Page 36 of Someone to Remember
“How are you doing? I’m sure you’ve been by her side since you got the news.”
“Gage and I were with her at the hospital last night and today at her house. She’s in shock of course and having a few issues with the pregnancy that might require an early delivery.”
“When it rains… I’ll be praying for her and her sweet kids.”
“Thanks, Joy. I’ll send more info after I get the chance to talk to Lexi tomorrow.”
“Let me know if there’s anything at all I can do for Taylor or for you. Anything, Iris.”
“Thanks, love. I’ll let Taylor know you’re praying for her and the kids.”
“Yes, please do, and make sure you take care of you while you’re taking care of everyone else.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Are we still meeting this week?”
“I think we probably should. This news is shaking the foundation under all of us. We need to keep each other close.”
“Couldn’t agree more. I’ll be there.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too. Tell Gage I love him, too.”
“I will.”
I sigh as I end the call.
“Great news about Lexi and Tom,” Gage says.
“Yes, for sure. I wish I didn’t have to tell her about Taylor when she’s so happy.”
“She’d want to know.”
“Yeah, she would.”
Gage gives my hand a squeeze. “I heard what Mama Joy said about taking care of you while you’re taking care of everyone else. I’m going to make sure you do that.”
“Thank you for being my biggest supporter. All I can thinkabout is how I would feel if this happened to me.” I glance his way. “You’d better never do this to me, you hear?”
“I hear, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I want to make him swear to it, but that wouldn’t be fair. We both know all too well that there’re no guarantees in this thing we call life.
Nine
Angela
After it starts to rain at the park, Brad invites us to their house for homemade pizza. Since Jack perks up considerably at the wordpizza, I accept the invitation even though I feel sort of guilty for enjoying my time with Brad and his kids so much when I’m supposed to be mourning my late husband.
Watching Jack play catch with Brad left me deep in my feels and stirred an aching grief for my son, who loved playing with his dad so, so much. It didn’t matter what they were doing, Jack was enthralled by everything Spencer said and did. My little boy is hungry for the male attention he used to get every day from Spence. Brad gave him what he needed while I kept an eye on all the other kids, and afterward, Jack seems more animated than I’ve seen him in months.
I also feel guilty for thinking Brad is handsome and kind and, well, sexy. I love watching him care for his kids and respect the enormous amount of patience it takes to guide little ones who lack the ability to understand what’s happened to their missing parent. The questions are relentless.
“Why did Mommy have to leave?”
“Will Daddy be there when we get home?”
