Chapter 12 #2
“I should be able to list all the places I’ve traveled or the people I know … the fun nights I’ve had. But I can’t. Instead, I wrapped my entire life around one stupid job. And then I was up for partner and I didn’t get it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Surprisingly, I’m not anymore. I never thought I’d say this, but I think I might actually be thankful that some idiot rammed into my car and knocked some sense into me. There’s a whole world out there, and I haven’t seen any of it.”
They rounded the corner of the path, which led further up the hill toward the overlook of the city. As they walked, Lucas seemed contemplative.
“I’ve always loved the way you think,” he said.
“You have?”
“Most people aren’t able to step outside themselves, including me, but you seem to be able to.”
“You can probably do it too.”
He shrugged.
They made their way down the path until a tree caught her attention. Ava stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas asked.
“Look at the low branches on that tree and the even spaces all the way to the top. It’s perfect for climbing. ”
“I’ll bet some kid would love it,” he said.
“We should climb it.”
His eyes widened. “Um, I’d advise not.”
Would her injuries be healed enough to scale it to the top? The branches were pretty close to one another, and she could almost step up to each one; it might be as easy as climbing the stairs they’d just done.
“I’d advise yes.” She walked over to it and wrapped her fingers around the lowest branch.
Lucas jogged up to her. “That’s not a good idea.”
“I think it is.”
“People who are currently receiving therapy for head injuries, with broken ribs and with stitches should probably abstain from activities in which they have the chance of falling twelve feet to the hard ground below.”
“When we climbed our first tree, I was scared. Do you remember what you told me?”
He shook his head.
“You told me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.”
“Right, but?—”
She hoisted herself up, a tiny tweak pinching her side. She held her breath and moved slowly, methodically, placing her feet in just the right spots and using her hands to guide her. The initial jump was the hardest part. The rest was just moving and stepping to the next branch.
“Ava. We aren’t kids anymore.” Lucas’s lips were set in a straight line.
“Come on!” She scaled the tree higher, the thrill of immersing herself in life outweighing the dull ache in her side.
With a loud exhale through his lips, Lucas grabbed the bottom branch and swung his legs up, making the climb. He finally clambered up beside her, but this time he made sure she was leaning against the trunk, instead of the way they’d positioned themselves as kids.
“Now, what in the world would be worth this risk?” he asked.
She nodded toward the view. “That.”
The tops of gold-and-orange trees fanned out all the way to the blue-gray Tennessee Hills on the horizon, and just in front was the jagged Nashville skyline. The scene was so vast it made her feel insignificant in comparison.
“You know there’s an overlook along the trail that allows a fabulous view, and all you have to do is walk up to it,” he said.
She put her finger on his lips. “Sshh …”
A minuscule flinch shot through his shoulders at her touch, and the fear that flashed in his eyes told her that she could hurt him. She sent him a silent promise that she never would.
“Come over tomorrow to go fishing. You never did get to.”
“I don’t know.”
“Knowing you, I’m assuming you became a doctor because you love to help people.”
“Yeah.” There was pain in his answer.
“My dad can’t fish with me anymore, but you can. I know you fishing with me would help me because this walk has been the best thing I’ve done since the accident.”
Deliberation showed in his stare.
“I won’t ask anything of you. I’ve already said that. I won’t go back on it.” She held onto the branch and moved into his view. “I promise.”
“All right. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You get down from this tree and spend the rest of the walk on solid ground.”
She laughed. “Done. ”
When Ava returned to the house, her side still ached a bit, but she floated in on a cloud of bliss. She danced her way into the kitchen.
Martha’s face was serious as she chopped carrots. The counter was full of ingredients for her chicken and dumplings casserole.
Ava went over to her mother, took her hands, and spun her around.
“Good walk?” her mom asked, a smile overtaking her.
“It was the best walk.” Ava dropped her mother’s hands. “Lucas is coming over tomorrow to go fishing, if that’s okay.”
“Sounds good to me.” Her mom dumped the carrots into the hot pan behind her, sending a sizzling sound through the kitchen.
Ava leaned in and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll tell you all about today over dinner.”
Her mother brightened. “I’d love that.”
“I need to get comfy. I think I might eat dinner in my pajamas tonight,” Ava said.
“Maybe I should as well. I’ll get dinner into the oven first.”
Ava gave her mom another kiss on the cheek and went into the bedroom to change and wash her face.
“Oh, that’s so pretty,” she said, coming into the living room in her plaid flannel pajamas.
Martha was sewing a button on one of her quilted bags. The squares were expertly tufted and strung together with a professional flair. This particular one was an array of shades of lavender and deep purple with double stitching and a printed interior.
“It’s just something I’ve been working on.” Her mother held up the bag andthen set it in her lap, running her hand over the shimmery fabric.
Ava sat down next to her. “May I see? ”
Martha pinned her needle on the button clasp and handed the bag to Ava.
Ava opened it, inspecting the embroidered lining.
“This could almost pass as designer with these details inside.” She held it up, squinting to fade out the backdrop of the living room, imagining it sitting ona lit white shelf in a boutique.
“You could upgrade these. Maybe replace the handles with some sort of exotic wood. Name it ‘the Marrowbone Lake Bag.’ You’d make a killing. ”
Her mother dismissed her comment. “Oh, I only do a few at a time. I just enjoy the sewing. It’s relaxing.”
Ava mentally adjusted her perspective, pulling away from her marketing brain. “You’re right. It’s better to leave it as something that fuels you creatively.”
“I agree,” her mom said. “And I do make enough money from them to reimburse my supplies and still turn a small profit.”
“ And you can make them on your time,” Ava added.
Her mother twisted toward her on the sofa. “I like this new version of you. Where did it come from?”
“I think the accident improved my outlook on things. It just took a while before the change settled in.”
“That’s wonderful.” Her mom set the bag on the table. “Let’s not wait until dinner. Tell me all about your walk.”
Ava let her mother know what she and Lucas had been up to.
She was so glad her mom was there to share in her life.
Her mother was a wonderful listener, and by the thrill in her eyes, it seemed as if she’d waited Ava’s whole life to have that role.
Ava decided then and there that she’d never let time go by like she had before the accident.
She’d make use of every minute to spend more time with her mom.