Page 61 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
Ashley raised one eyebrow. “From the sounds of what he said at dinner, I’d say he’s already pretty sure.”
“I know.” Reagan was still wrestling with this part, when to tell Tommy. “He deserves to know.”
For the next ten minutes Reagan told Ashley what she had learned that day and how it had changed everything about the way she viewed her father’s final hour. In the years since the terrorist attacks, Reagan had often wished she’d known how little time she had left with her dad. Had she known, she would’ve taken the semester off school so they could’ve made a thousand memories together.
But now—in light of what God was doing in her heart and in view of her conversations with Raul and Ashley—Reagan wasn’t as sure. If she had known, she would’ve spent her final time with her father worrying. Terrified about what was going to happen. And she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant with Tommy, so she wouldn’t be married to Luke. At least it seemed that way. All of which lent credence to the truth Raul had shared with her.
God knew the number of their days.
Because Tommy was almost certain to be a policeofficer one day soon, the quicker Reagan could live within Raul’s truth, the better. Worry was a thief and fear was a robber. Better not to know what was coming tomorrow. Far better to spend her time on the gift in front of her. Time with her family and laughter with the ones she loved. Hours enjoying the present she was most grateful for this Thanksgiving.
The gift of today.
22
With Annalee’s next round of chemo slated for Monday, Tommy had made a plan for the Friday after Thanksgiving. He had talked to Annalee’s parents and they had cleared the outing with her doctor.
Even after the full day in Bloomington, Annalee was feeling more energy than since treatment began. She had called first thing that morning and told him she was still on. “I could barely sleep, thinking about our date.”
Tommy picked her up just before lunch. Her dad pulled him aside before they left.
“If she starts to look tired… if she seems like she’s slowing down…” Mr. Miller rarely showed any concern when Tommy took Annalee out. But here Tommy got a glimpse of how the man clearly felt. This was his little girl, and she needed all the recovery time she could get.
“Yes, sir.” Tommy didn’t hesitate. “If anything changes, I’ll bring her straight home.”
The man raked his hand over his head. “Wisdom tells me she shouldn’t go out today.” He stared at Tommy. “But then I see how she is when she’s with you.” He gave Tommy a hug. “Take care of her.”
“I will.” Tommy couldn’t keep from smiling. Annalee’s dad had noticed the same thing Tommy had seen. She was better when she was with him. When she had even a few hours to feel like a high school senior again. “Thank you. For letting us do this.”
Mr. Miller nodded. “I trust you. Just as much as she does.”
Tommy put her wheelchair in the back of his Jeep and they were off. Annalee had a bag of medications she needed to take throughout the day, but as long as she felt well, the fresh air might do her good. That’s what her doctor had said.
The afternoon was unseasonably warm. Nearly sixty degrees. Another reason the date seemed like a good idea. Tommy held her door open and caught himself grinning as he slid behind the wheel. “Do you know how good it feels to take you out?”
“I can’t believe I’m free of that hospital bed.” She rolled the passenger window down and breathed deep. “Thank You, God! Thank You.”
Annalee wore a white sweater, dark jeans and white tennis shoes. Her wig this time was a blond ponytail. No one would’ve known it wasn’t her real hair. Never mind that in three days she’d be back in the hospital having more chemotherapy, more radiation. For now they both had the privilege of celebrating.
Tommy had the day all planned. They were meeting his cousin Maddie West and her boyfriend, Dawson Gage, at the Indianapolis Zoo. First stop was the zoodiner—Café on the Commons. Though the date with Annalee had been approved last week, the specifics hadn’t come together till yesterday over Thanksgiving dessert. That’s when Dawson had texted about a zoo day.
Funny,Tommy thought as he headed for the zoo. He and Maddie had been too many years apart in age to be very close when they were growing up. She was out of high school before he even started. But now that many of the Baxter cousins were young adults, age didn’t seem to matter.
Maddie and Dawson had only been dating a few months, but already they seemed very serious. Their story was the wildest thing Tommy had ever heard. They parked close to the café and Tommy looked at Annalee. “Wheelchair?”
“No.” She angled her head. “I know I’m supposed to… but for this part, can I just walk?”
Tommy didn’t think it could hurt. He helped her from the car and inside they met up with Maddie and Dawson. Maddie had long blond hair, like Annalee used to have. But with Annalee’s wig the two could’ve been sisters. Dawson was tall with dark hair and an outdoorsy feel about him. He had just moved to Indiana from Oregon.
They ordered crispy chicken and fries and bottled water and found a table near the window. Annalee didn’t want to look frail, she had already told Tommy that. But he slid into the booth first and situated himself so she could lean on him.
Which she did.
Maddie had met Annalee before at a few of the big gatherings at the Baxter house. But they’d never talked much until yesterday. Maddie took a sip of water and started the conversation. “Tommy says you’re nearly done with treatment.” She hesitated. “Is it okay? If I ask that?”
A wave of frustration came over Tommy. He had forgotten to tell Maddie not to talk about Annalee’s cancer.
But Annalee only smiled. Life radiated from her eyes. “Yes, just a few more rounds.” She shrugged. “You can ask. It feels good to be almost done, that’s for sure.”
