Chapter 18
Wyatt Woods
It feels strange to wake up to a quiet house after Valerie and her friends stopped by last night. No longer are there any voices and laughter, just the ticktock of the grandfather clock and the coffee maker brewing.
My thoughts turned to Lauren’s parents, and I became concerned. I haven’t checked in on them since the storm. Guilt settles within me that I haven’t done so. They are Emily’s grandparents, and they've been sweet to me even though I am no longer their son-in-law.
I looked out the window and saw Emily sitting on the grass playing with her dolls.
Her long, dark hair flowed behind her as the gentle breeze picked up, making the leaves swirl in circles.
I can’t wait until she’s old enough to attend school so she can make friends of her own age.
Most of the children in the daycare are much younger than her.
I push those thoughts aside and pick up my phone to call the Chandlers. It rings several times before I hear Jenny’s voice on the other end. “Hello?”
“Good morning Jenny.”
“Oh, Wyatt. How are you this morning?”
“I’m good. I wanted to check in to see how you two managed through the storm.”
“You know us, we’re holding ourselves up the best we can.”
“Do you mind if I swing by today?”
“You never have to ask, just swing by Sugar. You know you’re always welcome.”
“I’ll pack a bag for Emily. You know as soon as she gets there, she’s going to want to sleep over.”
“Bless her heart. We love having her. ”
“She loves spending time with you.”
“Same here, Sugar. Swing by for a visit before you head into the office.”
“Yes ma’am. See you soon.” I hung up the phone and placed it on the kitchen counter.
I walk upstairs and gather a few things for Emily, mainly because I know she will run to my truck as soon as I tell her we’re going to visit her grandparents.
Once her backpack is ready with a couple changes of clothes and her stuffed panda, I place it on the counter when I return downstairs.
I opened the back door and called Emily. She gathered her things and walked up the back steps. “Is it time for me to go to daycare?”
“Not just yet. We’re going to make a stop at Granny and Papa Chandler’s house first.”
She bounced on her toes. “Really?”
“Yup.”
“Can I stay there instead of going to daycare?”
“We’ll see. ”
She headed to the door and waited. I grabbed my keys, and we exited, ready to start the day. As we stepped outside, the crisp morning air filled my lungs, and I took a brief moment to appreciate the quiet beauty of my property. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow on everything.
Emily jumped into her car seat when I opened the door; I put her backpack on the floorboard below her feet before buckling her in.
I opened my door, hopped inside, turned on the ignition, then buckled my seat belt.
As the engine purred, I shifted the truck into gear and pulled out of the driveway.
The road stretched before us, and I couldn’t help but smile at the excitement in Emily’s voice as she chatted about the day ahead.
We drove along the winding road, passing fields and trees that seemed to glow in the morning light.
Emily’s excitement grew with every passing moment.
Her voice filled the car as she sang along to the songs on the radio.
I joined her in the chorus. Our voices blended well together.
There was a sweetness in that moment, especially one I didn’t have to share with anyone else.
The familiar route to her grandparents’ house was filled with anticipation, and I couldn’t help but smile at the joy in her voice.
As we pulled into the driveway, Emily’s excitement bubbled over, and I knew this day would be one to remember.
As my truck came to a stop, I was thankful that Emily couldn’t unbuckle herself.
Knowing her, she’d try to jump out of my truck while it was still moving.
Both Jenny and Jared came outside and met us.
I opened my door and stepped out, taking a deep breath of fresh air.
Jenny greeted me with a warm smile, while Jared reached for Emily, lifting her out of the truck.
Her laughter echoed as she ran toward the house, already anticipating the joy of the day ahead.
“Are you going to stay for breakfast, Wyatt?”
“I don’t want to intrude. ”
“For God’s sake son, come on inside. You’re not intruding at all.” Jared patted my shoulder. His hair was short and salt and pepper. I noticed he had a slight limp in his gait.
“Jared, are you okay?”
He stopped and looked me in the eyes. “Oh this, it ain’t nothing.” He continued inside the house. A sigh escaped me, knowing his stubbornness wouldn’t allow me to check him out, so I followed him inside.
The smell of bacon wafted in the air. I heard Jenny’s voice from the kitchen. “Wyatt, I have grits ready to serve.”
“On my way!” I called out. I stepped further down the hall and into the kitchen, where the smell of bacon was much stronger. The kitchen was painted in a soft yellow, accented with white trim. At the kitchen table sat Emily with a huge smile and a bowl of grits, she hummed as she ate.
“You’d think I starved the child the way she eats. ”
“Nah. I think it’s one of her favorite things to eat, that’s all.” A smile stretches across Jenny’s face. “Come, have a seat.”
“Yes ma’am.” I took a seat at the large wood table. She placed a bowl of grits and a spoon in front of me. She then brought butter and bacon over.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, please. Are either one of you going to sit down?” I scooped a pad of butter and put it in my bowl of grits and added crumbled bacon on top.
Jenny stopped, grabbed hers and my coffee, and sat down across from me. Her dark hair was braided and I could see bits of gray starting to show. She studied me before speaking. “What’s wrong, Wyatt?”
“Daddy likes a lady.”
We all looked at Emily. “Hold on, let me get some coffee. I need to hear about this.” Jared hobbled around the kitchen looking for the cream and sugar. “Fuck it! I’ll drink it black. ”
“Jared, hush your mouth! There’s a little one here with tender ears.”
“Yeah, Papa. My Nana Abby says if I ever talk like that she would wash my mouth out with soap.”
“Don’t give your Granny Jenny any ideas.”
“Too late. Now sit your old self down.” He sat at the head of the table.
“Tell us, we’re all ears.” Jenny patted me on my hand.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Granny Jenny, you should get the soap out, cuz he’s lying.” My eyes darted to Emily. The kid was selling me down the river.
“Emily. Let your daddy tell us when he’s good and ready.”
“Yes ma’am.” She continued to eat her grits.
I sat silently for a beat while I ate my food. When I finished, I pushed the bowl aside and took a sip of my coffee. The warm liquid was sweet and comforting. I tried to figure out how to explain it to them, then I cleared my throat.
“I met someone and she’s not from around here.”
“Wait, you’re not planning on moving are you?”
“No. Not at all. We’re staying right here in Skybrook. I only wanted to explain that I like her a lot, but I doubt she’s going to stay on.”
“I know this is your first relationship since her passing, but don’t be afraid to try. Lauren wouldn’t want you to live alone for the rest of your life. And we don’t want that for you or Emily either.” There was a softness in Jenny’s voice that was comforting.
“Remember son, just because she’s gone doesn’t mean you’re not family. You can stop here any time. Our door is always open for you, and anyone you see fit to welcome into the family.”
I nodded my head in response and held back the tears. I was glad to hear they were okay with me dating. It made me even happier that neither spoke about “a man having needs to fill”. There was no way I was going to discuss my sex life with my ex-in-laws.
“Well, I like the pretty lady. I think she’ll be good for you Daddy.”
“You don’t say.”
“Plus, she saved me from the tornado.”
Both looked at me for answers. I then told them how Valerie and I met and the events that led up to today.
Before I knew it, a half-hour passed, and I needed to get to work.
Just as I thought, Emily wanted to stay the night.
So I brought her backpack in from the truck and left it beside the front door.
Before I left I made Jared show me what was hurting and explain to me what happened.
He told me that he was on a ladder cleaning the roof gutters and fell off and twisted his ankle.
Jared was embarrassed as he recounted his accident.
He was ashamed to admit that his clumsiness led to his injury.
Despite his discomfort, he was thankful I examined him.
I advised him to elevate it, and ice it for 15 minutes every couple of hours.
As stubborn as he is, I reminded him that accidents happen and he can always call me for assistance, any time of the day or night.
Emily pulled Lauren the panda out of her bag, and told me she would take care of her Papa for the rest of the day.
I kissed her forehead and headed to work.
After speaking with Jenny and Jared, my mood lifted as I drove to work.
I was concerned they’d hate me for finding someone new.
No one could ever replace Lauren, and I doubt Valerie would even try.
I was relieved to hear they didn’t resent me for moving on but actually encouraged it.
I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest, knowing they understood my feelings.
I felt a sense of peace knowing that my past and present could coexist, and hopeful Valerie and I could build something meaningful together, without forgetting the past.
The road ahead might not be easy, but with love and understanding, I was ready to embrace this new chapter in my life. I only hope Valerie feels the same way. Despite it all, I’m willing to have a long-distance relationship if that’s what she wants.
I pull into the parking lot of my office building and jump out of my truck and lock it with my key fob.
I’m greeted by my office staff and patients waiting in the lobby.
After I spoke with Nurse McDermott all those weeks ago, it made it easier to manage working together effectively, as we no longer had unwanted issues between us.
My workday was busy, as I was double booked trying to see as many patients as possible since the storm. I had my staff call our patients over the age of sixty to check in on them. We need to take care of the elderly who don’t have family and are on their own.
The day went by in a flurry as I worked nonstop. When the last patient was seen, I had a moment to breathe, and I wondered what Valerie was up to. Just then, my phone rang, and it was my mom.
“Hey mom.”
“Hey, Sugar. I’m not bothering you am I?”
“Nope. I just saw my last patient. What’s going on?”
“Do you think you can swing by and help me out?”
“Of course. Let me wrap up a few things here and I’ll be over.”
“I can watch Emily for you as well.”
“No need, she’s at Jenny and Jared’s house for the evening.”
“Oh, in that case, honey, I don’t need you, but Valerie does. She’s had a rough day. She needs someone who will listen to her or just give her a hug. I know you have feelings for her, and she could use those big shoulders of yours.”
My heart drops worrying about what’s happening to Valerie. “Don’t worry mama, you can count on me.”
“Thank you sugar britches.”
“You’re welcome, mama.”
The line disconnected, and I wondered what happened to make Valerie upset.
I tried to speed through documenting in the charts, but by the time I was done, it was eight o’clock and I hadn’t eaten yet.
After I locked up the office, I swung by a drive through and ate in my car.
Then I hit the road, and prayed I wasn’t too late.