Page 27 of Cut to the Heart of It
He nodded slowly. “Well, I suppose her stay was extended. She was only supposed to be here through Sunday, right?”
I nodded and shoveled a heaping spoonful of oatmeal into my mouth.
“She seemed nice.”
I nodded and shoveled some more in.
“Dad.”
I looked up from my bowl and waved my spoon. “Yeah, what?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
I dropped my spoon into the bowl and leaned back, sighing deeply. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. I asked her to stay, and she left.”
Danny chuckled.
“What?”
“Dad, you’ve known her less than a week and you don’t have the best first impression. You can’t expect her to just shack up with you.”
“When you say it like that it does sound ridiculous.” I rubbed my hand down my face. “I dunno, Danny. She’s special. I just know it. It was so easy with her.”
“So, you’ll go see her, chat on the phone or whatever you old people do.”
“Hey, fifty is not old.”
“If you say so.”
I started eating again. “It’s dumb, but I miss her.”
“So, you’ll chat and visit. If it’s meant to be, it’ll work out. You’ll see.”
‘You’re right, kiddo. I’ll win her over.”
Chapter 15
CJ
Last week when I drove home, my stomach was in knots the whole time. And I swear more Heart’s Lumber signs were added along the highway. I never was one to give much weight to “signs” but then I all week I heard ads on the radio while I was working. They had probably been there all along and I just was now laser focused on them because of Johnny.
I called him that night when I got home, and he called me every night since. I had to play catch up with some work even though I did some while I was stuck there Monday and Tuesday, but my boss was riding my ass about every little thing, so I told him I’d be working through the weekend.
But every night, he stayed on the phone with me until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It was like middle school.
But we talked about everything, and everyone. I knew all about Danny’s recent perfect score on his Bio exam, Uncle Bo had asked about me and I sent my regards, and he knew all about my job, my mom, and we did have the shitty ex conversation.
The only thing that was missing, was him in the same room. I thought being home would snap me back to reality, but it only made me miss him more. When he asked about this weekend’s plans and I told him I was free, I was giddy when he said he was coming to see me.
I spent Thursday night cleaning the apartment and stocking the fridge in case he wanted to stay in. The weather turned cold and there wasn’t much to see around here anyway. Not much compares to an oversized cabin in the woods on the side of a mountain, especially not this little town.
I watched the clock like a hawk all day and logged out at five on the dot so I could freshen up.
At half past five on the nose, a knock banged on the door. Amberwood tickled my nose as I opened the door and Johnny stood, holding a bouquet of mixed flowers. He had a small duffle bag and looked like a whole meal in his jeans and another flannel shirt under a black leather jacket.
He smiled and I rushed to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He wrapped me up in his arms and leaned his head close to my ear. He drew in a breath then whispered, “Happiness.”
I pulled away and looked up. “What?”
