Chapter 4
David
By the time I spread the tarp over my mower and secure it, I’m drenched from head to toe. I look over to the porch and Tori’s standing there with a towel draped over her arm.
I hate I didn’t get her yard finished, but I don’t regret spending the last few minutes with her inside, even if it was tending to her foot.
I know we’re not supposed to question why things happen the way that they do, but I can’t help it. Why couldn’t it have been me, so Kyle’s life could’ve been spared? Tori and Kyle were so happy together and they were on the verge of starting a family together.
“I’m so sorry,” Tori says and extends the towel to me.
“For what?” I inquire and rub the cottony-soft towel back and forth over my wet hair.
“That you had to get wet.”
“Eh, it’s no big deal. Just a little rain.
” I offer her a smile while I wipe my face.
The sweet scent of the fabric softener Tori uses wafts through my nose, reminding me of the way our clothes smelled when I was a kid still living at home.
My own mom took extra care when she tended to the laundry and it was always such a clean, refreshing aroma.
I wonder if Tori would be up for doing my laundry?
“Why don’t you come on back inside? I can fix us a late breakfast or an early lunch. I’ll let you decide,” she says, a hopeful gleam on her face.
“I’d love to, but maybe I should go home and change first,” I suggest and look down at my wet clothes. “I could use a shower too. I’m pretty dirty.”
“I can probably find something of Kyle’s. If you’re okay wearing his things. I still have some stuff put away that I haven’t been able to part with.”
Sadness is obvious in her voice from mentioning his name, and if I weren’t so dirty, I’d reach over and wrap my arms around her. “I don’t want you to do something you’re not comfortable about. Kyle’s things—”
“I get it,” she admits without meeting my gaze. When she looks up again, there’s moisture in her eyes. “I’m not sure how I would feel either, seeing you in his t-shirt.”
“I’d love to do lunch though,” I say and place my finger underneath her chin. To be completely honest, I’d like to steer the subject away from him…for now. “I tell you what. I’ll go home and get cleaned up and then I’ll swing back by, and we can go grab some lunch somewhere. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that. A lot. I guess I should get myself ready too.”
“Want me to call you before I head back over?” I’m not sure how long it’ll take her to get ready and I don’t want her to feel like I’m rushing her.
“Thirty minutes, maybe?” she asks and pushes her hair behind her ear.
“I’ll see you in thirty then,” I reply, and she follows me out onto the porch.
“Are you sure you want to go somewhere in this mess?” She holds her hand out towards the steadily falling rain.
“Positive. Mind if I keep your towel though?”
“By all means,” she says and folds her arms against her chest.
“I guess I should go ahead and load my mower back up while I’m at it. Even if it slacks up, the grounds too wet to finish cutting today.”
“Just leave it. It’s not hurting anything.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
* * *
I race home and hurry inside. I don’t know why I’m so anxious to get back over to Tori’s—we’ve shared meals before, so I’m not sure why this time is any different than the others. But something about today feels…different.
I pick out a nice short-sleeve shirt and khaki shorts after my shower then stand in front of the mirror to inspect my appearance.
We didn’t discuss where we were going to eat, but I should be safe with what I have on.
This is what happens when you’ve been single for far too long—I literally have no sense of fashion whatsoever.
Mom never let dad go anywhere if he wasn’t presentable, so if there’s something I need to do differently, hopefully Tori will let me know.
I decide to forego my ball cap I’m notorious for wearing and pray the rain doesn’t mess my hair up too bad. The weather may be awful today, but I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to spend time with Tori.
Tori is standing on the front porch already waiting for me as soon as I pull in.
Wearing an ankle-length flowing sun dress, it’s hard for me to take my eyes off her.
I’d love to be able to tell my best friend right now how adorable she looks.
For so long, Tori was like a shadow hiding in the corner, grieving the only way she knew how.
Maybe she’s starting to come alive again.
I leave the truck running and jump out to help her with the huge umbrella she pops open. Seriously, it’s big enough to cover five people.
“Where did you find that thing?” I ask as soon as we’re both inside the truck.
“I use it on the days I have to do the drop-off and pick-up car rider lines at school. The kids don’t do so well with umbrellas and this one is perfect for getting them back and forth.”
“Yeah, I imagine it would be difficult for the kids, especially with their backpacks and lunchboxes.” Tori has always cared deeply for her students and looks out for their best interest. Kyle used to tell me how she was always baking things to take with her to school or about the books she was picking up at the thrift stores.
No doubt, Tori is going to make a great mother, when she decides to have kids… and get married again.
I’m not sure how I’ll feel when that day comes, but I’ll be happy for her less.
“Most parents don’t even send them with a rain jacket, so this big ‘ol thing does come in handy.” She fastens her seatbelt then places her hands in her lap.
“How’s your foot?” I ask.
“I think it’s going to be okay. I put a new bandage on when I got out of the shower. Hopefully, it won’t come off with these sandals I’m wearing. Although with this rain, I probably should’ve worn some sneakers instead.
“You look nice, Tori,” I blurt unexpectedly.
She doesn’t say anything at first and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake by complimenting her. When I turn to look out the back window as I’m backing out, I sneak a glance her way Her face doesn’t show she’s bothered by my remark, so maybe that’s a good thing.
Finally, she responds. “Thank you. I feel kind of pretty too.”