Page 115 of Enough
“Speaking of which, I need to call her.” I lift myself up and he takes notice of my bare chest. His eyes shoot up appreciatively.
“Have I told you how much I love your tits?” he asks.
I roll my eyes.
“You’re supposed to say thank you or ask me to prove it.”
I laugh. “Thank you,” I respond. “If you prove it to me again, I may be limping at work tomorrow.”
He smiles my smile as I stand and walk naked to the bathroom. I’m surprised by how comfortable I feel in front of him.
I dress and brush out my hair. He meets me in the bathroom and I see his naked reflection in the mirror. I whistle at him as he uses the bathroom, and he wiggles his ass at me.
As he washes his hands, I kiss his cheek and then make my way down the stairs to the phone. I’m so happy andcontent that it seems I have a glow all around me. I never thought I’d feel this way. It’s better than I ever imagined it to be.
I dial Kay’s number, hoping she didn’t watch the news and hear about Cooper. I mentally berate myself for not calling her earlier to let her know he was okay.
The phone rings repeatedly and she doesn’t answer. I wonder if she went for another walk. She’s on an exercise kick lately.
“Hey, Nick?” I yell up the stairs.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Do you mind if I run over to Kay’s. I think she’s on a walk and I want to tell her about Coop before she see’s something on the news.”
He hops down the stairs and lifts a shirt over his head. “Yeah, go ahead. I was thinking of cutting the lawn before it snows. Is that okay with you?”
I stare at him as if he’s the biggest chocolate sundae I’ve ever seen. “Youwantto cut the lawn?”
He laughs. “Yeah. I miss cutting grass. My dad used to let me do all the yardwork.”
“You just keep getting better and better,” I say as I kiss his lips. He laughs appreciatively. “Are you okay with getting the kids off the bus? I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “Take advantage all you want. I love being here. Besides, I said I would be, and you know I’m a man of my word.”
I lean into him. “Remind me again where you’ve been my whole life?”
“I told you…” He runs his hand over my head. “I’ve been waiting for this, for my second chance.”
I SING ALONG with the radio as I drive to Kay’s. It amazes me how much more beautiful the world seems to be. I credit my joy to Nick Rowen. I smile to myself as I think back over the events of my morning and how much he fills up every empty space I’ve ever had.
As I pull down her street, I watch for her, but it’s fairly quiet. It’s nearing Thanksgiving, and its getting colder day by day. I pull up in front of her house, and as I exit my car, her big red door comes into view. I jog up to it, and before I knock, I run my fingers along the edges. “Hello, magic door,” I say with a giggle. “How do you feel about being painted because I’m happy for once?” I laugh to myself as I rap my knuckles on the door. I imagine Kay and myself painting the door together.
A few seconds pass and she doesn’t answer. I knock again and nothing. I reach in my purse and pull out my keys. Maybe she’s in the bathroom. I open her door. “Gram? It’s Ev!” I toss my purse on her couch and listen for her response. It’s eerily quiet. I pop my head in the kitchen. Not there. I open the basement door and it’s dark.
“Gram?” I yell again. “Are you in the bathroom?” I makemy way down the hall and pause at my door for a moment, smiling at the memories of peaceful sleep in my old bed.
“Gram? What are you doing?” I laugh. “Are you back here?”
I round the corner into her room and she’s fast asleep in bed. I lean on the bed and shake her gently. “Gram…” I whisper. “Wake up, sleepyhead!” I giggle.
She doesn’t move.
“It’s the middle of the day. Are you tired?” My stomach tenses, but I ignore it. “Gram?” I shake her again. “Grandma Kay?” I push her more forcibly as my chest fills with fear. “Gram!” I shout and roll her over. I reach for her face and it’s cold. She’s never cold. She’s always warm. She should be warm. I pull the covers over her. “Are you cold?” I ask as I tuck the blankets around her.
“Is that better?” I ask as a lone tear slips down my cheek. “It’s getting cold now, but it’s sunny outside, so it’s still a nice day.” I stand and stumble to the window. I lean on the frame and continue to speak through bated breath. “I thought maybe we’d paint the door again today.” My voice shakes as I turn toward her and wait for her response.
“What do you think, hmm?” I ask, knowing the answer will never come. I hear her voice in my head and I see her smile. I slide to the ground and kneel next to her. “Gram… please.”
