Chapter 8 #2
They rode up to the second highest floor, to his apartment which commanded views of Puget Sound, and he thanked Lee again as he stowed Kyle’s groceries.
“Thanks so much, man. I really appreciate it.” Kyle gripped Lee’s hand.
“No problem at all. Give me a call and let me know if there’s anything I can help with,” Lee said, before departing.
Kyle sank into the velour chair that commanded the best view out the window.
God bless Lee, but the thing Kyle really needed help with was beyond that man’s ability.
And while seeing Gen might’ve been an answer to a prayer, it felt like only half an answer.
It was like junk food, it didn’t really satisfy.
And now, he was here in the fast-approaching darkness and wishing he’d been man enough to say hello.
To make sure that wasn’t her house. To make sure she was safe.
Not that he had any right to check on her. Except for as an old friend. And even that didn’t seem something he should be too sure of now.
He inched forward, his insides protesting. He really needed to be careful.
“God, I don’t know why You’ve brought Gen back into my world again, but it feels like it has to be for a reason.
And if it’s not because You want us back together, then You’re going to have to make it plain why.
Because the more I see her the more I miss her.
So please help me to be patient and wise.
And whatever she’s doing right now, please bless her. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
* * *
Gen exhaled, as one of the tightly wound coils in her heart eased a little.
She didn’t know what had caused that moment of ease.
Probably just the relief of getting home after a tense week.
Visiting Kyle on Monday had been a terrible idea.
Ever since then she’d felt new guilt weighing on her.
Not just because she’d lied, but because of the reason that was staring at her so seriously right now.
“Mom? Are you okay?”
“Sure, sweetie. Why do you ask?”
“Cos you’re looking at me funny.”
Because she was wondering what would happen if she told Kyle he had a daughter. She blinked then made a face, poking out her tongue. “Better?”
“No!”
She smiled. Questions over Kyle could keep.
Friday afternoons and evenings with her daughter were a rare thing.
The calendar on the fridge by which this household lived and breathed had nothing listed on it, apart from Mom’s work.
Mom wasn’t expected to get back from work for hours, so this was nice, just the two of them, and for once no study needed.
“Hey, now I’ve finally got a free evening, do you want to celebrate by making homemade pizza with me then watch a movie?”
“Yeah!”
They washed up, then chatted about the past week as they made the dough for pizzas.
And while Gen didn’t have a drop of Italian blood in her—thanks to her mom’s half-Chinese, half-Mexican ancestry, and her dad’s Nordic roots—she did enjoy the feeling of making pizza dough.
The fact it forced her to slow down, to take time, to be intentional, made such a contrast to the usual crazy busyness of her week.
Bella enjoyed it too. When she was younger she’d enjoyed making dough animals, and it gave them time to talk as they prepped the toppings they liked to use.
Pepperoni, mushrooms, fresh tomato, oregano, onion, ham.
Pineapple on pizza might be contentious for some, but she’d always counted it as a win.
She frowned as a memory surfaced. Kyle teasing her for using pineapple, saying it wasn’t found on genuine Italian pizza.
“How would I know? Unlike some people, I haven’t been there.”
He’d laughed, twirling his arms around her back, tugging her close to him. “Now, now. Don’t be like that.”
“Like what?” She pushed him away. “Come on. Aren’t I allowed to point out the differences between you and me? The rich guy and the poor girl?”
“No.”
“Your mom sure likes to,” she’d mumbled.
Kyle had heaved out a breath. “I really wish you’d stop caring so much about what my parents think. Their opinion shouldn’t matter. I love you, and that’s all that matters, okay?”
“Okay,” she’d whispered, further protest swallowed up in his kiss.
Kyle had always protected her—not just against the bullies at school, but against his parents.
And maybe she’d been naive to think that he’d be able to protect her against the future.
But when he’d been scouted, then drafted by an east coast team, while she had her scholarship to Washington’s best pre-med school, the writing was on the wall.
And even if there hadn’t been the complication of a baby, a long-distance relationship would have been hard to maintain.
Especially when both of them were going to be fully immersed in learning new things in new places…
Still, had she been too quick to give him up?
“Mom!”
Gen jerked, and the knife she’d been using slashed her finger. “Ow.”
“Mom, you’re bleeding.”
Darn, so she was. She pressed her thumb over the cut, and moved to the sink. “Would you mind getting me some antiseptic ointment and a couple of Band-Aids?”
“Dr. Bella to the rescue.” Her daughter grinned.