Chapter 28 Stella #2
I had to give her credit for persistence.
“Bennie seems to have taken to you.”
“I’ve taken to her too. She’s a wonderful kid.”
My phone buzzed against my hip as I adjusted my purse.
“Excuse me,” I told Lorraine while I dug into my bag, turning around and hopefully signaling that I wasn’t interested in fake conversation or discussing a pseudo playdate.
Lee
I made the mistake of changing my shirt in front of the guys today in their locker room. Turns out there are wide scratch marks down my back and a bite mark on my shoulder that I didn’t notice.
I burst out laughing.
Stella
But I’m guessing they did?
Lee
Nate noticed first, so of course the whole team knows. Everyone I’ve worked on today so far has asked me for a high five.
Stella
Sorry?
Lee
No need for sorry. My girl is an animal, and I love it.
His girl. My sixteen-year-old heart would have sung at those words from him. My thirty-three-year-old one was pretty excited for them too.
“You look busy, so I’ll let you go. Just ask Lee while you can,” Lorraine said, her mouth turned down.
“Sorry,” I said, holding up my phone. “I was just talking to Lee. He’s pretty busy with us when he’s home. So we can exchange numbers later if you’d like, and I’ll ask Bennie if she’d be interested.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.”
“Really? You seem to be pushing kind of hard for it. Unless you’re looking for a playdate with just Lee,” I said, moving closer. “He only plays with me. But I’m happy to coordinate with the girls. If you’ll excuse me, I have to run home before I’m on lunch duty. Have a great day.”
Lorraine’s face was frozen as a wide grin spread across my mouth. The surge of dopamine fueled me all the way back to the house.
I made a second cup of coffee so I’d be sharp for whatever the kids threw at me today, and I was just about to sit down when my phone rang.
My good mood faded quickly when I noticed the Ohio area code flashing on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Ms. Parker. Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to reach out and let you know that Zach requested a reduced-rate bail hearing, even though I doubt he’ll get it.”
“I’m surprised he has any money at all,” I said, setting down the mug when my hand shook.
“So am I. Unless the guys he’s involved with are helping him, thinking he can pay them back when he’s out.”
“Wouldn’t he just owe them more?”
“Trust me, they know what they’re doing. Your ex is probably at rock bottom and even more desperate. He can’t leave the state, even in the unlikely event he can post bail.”
“Right,” I said, peeking at the doorbell camera screen in the kitchen. I couldn’t see Zach traveling to Brooklyn, knowing I wouldn’t give him anything, but I hadn’t seen Zach almost beating the shit out of me when I’d threatened to call the police either.
“Thanks for the phone call.”
“My sister married a serial gambler. I know how dangerous they can get.”
“I appreciate that. Keep me posted,” I said, hanging up and wishing I could feel as light and carefree as I had when I’d floated through the door.
The house alarm was always on, and I knew all the codes. I couldn’t worry about this. I’d be aware and do my best not to be paranoid.
It was hard to enjoy my new life with the specter of my old one always looming. The one where I stayed on the move and clueless as to what was going on around me.
I’d have to tell Lee, but I’d wait until he was back home. Whatever Zach’s intentions were if he got out, he was still in jail and not a current risk. My mind went to the creepy friend who’d stopped by, and I wondered how low they’d go to help him pay them back.
Even with all the assurances from the detective that it was unlikely, I couldn’t help fearing that I’d find out. When I opened the door to leave for school, I came face-to-face with Jimmy and screamed.
“I’m so sorry,” Jimmy said, setting down a large arrangement of roses. “I was just going to leave them on your doorstep. Lee wanted it to be a surprise.”
“A surprise?” I asked, my hand still pressed to my chest as my heart settled back into place.
“He even wrote out a card before he left.” Jimmy smirked and bent to pick the flowers back up. Gorgeous roses of every color were stuffed into a pink crystal vase.
“Did you do this?” I pinched a soft petal between my fingers. “They’re beautiful.”
“I did, and thank you. I figured if Lee wanted to send someone flowers, I needed to bring my A game.”
I laughed as Jimmy’s smile deepened with pride.
“I can set these inside now that I’m here. Two dozen roses with this big vase can get heavy.”
“Come in,” I said, standing aside for Jimmy to step through the door.
“My wife is making muffins and manicotti today, so she’ll probably stop by later.”
Diane always stopped by with food when Lee was away. She’d ask a million questions about his trip, but she was a friendly type of nosy. When she’d told me how “happy Lee seemed” since my arrival, it was hard not to love her.
“She is the best cook. You’re a lucky man, Jimmy.”
“I am.” Jimmy nodded, his eyes flicking to the flowers he’d set on the coffee table. “Looks like Lee found some luck too.”
“It’s…new,” I stammered, not sure what else to say.
“You don’t need to explain. We saw this coming. Or Diane did,” he said with a hearty chuckle. “We’re so happy for him. You’re a nice couple.”
“Thank you,” I said, breathless at the thought of us as a couple.
“He’s a lot like his dad.” Jimmy settled onto the couch.
“You’ve known Lee that long?” I asked, sitting in the recliner. I’d planned on leaving for school early and not staying here to overthink everything the detective had told me, but I’d always wondered what a young, before-grief-group Lee had been like.
“We moved in when Lee was thirteen, I think. His father was his hero. They were always together.” He let out a long sigh, shaking his head. “Then what happened to his wife.” Jimmy reached over to pat my hand. “You’re just what they both needed.”
“Thank you. That’s very sweet, Jimmy.” He really was a big teddy bear in a jogging suit.
“So how are you doing? Any trouble?”
“Good. And yes and no.”
I went into the highlights about Zach, still not sure exactly how much Lee had told him, even though he’d insisted it wasn’t a lot. If Lee was away and Zach was going to be a problem, I needed to tell someone who could look out for him.
“Again, the detective said he doubts he’ll make bail, but—”
“But if he does, you tell me. I can put out word to be aware of anyone looking like him around here without details why. He won’t hurt you. None of us will let him. So don’t worry about it.”
“Just come see you at the shop, right?”
His grin widened when I smiled.
“For anything. We look out for our own, and if you’re Lee’s, you’re ours.” He rose from the couch. “I’ll let you get wherever you were about to go before I scared you and ruined the surprise.”
“I won’t tell. Thank you again. For the flowers, for the food, for being great neighbors. It’s been nice.”
“I’m sure I can speak for my wife when I say it’s our pleasure,” Jimmy said, ambling to the door. “Enjoy the roses.”
I picked up the card after Jimmy left. I’d recognize Lee’s scratchy handwriting anywhere.
I hate leaving you so soon after we finally figured it all out, but I wanted to give you something to remind you how good we are together while I’m away. I miss you. Love, Lee.
Warmth flooded my chest as I slipped the card into the back pocket of my jeans.
I let my hand drift over one of the petals and along the stems, waiting for the pinch of one of the thorns against the pad of my finger to confirm that this was all real, as well as sending up a silent prayer that nothing would make me have to give it back.