Page 59 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“How are you?” She slid into the booth across from me.

I raised my head to rest my chin on my hands. Tears I didn’t want to shed immediately filled my eyes at the sympathetic look she wore. In so many ways, Kelly was my safe place. Her face was as well known to me as my own. I didn’t have to be strong for my best friend.

“I’m exhausted.” I sniffled. My throat became thick, changing my voice to something deeper. “The house is a total mess. I can’t keep up with it all. I’ve done a million loads of laundry, and scrubbed the whole house every day to keep the germs from spreading. They’re just lying on the couch, so how are they making a mess? I swear that it’s evil dark magic. I don’t know if I can do it another day without getting some more sleep.”

“Three days is a long time to have no rest.” She reached out and patted my head. “It’s okay to be tired.”

“It gets worse.”

“How?”

“My dad called and he’s coming home tomorrow, which is, like, I don’t know why he would be, because he was just here a few weeks ago and...well, you know. But no matter what the reason is, he gets home tomorrow, and he’s coming home to a disaster. I’m trying to be reasonable and understand that this is just life, but I can’t bear the thought of it. Even though I’m mad at him, I still want him to come home to a place that will draw him back.” New tears filled my eyes, and I blinked them away.

“That job isn’t only up to you. Your mom and Sadie should help too.”

“I honestly don’t know if they can. They’ve been so sick.”

“Listen, Liv, a few customers just came in, so I’ve got to run, but have a good hearty lunch, and things will be brighter soon. You’ll probably go home to find everything is fine. They’re feeling better and they’ll want to get ready for your dad too.” I sniffed one last time and nodded. “Can I have Jake make you something?”

“Vegetable soup and a roll?”

“Sure thing. I’ll bring it right over.”

I put my head back down on my arms and tried to empty my mind. I took deep breaths in and out, and I pictured the painting I had been working on last, with its sunny colors. I listened to the chatter of customers, the light instrumental music playing in the background, and the way the central heating was lifting the light hairs on the back of my neck. By the time the warm soup and fresh roll arrived I was feeling a little better. The meal did its work of renewing some of my energy, and I made it through the rest of my shift.

After work I did a quick grocery run and headed home around dinnertime with a carload of food. I bought extra knowing Dad would appreciate having food in the house, but as I carried it in I felt disgusted with myself for catering to him at all. Why couldn’t I break that habit of wanting to make him happy?

I opened the front door and paused, wondering for a minute if I was in the right house. The living room was immaculate, and Mom and Sadie were sitting on the couch eating bowls of something that smelled delicious. They were eating! Eating was a great sign. They both looked as though they’d showered and cleaned up.

I made my way wordlessly into the kitchen, where I was completely bowled over to find the same situation. Sparkling clean with no signs of the sickness that had gone through the house. I wasn’t sure who the angel of mercy had been, but I was swamped with gratitude.

“There’s a bowl of homemade soup in the microwave for you,” Mom called from the other room. “When you’re done putting away the groceries you should come sit and eat with us.” Her voice, while still a little raspy, sounded strong, and my knees actually felt weak with relief.

I wanted to cry tears of complete joy. I made quick work of putting things away and reheated the soup before joining them on the couch.

“The house looks amazing, and this soup is yummy, and I can’t believe it.” I was smiling so big that my mouth felt the stretch. Relief zigged down my back as my shoulders relaxed. “Thank you. Dad will be so happy when he gets here tomorrow.”

Sadie turned big eyes on me. “Dad’s coming tomorrow?” Her slender body was wrapped in a blanket, her hair still slightly damp, and her face free of makeup. She looked like the ten-year-old she’d once been.

“You forgot?” I asked. She nodded.

“Well, no matter the reason, I’m so grateful that you guys worked so hard to get the house in order. I could kiss you both.”

“I’m not supposed to say anything, but we didn’t do all of this.” Mom turned to me. Her eyes, so like mine, looked more peaceful than they had in a long while. Her pale face had regained some color.

I couldn’t imagine who it had been. I thought it over as I took a few bites, and then my heart pricked at an idea. “Was it Blaine? Did he hire a cleaning crew to come in?” Maybe he’d stopped by, wanting to try to get back together and had seen the state of things. Maybe he’d thought this would be a good way to get into my good graces. My happiness faded dramatically at the thought.

“No, dummy. Blaine had nothing to do with this,” Sadie replied.

“Then who? Kelly was at work with me all day.”

“It was Connor Hunt,” Mom said. “He knocked on the door just after lunch and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He cleaned up, brought dinner, and swore us to secrecy. I’ll admit I was a bit shocked. Connor doesn’t have the best reputation and doesn’t seem the type to do something like this. I was really hesitant to let him in.”

“C-Connor? Connor Hunt did all of this?” My bowl clattered to the coffee table, spilling speckles of broth on the shiny surface. All thoughts of Blaine washed out of my mind in a blast as honey brown eyes took his spot. A rush of heat crawled up my neck and into my cheeks. My heart seemed to slog to a stop.

“He made us shower too.” Sadie nodded.

“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled in a daze.

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