Chapter 20 #3
The walk home is a slow one, and once I make it inside my apartment, I bask in the cold shower’s stream, t-shirt and basketball shorts still on.
The water pooling at my feet is muddy from today’s work in the garden.
I think back to June’s advice on grand gestures.
I guess the gift part doesn’t have to be grand, but my effort does.
No problem there. I will put in as much effort as possible to show Celeste I’m all in.
I sigh as the shower spray beats down on my head, water cascading down my face.
I feel empty without her presence. My heart misses her laugh, her smile, the way she’s determined to do everything herself.
I rub at my aching chest and when the water finally runs clean after two rounds of shampoo, I shut it off and step out.
I pull a towel from the rack beside me, the stupid thing hung way too high for convenience.
Swiping the plush fabric over my face then wrapping it around my waist, I glance back at the towel rod, an idea forming in my head.
I smile, knowing exactly the gesture I want to do for Celeste.
With fresh determination and a new reason to enjoy Biblio & Brew, I get ready for work.
* * *
The next morning when I get to Celeste’s house, June is not waiting for me outside like I presumed she would be.
I expected us to be back at it in the garden, seeing as we had so much to do still after yesterday.
Instead, when I walk up to the house, shutting the gate behind me, I see pristine flower beds, neat edges and stunning flowers.
I’m impressed at June’s commitment to her garden.
I wait on the porch after knocking. A minute goes by and I frown.
We did agree I’d come back today right?
I step back off the porch and look through the front window, and there, June sits on the oversized armchair, reading. I wave a few times before catching her attention. She pulls her glasses off and smiles, waving me in.
“Good morning June, sorry I thought we’d be working on the gardens again. Did you do that all by yourself?” I ask, closing the door behind me and taking off my still muddy shoes from yesterday.
“Yes, well, I felt enough hatred for those weeds that it motivated me to get up early this morning and finish the project myself.” Her triumphant smile is overshadowed by the bags under her eyes and slightly sunken-in cheeks.
Looking her over I realize she’s snuggled into a thick housecoat clutching a steaming mug.
As if she were cold. Her skin seems a little paler than usual too, despite all the work in the sun we’d done yesterday.
I stand awkwardly in the foyer wondering what to do with myself when she beckons me over, gesturing to sit in the armchair opposite her.
I scurry over and lean back into the cushions, a hint of vanilla and strawberry hitting my nose.
There’s a pang in my chest at the familiar scent.
My stomach drops as I realize this must be where Celeste sits often, playing the endless Scrabble game with her mom.
“What’s got you so worried, Dominic?” June startles me out of my thoughts.
“Nothing. I’m all right,” I say.
“Hm, could have fooled me from those frown lines on your forehead.”
I sigh softly. “Nothing, I’m alright.” I fake a smile. “Is it okay if I make myself a tea?”
June nods and I make my way to the kettle, turning it on while I grab a mint tea bag from the cupboard and a mug from the drying rack. “So what would you like me to work on today?” I ask over my shoulder, watching the water boil.
“Oh nothing. Just indulge in some tea with me today,” June requests, her voice soft and airy like she’s ready to sleep.
My eyebrows go up, realizing I am in Celeste’s house bonding with her Mom. I smile to myself, even if June wasn’t Celeste’s mother, she’s still a wonderful person to just be around. I get my tea brewing and carefully carry it over to the living room.
“So have you thought some more about this grand gesture of yours? Remember, it has to be swoon-worthy,” June jokes, setting aside her mug with a wince, her face looking a little green around the edges. I notice a few drops of sweat beading on her forehead.
“Yeah, um, June, are you feeling okay?” I ask warily. She closes her eyes and waves me off with a hand and a nod, so I continue. “Okay, well my idea was that her favorite—”
June leans forward, an arm outstretched towards a glass of water.
“Dominic, can you pass me…my…” Suddenly her eyes roll back and her body goes limp, slipping from her position on her chair and landing on the floor with a thud.
Her eyes have fluttered closed and I jump from my seat.
I stand there, my heart racing and adrenaline shooting through my veins immediately.
My knees slam down next to her and I push down my panic and brush her hair from her face. “June? June!” I call her name, but she’s still out cold, her skin clammy.
I pull my phone from my pocket as fast as I can and dial 9-1-1.
I direct the operator to the house, stumbling over the address in my panic, but they reassure me an ambulance is nearby and on its way.
I go to check June’s pulse on her wrist, nausea rolling through my stomach at the thought of not feeling anything, but the pulse is there.
I look at her face and hold my hand in front of her nose and feel small puffs of air against my fingertips.
I suck a breath of relief as her eyes slowly open.
“June? Can you hear me? Stay there. I don’t know if you hit your head and I don’t want to move you.
Stay there until the paramedics get here, okay?
” Her eyes flutter closed again, but she dips her chin so minutely I almost miss it.
She’s aware of what I said and that brings me another small wave of relief.
It could have been hours but what I’m sure was only a handful of minutes later, a forceful knock on the door pulls my attention, and I move quickly to let the paramedics in as they surround June.
I stumble my way through a brief recount of what happened before stepping back into the kitchen and out of their way.
“Son, are you riding in the ambulance with us or going separately?” A rough voice, one of the paramedics, asks me.
“Um, yes, yeah I’m coming, I just have to make a phone call.” I say slightly out of breath still.
“No worries, it’ll take a minute to get her in the rig, but be quick or take it en route,” the paramedic says sharply.
I pull up my phone, gripped in my hand so harshly I have to remind myself to loosen my fingers. My stomach flips over as I press the call button for Celeste’s number. The first time goes to voicemail where I leave the briefest message I can before redialing her number praying she picks up.
“H-Hello?” A small voice comes from the other side of the phone. My heart fucking sinks at hearing how sad she sounds, and here I am about to shatter her. I inhale a sharp breath and try not to let the lump in my throat get to me. I swallow it down.
“Celeste, your Mom, it’s your Mom. She’s in an ambulance going to the hospital. She just collapsed, I-I’m so sorry.”