It gives me purpose.
Pop enters the kitchen a short time later. “Mornin’ darlin’.”
“Morning,” I say, lifting the coffee to my lips. He grabs a plate and piles on a heaping spoonful of my breakfast casserole, made with eggs, onion, bell pepper, and turkey bacon. I made sure to cook it in the oven too so that it’s nice and crispy, just the way he likes it.
I pour him a cup of coffee and place it on the table. “Would you like some juice?”
“Naw, coffee’s good.”
“Where’s Dino? Is he not coming up for breakfast this morning?”
“He’ll be up here shortly. Have a seat. We need to chat.”
My heart kicks up in my chest, having no idea what he wants to talk to me about. Placing his napkin in his lap, he takes a sip of coffee, squaring his shoulders. He looks different today. I try to pinpoint what it is but can’t seem to put my finger on it.
“Justin told me about what happened yesterday with your uncle. Now, I don’t mean to get in your business but when it comes to a lady’s safety, I ain’t got no choice but to step in. I know he’s probably already said the same, because if he’s fuckin’ smart and he knows what’s good for him, he’s put it all out there, but just in case he hasn’t got around to it, I’m letting you know right now, you ain’t leavin’ us.”
He shoves a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Damn right you ain’t.”
My heart warms in my chest. It’s hard not to fall in love with this man, considering he’s just like his grandson. The two men have such similar personalities, it’s no wonder they get along so well.
“Oh, and another thing”—he pulls a brass heart-shaped key from his shirt pocket—“there’s a cottage near the back of the property. Justin will show you where. Used to belong to my Ellie. It was her special place and I want you to have it. Make it your own.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t.”
“You can damn it,” he says with a tone that warrants no further argument.
“Thank you,” I whisper, clutching the key in the palm of my hand.
Clearing his throat, he takes another sip of his coffee. “You remind me of her, you know. She was the kind of woman you didn’t easily forget or let go of. And goddamn she was strong.” He shakes his head as if warding off a painful memory.
“She was very beautiful,” I say, remembering the photos Justin had shown me of her.
“I remember the first time I laid eyes on her, I couldn’t fucking breathe. Could be because she punched me in the gut.”
“How did you two meet?”
He sits back in his seat and smiles.
“I was on leave from the army. Being deployed to Vietnam in two weeks so me and some buddies went out to cut loose. One of them had a sister who drove up to visit and brought a friend. They met up with us later, and by that time, I was shit-faced. I came on a little too strong and she wasn’t the least bit impressed. Me being drunk, it took me a minute to catch on that she wasn’t interested. It took her punching me in the stomach to leave her alone. One, because I was puking my guts out, and two, because she had me by the balls, and even drunk off my ass I knew it. The next day I went to her hotel room to apologize but they were already gone. So I drove the hour and a half to her house. You should have seen the look on her face when she opened the door. I’d give my last breath to have that day back. She was resistant at first, trying to hold on to her resolve, but after an hour of groveling, she agreed to go out with me. From that day on we were inseparable. I got a hotel room and stayed out the rest of my leave with her, and with each day that passed, I fell head over ass in love with her.”
“What happened when you left?”
“It was the first time in my life that I didn’t want to be in the army. Leaving her was the hardest thing I’d ever done but we both promised to write, and I lived on the hope that the two weeks we had together was enough to sustain us until we could be together again. It was hard and it was a long road but we made it and once we were finally able to be together, we were all the stronger for it. Not many couples survive that. You may leave the war but the war never leaves you. Her love saved me when I got back. It pulled me through some of my darkest days. Fifty-six years seems like a long time, but to me it will never be long enough.”
Tears burn my eyes as the love this man has for his wife floods the space between us.
“Thank you for sharing her with me,” I say, holding the key tight to my chest.
He nods, not saying another word as he lifts from his place at the table and leaves the room. But I don’t miss the tears in his eyes as he gives one final parting glance.
Iwake up, reaching across the bed to find it empty, but the smell of breakfast cooking and coffee brewing lets me know my girl hasn’t gone far. Rolling over, I pull her pillow to my chest, inhaling her lingering scent.
She’s everywhere.
