Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
REPERTOIRE AND DRINKS
SADIE
For at least three weeks following the funeral, I’m in a fog. I thought I was dealing with losing Sasha and what that meant for my future and Caleb’s, but I don’t think I had even scratched the surface yet.
It all comes crashing down. It’s a struggle to get out of bed. I feel weak and sick and everything hurts. I can’t eat. All I want to do is sleep, but I force myself to stay awake to see Caleb.
Weston hovers nearby, trying to get me to eat and asking if I want to go on a walk or if there’s anything he can do. He’s been thoughtful, but he’s also given me space when I’ve needed it. I don’t know how he knows when I’ve hit my limit with being around people while I’m grieving, but he’s observant and perceptive. I don’t know why I keep being surprised by him, but I am.
I went to work twice and both times I started crying and couldn’t stop, so Kim sent me home. But now she’s starting to call again, asking when I’ll be back. I’m too deep in this dark pit to call her back.
Weston’s covered the nights and the three of us are together most days. I know he’s worn out, but he hasn’t said a negative word about it. He and Caleb have bonded with all this time together. When Weston walks into the room, Caleb rocks back and forth, excited and reaching for him. I can see how ecstatic it makes Weston and it makes me happy for him, and yet, I can’t help but feel like it makes me lose my sister a little more each day. Caleb won’t even remember her. And at the rate I’m going with him, he’s not going to remember me either if I don’t step it up pretty soon.
I take a long shower and put jeans and a sweater on, a step up from the leggings and baggy sweatshirts I’ve been wearing every day.
When I walk upstairs, I can hear Weston singing to Caleb. I smile when I hear that it’s “Houdini” by Dua Lipa. This guy’s musical repertoire is bizarre, to say the least. Once I reach the kitchen, I see Weston playing peek-a-boo as he’s singing. Caleb throws his head back and cackles, and Weston’s laughing too. When Caleb lets out a really loud laugh, Weston loses it and can’t keep singing because he’s laughing so hard. A laugh bursts out of me, and Weston turns in surprise. His eyes light up when he sees me, and I almost retreat back down the stairs. I don’t want to ruin the mood with my sadness.
His face falls when he sees my expression and he holds out his hand. “Hey, come join us.”
I don’t know if he meant for me to, but I take his hand and it feels like a lifeline. I let him tug me toward them and he throws the blanket over my head and says, “Where did she go?”
I play along, staying hidden for a second before pulling it off and saying, “Boo!”
Caleb laughs so hard he gets the hiccups, and it brings me so much joy to see him this happy, I almost forget to be sad.
I think Weston doesn’t want to lose this opportunity, because he says, “Why don’t we get out of the house for a while? Want to go to the park? It’s nice out, feels like spring. Or we could take a drive…my sister’s been wanting us to come see her in Landmark Mountain.”
“I don’t feel like I’m good enough company to go there yet, but maybe a drive closer to home would be nice.”
“Yeah? I know a place you might like. Get your coat and some comfortable shoes and I’ll work on putting some food together.”
I’m already rethinking my decision, but the hopeful look in his eyes forces me to keep that to myself. I nod and go grab my comfiest boots and coat. When I come back up, Weston has Caleb’s bag packed and is making sandwiches. I pitch in and help, the monotonous task a nice reprieve from my thoughts.
We’re in the car within half an hour and Weston won’t tell me where we’re going.
He’s quiet, almost as if he’s afraid to break the spell.
“You’re doing great with him,” I finally say.
He turns to me, a pleased expression on his face. “You think so?”
“You really are. I’m sorry I’ve been?—”
“No, don’t be.” He faces the road again. We’re going up a mountain and the curves are getting more intense. “I’ve been worried about you, but I think I’d be more worried if you weren’t reacting to this loss. It shows me how much you love your sister, how deeply you care about the people you love.”
I think about that as I stare out the window.
“I need to do better for Caleb,” I say softly. “I will do better.”
“He’s all right. He loves you and he’ll be right here when you’re feeling yourself again.”
I turn to look at him. “You really are a decent guy.”
He grins. “That’s what I strive to be. Decent.”
I’m rolling my eyes when he glances over and his smile grows.
“Hey, at least you’ll never get a big head when I’m around.” I lift my shoulder and he laughs.
“True. My family will be pleased about this.”
“I should probably get back to my apartment soon. It’s been a little more than the few weeks we talked about, and I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” I say.
I never wanted to stay in his house, but it’s so hard to think about leaving Caleb.
“Don’t worry about that right now. I’m in no hurry for you to go, and your rent is taken care of through the end of your lease, so you don’t need to worry about that either.”
“Weston! You didn’t need?—”
He holds up his hand. “I told you I’d take care of you. And I want you to stay as long as you can.”
“Thank you,” I say softly.
We’re almost to the top of the mountain when Weston parks. When we get out, he puts a hat and coat on Caleb and puts him in a baby carrier I didn’t even know we had. Caleb’s head rests against Weston’s chest and they both look content. I’m surprised by the ease in which he handles Caleb. It’s changed a lot in the past month.
We grab the food and a blanket and walk until we’ve reached the crest. It’s only a short walk up, and when we get there, I gasp. The view is incredible. We’re not even close to being on the tallest mountain, but we’re high above the trees, the clouds feeling close enough to jump on one and float away.
We set down our things and walk closer to the edge of the mountain.
“Silver Hills,” he says, pointing to the left.
From here, I can make out the pretty church and the water tower with ivy painted around it.
“So many places to see,” I say.
“You haven’t even been to my favorite coffee shop yet, Luminary. Or my favorite place to get a drink—don’t tell anyone…” He leans down to whisper, “At The Fairy Hut.”
I bite back a laugh and look up. He’s closer than I thought and we stare at each other for a beat without saying anything.
“The Fairy Hut?” My voice sounds breathy and I clear my throat.
“It’s exactly how you’d imagine,” he says like he’s annoyed.
“I can’t say that I’ve ever imagined a fairy hut.”
“Well, it’s awesome. It’s kind of dark inside with all these lights everywhere, some that look like lightning bugs flying around. And all the drinks have these weird names, but they’re delicious. My brother-in-law can barely choke them down, but the last time we went, he chose Tink’s mead and was happy.”
“Tink’s mead,” I repeat, unable to hold back the smile.
He points at me and Caleb reaches out to grab his finger. He laughs and continues to point with Caleb’s fingers latched on. “You look like a Beyond the Goat Hollow kind of girl.”
“I’m…uh, I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Maybe a Who Let the Frogs Out…but those are strong. I’m not sure how well you handle your liquor.”
I giggle. “I’m not sure if I should be offended that you’re linking me with these particular drinks. They sound terrible. I very rarely drink, but when I do, I’m a lightweight.”
He gives me a huge grin. “If you’re game, we’ll go after our picnic. They serve great food too.” He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe we’ll be hungry again after all this fresh air. Their Bubbling Brook soup is my favorite.”
“That sounds a lot more appetizing than the drinks.”
“Well, their Cow Slobber soup is also good, but I think that one is seasonal.”
I choke back a laugh. “I’m not touching that one.”
“It’s good, I swear.”
“You’re always thinking about food, aren’t you?”
He looks at me incredulously. “Isn’t everyone?”
I shake my head, laughing again.
“Hmm. I didn’t know that.” He turns and puts his hand on Caleb’s stomach as he bends to pick up the blanket.
“Let me help.” I take the other end of the blanket and we smooth it out.
We sit down and keep taking in the view. When I turn to say something, he’s already looking at me. He startles slightly and starts taking food out. There’s more than I thought. Besides the sandwiches, there are chips and fruit and brownies.
“Those look great. Where are those from?” I ask, pointing at the brownies.
“Clara makes them. She’s the owner of Luminary. You’ll love her. Sassy and so dang cute…and she can make a helluva coffee and pastry…and brownies.” He waves his hand. “Everything she makes is good.”
A curl of unease twists in my stomach and I try not to react. Does he like Clara? Maybe I need to go to Luminary and see this girl. Just to see who could possibly be in the picture at some point.
“Dig in,” he says, handing me a plate.
And despite not thinking I can eat very much, I manage to eat a little bit of everything. Weston looks so pleased with himself by the time we’re done, I think maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe he really was worried about me.
We stay a little longer, but the wind picks up, so we decide to go.
“The Fairy Hut?” he asks when we drive down Jupiter, the main drag in the cute and tiny downtown area.
“Sure, why not?” It’s been the best day I’ve had in a long time. I’m not quite ready to cut it short.
We stop at a light and there’s a woman with long blonde hair that looks like Stevie Nicks’ younger sister, singing with her guitar on the corner. Weston lowers the windows and we listen.
“She’s good,” I say.
“Yeah, Tiana’s a sweetheart. Went to Woodstock and said it changed her life.”
I turn back to look at her as we pull away. “She’s old enough to have been to Woodstock?”
“She’s in her seventies,” he says.
“Unbelievable.”
He points out his favorite places along the way. Twinkle Tales, an adorable bookstore, where the highlight besides an incredible book selection, is Hank the orange tabby cat. Starlight Cafe, a retro diner that is more than just burgers and shakes, they also have every pie imaginable and their soups are great too. Rose & Thorn, a fine dining experience…he kisses his lips when he says this and it makes me laugh.
“Along this whole street, every Saturday, summer through fall, vendors come from everywhere and the Pixie Pop-Up Market takes over.” He shakes his head when I try not to laugh. “I know, I feel like an idiot every time I say the names of anything around here. Twinkle Tales? Come on.”
I can’t help but laugh then.
“But the Pixie Pop-Up Market…it’s amazing. If you like to shop even a little bit, you’ll love it.”
“You really love this town, don’t you?” I ask.
“I grew up here, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Landmark Mountain is incredible too, though. I didn’t know another place could come close to this, but it does.”
The Fairy Hut is even better than Weston described, although he did a pretty great job. He didn’t tell me that the servers have pointy ears and wear fairy clothes. The girls are wearing little tutus and wings, and the one guy I see is wearing a scalloped edge shirt over tight black pants.
“Do you ever get the urge to dress like a fairy when you come here?” I ask.
“Uh…no. Those pants are too similar to the ones I have to wear playing football. I don’t love my junk getting on those websites highlighting bulges as it is. Can you imagine if I wore pants like those that don’t have as much compression?” He shudders.
Meanwhile, I’m picturing his bulge. I’m sorry to say I’m quite familiar with those sites and his bulge.