Page 16 of Until Tomorrow Comes
I nod my head, and it takes a second for me to actually find my voice.
“It’s no problem at all. I have all this space, just glad it’s finally getting used.” It’s not exactly true, I typically prefer to keep to myself. But I will happily help Alan.
And, of course, his beautiful “baby sister.”
I tilt my head to the side, gesturing to the beach. “Someone might as well enjoy the fact that I own a beachfront house.”
That earns a small smile as she turns her attention back to me.
“I may have already scoped out a couple places that would be perfect for reading,” she murmurs. A slight blush hints on her cheeks, making me wonder what she’s thinking.
Clearing my throat, I look at Alan.
“How about I show you guys the rest of the house, in case you guys wanna rest or freshen up. I was plannin’ on firing up the grill in another hour or so for some burgers.” I glance quickly toward Kat. “Unless you don’t eat meat…” I trail off, wishing that I had thought of a backup plan sooner.
“The town grocery store is only a ten-minute drive, so I could easily run into town while you guys settle in?”
Before I can even consider heading in to grab my keys, Kat and Al are both shaking their heads. Alan steps forward, throwing an arm over my shoulder.
“Nah man. Burgers sound really good.”
***
“Sorry man, you’ll have to sleep on an air mattress tonight.” I say, gripping the back of my neck.
Alan slides past me to toss his overnight bag in the room I set up for him.
There are five bedrooms up here, but after furnishing the primary bedroom, the one guest bedroom closest to my room, and an office, I ran out of motivation to continue. Which is why the remaining two bedrooms have been sitting empty.
My room, and the one Kat will be staying in, are just down the hall adjacent to each other. The house was built so those two bedrooms get the perfect view of the beach.
Alan turns back to face me, a smile on his face as he shakes his head.
“Not a big deal at all, man.” He turns, moving around me as he carries Kat’s suitcase toward the one guest room I have set up. I jab a thumb over my shoulder.
“I can go grab the rest of her stuff.”
Kat had already walked past, heading in the direction I pointed out for her with a duffle bag, so I imagine she has another bag or two. Alan stops halfway down the hall, shaking his head as he half turns back toward me.
“This is it.” He states on a sigh.
I raise an eyebrow. Two bags wouldn’t have been enough for my ex to take a weekend trip. Yet she’s here with only two bags.
Alan runs a hand along his jaw.
“She uh… this was all Kat packed.” He mumbles.
“If she needs anything else shipped here, I got a pickup truck that we can use. And I clearly have the space for whatever she wants to bring.”
We never actually talked about how long she would be staying but, as far as I’m concerned, she can stay for however long she needs or wants.
“No, this is all she…” Alan trails off, clearing his throat before continuing. “Has. This is all she has.”
I can only stare back at him. Just as the reason dawns on me, Kat speaks up from behind Alan.
“What my brother is tryingnotto say, is that this is everything I was able to pack before my soon-to-be ex-husband put me in the hospital. Thankfully, Alan grabbed the suitcases before the ambulance took me away.”
She speaks with such conviction, even as something akin to fear flashes across her face. Kat glances at me, offering a weak smile.
