Chapter 26 Taylor
Taylor
Friday morning, Taylor blindly reached to shut off her alarm, then flopped back against the pillow. She and Austin had talked
and texted until late. Even later for him. They might have to table those playful times until the weekend, because trying
to stay awake while working with the children today would be a challenge. Thankfully her last client of the day had canceled
and she’d be able to leave a little earlier. It would give her time for a power nap before getting things ready for the sisters-in-law
spa night, if necessary.
She allowed herself five more minutes before having to get up. Taylor picked up her phone to check her messages first and
saw one from Austin. She quickly clicked on it and smiled. He’d sent a video. Opening the link, she leaned against the headboard
to listen:
I’ve been thinking about that dance you did for me when I was home, and I gotta tell you, I’m really looking forward to having another one. Disappointed that we didn’t get that baby, but I can’t wait until
we can get in more practice time.
Taylor laughed softly. She couldn’t wait either.
So, since you put your body into that dance with enough fire to keep my dreams lit for months, I decided you should have your song.
Her eyes misted when he started belting out the first lines of “If This World Were Mine” by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn.
He sang the first verse, then stopped.
My Tay, if it were mine, I’d give you everything mentioned in this song and more. Enjoy your day, beautiful, and we’ll talk
this weekend. Love you forever and a day. Oh, tell all the sisters I said hi, and enjoy yourselves.
“I love you too,” she whispered. Austin always knew how to make her smile. Taylor typed back: I will. Love you, and I’ll definitely have that dance ready. She added the heart and kiss emoji, then hit Send. He most likely wouldn’t see it until later. Tonight she would sing the
second verse and send it to him to wake up to tomorrow. They sent each other videos often, and she found that it helped her
stay close to him. He’d voiced the same.
Knowing she needed to get moving, she placed the phone on the nightstand and went to dress.
Hours later, she carried in the bags from the grocery store and set them on the kitchen counter. She placed all the items
that needed to stay cold into the refrigerator, then trudged down the hallway to her bedroom. Since it was only four thirty,
Taylor kicked off her shoes, stripped off her pants and top, then stretched out on the bed. She set her alarm for thirty minutes.
It didn’t take long for her to drift off, and it seemed as if she’d just closed her eyes when she heard the insistent beeping.
After turning off the alarm on her phone, she took a quick shower before getting started in the kitchen.
Taylor pulled out all the charcuterie board fixings and arranged the meat, cheese, and crackers on one, and fruit and vegetables with a variety of dips on a second one.
At the last minute, she had decided to do a dessert board and had asked Kam to handle that one.
Kam had offered to come a little early to help with any last-minute setup.
Kamryn arrived at six. “Hey, girl. Dessert is here.”
“Come on in.” They embraced. “I want to see what you made,” she said, leading Kam to the kitchen.
After removing the lid from the covered board, Kamryn said as she pointed to each one-bite treat, “We’ve got some pound cake,
brownies, peach cobbler—I finally decided to test out Mama Yvonne’s recipe—and your favorite, s’mores.”
“I think I’m going to have one of these little peach cobblers right now.” Taylor popped one into her mouth and chewed. Her
surprised gaze met Kam’s amused one. “Girl, you nailed this recipe.”
“I figured I’d test it out on us first. I also have gift boxes with extras of everything to keep.”
The doorbell rang. “And that’s why I love you,” Taylor said over her shoulder as she headed to the front. She checked the
peephole, then opened the door. “Hey, Chanel.”
“Hey. I know you said six thirty, but I was too excited and couldn’t wait.”
She laughed and hugged her. “Kam’s here already and brought dessert.”
“Just point me in the direction of the food,” Chanel said, following Taylor through the condo. After greeting Kamryn, she
stared at the platters. “We can start early, right? Because that peach cobbler is calling my name.” She picked up one and
ate it. “Oh my goodness. This is so good. Wait, this tastes like Mama Yvonne’s.”
Kamryn folded her arms and smiled. “That’s because it’s her recipe.”
“You know what, I’m not even going to attempt to make any of these. How much do you want to make me one of these boards once
a month?”
The women broke out in a fit of laughter. Taylor said, “I’ve been asking the same thing. We can take these out to the living room. I’ll bring the wine.” They carried everything out and placed it on the coffee table. The doorbell rang again.
“Oh good. Giselle is here. Now I won’t have to feel bad about not waiting to eat,” Chanel said. “I want to be ready for that
massage.”
“I hear you.” Taylor didn’t bother to check the peephole. She opened the door, and her heart stopped, then started again.
No, no, no!
“Are you the wife of Second Lieutenant Austin Bradley?”
“Yes. Please don’t say it,” she whispered.
“On behalf of the—”
“Noooo!” she screamed, drowning out the rest of the service member’s words. “Not my Austin. Please, not my Austin,” she sobbed. She sensed Kamryn and Chanel’s arms go around her. “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” Her heart
felt as if it had been ripped from her chest and would never be whole again. She dropped to her knees. “Please, please, no!”
“Tariq, I need you to get to Taylor’s now. It’s Austin, and it’s not good. Get all the family.” Kamryn was crying as well.
She had no idea how she got there, but Taylor registered the sofa beneath her just as her legs gave way again. Giselle had
gotten there moments after the two service members, one who’d been identified as a chaplain and the other who introduced himself
as Master Gunnery Sergeant Damon Walker.
Chanel ran a comforting hand up and down Taylor’s back. “If you give me your friend’s number, I’ll call her to cancel for
tonight.”
Kamryn handed Taylor her cell. Taylor found the contact and passed the phone to Chanel.
“Everyone’s on the way,” Kamryn said.
She didn’t care. She just wanted Austin.
Only him. She could barely process what was being said.
Returning from training. Accident. Other driver asleep at the wheel.
By the time the rest of the family arrived, Taylor was numb.
How am I supposed to live without you? How am I supposed to go on, knowing I’ll never hear your voice again or feel your arms
around me? What am I supposed to do? The questions bombarded her, but she had no answers. The entire family was in tears, and Mama Yvonne’s cries rivaled her
own. She tried to tune back in to what the sergeant was saying.
“I had an opportunity to get to know Lieutenant Bradley, and he had my utmost respect. It’s my honor to assist you during
this time.”
He let them know that Austin would be buried with full military honors and that he would help the family with every aspect
of the process—from escorting Austin home and making the arrangements to accessing benefits. By the time they left, all Taylor
wanted to do was curl up in her bed and stay there. She stood. “I can’t do this. I don’t know what to do. He can’t leave me,”
she cried on a broken sob.
“We’ve got you, sis,” Tariq said, wrapping his arms around her. “We’re going to get through it . . . somehow.” His voice cracked.
Given their closeness, she knew Tariq was probably taking it just as hard. But Taylor didn’t see how she’d get through it.
She wasn’t sure she could get through the next hour.
Taylor moved through the next several days like a ghost. Had it not been for the Bradleys and Melanie, she would’ve lost it completely, though she’d come close to doing just that more than a few times.
She’d barely slept and had to force herself to eat.
Sergeant Walker had been a godsend and had done everything he said he’d do.
She stared at Austin’s smiling face on her phone and started the video again.
Closing her eyes, she listened to his deep voice talking to her, telling her how much he loved and missed her.
She needed one more moment with him. One more time to tell him how blessed she’d been to have him in her life.
One more time to tell him and show him how much she loved and adored him.
One more time to hear him say “my Tay.” Silent tears ran unchecked down her cheeks.
“Do you want to try to eat a little something before we leave?” Melanie asked, coming to sit next to Taylor.
She paused the video and swiped at the tears. Melanie handed her the box of tissues. “Thanks, and no. My stomach is in knots
right now.” Today was the last time she’d see him, touch him, and she wasn’t ready. Taylor would never be ready to say goodbye.
“Understandable. Do you need me to do anything for you right now?”
Taylor shook her head. She grasped her friend’s hand. “Thank you for being here.” Melanie had packed a bag and come to stay
with Taylor the moment she found out. The Bradley family had made sure she was never alone. Her in-laws had invited her to
stay with them if needed, her sisters- and brothers-in-law had taken turns visiting just about every day, and Tariq kept a
close check on her.
“You know I wouldn’t be anywhere else. You’re my bestie, and I’ve got you.”
She didn’t think she’d ever stop crying, and the one other person whose arms she needed to be comforted by no longer recognized
her. She needed her dad to reassure her that in time, the days would get easier, just as he’d done when her mother died. He
wouldn’t be there to hold her hand this time, and she’d never felt so alone.
A short while later, the sergeant arrived, as did the rest of the family, to escort her to the service.
Taylor sat through the tributes, the reading of the obituary, and the minister’s words with her gaze focused on the flag-draped
coffin just a few feet from her. She would never forget seeing him lying so still, so cold and lifeless. She closed her eyes
to block out the memory, wanting to remember his playful smile and twinkling eyes, the laughter and the passionate moments
they’d shared. Her eyes snapped open when the rifle salute began, followed by the playing of Taps. Her hands were shaking
by the time she was presented with the flag, and when they started lowering the casket, it took everything inside her to stand
still. Once again, she found it hard to breathe. As if they sensed her distress, Tariq and Vincent came and stood on either
side of her and held her hands. Shawn stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.
She wanted to plead with Austin not to leave her. They had so many dreams yet to be realized, and now more than ever, she
regretted that she hadn’t gotten pregnant. That she’d never have that piece of him. Now he was gone, and she had to learn
how to live without him.