Chapter 9
It had been two weeks since everything had happened, and I”d spent a few days in the hospital recouping from the beating I took at the hands of Colin before being released into Ryder’s care. It was an amazing feeling to be lying in my own bed that wasn’t at the house of horrors with Colin.
I heard a knock at the door. I was still under the covers, the blankets pulled up around my neck. “Come in!”
Ryder slowly came inside. “Hey you. How are you feeling?” He had flowers in his hands. He gave me flowers last week too.
“I feel good. Still a little sore but so much better.” I sat up against the headboard. “Are those for me?” I smiled at him.
“They are. You’ve been here two weeks. Not how I wanted you to start out your time here but I’m glad you’re here.”
“They’re beautiful.” I paused, looking down at my hands and then back up at him. “Will you sit?” Ryder set the flowers on my side table and then sat at the end of the bed. “We haven’t really gotten to talk about everything since I’ve been resting. I…I just wanted to say thank you. I know I have a long way to go to get divorced and just healing up, but it helps knowing I have a friend.” I looked at him. He was sitting with his upper body slightly turned toward me. “Thank you… for being my friend.” I shrugged.
“Of course. I’ll continue to help you along the way. You don’t have to go through anything alone anymore.”
I smiled at him and believed every word he said. “Will you say it again?”
“You don’t have to go through anything alone.”
“Not that.”
“I… I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
My eyes started to tear up. “My name… what you called me?”
I heard his breath catch before he said, “You heard me?” I nodded and the tears spilled over but I smiled through them. “Grace…” I closed my eyes when he said it. “Grace, you don’t have to go through anything alone anymore. I promise.”
“I love that you called me that.”
“I don’t know why I did, if I’m being honest. In that moment, you were my Grace. When I saw you hurt, I just knew you were going to need all the grace anyone could give. I’ll call you that if you want.”
I nodded to him. “I would like that. I love it actually.” Wiping the tears that fell from my cheeks I asked him, “Can we go for a walk?”
“A walk?”
“Yeah. I mean, I never got to go for a walk. Something about it seems nice. It’s a nice day, right? Maybe just around the block once?” I looked at him hopeful. Something as simple as a walk. I hated that a part of me was afraid to even ask him.
“We can go around the block as many times as you want.” He said.
Smiling, I said, “I’m going to shower and get ready.”
He’s been so attentive. “Do you need help with anything?”
“No,” I assured him. “I’m a little sore still so I’ll just take my time and go slow. I’ll be out in a few.”
Ryder got up and went for the door. He paused, turned and looked at me and said, “I’m glad you’re here, Grace.”
The smile plastered on my face was all I could give and then he walked out, closing the door behind him.
*
The trees were absolutely beautiful and the way the sun felt on my face was beyond description. You would think I would be able to describe something like that given I was never allowed to go anywhere but it was truly breathtaking being out, unafraid, and walking with someone that wasn’t Colin. I felt safe.
“Thank you, Ryder. This is the best feeling. My body feels good to stretch and just walk… unafraid you know? This is nice.” I looked down at the ground and then I realized he stopped walking. When I turned around, he was standing there with his hands in his pocket. “Ryder. What’s wrong?”
He walked toward me and stopped just a few steps away. “You never have to be afraid again. We can walk for as long as you want, anytime you want. Don’t ever be afraid to ask me to come with you or if you want to walk alone, that’s ok too.”
I smiled but didn’t say anything, just nodded. “I would love to go listen to music or something. Does Kai’s ever have live music or a DJ? I like that place. It was nice.” I was talking his ear off. I brought my hands up to my mouth. “Sorry. I’m talking your ear off. I…I don’t have any friends really, but that’s not your problem. You don’t have to take me. It’s probably too soon anyway.”
“Grace… it’s ok.” He laughed. “Makes me happy to see you excited and happy. We can go to Kai’s. I’m actually almost certain they have a DJ tonight.” His phone rang just then so we stopped walking so he could take it. I didn’t want to seem nosey but he seemed worried or like something was bothering him.
When he finally hung up, I asked, “Is everything ok?”
His brow furrowed. “Yeah, um… I need to go see my mom. Is it ok if I take you back, go see her, and then we can go to Kai’s?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. Please, take care of your mom. You’ve been amazing to me, Ryder. Please go. I know you have things to do.
“I promise, I won’t be long. Let’s head back.”
We walked in a comfortable silence the rest of the way home and then he took off while I got ready for the night.