amenity though.”
Ethan barked a genuine laugh. “Honestly, I just started carrying these travel ones because I swear, Ava’s nose runs like crazy all the time. If it’s not because of the cold, it’s because of allergies.”
“My Mom was like that. Everyone would get killed with allergies in spring, and she did too, but what was really bad, was her fall and winter allergies. Most people don’t even know that’s a thing.”
“Makes it rough in the cold and flu season, for sure. Never know which it is.”
“Yep.”
They sat there and watched the wonder of nature in silence. A fox ran by, and a pair of birds were perched on a branch, happily chirping. “We have all this grief inside us, Ethan. How do we move forward?”
He took a deep breath. “I’ll help you if you help me?”
“Deal.” She turned and looked at him, peering at him, wondering what she would suggest for him.
“Ok, my idea for you is, write.”
She blinked at his immediate, and seemingly pointless, suggestion. “Really?”
He nodded solemnly, ignoring her tone. “Yes, but write whatyouwant. Write what you feel. Forget the deadlines. Don’t worry about your characters. If you want to write them into the situations you say you can’t, then do it anyway. If you need new ones, make new ones. But get it out. Even if you never publish it, even if no one ever sees it, just get it out and see where it goes from there.”
She blinked and nodded slowly, realizing that was one trick she hadn’t tried yet. “Ok. I can try that.”
“Good. Now, what about me?” He feigned a look of terror, but she saw the true wariness underneath his joking exterior.
The answer was easier than she’d thought, as the writer in her came out to play. “Talk about your wife. I mean,reallytalk about her. I think that might really help you cope.”
His eye twitched. “I can’t talk about her to Ava.” Oh great, nowhewas panicking. “What if I lose it? I can’t have her see me crumple at this.”
Adrienne gestured to where they were sitting. “You could talk to me? I mean, pick anyone really, but if you don’t have anyone else, talk to me. I’m a writer. Not that I’d write about what you tell me, but my ear is always open for stories, thoughts, memories. I always enjoy hearing them.”
His jaw worked a bit and he bit his lip. “Ava’s grandparents are coming up here in two days. She’s not leaving with them until the next day, but I’m sure they want to do dinner with her.”
“Just with her? Not with you?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “I just make everything awkward. Probably better if I just let them have their evening. Would you be interested in dinner? We can touch base on your writing and I can talk to you?”
“That sounds lovely. Although, you sure don’t give a girl a lot of time to write. Two days. And I have to decorate somewhere in there too!”
“Hey, I hear you do well with deadlines.” He teased her.
“Yeah, I do.” She admitted. Just not the one that was important right now.
“Ms. CROFT!” Ava yelled as she came barreling towards them, waving some papers. “I HAVE ALL THE PLANS!”
Adrienne handed Ethan back his tissues and put on her brave face. “You do??? Well let’s see them!”
As Ava approached with all the energy of a tornado, prattling about starting with the outside entrance, Ethan quietly slipped away. Ava didn’t seem to notice, but Adrienne looked behind the excited little girl to watch the retreating back. She hoped he would be ok today.
CHAPTER 2
It was a new day,and Adrienne tapped her lips with her fingers. She didn’t have to use the characters she and her father had created. Ethan had told her she could create new ones. Squinting off at the distance, looking at the snow on the mountains, she rolled her shoulders and set her fingers to her keyboard.
The loss had been unbearable. It wasn’t like Herman to be so melancholy…
