Page 26 of Let Me

“Of course,” he says, then laughs.

“Okay.I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yes.Tomorrow.”

“At ten,” I confirm.

“A.M.,” he says, tickled.

“Alright.I got it.”

“Enjoy the rest of your night, Autumn.”

“You as well, Judah.Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I hang up the phone and try my best to wipe the smile off my face that I’m going to get to see him tomorrow.I don’t even care that the rest of the crew will be there.I’m still grateful that I get to be near him.I like him and I want to get to know him.His diagnosis won’t prevent me from doing that.In fact, I refuse to feel any kind of pity for him or look at him like a person whohassomething.He’s a man with feelings—a man who looks perfectly capable of living a happy, productive life.And I can’t explain it, but whenever I talk to him, whenever I’m with him, I feel elation.Like there’s something about him that stabilizes me.It’s one of those feelings that tells me our paths were supposed to cross and I’m glad they did.

Chapter 8

I must have checked this bag a thousand times, making sure I had everything I needed for the picnic with Autumn this morning.I place it in the backseat and head to the park.I wanted to make arrangements to pick her up, but I wasn’t sure if she’d be comfortable with that.I haven’t heard from her this morning, so I hope all is well and that she’s ready for me.It’s ten minutes until ten.I’ll be at the park in five.I wonder if she’s already there waiting for my arrival, or did she oversleep?

I get my answer when I pull in and see her car.A smile instantly comes to my face.

She’s here.

She’s waiting.

She’s ready to spend the day with me.

I park beside her.She smiles when she looks over and sees me.I get out, take the bag from the backseat and then close the door.She’s already gotten out, and I pause my steps toward her and take in her beauty.She looks like a breath of fresh air if it were something you could see.She has on a yellow, backless, strapless dress.My throat nearly tightens when I discover freckles sprinkled over her chest like glitter.Her hair is gathered in a high ponytail.She has pink gloss on her lips and no makeup hiding her uniqueness.

Thank God.

I want to bask in her beauty marks all day.My thumbs ache to play connect the dots on her beautiful face.

“Good morning, Sunshine.”

She smiles, her face glowing with happiness beneath a partly cloudy sky.“Good morning, Judah.”

“How are you feeling this morning?”I ask.It’s a question I’ve grown accustomed to people asking me.I want to be the one asking for a change.

“I feel good.It’s a beautiful day.It’s…pleasant.”

“Yeah, that’s why I wanted to get out here early before it got too hot.”

“Good idea.Is it just us?”

“Yes,” I say, walking beside her.“Just us.”

I’m tempted to take her hand into mine, but I fight the urge.Instead, I pay attention to her aura.Her aroma.I savor her presence.She smells like cocoa butter and peaches.She looks relaxed and ready for whatever.I suppose that’s a good thing.It means she’s comfortable with me.That brings me joy.

Walking over near the paddle boats, I ask, “You’re not afraid of the water, are you?”

“No.What did you have in mind?”

“I was thinking we could paddle or drift to the middle of the lake and talk and eat.”

---