“Do you see the effect I have on her?” Danny boasts.
“Yes, to make me die!” I answer, trying to catch my breath. My side hurts excruciatingly, and I don’t want to cough. “If, and it’s not a certainty, but if one day I decide to marry again, we’ll surely rely on him.”
Drew laughs, giving me a wink. Danny looks at me, worried. “Is everything okay?” he asks, pointing to my side.
“Yeah, but I guess I won’t wait long for another painkiller,” I reply as I sit on Danny’s lap. He surrounds me with his arms.
“Is it really that bad?” Drew asks worriedly.
I lift my shirt and show him the bruise, which is quite large.
“Fuck, did you do that by falling?”
“Yes I was at the top of the stairs, I backed away, and here’s the result.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’ll pass. Nothing is broken.”
The evening proceeds with laughter and chatter. A beautiful friendship is forming.
When I start yawning, Drew apologizes for staying so long and goes home.
We go to the beach for a short walk while Zoë takes her evening jog.
“Drew is nice!” I say, stopping in front of the ocean to observe the lights of Santa Catalina. Danny hugs me from behind, rocking me and stroking my belly. It’s such a strange, peaceful, serene feeling.
“He’s the brother I never had and is a trusted friend.”
“Is it he who publicly replaces you?”
“Yes, as I told you, I want a quiet life. I love to remain anonymous. Even more so now that you’re part of my life,” he whispers to me, resting his chin on my shoulder.
I can’t help but smile. It’s all so spontaneous and natural. The tears begin to fall, and I can’t hold them back. Danny holds me close.
There’s no need to speak or explain. He already knows.
He knows me better than anyone.
“It’s going to be fine, love. We’ll figure it out. I am, and will always be, here for you, for both of you.”
Hailey
After a night tossing and turning in bed, I finally go to my favorite armchair in the study. I fall asleep right away.
When I’d bought it, the dealer told me, “This chair is magical,” and it’s true.
Strangely, I have no nausea this morning. I go down to the kitchen, and Zoë starts jumping happily.
“I’m coming, sweetie. Let me start making coffee,” I tell her, stroking her.
I set the timer on the coffee machine and prepare freshly squeezed orange juice. I put it in my glass and then go to the beach with Zoë, who is happy to finally be out.
I sit by the sea, watching the dog run from side to side without stopping for a moment.
After she gets tired, she returns and lays next to me, putting her face on my legs.
“You know, don’t you? That there’s a little one here,” I ask her, even though I know I’m not getting an answer. But Zoë surprises me by wagging her tail.
