Page 132 of It's Always Been You
She nods quickly. “I want that, too. Trust me.”
“Good.”
“Good.” She sighs, running a hand through her hair before flipping it over her shoulder. “Look, I owe you more than one apology.” She tilts her head, gazing at our son. “You’re an amazing father, Brandon, and you’ve always gone out of your way to be there for us. But sometimes I don’t treat you like it and . . . well, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”
Color me shocked. I’m so touched by her apology that a lump forms in my throat. “It’s okay, Cora. I understand. It’s been a rough few years for us both.” I pause, then swallow. “I’m sorry for my role in everything that happened. And I’m especially sorry that it didn’t work out between us. I wish—”
She laughs. “Brandon, please. We both know that was for the best. Can you imagine how miserable we’d be if we tried to force a relationship?”
“Yeah,” I hedge, not sure if agreeing will do me any favors. There was a reason we were only friends. It strikes me as ironic that she’d say that, though, considering she likes to throw the fact that I didn’t marry her in my face whenever she can. But that’s neither here nor there. Water under the bridge.
She smirks. “No offense, but you’re not my type,” she goes on. I laugh. I could say the same, but I don’t want to offend her. There are some things a man should never say to a woman—least of all the mother of his child.You’re not my typeis one of them. “I’m more of a blue-collar man myself. They’re far less complicated.” Her phone buzzes, and she glances down and pulls it out. “Speaking of. Malcolm’s waiting on me.” She drops a kiss to the top of Teddy’s head. “Bye, kiddo. Have fun with Daddy.”
“Bye, Mommy,” he says, attention already absorbed in a game on his tablet. “Love you.”
She chuckles. “Love you, too, baby. See you soon.”
He waves half-heartedly.
Once I’ve seen Cora out, I turn to my son. “Right. Who’s ready for a game of . . .” I stalk toward him, my hands raised and clenched like claws. He squeals and hops down from the stool before jetting off. I thump through the house after him. “Dinosaur!”
One Year Later
Chapter 44
Evie
I’mwhistlingasIenter the lobby of Sunny Days, twirling my employee badge around on the lanyard wound around my wrist.
Nancy, one of my favorite residents, pauses by the front desk. Lifting an arm from her walker, she beckons me closer for a hug.
I lean into her embrace, squeezing her tight. “Morning, Nancy.”
“Morning, sweetheart. You look mighty happy this morning.” She looks me over. “And very stylish.” I’m wearing my favorite pair of scrubs today; they have little pens and notebooks all over them. They were a gift from Brandon when I started working here. About a week after I left Brandon’s practice, a nurse’s aide position opened up at Sunny Days. When Grandma learned about it, she applied on my behalf. By the time I found out, all I needed to do was show up for the interview. I was employed within the week—as if God had orchestrated it all Himself.
“Oh, I’m very happy,” I gush, glancing down the corridor.
“Any particular reason?”
“It’s my birthday.” Grandma thinks I don’t know about the surprise birthday party she’s planned for me. But I opened one of her Amazon packages recently—just trying to be helpful—and found some streamers and party balloons.
Nancy gives me an adorably toothy smile, deepening the laugh lines around her bright blue eyes. “Onlyyouwould be happyto work on your birthday.”
“What can I say?” I drop an arm to her waist and guide her in the direction of the dining hall. “I love my residents. And the people I work with.” I wave at the daytime receptionist, Jacie, as we pass by the front desk. She winks.
We stop at an occupied table in the center of the bustling dining room. “Well, we love you, too. Don’t we, gentlemen?” Nancy comments.
Her gentlemen friends all nod in agreement.
I’m about to pull Nancy’s chair out and help her into her seat, but two of her table mates spring from their chairs and argue for the honor of assisting her.
She’s a heartbreaker, this one.
When we’re done catching up, I skip toward Grandma’s apartment. Before my surgery, skipping would have been out of the question. This veryjobwould have been out of the question. There were a couple of times when I thought I might have had to resign. Fortunately, everything worked out. And, praise Jesus, I’ve been pain-free for the past eight months.
After my appointment with the neurologist about a year ago, I learned that I do have spina bifida occulta—no surprise there. However, whatwassurprising was learning that that wasn’t necessarily the culprit of my chronic back pain. My MRI revealed I had a tethered spinal cord. Fortunately, the surgery to get it fixed was a success.
Looking back, I don’t regret a thing. The pain was a blessing in disguise. It brought me closer to Jesus, forcing me to my knees in prayer in search of answers I thought I would never find.
