Page 29 of The Widow's Dom

“Okay,” Chad raised his voice.

“Hey, Chad, how long will it take before she gets it?” Shane asked.

That caught her attention. “Get what?”

Both boys laughed.

“I’ve said okay like four times,” Chad said.

“Oh. Shane, what about you?”

“He’s got my vote.”

“Anyone that can control you is a hero in my book,” Chad said.

She gasped. “Listen, buddy, I know where you live, and if you don’t think I’ll show up at your home or work and punish you, you forgot who you’re talking to.”

“No. No, really. I’m sorry,” Chad said hurriedly.

Shane laughed roaringly, making Janessa grin.

“Okay. So, I’ve got both your blessings because he might move in tomorrow.”

“The sooner, the better,” Shane said.

She grinned but sounded stern. “Listen here, buster, it would take me less than two minutes to get to you, and I’ve got so many ideas I want to do with the house. I’m thinking the color pink.”

“No. Shit. I just meant you wouldn’t be alone. Yeah. That’s what I was thinking.”

Janessa smiled as Shane continued to stutter. “All right. I’ll tell him tomorrow. How about a family dinner next Sunday?”

“It works for me,” Chad said.

“I’m in.”

“Good. I love you guys to the moon and back,” she said like she always did.

“And around the universe. Ditto,” the boys said together. It was their mantra.

She made kissing sounds. “Be safe.”

“You too, Mom.”

She set the phone down and smiled. This would be the last night she’d ever sleep alone, and she was so thankful for that. She would never have thought about anyone else moving in with her. It was always meant to be Nick.

That night Janessa lay in bed on her side, staring at the empty space beside her. It soothed her to have someone here with her, even when Kevin was alive, just to hear his breathing. He wasn’t a source of physical stability. It just made her feel less alone.

She closed her eyes and slept through the night. When her eyes opened, she flew out of bed and got ready for the day before making coffee. She made herself wait until nine before calling Nick.

“Hello, Baby. Everything okay?”

“You sound like you’ve been awake for a while.”

“Oh, yeah, I should warn you. The guys and I still run every morning and lift weights in Caden’s basement.”

“Wow, that sounds like fun,” she said sarcastically, making him laugh.

“You could run with us.”

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