Chapter 29

Grace

The front door flings open with a bang and Charity’s two oldest kids pour through it.

“Molly ruined everything,” Brandon, her eight-year-old son, shouts.

“She made us come back early,” ten-year-old Jasmine says.

Leo appears in the doorway, holding little five-year-old Molly in his arms. Her bright blue eyes are red, and her cheeks are stained with tears.

My eyes connect with Leo’s and I’m filled with a calmness.

“Molly was upset about Grandma,” Leo says, stroking her blonde curls.

“Who cares about Grandma? She was mean and my nose still hurts from yesterday,” Brandon says.

“Brandon!” Charity says, springing up from the sofa. She grabs him by the arm and ushers him down the hallway and into her bedroom.

Her bedroom is just off the living room, and through the door it’s possible to hear her soothing voice and Brandon’s frustrated one.

“Well, I had fun. I’ve never been in a helicopter before,” Jasmine says.

“Aunty Grace, is Mommy going to die too?” Molly asks.

“No sweetie, she’s not going to die,” I say as I move across the room to her.

I take her from Leo’s arms and mouth thank you to him. I’m about to return to the sofa with Molly when Leo wraps his arm around me, halting me in my tracks. The three of us stand together like a family, and I get a glimpse of the future.

“I’m hungry, it’s lunchtime,” Jasmine says.

“Me too,” Molly says, perking up.

“I don’t know if we have any food here for lunch,” I say.

I set Molly down and turn to the kitchen. The last thing I really want to do right now is prepare food. My thoughts are consuming me and all I want to do is sit comatose on the couch.

“Why don’t I go into town and pick something up,” Leo says as he reaches for my hand.

“That would be amazing, thank you.”

“Sure. Whatever you and your sister need.” He squeezes my hand, and the tension in my shoulders melts away. I’m amazed at the effect he has on de-stressing me.

“How will you know what I like?” Jasmine asks.

“You can come with me,” Leo says.

“I don’t want to go. I miss Grandma too much,” Molly says, bursting into tears all over again.

“Sweetie, you don’t have to go. You stay here with me,” I say and let go of Leo’s hand in order to pick her up again.

“I know what you like anyway,” Jasmine says.

“Let’s go,” Leo says.

He kisses my cheek and warmth spreads over my skin. I don’t want him to go. I want him to stay here and cuddle up with me on the sofa while I sort through my thoughts.

Not only am I dealing with the death of my mother, I’m still getting used to his sudden reappearance in my life.

Jasmine leads Leo out of the door. As soon as the latch clicks all the earlier tension in my shoulders reappears. But I have Molly to think about, as well as my own baby growing inside of me. As stressed as I am, I realize I have to do everything in my power to keep the baby safe and healthy.

The door to the bedroom opens slowly and Charity emerges holding Brandon’s hand.

“You sure you’re okay now?” she says to Brandon.

He nods his blond head and says, “Yes, Mommy. I just want to sit on my bed now.”

Charity rubs his back, and he heads off down the hall.

“I want to sit on my bed too,” Molly says and runs off after him.

“Brandon is upset. He just doesn’t know how to show his emotions,” Charity says, and flops into the armchair with a sigh of exasperation.

“It’s tough for kids to understand. Especially since she lived here,” I say.

“Ugh. I have to phone the funeral home to confirm our appointment time,” she says, rolling her head back and looking at the ceiling.

“Leo said he would watch the kids while we go.”

“Leo is a fucking saint. Don’t ever let that man go.”

“Do you ever miss having a man around?”

“Sure, if I could find one like him. Unfortunately, the men in this town suck.”

“You could always try the next town,” I say sarcastically.

“You know what? I’ve had enough of this town. I’ve lived here my whole life, but I can’t see a future in it.”

“So leave, that’s what I did.”

“My jobs are here, my kids are here. I’m trapped and not going anywhere.” She stands and snatches the phone from its cradle.

“It’s not so bad here anyway. Sometimes I think I should move back for good.”

“Leo would be the only billionaire in town. Would he hang out with the regular guys at Sam’s Tavern and talk about normal shit?”

I shrug and stick my tongue out at her. She picks up the business card for the funeral home and dials the number.

As she starts talking into the phone, I realize I haven’t contacted Anna yet. She’s my best friend and the reason Leo found me, and I haven’t even told her thank you.

My worn-out black handbag is on the floor by my feet and I fish my cell phone out of it. I type out a text before deleting it and hitting call.

“Hey babe, don’t be mad at me but I told Leo where you are,” Anna says, her words rushed and lighthearted.

“You could’ve warned me before he touched down in a helicopter on my sister’s front lawn.”

“No way. Now that’s an entrance.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”

“So, is everything good between you two?”

“Better than good, thanks for telling him where I was. You were right all along. I should’ve been more patient.”

“See? It all worked out and now everything is perfect.”

The well of sorrow I’ve been holding back rushes back to the surface, and I fight back the tears. “My mom died last night.” My words spill out of me, and I wonder if they were understandable.

There is a slight pause at the other end of the line before Anna says, “Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do? Because if you want me to jump on a plane right now and come to you, I will. I’d do anything for you, you know that.”

“I know, but I don’t think there’s much point to coming all the way here. I just needed to talk to you.”

“I know you always complained about her but she’s still your mom. I mean, how are you really feeling?”

“Yeah, I’m a real mixture of feelings and emotions right now. Thank God for my sister and Leo. Charity and I are doing our best to hold each other together, and Leo has been a godsend in helping out with her kids.”

“That’s understandable.”

“And I’ve got the situation with Leo to think about. We were on our way to live in New York City when we found out the news. I guess we’ll go after the funeral. I just hope my sister is going to be okay on her own.”

“You’re moving to New York? I am so coming to visit you as soon as you get there.”

“Of course,” I say, grateful for the lighter topic.

We talk for another half hour before Jasmine and Leo reappear in the doorway. Leo is laden with shopping bags from the grocery store and Jasmine’s hands are full of submarine sandwiches.

“My lunch just arrived, I’ll call you again later,” I tell Anna.

“Sure. Anytime. And again, I’m really sorry, honey. If you need me for anything, just shout.”