Chapter 41
WPD released the house the next morning, and workers were onsite within the hour to install new doors while the clean up crew cleaned the kitchen. The new doors were steel-core, with dead bolts, which was an upgrade from the wood doors with handle locks they’d had forever. My dad didn’t mess around. He also stayed there the entire time, making sure everything was done up to spec.
Mom cooked a huge casserole for Emily and her parents, and one for Chris and his family, saying they shouldn’t have to worry about things like cooking for the next few days. I was blessed to be surrounded by so many loving, caring people.
I took the day off so I could drive Emily and her parents to Chris’s house. When I told Chris it was the least I could do for them, I neglected to mention that I needed to be with Emily, for my sanity. The plan was to hang out there until the house was ready, then I’d drive them all home.
While we waited, Emily and I set a date for our first date. Wising up and taking Meg’s advice, I made it clear that I’d take her out tonight if it was what she wanted, but I was just as happy to wait until she felt up to it. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. I might be a stubborn fool, but I wasn’t a complete idiot.
When Emily asked if we could wait until her face didn’t look like it had been used as a punching bag, I said yes, having fully expected that answer.
“If you want, I can come over tonight and we could watch a movie or something.” Dad had offered to have someone from SSI outside the house, to give them a sense of comfort, but they’d declined saying we’d already done too much. If she said yes, I could offer the same comfort, while getting to spend a the evening with Emily.
“I’d like that. Though I might fall asleep halfway through. I can’t believe how tired I feel.”
Thank God she said yes because I don’t know what I would have done if she’d declined. You would have parked outside the house all night. My internal voice sounded a lot like Jack. “No worries; your body’s working hard to heal.”
Not long after that, Mrs. Taylor invited me to dinner, though she said she felt guilty for serving my mom’s lasagna to an invited guest. I laughed and told her I didn’t mind. “Ma’s lasagna is one of my favorite foods.”
After dinner, Emily and I put on her favorite Disney movie and relaxed on the couch.
I was the perfect gentleman and resisted the urge to put my arm around her.
Right up until she started to doze off and leaned into my side. Then the most natural thing in the world for me to do was to put my arm around her and hold her close so she’d know she was safe while she slept.