He raises an eyebrow.
“They’re here. In Baker. Their graves. Mom wrote it in her will. She wanted to be buried in her hometown.”
He coughs, letting out a sob.
“I can take you. Just tell me when.” I hold his hand, allowing him time to let it all out. All the years of heartache and sorrow. All the hardships. All the sadness. All the mistakes. All of it.
Eventually, after the tears cease and his breathing evens out, he adds, “What if I write them a letter instead?”
“That’s a good plan.” I hand him some paper and a tray for support, taking a seat to get some work done. He writes quietly for about thirty minutes, then folds the letter and hands it to me.
“Take it to them for me.”
I smile. “I will.”
The machines whir, announcing the end of the session.
“Do you want to go for a walk after?” I’m extending the olive branch now. It takes two to tango, so if I’m asking him to move past this, I have to do my part.
He lets the nurse work around him. “I can’t. I have a small project I’m working on.”
“Oh yeah? What is it?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Didn’t he tell you, darlin’?” the nurse says. “Big Jerry here got his contractor license back.”
What? When? How did this happen? “Did you?” He hums, confirming. “Why?”
“You gave my life meaning again. You gave me back the one thing I thought I lost forever.” His words trail off, keeping the nurse and me on our toes when he finally says, “Hope.”
A laugh escapes him. “And I kinda needed something to do. I like where I live, but some of those people drive me crazy sometimes.” We all laugh this time. “It’s nothing full-time. I’m doing jobs here and there. Word of mouth, you know.”
I do know. Wow. I tap his shoulder. “Congrats. You must be so proud.”
He used to own a big contracting services company here, but he lost it when he lost everything else. And now, he’s getting his own do-over.
“I am. Things are looking up. Now, if I could just get a kidney.”
Not only did I get tested, but so did a few of my friends. None of us were a good match. “Sorry, not a match.”
We both chuckle, knowing there’s nothing else we can do. At the very least, there’s hope on the horizon.
36
I CAN’T STOP KISSING YOU
Constellations–Piano Version by Jade LeMac
Natalie
“Are things getting serious?”Allie asks from the other side of the counter. The shop closes in a few minutes, and she’s here, killing time, waiting for Bella to get out of school. Jake, her husband, teaches at the high school; he’s bringing Bella and picking up Allie, Vero, and Nico. They’re going to St. Augustine to watch a football game, and I’m going out on a date.
“I mean, I don’t know, Allie. I don’t want to say yes, because we haven’t…you know.”
“You haven’t what?”
“Had sex,” I whisper.
She smiles. “So? You two are spending a lot of time together, and you talk how often? Every day? You’re making dates and future plans, and you’re so happy. It sounds serious to me. Sex adds to the relationship. It’s not all the relationship is,” she mentions.
