Walter seems to find that amusing. “Probably a good idea.”
A long pause lingers around us.
“Again, I’m sorry. I might not be forgotten, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry.”
“Consider it forgotten and move on.” My personal crime, giving forgiveness so easily. I do it a lot. Especially with men from this family.
“You make it too easy on us. You know if you just held your ground a little more then maybe it will be easier to move forward.”
Now I laugh to myself. “I think I’m offended by that comment but to hell with it. We can sweep the last forty-eight hours away and just… tomorrow, you and Gail can spend more time with Bo before you head back.”
He nods. “Thank you.” He begins to leave, but a thought comes to me.
“Uhm, an unusual question. It’s just the timeline in my head is blurry, and things happened so quick when we realized that Zac wasn’t going to get better. Only two months and then he was gone. Right, two months?” Not a year.
Nash’s dad scratches his cheek. “Yeah, Summer. Your memory serves you well.”
“A silly question, I’m sorry. Just… have a good night.”
I’m not sure if the air is eerie or hopeful or just plain strange. At least I got an apology, and it did feel as though he felt remorse. I kind of have enough issues as it is to let it bubble in my head.
Settling back home, I set my coat and purse by the door, take my shoes off, and go upstairs. When I reach the top of the stairs, I can already see that Nash is tiptoeing out of Bo’s room, clearly having just put Bo down.
“Hey,” he whispers.
“Hi. I guess I just missed it.”
Nash steps to the side. “Have a look.”
I walk on the balls of my feet to keep quiet and then peek through the half-open door to hear a little snore. My little heart, forever he will be.
Warmth of a hand on my shoulder causes my head to turn to Nash. “A good day?”
“He was fine. You?”
“I’m tired.”
Nash scoops up my hand to guide me to my bedroom, or is it our bedroom? What a muddle of logistics. “Want me to leave you be?” he checks in, because it seems he’s reading my thoughts.
“Tomorrow we’ll talk. For now, let’s go to sleep. Hold me under the covers, Nash. That’s what I need,” I coo, wanting to say nothing, and instead, comfort is what I want now.
He nods in understanding, and as he tows me toward the room, I glance over my shoulder to the room of white noise and nightlights then back to Nash.
“Don’t worry, Summer. I’ve made sure that you have everything that you’ll need, I promise.”
It floats in my head, pushing me to the finishing line.
23
NASH
Waking, I feel Summer sitting on the edge of the bed. She’s reaching behind to fasten her bra, and I drag my body up to sitting to help her. It flashes in my head, how I always used to do this.
Then and now.
“Here,” I say as I close the hook and inhale the mango scent from her shower gel. She fell asleep quickly last night after causing me to burst out laughing when she said my father apologized, until I realized she wasn’t joking. I was relieved, as that just meant one less thing to worry about. Still, Summer seemed worn out, and I just followed her cues and let her close her eyes in my arms. Whatever is on her mind or mine, it didn’t seem to ruin our deep sleep. “Morning.”
Summer barely glances over her shoulder with a look of appreciation then swipes the sweater that she had set on the bed. “Good morning. Didn’t mean to wake you, thought you could sleep in.”
