Chapter 10 #2
“I got you a little something to take with you when you move. Now it’s not much, but I hope you like it.” She hands me a gold metallic gift bag.
I pull the pink tissue paper out and see a wooden-framed pic of Mal and Jake. Mal is leaning over, so she is at the same level as Jake. She has him sitting up with a black hockey t-shirt on. “I love it, Mal, thank you.”
“There’s something else in there, too. Go on and grab it.”
I put my hand back into the bag and pull out a bottle. It’s Jake’s cologne. My eyes well up again. “Mal,” I choke out.
“Don’t you tear up again now, Sugar. Suck those tears right back inside.” She wags her finger at me. “I know how important scents are to people, and since you can’t be here, I figured this was the next best thing.”
“It’s perfect, Mal, really. Thank you,” I smile genuinely at her.
“Zander and Sue are wantin’ to come back here for a minute. You ready?”
“Yeah, bring them back,” I say as I take a few fortifying breaths. She heads back up the hall as I put the picture frame and cologne back in the bag and set it on the bedside table, wiping the tears from my cheeks yet again.
“Hey Summer,” Zander smiles gently as he enters the room, followed by Sue and Mal. Sue comes over to my side of the bed and squeezes Jake’s hand and gives me a side hug.
“Summer, I took the liberty and got you a new phone with a Charleston area code,” Zander tells me as he rubs the back of his neck. “I brought it up here with me. I was thinking you could take some pictures with it while we’re here?”
Surprise flickers through me. I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, despite having given up my old phone already. It’s not like I have a thriving social life these days. Other than Sarah and Sue, no one ever calls me. “Thank you, Zander. You didn’t need to do that.”
“It’s my pleasure, Summer,” he smiles, dimple showing.
“I didn’t want you to worry about staying in contact with everyone after we leave.
It’s got unlimited calling and texting too, so you should be good.
I, uh, picked out a case too, but you can choose another one if you don’t like it.
” He walks over and hands me the phone. It’s a newer model than I had, but similar.
The case is green with colorful flowers printed on the back.
I wonder if Sarah told him how much I used to love gardening.
I raise my eyes towards Sue, and she has a big smile on her face, giving me a nod.
“I like the case, Zander. It’s beautiful.”
He wipes his forehead. “Phew! Glad I got that right.”
I can’t help but smile. He’s definitely a goofball.
“Can I take a picture of all four of you as your first shot?” He asks.
“That would be wonderful,” Sue exclaims for me.
He comes and takes the phone back from me, positioning himself near the end of the bed. “Okay, everyone gather around Jake.”
Mal adjusts Jake’s bed so he’s sitting up a little higher.
“Ok Jake, I’m raising you up so we can see your handsome face better for the picture.
” She fixes the collar of his shirt and fusses with his hair.
“There you go, honey, you are perfect.” She is such a kind soul.
I should be used to her ways, but I’m still amazed by how she interacts with Jake.
I move the armchair and hold Jake’s hand, while Sue joins Mal on the opposite side of the bed.
“Okay, ladies, on the count of three, everyone give me a big smile. One…two…three.” Zander looks at the picture and smiles. “You ladies look perfect. Jake, man, you’re lucky to have so many beautiful women around you.”
“Oh, you big flirt, you,” Mal laughs.
He hands me back my phone. It really is a great picture, so I set it as my background.
“Are you ready to head home, sweetheart?” Sue asks.
“Yeah, let’s go.” I grab my gift bag, bend down, and kiss Jake’s cheek. “Love you.”
Zander comes back over and takes Jake’s hand once I step away. “Great to meet you, Jake. I hope to see you again soon.”
We gather in the hallway and follow Mal back to the desk. “Sugar, Zander told me your plans are open for what day you’re flying south, so I expect to see all ya’ll back here before you leave, ya hear?”
“Absolutely Mal. Thanks again for the gift.”
“Of course.” She moves over to Zander and wraps him up in a hug. “You take extra special care of her. She’s one in a million.”
“I promise, Ms. Mal,” Zander says as he hugs her back. “I’ll go back to my hotel and eat something. I have a few work calls to make, too. Would it be okay to meet up sometime tomorrow, Summer?”
I’m secretly glad he made the call to end our meeting here. I’m still shaky and need time to process everything. “That would be nice.”
“Great. I’ve got my appointment at 8am with Mary, but the rest of my day is free. I’ll send you a text after the meeting?”
“Okay, that sounds good, Zander.” I give him a small smile and nod.
“Wonderful. Again, it was amazing to meet you all. I’ll see you and Sue tomorrow, Summer. Have a good night, ladies,” he waves as he heads out.
I deflate a little as Sue puts her arm around me. “That went really well,” she states. “He seems like a wonderful man. Are you ready to head home and get some dinner?”
“Yup. I feel like I ran a marathon today.” That was so darn stressful.
We wave goodbye to Mal and head home.
“I’m ordering pizza tonight. We deserve a treat.” Sue heads for the pizza flyer she keeps on the fridge. “I’ll get your usual?”
“Yes, please,” I say distractedly. I’m replaying my interaction with Zander in my head.
I drag my suddenly heavy feet up to my room, drop my backpack on the floor by the desk, and flop onto my bed, hair fanning out around me.
What an exhausting day. Nerves this morning when I got up, and then the texts from Zander.
The immense relief of finally leaving that high school.
Meeting Zander for the first time, and the gift from Mal.
It’s all overwhelming. Zander seemed kinda great, though.
I reach into my back pocket and grab my new phone to set it up and log into the cloud, and download all my stuff. As I’m adding some new apps, I get a text from Sarah that Zander gave her my new number.
That was nice of him to contact her. I hit video call to talk to her right away. “Hi Summer,” she greets with a wave.
“Hi Sarah.”
“How are you doing tonight?”
“I’m trying to decompress right now. It’s been an emotional day.” That seems like an understatement.
“I can imagine. Did everything go okay at school?”
“Yeah, no issues there. I handed in my textbooks, and they had my transcripts ready to go. No one seemed to know about my leaving. They were probably too excited about spring break. I was relieved walking out at the end of the day.”
She smiles kindly. “That’s understandable. It’s been an unhappy place. Hopefully, a fresh start at a new school will make things easier. How did meeting Zander go?”
We discuss my shaky nerves and all my interactions with Zander, including how he took a tour and hugged both ladies. “I take it you told him I didn’t want to be touched?”
“I did, yes. I'm glad he listened.” Approval is clear in her tone.
“Sarah, he told Jake he’d take care of our girl,” I relay, still in awe of that statement.
“Summer, that’s wonderful. He really cares about you. I’m so happy you have him in your life now.”
Rubbing my tired eyes, I continue. “I got the impression he was a bit of a goofball when we first talked, and it seems I was right. He was being dramatic to lighten the mood again today.”
“That’s a good thing, Summer. You could use some lightheartedness in your life. Any plans with him for the rest of the weekend?”
“Yeah, he’s gonna text after his meeting with Mary in the morning. I think he sensed I was overwhelmed at the care facility, so he excused himself to his hotel after we visited Jake.”
“I think you’re in excellent hands with him, Summer. He was very engaged when we spoke, asking a lot of questions and taking notes. He wants this to work,” she says. “Is there anything else you want to talk about tonight with me?”
“No, I just need to decompress a bit. I feel like I’m on the edge of my seat non-stop right now.”
“I understand how you could feel that way. There are a lot of changes happening right now. You’re doing really well, Summer. You’ve handled everything that has happened. Just keep breathing and remember our motto: one moment at a time.”
“I will. Thanks Sarah. I’d be lost without you.”
“I appreciate that, but you’ve always been strong on your own, Summer,” she says. “I’ll let you go so you can relax this evening. Say hi to Sue for me, okay?”
“Will do, bye,” I wave and hit end. I clomp downstairs with little energy to wait for the pizza with Sue. “Sarah said to say hi Sue. She got a text from Zander with my new phone number.”
“He sent the text to me and Mal, too. He’s a thoughtful one, that man.” She looks at me with a contemplative expression. “Sweetheart, even though I’ll miss having you here, I believe you’ll find happiness with Zander. Maybe moving will offer a fresh start.”
“Mal said the same thing to me.” I’m not sure I believe that, but it’s a nice sentiment. I can’t imagine more changes bringing happiness, but I guess we’ll see.
“She might be onto something there,” she tells me just as the doorbell rings. “Grab plates and napkins, please.” Sue gets up, heading to the front door.
We settle on the couch with our pizza and watch the Food Network while we eat. I get up and grab us each a tub of ice cream when the Spring Baking Championship comes on.
“Grab my notebook and pen too, sweetheart. They might make something good tonight.”
I smile at her, but can’t complain. I’ve been enjoying her baking since the first day I moved in here.