“Having a quiet morning with breakfast and coffee is one of my favorite pastimes. So anytime you stay here, expect a warm breakfast to wake up to.” Her soft smile met mine.
“What are your plans for the day?”
“I volunteer at the hospice in town that is partnered with the one my Gram was in on Saturdays.” I hadn't shared that with anyone, but I was even more comfortable with her after our night last night.
“Would you like company?” She emptied what remained on her plate into the trash and brought it to me at the sink, where I had started washing the dishes.
“If the company is you, then absolutely.” She beamed at me. “Go ahead and do what you need to do to get ready. I’ll clean up and then get myself ready. Take your time, though. We have all day.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed my shoulder before heading back into my bedroom. I watched her until the door closed.
After I cleaned the kitchen, I busied myself with a book on the couch.
I was so engrossed in my book that I didn’t hear her come out. She put her hands over my eyes from behind me. “Guess who?” she whispered.
“Sounds like someone beautiful,” I said, removing her hands from my eyes. I turned around to look at her. “I was right.”
She rolled her eyes. “Did I take forever?”
“Not at all, I only read twenty chapters,” I joked.
She lightly slapped me on the shoulder. “Very funny. Do you mind if I get some water so I can take my medication?”
“I’ll grab you a water bottle from the fridge.” I walked over to the kitchen, and she followed.
“Thank you, now go get ready. We have a lot to do today.” She skipped over to the couch and picked up the book I was reading to start reading it herself. I let out a chuckle and went to my room to get ready.
I came out quickly after. “Are you ready to head out?”
“Let's get a move on.” We walked out to my truck.
“Look at us, being domesticated.” She laughed, and I joined her. She fit perfectly into my routine.
She reached over for the aux cord and plugged in her phone. She played a sappy love song that I couldn’t even complain about because the way she sang and danced filled my heart withlove.It couldn’t be love…could it?She was far from the sad girl I met in the waiting room of our therapist’s office.
I shimmied my shoulders, dancing along with her. She stared at me with amusement. The next song that played was a slower one, so I reached out to hold her hand, and she gave it a light squeeze.
When we arrived at the hospice, we checked in, and I guided her to Gertrude's room, whom I had been reading to for the past couple of weeks. We took turns reading, and I was amazed by how Serenity read animatedly, forcing small smiles from Gertrude. I was so lucky to have met such a soft soul. We left Gertrude's and made our rounds, reading to a few other patients. When we arrived at my favorite patient's room, I was elated to see him up. Ben had been there for two months and had made an unbelievable recovery to be sent home soon. Most patients who ended up there did not recover. His vision wasn't the best, so I'd read newspaper articles to him, and we'd talk. He had an instant liking to Serenity—who wouldn't?
“You made me feel more alive than I've felt in a long time,” he told her. She put her hands in his, wishing him well.
After the volunteer shift, we drove back in comfortable silence, holding hands.
“I'll need to head home to get dressed for our dinner when we get back to your place.” Although I would only be away from her for a short time, I didn't want to see her go.
“I guess that's fine,” I said, scrunching my nose at her. She rolled her eyes with a mischievous smile.
She ran in to gather her things while I waited next to her car.
She came out, and we kissed until we were breathless. “Do you want to spend the night at my house tonight after dinner?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“I’ll pack an overnight bag.” I gave her one last kiss. I watched her drive away and my heart sank to my stomach, a familiar feeling of dread. She had become someone to worry about.
Someone I wanted to keep safe.
Someone I hated being away from.
Darla encouraged me to be honest with her when feelings of the past resurface.
