Page 34 of Stand By You
“It all could have still happened,” Jillian said.
“Yes, it could’ve,” Nick agreed. “We just will never know. And I didn’t say any of this to point a finger at you and I don’t think Mrs. Hudson was either. She was only pointing out that you can’t keep acting like this hasn’t happened to you or that you’re fine when you aren’t.”
“Okay. I’m not fine. I’m in pain, but I’m not going to take the meds when an over the counter will do just fine,” Jillian said.
A silence filled the kitchen,and Nick didn’t know what to say. “You haven’t taken any?”
“One,” Jillian admitted reluctantly. “The first night because the pain was numbing and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but not since.”
“But have you really needed the medication?” Nick asked.
“At times I felt I did, but like I said, I wasn’t taking a chance on getting addicted,” Jillian said. “Even if I only took it as needed.”
“Your doctor didn’t prescribe an opioid,” Nick said. “I think you would have been fine taking the medication. But your resolve and ability to withstand the pain shows your strength and character.”
“I agree,” Mrs. Hudson said. “I’m impressed. I don’t think I could have made it through without taking anything, especially the way you have been pushing yourself to search for Travis despite your injuries.”
They finished eating in silence and then Mrs. Hudson brought out a lemon meringue pie for dessert, serving them each a piece.
“When did you have time to bake?” Jillian asked. “I know you’ve been rearranging Mr. McGinty’s bedroom to move in Abby’s things.”
“Yesterday, while I worried where you’d gone off to,” the housekeeper said.
“Sorry we worried you to the point you had to keep busy,” Nick said. “But this pie is delicious. We’ll have to worry you more if it produces this.”
Mrs. Hudson gave a little laugh. “Please, don’t go out of your way. I enjoy baking and I would prefer to do it under different circumstances on a regular basis.”
It was Nick’s turn to laugh. “I don’t think I could take you away from the McGinty’s, but I will be happy to have pie any and every day you want to bake one while I’m staying here.”
“It’s a deal,” she said, getting up and clearing away her dishes, leaving the younger people to finish their meal.
“Lemon is a summer favorite around here,” Jillian said. “It’s cool, refreshing, and not too heavy.”
“I think it’s good anytime,” Nick said, finishing off his piece.
“Help yourself to seconds if you like,” Mrs. Hudson said. “We’re having Mango mousse for dessert tonight.”
“Yum,” Jillian said. “I love your mango mousse.”
“I’ve never had that before,” Nick said, getting up from the barstool and taking his and Jillian’s dishes over to the sink before she could protest. “I’ll be interested in trying that.”
He returned and sat back down to her frowning face. “I could have managed,” she said.
“And I thought I’d be nice,” he replied. “What do you want to do this afternoon? Play a board game?”
She shook her head. “I have an assignment due for my online grad class. I haven’t had a chance to work on it the last few days with what has been going on. If you give me a few hours to complete it then I’ll be all yours.”
“I didn’t realize you were taking one this summer,” he said.
“My last one and I’ll have my masters completed.”
“That’s great,” he said. “What will you do with your degree? Finally apply for a teaching job?”
She shrugged. “I promised Travis I wouldn’t leave him, so unless the decision is out of my hands, I will be staying put for the next several years.”
“And will you be satisfied with that?” Nick asked. “Don’t you want to have a family of your own one day?”
“I’d have to meet someone and fall in love before that could happen, Mr. Bardou,” Jillian said. “It isn’t impossible for me to date and do my job. I was involved with a man when Travis was small, but things didn’t work out. He claimed seeing me only on my days off was not enough. We had been seeing one another when I came to work here.”
