Chapter 37
37
G loria held Mina's elbow as she shuffled into Sean's house. She was still sore, the poor girl. A broken rib, bruises everywhere, but she was tough. Mina stood in the middle of the living room and looked around.
She turned and looked into her dad's eyes. "We can make this better."
He grinned. "Maybe after you feel better, we'll talk about it."
"But Dad, I think we can..."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Mina, girl, if it helps you get better to plan what you want to do with my house, you go right ahead. I don't have a problem with it at all. As you can see, I don't have a style. So do your best."
"Really? That's awesome, Dad."
Gloria chuckled. "Why don't you sit down before you fall down? Let's get you comfortable. Do you need something to eat?"
"Not yet, Mom. I just ate not long ago, and I'd like to just actually chill for a few minutes. Moving that little bit has tired me out."
"Yeah. It'll take you a bit to get your strength back. Why don't you sit in the recliner, and I'll get some water. I think I saw some fruit in the kitchen. I'll cut some up and bring a plate in here. We can just nibble. We'll find a movie on TV."
Sean grinned. "Do you ladies need anything else? Otherwise, I'm running over to the Barn to jam a little bit with Jami."
Mina grinned at him. "I can't wait to join you in a jam session just to watch you guys work."
Sean grinned. "You're invited anytime. Not today. Not while you're healing, but you're invited next time. How about that?"
Mina beamed.
Sean nodded. "I know Jami and the others want to meet you. I'll tell them later in the week. Deal?"
Mina grinned. "Deal."
Sean turned to her. He nodded and winked, and then he stepped out the door. They were really strangers here in his house, but she felt grateful that he felt comfortable enough to just leave them alone here. Of course, not much they could do to anything.
She sighed and turned to the kitchen. She dug around in the cupboards and found glasses for water, and plates. Opening the refrigerator, she found cheese and strawberries and some blueberries. She wondered if Livia had shopped for Sean. Whoever did, knew him well. He loved both strawberries and blueberries.
She carried the two glasses of water to the living room and Mina was sound asleep in the recliner. She watched her daughter sleep for a few moments, saw a blanket in a basket near the sofa, and covered Mina up. There was a small wooden table across the room with nothing on it and she moved that between the sofa and recliner and placed their waters on it. She glanced around and found some coasters and set them under their glasses. She didn't want to damage the little bit of furniture Sean had here.
She made a trip to the kitchen for the fruit and cheese platter, which she quietly set on the table between them. She pulled another blanket from the basket and sat at the end of the sofa nearest Mina.
She popped a blueberry in her mouth and her phone chimed.
She'd largely forgotten about her phone. Partly because she was afraid to see anything about her, Sean, and Mina. Not that ignoring it would make it go away, but she was still in a fragile state where all of that was concerned.
Inhaling deeply, she swiped the screen on her phone and saw a text from Brody.
"How are you all doing?"
She typed out a quick response.
"We're good. Just brought Mina home."
He said,
"Is she up for visitors? I can come over later today."
Gloria bit her bottom lip and replied to Brody's text,
"We're actually at Sean's house."
He replied with a thumbs-up and her heart ached slightly for causing this awesome man any pain.
She texted him once more.
"Have you heard anything from the network?"
He replied,
"Nothing since I spoke to Bob on Saturday."
"Thank you,"
she replied.
He responded with another thumbs-up and that was it. She'd have Mina text him later when she was awake. She sat for a while thinking about everything that had gone on and wondered how she could make anything better for both of them, Sean and Mina. She didn't know if she should offer to go home herself and let them just have the time alone.
She didn't really want to do that, but then again, she had to admit that she didn't want to do that because she was paranoid that they'd both be mad at her and not be able to heal.
Sean was probably right. They should be together to work through this.
They'd made some progress today. She would mention that to Mina when she woke up.
She glanced around and saw a notebook on the coffee table. She reached forward and pulled the notebook onto her lap, and opened it.
She read Sean's words. Beautiful words about forgiveness and finding love again and a second chance. She found words about being a girl dad but missing so much time, trying to make up for that. Wanting forgiveness and giving forgiveness. Her eyes watered and she couldn't read any more.
Those were the words he needed to get out of his head. Those were the songs he was trying to sing right now. Trying to put to music his feelings, and his shredded heart.
She nodded. That’s probably how he healed. How he would heal. Kind of like Dolly Parton and “Jolene”; sing about it and laugh all the way to the bank. And she hoped he did. If that was his report card, if that's what would make him feel better, she hoped he would do that.
Now she just had to find a way for her to channel her feelings into something really good.
She'd have to figure that out.
She pulled a tissue from the box on the coffee table and wiped her eyes and nose. She snuggled down under the blanket and rested her head on the sofa pillow. Inhaling deeply, she let her breath out slowly, and closed her eyes.