Page 22 of Stay for Me
Devney looks around the room. “How are you guys settling into Sugarloaf?”
Such a loaded question. It’s one that most people think they want a truthful answer to, but they don’t. “We’re doing our best,” I say, settling onto the couch as Dev takes the seat across from me.
“I guess that’s all any of us can do.” She eyes the table where Luke’s picture sits. “I didn’t know him that well. Sean probably knew him the best of everyone, but . . . I’m really sorry.”
I release a low breath. “I appreciate that. We’re all really doing okay.”
Most of the time.
“You don’t have to put on a brave face with me. I know you don’t know me, but I promise that there’s zero judgment here. I went through hell the last few months, and . . . I’ll never be the same as before, how can we be?”
“There are days where I’m fine. Others, well, they suck.”
“How’s today?”
I think about all that happened in the last twenty-four hours and smile. “Today is good.”
She eyes me curiously. “I’m glad.”
I’m not sure what it is about Devney, but she gives off such warm vibes. A lot like when I met Ellie. We hit it off instantly, and I’ve been grateful for the friendship. As a military wife, most of my friendships were fleeting because they were there and then someone was moving. But with Devney and Ellie, I know there is potential for long-term friendships.
“I am too,” I tell her. “Jacob came by the other night. He’s actually out with Sebastian now.”
“As in my brother-in-law?”
“Yes.”
Her brows raise and she leans back. “Well, I’ll be.”
“Should I be concerned that he took him fishing?”
“No! No, not like that. I’ve known these boys my whole life, and Jacob is a great guy. Truly. He’s sweet and funny and I wouldn’t worry at all. It’s just that he’s been away from here for so long, and it’s nice to see him doing something in this town that he loved—fishing. And the fact that he’s with your son is really great. His mother would be really happy.”
I was worried that my son was out with some random guy and I was being too naïve, so having her say that eases my apprehension.
It’s easy to think that this town is out of some kind of storybook where people are kind beyond reason.
“He mentioned he lost her when he was young,” I say.
“They all were. Connor, Ellie’s husband, was the youngest and didn’t handle it well, but out of all of them, I think Declan took it the hardest. He was the oldest and thought he had to take care of them all. Jacob was . . . different. I don’t know, it was as though he lost a part of who he was when she died and replaced it with sarcasm and a grin.”
“I worry about my kids feeling like they don’t know who they are without their father too.”
Devney leans forward and rests her hand on mine. “Your kids have you to love them through it.”
I give her hand a squeeze. “Just as yours has you.”
“That’s a whole other level of drama, but, yes, Austin has me and Sean who love him very much.”
Austin is a great kid. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with him at the school. He talks about his parents and his new parents with a lot of confliction and admiration. He loves Devney and is glad he has her, but he’s also struggling a bit with the loss of his parents and what it all means.
“And I think that all we can do is love our kids and help them process their grief.”
She watches me, seeming to think a bit before speaking. “Who is helping you, Brenna? I’m not asking to be rude, but I have Sean as my shoulder. Your kids have you. Your mother-in-law has your father-in-law. It’s a lot of shoulders, but I worry who will help carry your burden.”
The flippant woman in me wants to scoff and pretend Devney is being ridiculous. However, I am alone. I left my friends in California. My family is gone or aren’t a part of our lives. I moved here because the only people who could help were Luke’s family, but I can’t cry to his mother when she’s grieving her only son.
“I’m not sure.”
