Of course I’d researched on the internet to find out if others had felt the same sensations. There were articles saying that God sometimes physically touched a person, but I wasn’t sure what to think. Was my desire to be seen and heard just manifesting these sensations?
No. Don’t fall into unbelief again. God has shown He’s real, and He’s watching over you. He’ll continue answering your prayers in some way.
I had to keep my thoughts from straying to unbelief, but, boy, that was easier said than done. My gaze drifted to the sticky note I’d placed on the edge of my monitor. Piper texted me Scriptures that she thought might help me, and some hitme right in the heart. I’d taken to writing those down, placing them where they’d be visible so I could reread them. I even had some on the bedroom mirror at Chris’s house.
Maybe I needed to place some verses for him to read to keep him from being so ... unhappy.I simply wanted to see him smile again.
My computer chimed, a new email popping up from my Realtor. I clicked on her name, then read the message.
Dr. Kennedy,
I found the perfect place. Good school district. Not too far from your work. The current owners want to close by the end of the month. Here’s a link to the listing. Let me know if you want to view it. I have availability this evening or tomorrow evening.
Sincerely, Kate
I clicked on the link and then the photos. As I scrolled through them, excitement coursed through me. This was the best listing she’d sent. Though I’d obviously change some of the wall paint colors—who used neon yellow in the living room?—and I would have to update some of the appliances. I definitely wanted to see it in person.
Could I leave early to look at it this evening? I clicked on my calendar. All clear. It would allow me to grab some dinner on the way home so that no one had to starve either.
I quickly typed up a response, and Kate confirmed our time for viewing. I grinned. If all worked out well, we’d be in a new place by February. I couldn’t wait to tell Chris.
My grin fell.Chris. How could I leave him? His mobility wasn’t the best, and I’d promised him I would stay until he was on his feet. Surely the physical therapist would give us a better ideaof recovery time when he attended the evaluation appointment next week. Though that wasn’t my biggest worry.
I’d been so excited to know that Chris had romantic feelings for me. Knowing I wasn’t the only one in that boat had been comforting as well as exciting. But since his accident, we’d almost reverted to pre-confession. I didn’t know if it was because we were still living together or because of his injury. Regardless, Chris stayed holed up in his room most of the time, and when not in his room, he put all his focus on the girls. It was almost like he was avoiding me, but I had no idea why.
When I moved, would that make him retreat even further?
“What do I do, God?” I whispered.
The intranet system beeped, alerting me to a message request. I clicked on the bubble and read the message. There was an emergency that required a consult. I replied, then opened the patient’s info on my iPad. After studying the images, I agreed with the radiologist. Spiral fracture.
I responded with my assessment and informed them the scheduler would reach out to make the necessary appointments. Since it wasn’t a compound fracture, the patient would have to wait for an opening in the orthopedic schedule. Most likely they’d get in in the next couple of days. My next few surgery days were already booked, so odds were another doctor would be tagged.
I continued the rest of my paperwork day until I was able to clock out and head to the property. By the time I pulled up to the for-sale sign, my nerves had me feeling like I’d drunk one too many cups of coffee. I walked up the sidewalk and checked the doorknob. Unlocked. I stepped into the foyer.Huh.The neon yellow didn’t look as horrid as it had in the pictures, but only because the light from the windows softened the shade somehow. Guess you really could paint a living room that tint.
“Dr. Kennedy, you made it.” Kate beamed at me. “Have a look around, then let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks, Kate.”
I walked through the place, taking my time to observe the amount of space in each room. I searched for any cracks, water stains, and other deformities. Chris had given me that tip. Yet nothing looked suspect. Even the bold colors on the walls grew on me as I lapped the house to view everything for the second time. If this was the one I went for, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a thing.
Satisfied, I went back to the kitchen, where Kate stared at her phone.
“This will work.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, then she beamed. “Fantastic. Does that mean you want to put in an offer?”
“Yes, please.”
We talked about the particulars and then split ways. Kate had to go to the office to work up the documents. She would email them to me so I could sign the offer electronically. I placed an online to-go order at a restaurant near Chris’s house, then put my car in drive. By the time I made it to Woodland Park, the order would be ready.
I headed to the daycare and picked up a happy Ash. She was babbling more but had yet to sayauntie. I figured chanting that in her ear on a daily basis was easier than getting her to say Aunt Erykah.
She grabbed my face and pressed her cheek to mine. “Mama.”
Tears pricked my eyes. All this time I’d saidauntiein her ears, and she skipped right over that. My love for her grew daily, but my heart hurt for Ellynn. Still, I lingered in the hug, embracing the moment, before moving her into her car seat.
Kid music streamed through the speakers as we drovehome. At least Cheyenne wasn’t here to demand we listen to “Baby Shark.” Chris was still triggered from our road trips. When I caught sight of his house, my lips drifted into a smile. When I’d first moved in, I’d been a little horrified at the log-cabin style. Not my thing. But now ... now I was filled with anticipation, knowing I’d get to see my people. This had become home. If only I could cheer Chris up and remind him he would heal.
