14. Gabby
I pull into the driveway and put the Jeep in park. Glancing over at the flowers in the passenger seat, a fresh wave of tears starts to fall. How can he still love me? It’s been so long since we broke up. I assumed he’d moved on, and had hoped that one day I would, too.
My phone buzzes with an incoming text. Seeing Heath’s name, I turn the phone off. I’m not ready to talk to him just yet. Having him back in Piney Brook, asking for a second chance
. . . it’s a lot.
I get out and grab the flowers. They’ll need to be put in water. I bring them to my face and inhale their sweet scent, the riot of colors bringing a watery smile to my face.
After a hot shower, I pad to the kitchen in my oversized nightgown and fuzzy socks. I open the fridge and groan. Why is it so hard to remember to go grocery shopping? Grabbing a bowl and spoon from the cabinet, I opt for a bowl of cereal with the last of the milk.
I grab my phone to add milk to the running grocery list I keep in my notes. I press the button to power it up and tuck it into the pocket of my nightgown before grabbing my cereal and heading for the couch. A nice rerun of something light sounds great.
My phone chimes with unread messages. I see several from Heath and one from Karlee. Deciding it can wait until after I’ve eaten, I put the phone on the end table and pick up the remote, flipping to the streaming app and pulling up the Golden Girls.
An hour later, my eyes are drifting closed. I turn off the TV, take my bowl to the sink, and head to bed.
The next morning, I’m heading to work, so I grab my phone, but it’s dead. I charge it on my way to the diner so I can check my messages when I’m on break later.
As I walk in the door, I’m met with somber faces. “What’s going on?” I ask, looking between Ms. Daisy and Patty.
“Gabby,” Ms. Daisy says. “Did you hear that Rosanna is in the hospital in Little Rock?” she asks.
My heart drops. “What?” I ask. “What do you mean she’s in the hospital? Little Rock? Why so far away? What happened?”
Ms. Daisy gives me a watery smile. “You didn’t know? She was transferred there last night. Bradley was just in here with his crew for breakfast. When Heath wasn’t with them, I asked about him. Bradley told me what was going on.”
I groan internally. She must have taken a turn after I saw Heath at the beach. I bet that’s what all those texts were about last night. “Thanks for letting me know. Is it okay if I take a few minutes and give Heath a call?”
Ms. Daisy smiles and pats my arm. “Of course, dear.” She turns to Patty. “Are you okay covering, or do you need me to take some tables?”
“I’m good,” Patty says, shooting me a worried glance.
“I’ll be back out as soon as I can.”
“Here,” Ms. Daisy says, handing me her keys. “Use the office. You’ll have more privacy.”
I push through the swinging doors to the back room, then open the office and drop into the black leather chair at the desk. Taking a deep breath, I get out my phone and pull up Heath’s number. My finger hovers over the button. I should call, right? That’s what a friend would do. But what if he doesn’t want to hear from me?
Nerves make my hands shake. Deciding to take the easy way out, I close his number and pull up our text thread.
Gabby:I just heard about your mom. Is she okay?
Now I wait. I start biting my nails, a habit I thought I’d finally broken. Guess not. When my phone dings in my lap, I jump, almost stabbing myself in the face with my jagged nail.
Heath: She’s in the ICU. They expect her to make a full recovery, but she’s in bad shape right now.
I place my hand over my stomach. She’s in the ICU? I drop my head back onto the office chair. I have to go see her. I look over to the bulletin board where Ms. Daisy posts the schedules. I’m supposed to work the next three days. Maybe I can get one of the dinner shift servers to cover for me.
Gabby:Tell her we are all thinking of her. I’m going to come see her as soon as I can.
I’m scanning the schedule to see who might be available to cover for me when a knock on the door startles me out of my thoughts.
“Coming,” I call out, standing and opening the door.
“Well?” Ms. Daisy asks.
“Heath says she’s expected to recover, but she’s in the ICU.” I fold my arms across my middle. Rosie’s been like a mother to me all these years. I’m so mad at myself for not checking those messages sooner.
She shakes her head. “Poor Rosie. She’s been through so much the last few years.”
I nod. “Do you think Tamra might cover for me today and tomorrow? I’d like to go see her.”
Ms. Daisy steps to the desk and picks up the phone. “Let’s call and ask.”
My phone dings with an incoming text.
Heath:You don’t need to do that. She’ll be okay. I’m sure you’re busy.
That stings. Of course I need to go see her. Is he being short because of yesterday, or is he just stressed? I pause and take a breath. He’s stressed. How could he not be? His mom’s in the ICU.
“Tamra says she can be here in an hour. Why don’t you go ahead and go. I’ll help Patty.” Ms. Daisy pulls me in and hugs me tight. “She’s going to be okay, but I know you’ll feel better if you see for yourself.”
Three and a half hours later, I’m parked in the hospital parking lot staring at the double doors. Three hours in the car is a long time to think. If I’ve learned anything these past few months going to cancer treatments and appointments with Momma A, it’s that life is short and time is not guaranteed.
I take my time getting out of the car and walking inside the hospital. I’ve hated hospitals since Gram died seven years ago. Of course, part of that is because my mom had shown up playing the role of mourning daughter. Until she’d found out Gram didn’t leave her anything in the will. I roll my eyes, remembering how she’d huffed and stormed out of Mr. Willis’s office. Good riddance.
Stepping up to the reception desk, I wait my turn in line.
“Hi, I’m here to see Rosanna Atkins,” I say when it’s finally my turn.
“ID, please.” The young woman behind the desk stretches out her hand. She takes my ID, makes a copy, and hands it back to me with a visitor’s pass. “Room 411, down that hallway to the second set of elevators.”
I nod, stick the badge to my shirt, and set off to find Momma A.
The fourth floor is quiet except for the occasional beeping from a monitor. I make my way down the corridor to room 411 and stop outside the doors. I’m nervous to see Heath again after the way we left things. I summon all my courage, and open the door.
Heath’s head is resting on the edge of the hospital bed, a soft snore coming from him. “Hi,” I whisper to Rosie when I catch her eye. She’s got the oxygen mask on, so she just gives me a small wave. I walk to her side and take her hand in mine. “How are you feeling?”
“Gabby?” Heath says, lifting his head. “You came?”
I nod, not breaking eye contact with Rosie. “I did. I had to check on my bestie.” I give her a small grin and chuckle when she rolls her eyes.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Heath says, standing and wiping his hands over his face.
“I know,” I respond. “Why don’t you go get something to eat and a cup of coffee? I’ll sit with her for a while.”
Heath shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’m okay, thanks.”
“Go on. I promise I’ll call you if anything happens.” I hold my breath, watching his facial expressions as he wars with himself.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?” He leans in and kisses Rosie on the cheek. “Ten minutes, tops.”
Once he steps outside, I sit in the chair he was just resting in. I lean forward and take Rosie’s hand in mine. “Now that he’s gone, how are you really doing?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I’m okay,” she says, her voice distorted slightly from the mask covering her face.
I squeeze her hand. “You’ve got the whole town worried about you. Ms. Daisy sends her best.”
Rosie nods. “Thank you,” she says before closing her eyes.
“I’ll just sit here while you rest,” I say, letting go of her hand and leaning back in the chair.
Ten minutes later, Heath comes walking through the thick wooden door with two cups of steaming hot coffee. “It’s not the Coffee Loft, but it’s not the sludge I’ve been getting from the vending machine down the hall either.” He hands me a cup.
“She’s been sleeping since just after you left,” I whisper, setting the coffee on the small table beside her bed. “How are you holding up?”
He makes eye contact with me and raises one corner of his mouth. “I’m okay,” he says. “Thanks for driving all the way down here.”
I step forward and put my arms out. “Need a hug?”
He steps forward and wraps me in his warm arms, careful not to spill his coffee. “I’m sorry I pushed you yesterday,” he whispers. “I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give. If that’s friendship, then I’m a lucky man.”
The smell of apple pie baking in the oven makes me smile. I love this time of year. Food, friends, festivities. My three favorite f’s. Of course, I’d feel better if Heath and Momma A were back home. I’ve been checking in every few days since I left the hospital. I still haven’t gotten up the nerve to call. I’m afraid I’ll hear his voice and say too much, but now’s not the time. I can’t tell him I’ve spent the last week wondering what would have happened if, that day on the beach, I had admitted I still love him too. I’m not brave enough to say that maybe we could give it another try. I’m not convinced I’d survive it if he broke my heart again.
The timer buzzes, pulling me out of my thoughts. I slip on the shark-shaped mitt and grab the pie from the oven. After I set the pie on the cooling rack, I power up my phone to check in again.
Gabby:How is everything? Are you okay?
I set the phone on the counter and clean up the dishes while I wait for him to respond.
Heath: Mom’s doing better. They said everything looked good overnight, so she can be released this afternoon.
Gabby:That’s wonderful! Can I bring you two some dinner? I could swing by the diner and get your mom’s favorite fried chicken.
Heath: Evan and Karlee have already offered. Thanks.
Disappointment hits me hard and fast.
Gabby:That’s nice of them. Will you let me know when you two are settled in at home and she’s up for visitors?
When he doesn’t respond right away, I put my phone in my purse and head to the bedroom to get dressed. Lacey’s brother Bryce is in town and Mrs. Chambers is having an early Thanksgiving celebration since he’ll be playing with the NHL on Thanksgiving Day.
An hour later, I’m sitting in Lacey’s dining room, sipping sweet tea, and waiting for her mom to join us at the table so we can eat. Bryce, who plays for the Denver Edge, is across the table from me. Growing up, hockey is all he could ever talk about. I eye him over the rim of my glass. I can’t deny he’s grown into a handsome man. He catches me looking and winks. I roll my eyes. As hot as he is, he doesn’t hold a candle to Heath.
“So, Gabby, are you ready to give me a shot?” Bryce asks, joking. Or I hope he is. Dating my best friend’s brother would just be weird.
Lacey scoffs. “Like she’d date a hockey player.”
My brows furrow. “Why wouldn’t I?” I ask, truly puzzled. If I liked someone, I’d hope their profession wouldn’t be a deal breaker. That wouldn’t be fair. Especially since I’m still waiting tables, and a lot of people look down on me for that.
“You wouldn’t want to leave Piney Brook.” Lacey shrugs like it’s an obvious answer.
“I might,” I say softly. Staying here, being so close to Heath . . . it’s been hard.
Lacey chokes on her drink, coughing and sputtering. I reach over and slap her back. “You okay?”
Once she gets a hold of herself, she pins me with a stare. “You’d leave Piney Brook? Since when?”
I take another sip of my drink to buy me some time. “Things change,” I say, not meeting her eyes. Thank goodness Mrs. Chambers breaks the awkwardness when she calls out that dinner is done.
Lacey, Bryce and I all get up, heading for the kitchen to help bring the dishes to the table. Once everything is in place on the table, we say grace, and Bryce makes short work of slicing the meat. Plates are made, and everyone settles into a comfortable silence as we eat.
“Let’s all take turns sharing what we are thankful for this year,” Mrs. Chambers suggests. “I’ll go first. I’m thankful that both my children, and my bonus daughter, have joined me for dinner today.”
I shift in my seat. Ever since Lacey and I became friends, her mom has gone out of her way to make me feel welcome. I think she felt sorry for me when she found out my mom didn’t want me. It’s appreciated, but it also reminds me of what I’m missing out on with my own mother.
“I’ll go next,” Bryce says, wiping his mouth and placing his napkin beside his plate. “I’m thankful that the Edge picked me up and offered me a contract.”
I’m not surprised that hockey is what he’s thankful for. He’s getting his childhood wish.
“I guess it’s my turn. I’m grateful for new opportunities and great friends,” Lacey says.
All eyes turn to me. What am I thankful for this year? “I’m thankful for a good job, good friends, and that Mrs. Atkins is doing better.”
“How is she?” Mrs. Chambers asks. “I’ve considered calling her, but I didn’t want to be a bother.”
“She’s doing well. Heath said she’s being released today.” I take a bite of food, hoping that the warmth I feel in my cheeks doesn’t show on my face.
“Has he figured out how much you like him yet?” Bryce asks. “It’s a shame, if you ask me.”
I swallow my food carefully to keep from spitting it on the plate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“I wanted to ask you out your senior year, but I saw how you looked at him.” Bryce shrugged. “Figured there wasn’t any sense competing since you were already half in love with him.”
“Bryce!” Lacey admonishes. “I told you never to ask out my friends. It’s weird.”
He gives her his signature smirk. The one that’s all over sports tabloids. “Yeah, well. Hate to break it to you, little sister—you’re not the boss of me.”
“Well,” Mrs. Chambers says, sliding her plate away from herself. “This has been enlightening. Why don’t we move to the dessert Gabby brought us before her face catches fire?” She stands and takes her plate to the kitchen.
“All I’m saying is,” Bryce continues, not taking the hint, “if you looked at me the way you look when you mention his name, I’d jump on that and never let you go.”
My mouth drops open and closes again several times. I’m certain I look like a fish out of water, but I have no idea how to respond to that.
“He had his chance, and he blew it.” Lacey stands, taking my plate and hers. “Too bad for him.” She pins Bryce with a glare. “Do not ask my friends out.” She shudders and walks to the kitchen with our dirty dishes.
“What did she mean by that?” Bryce asks.
“I’m pretty sure she meant I’m off limits,” I say, debating putting my glass directly against my heated cheeks.
“No, the other part.”
“I have no idea,” I say. “Maybe she just means we aren’t as close as we were before he left for the Army.”
Bryce looks like he’s about to ask something else when his mom calls him from the kitchen. “I’m not waiting for your dirty plate all day. Get in here and help bring out the desert.”
I’m not sure what Mrs. Chambers says to Lacey and Bryce in the kitchen, but thankfully the rest of the evening’s conversation is much lighter and less embarrassing. My phone dings with an incoming message, just as I’m sliding my shoes on to leave.
“Wonder who that is,” Lacey says, smiling.
“Probably Ms. Daisy,” I say, sliding my coat on. “I’ll check when I get home.”
“Mm-hmm.” She leans in and gives me a hug. “He was serious, you know. Bryce had the biggest crush on you when we were kids.”
I pull back, surprised. “No way.”
She nods. “I don’t even think the fact that I threatened him would have stopped him from pursuing you. We saw you and Heath up at the lake one day senior year, and he knew he didn’t stand a chance.”
I shake my head. “We weren’t together.”
She smiles sadly. “You’ve always been his, even when you’re too stubborn to let yourself believe it.” She opens the door and I step outside.
“I don’t think so,” I hedge. My phone dings again with another incoming message.
“If you still feel anything for him, you both deserve a chance to figure out if you belong together.” She gives me a small wave and closes the door.
The fact is, I still love Heath just as much today as I did back then, but a lot has changed. Should I risk my heart again? I don’t know if I can.