Chapter 14 #4
Cole released Jason’s hand and turned to Dell. “Shall we? I’m sure Robbie wants his body returned, and, Jason, you need to get back to your Sunday.”
Dell couldn’t mistake the excitement in his voice, tempered by some nerves. She smiled to herself, proud of having helped
him face a fear.
They filed back toward the living room, where they found the Lewises embracing by the fireplace. Mrs. Lewis was still sniffling
but softly smiling, and appeared to be laughing at whatever Mr. Lewis had said in an effort to comfort her.
“Excuse us, but we’re going to be heading out now,” Jason gently said. “We don’t want to take up any more of your time. Thank
you so much for letting us stop by.”
Mrs. Lewis wiped her eyes. “Of course. You can come by any time.”
Cole stood frozen by the sofa, and Dell worried at first that he was immobile with fear but then realized he was simply overwhelmed.
She couldn’t blame him.
“Would it be all right if I gave you a hug, Mrs. Lewis?” he eventually asked. His voice betrayed a slight wobble. “I lost
my own mother when I was younger, and I just feel like—”
He couldn’t finish before Mrs. Lewis reached out and threw her arms around him. Cole stiffened at first before softening and
holding her like he had the world in his arms.
“I’m sorry, dear,” Mrs. Lewis said, pulling back from hugging him. “Any excuse to be close to Cole, even if it’s someone I’ve
just met who’s interested in his work. We miss him so much. And I’m sorry about your mother.”
Dell felt her heart split another crack. Cole glanced at her through Robbie, and she could see in his eyes the hug was for both of them—him and Robbie. His face softened into overwhelming gratitude.
“It’s all right,” he said to his mother, and hugged her tight once more.
Once they said their goodbyes to Cole’s parents, they headed outside to Jason’s car. Dell hovered nearby as Cole returned
Robbie’s body to him.
Robbie stumbled and gripped his head. Jason reached out for his arm to steady him.
“Okay, are we done now? And where are we?” Robbie asked, and swiveled his gaze around.
“Berkeley. Dell and Cole say thanks. Wanna go grab something to eat?”
Robbie was still reeling. “Um . . .”
“Come on, kid.” Jason helped him into the car with a slap on the back.
Dell left them to it and returned to the porch, where Cole had sat on a step with Chaucer. The sun had crested its midpoint
for the day and was beginning the routine descent that turned all the western-facing windows in the Berkeley hills gold. Dell
sat down next to him, with Chaucer in between them. The dog turned his head to sniff her hand when she stuck it out.
“Hi,” she cooed at him. “Do I smell different now that I’m not a twentysomething boy?”
Chaucer responded with an enthusiastic lick of her palm.
Dell laughed and scrubbed his ears. She and Cole watched the street in a peaceful silence for a few moments.
The houses across the way were on a slight downhill, leaving the view of the bay wide open.
The clear day dazzled, with a view of the Bay Bridge, and even the Golden Gate off in the distance.
“Did you grow up here? Dell asked, and leaned back on her hands.
“Yes. In this house,” Cole answered. “That storage room is my childhood bedroom.”
“Ha. Too bad it’s not papered in posters from your teenage years. What kind of music were you into? Or was it not posters
but quotes from literary greats and blue ribbons from all the academic decathlons you won?”
He gave her a teasing smirk. “I don’t think we should square off on adolescent achievements. Given your track record, I’d
imagine your list is just as extensive.”
“This is true.”
He leaned back on his hands, and his pinkie finger overlapped where hers was already resting. She took advantage and gripped
his whole hand.
“I told you that you had lovely parents and people who care about you,” Dell said with a smile.
Cole smiled back. It reached his eyes but with a tempered sadness in it. “Yes, I’m glad to have seen it. And thank you for
letting me hug my mom.”
“But . . . ?” Dell said in the pregnant pause he left lingering.
His face said there were too many words to choose the right ones. He lifted her hand and pulled it to his lips. “But it was
hard, so it’s nice to have you here with me.”
His warm lips on her skin sent her dead body tingling. Memory of their make-out session atop the bridge came back in a rush that had her wanting to tackle him on the porch. She wondered if he had any qualms about resuming their session under his parents’ roof.
She stowed her steamy thoughts when his mother appeared at the front door.
“Chaucer! How did you get out here?” she said with a pinch of worry, like the dog might run away.
He wasn’t going anywhere as long as Cole was around.
“Come here, boy,” she said, and waved him over with a pat of her thigh.
Chaucer looked over but didn’t move.
“He’s not going to go if you don’t go,” Dell said to Cole.
“You are probably right. Come on,” he said, and stood up from the front steps. “I’ll show you what a Sunday afternoon at the
Lewis house is like.”
Dell took his hand and happily followed, Chaucer on their heels.