Page 106 of The Summer We Started Over

“Sit with me a minute. I’d like to talk.”

Jeff sat. “You’re worried about Bobby?”

“Yes.” Eddie reached over and took Jeff’s hand. “If we…if you and I are going to adopt Bobby…” She didn’t know how to say it.

“We have to get married,” Jeff finished for her. “And we have to decide where to live until I can finish our house.”

“How long will it take you?”

“After Labor Day, things will slow down. A little. Kick Gordon has penciled me in for installing plumbing during the month of September. I’ll finish the dry wall, and the painting…I’ll need to furnish it…if I’m lucky, we can move in around Christmas.”

“That’s amazing, Jeff.” Eddie leaned against him. “Just think of it. You and me waking up together…”

“And Bobby, don’t forget.”

“Oh, I won’t forget him. Ever. But we have to see a lawyer with Dove to make everything legal.”

“And you have to tell Dinah that you won’t be working for her anymore.”

“I know. It’s going to be hard. And I’m going to miss the income.”

“Don’t worry about money. I’ll take care of us.”

“I suppose, but I want to do my share.”

“We’ll sort it out,” Jeff said. He put his arm around Eddie’s shoulders. “We can do it all.”

—

The house was quiet. Eddie checked that the doors were locked and went upstairs to bed. As she passed by Dove’s room, she heard coughing. She hesitated by the door, wondering what she should do.

“Eddie?”

She opened the door and looked in at Dove. The other woman was sitting up in bed, holding tissues to her mouth.

“Dove. What can I get you?”

“Mommy’s coughing,” Bobby said, and Eddie realized the little boy was still awake, and frightened.

“It’s just a cold,” Dove assured him. “But, Eddie, I wonder if Bobby can sleep with you tonight. I need to take some cough medicine, but I don’t know how soon it will act, and Bobby’s so sleepy.”

“I’d love to have Bobby sleep with me tonight.” Eddie went to the bed and sat down next to Bobby. She was surprised when the child reached out his arms to her and easily moved with her when she pulled him onto her lap. She held him close.

Dove coughed, caught her breath, and said, “I’ve been telling Bobby that you love him as much as I do. And I have this bad cold. Maybe Bobby should sleep with you from now on.”

Sorrow tugged at Eddie’s heart. She managed to say, “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Is that okay with you, Bobby?”

Bobby nodded his head, yawned, and rubbed his eyes. “Okay.”

“Can I get anything for you?” Eddie asked.

“No, thank you,” Dove said. She held up a prescription bottle. “I have what I need right here.”

Eddie said, “Good night, Dove.”

She stood up, cuddling Bobby close to her. His head was heavy and hot. She managed to leave the room and pull Dove’s door shut. She slid into Barrett’s room.

“Sssh,” she said to Bobby. “Barrett’s sleeping.”

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