Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
After our brunch and walk on the beach, Brad and I carried our belongings to the respective vehicles and prepared to leave.
Rita, Wyatt, and Heather waited to say goodbye, promising to be in touch after they decided when they’d all arrive for our wedding.
I surmised that included Alicia, but she was busy settling into Rita’s upstairs apartment.
I’d set up my GPS to Brad’s specifications since he planned to travel “back roads,” most of which were less-traveled highways, to take us over the Commodore Barry Bridge.
I planned to follow him, yet would use the settings in case we became separated.
He tended to have a heavier foot on the gas than I did, at least until I became more comfortable with the directions.
We planned to arrive “home” around five o’clock, he’d help me unload the trunk of my car, then we’d do the same at his house. Afterwards, if we were in the mood, we’d go out to eat or order in. I had a feeling it might be the latter.
I liked his route, which I told him as we conversed by phone during the trip. At times, we traveled through small towns in New Jersey, passing farm stands now empty of tomatoes or peaches. I promised myself to make sure I’d go that way when the season was right the following year.
The bridge across the Delaware River was large enough to not feel nervous, and the few minutes on I-95 to the Blue Route gave me no trouble. I told him again that I liked his route.
During the times we didn’t talk, I thought about how much we both enjoyed the shore. In a way, I wished we’d met Rita before he started his landscaping business, yet life was full of “what-ifs.” We’d probably want our own home at the Jersey shore, but prices were out of our ballpark.
I hoped Rita would continue to let us rent her apartment.
When we exited the highway, Brad called me again. “Would you mind a change of plans?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “We’ll be passing that place that makes the best cheesesteaks around.”
“Then, we should stop to buy them.”
“That’s what I was thinking, and we should eat them at your kitchen table.”
“It works for me,” I replied, figuring he didn’t need me to help unload his backpack. Besides, we were both tired.
He echoed my thoughts. “I think I’ll hit the sack early.”
“Me, too,” I agreed.
“Okay, so when I put my right blinker on, just follow me into the parking lot but stay in your car. I’ll run in to pick up our order.”
“Did you already call it in?”
He laughed. “No, I’m going to do that now.”
I disconnected, chuckling about our differences.
He could change his mind in an instant, while I needed time to mull about the pluses and minuses of my decisions.
Of course, it didn’t matter to me whether we ate out or ordered in, and I liked the thought of bringing sandwiches to my apartment so I wouldn’t have to go back and forth to his place. Simplicity reigned.
I clicked the tab on my steering wheel when my phone rang with another call from Brad. “Did you want peppers or onions on yours?”
“Just cooked onions, please.”
“That’s what I thought, but I got a side container of cooked sweet peppers, just in case.”
“Perfect,” I said. “I’ll share them with you.”
He ignored that comment, probably because he ordered a boatload of hot peppers on his sandwich. Instead, he noted, “We’ll turn right into the parking lot just after the next traffic light. Don’t get confused when you see my blinker.”
“Okay. I’ll follow you in. Over and out.” I considered that a clever way to end our conversation, but he’d already moved on. It didn’t really matter.
I also now knew my location, and that made me feel good.
I watched him step down from his pickup truck, with the corner light emphasizing his muscular thighs in his tight jeans. My heart tumbled, even as I warned it to behave, and I moved my head so he wouldn’t see me staring. Brad could turn me on without even trying.
When he left the shop not long after, he waved the large bag in my direction and gave me his signature smile. I flashed my bright lights in response, and found myself blushing. Relieved he couldn’t see that, I gave him room to back up, then followed him out to the main road.
It didn’t take long to bring my things into the apartment, and he turned up the thermostat while I rolled my suitcase to the bedroom. We took turns using the powder room, sideswiping each other with a kiss. If not for that touch of romance, one would think we’d been married for twenty years.
That’s what I continued to tell myself. My brain and heart thought otherwise.
The next morning, the noise from Brad’s landscaping crews awoke me at seven o’clock. They bantered near the garage as they picked up the equipment they’d need for the day, though I tried to drown out the noise with my pillows. I’d hoped for a little more sleep, but finally gave up.
After showering and dressing, I tossed a load of clothes into the washer while the coffee brewed. Then, I checked email after pouring my first cup. Most of it was junk, but I had a few about the wedding, which I needed to handle.
My mother called while I was engrossed in those.
“Just the person I needed,” I stated with a chuckle when I picked up her call. “The caterer would like to substitute prime rib as the beef choice because the cost of filet mignon has doubled. How should I respond?”
“You can’t change the choices now. If someone ordered the filet, we need to honor that.”
“Okay. Well, good morning, Mom. Isn’t this early for you?”
“Yes, but your father had to be at the hospital by six this morning.”
“Why?” I stammered. He had always stayed fit, even during his retirement.
“Don’t let on that I told you, but his prostate is acting up.”
My mother liked to ignore worrisome issues, so I wasn’t sure if I should be concerned. I asked her to clarify.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, honey. He’s having an ultrasound this morning and they start at the crack of dawn. I’m in the waiting room and thought we could chat while I’m sitting here.”
“Sure, Mom. I’m back in Pennsylvania so I can focus on the wedding and, maybe, fit in another quick trip to write about for the magazine.”
“Did you forget that your father and I will be arriving at the end of next week?”
I chuckled. “Of course not. I need you to keep me sane. In fact, maybe the three of us should go somewhere nearby, just for something to do while you’re here.”
She paused as if thinking. “I think we’re going to be busy, just making sure everything works out, but whatever.”
“Mom,” I replied, pausing to breathe, “Brad and I planned a simple ceremony and a small reception. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”
“I hope I’m not coming across like that, honey. I’m not sure you recall all of the small details that can go wrong before the big event. Do you remember how your Maid of Honor for your first wedding spilled coffee down the front of her gown just before the limousine arrived?”
I laughed. “Oh, my gosh, yes. We’ll offer nothing but water before the wedding. Maybe not even that.”
“That’s just one example, honey, but don’t worry. Your dad and I will be right there with you. Well, hopefully your father will be fine, and I know he will be since he’s our rock. Speak of the devil, here he is.”
“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
“I don’t know what your mother told you, but I’m fine and looking forward to seeing you next week.”
“Me, too, Dad. I’m getting my guest room ready for you and Mom.”
He chuckled. “Don’t go to any trouble. We’re just looking forward to seeing you.”
“Same here.” I felt my eyes filling with tears, not caused by sadness, but worry seemed to be taking hold.
I heated up a quarter of the steak sandwich I couldn’t finish the night before, wondering if my mother would consider it a good breakfast. She’d probably believe it all right if I added an egg, but I didn’t have any. I did fill my mug with another cup of coffee.
Contemplating my dilemma of needing to go to the grocery store before traveling to fulfill my magazine contract, I returned to my email. That seemed simpler than deciding what to do next.