Page 15 of Aftersome
“Oh good, okay. Did he say whether the chances were good or not?”
Anxious for her response, I began to pace.
“Not exactly… But, I think if anyone could bring him back, it would be you.”
The shock of her words hit me like a freight train. I even had to sit down to process them.
“I don’t know about that. I think I have the same chances as just about anyone.”
“I think you underestimate yourself.”
There was a short pause. Tugging on my bottom lip, I struggled to respond back. Not because I didn’t agree with her, but because I did.
I had doubts. It would be hard for me not to, but it seemed nearly impossible to have any confidence in myself.
Especially in dealing with things about my past.
“It’s been ten years, Wren. You’re not the same naive, closed-off woman you were all those years ago. Give yourself some grace for all the obstacles you had to overcome to get where you are. You’re strong, independent, and if Mal is smart, he’ll listen to you.”
I wanted to cry.
Never have I thought or seen myself as a strong, independent woman until now.
Until hearing the honesty in Kate’s voice as she told me.
“Now, go tell the Deckers that you’re going to bring their stubborn son back.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
When in doubt, always call Kate.
After a few back-and-forth comments, we soon ended the call and I began to prepare for my trip over to Greg and Shelia’s. A fresh shower and a few mental pep talks in front of the mirror later, I was finally ready.
Then with a quick wave to Alice out my passenger side window, I was off.
The Deckers weren’t expecting me.
I knew they were home, though, and almost immediately after knocking, the door was swung open.
“Wren? What are you doing here?” Greg asked as he looked at me suspiciously and stepped to the side to let me in.
“I’m hungry,” I lied.
“You’re hungry,” he repeated as if he didn’t believe me. Removing my shoes, I smiled up at the full-bearded man who was watching me with his arms crossed. He looked good today.
Healthy.
“Yes, and I didn’t feel like cooking tonight.”
It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I couldn’t come right out and say that I wanted to talk about… him.
Mal.
“Huh,” he grunted. “Well, you’re in luck. We’ve got some steaks cooking out on the grill.” Shuffling past me, I followed him into the delicious-smelling kitchen where Shelia was busy at work chopping up some vegetables and potatoes.
“Wren? I didn’t know you were stopping by.” She peered up from what she was doing and smiled.
“She’s hungry,” Greg answered over my shoulder as he made his way out onto the back patio where the grill was.
