Page 27 of Resolution
There’s a long pause, causing my heart to plunge as I await her response. “No, why would you ask that?”
“Your voice mail. You sounded pissed.”
“Voice mail?”
I cringe. Not wanting to bring it up unnecessarily, but having to make sure she isn’t mad at me. “You know, about buying you a vibrator?”
Samantha almost snorts as laughter spills from her. “Ohmigod. You’re never going to believe the story about that.” She takes a deep breath, trying to control her laughter. “I can’t tell you about it now. I’m having dinner with your family, but no, I’m not mad. Trust me, I’m anything but mad.” More laughter spews out of her and I’m left a little confused.
“Are you sure?” I can’t help but clarify. She sounded pissed on the phone earlier, so why the hell is she laughing so hard about it now?
“Yeah. I am.” Then she changes the subject. “Are you almost done packing?”
Looking around my nearly empty room, I tell her I am.
“Did you pack those presents I left for you on the top shelf of your closet?”
“No, I left them out, so I could open them on Christmas, like you asked. But I didn’t get back until today, so I’ve missed it.”
“Well, it’s still Christmas here. Go get them.”
Within seconds, I have the presents she’d left in my hands and am eager to rip them open. “Which one first?”
“The square box.”
Paper is ripped and the box is open within seconds. Inside is not only a watch, but a special ops watch called the Silencer. It is capable of holding a charge for months, has a compass, a strobe light for emergency signals, and a ton of other features if the box is any indication. “Wow, Sam, this is an amazing gift. A buddy of mine has one of these and they’re great watches.”
“I’m glad you like it. So…” She hesitates for a moment. “Have you read the inscription?”
I take it out of its box and my heart stutters. She couldn’t have known just how much I needed this right now.
No measure of time with you will be enough,
but let’s start with forever.
XOXO Sam
“Forever sounds great, beautiful.” My throat clogs as I’m filled with emotion. Christ, this woman can bring me to my knees in an instant.
“Open the next one,” she eagerly states. “That’s from the kids.”
I pick up the shoe-sized box and open it. It’s filled with an assortment of things. Cards, notes, and a few other items all stuffed inside. What draws my attention is a silver 4X6 frame with the word family written on the bottom. This slays me. Samantha, her kids, and I are hiking at Beacon Rock. Just looking at the photo floods me with emotion, making me want to be in Portland as soon as possible.
“Wow, this is amazing,” I say in awe of the love that is given.
I pull out a folded piece of paper and see that it’s from Frankie. It’s a drawing of a man flying a plane in the sky. Underneath are the words, ‘Fly home soon. We miss you. Love, Frankie.’ My heart soars.
There’s also a card from both Maddie and Declan wishing me both Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas. At the bottom is a multi-color, hand-beaded bracelet with the lettersLove You, Enzo, spelled out. “Is the bracelet from Frankie?” I ask to clarify my assumption. I can’t imagine this being from Dec or Maddie.
“Yeah, it is. Will it even fit you?”
I place it around my wrist and I can’t quite tie it together. Damn. “Not really. But it’s the thought that counts. I’ll be sure to thank her when I talk with her next.”
“She can’t wait to hear from you. She’s at Devin’s parents, but will be home in a few days.”
“I’ll call her when she’s home then. So, what have you been up to? Did the kids like the gifts I sent?”
“Yes. Funny you should mention that,” she says in her best mom voice, letting me know I’m about to get a lecture. “You need to know what the wordcontrolmeans. You have none. If you buy gifts like this at every occasion, we’ll bebroke,and they’ll bespoiled. Just because they are the latest and greatest gifts doesn’t mean you need to buy them. You don’t need to be so excessive.”
