Chapter 25
— chapter twenty-five
The first thing Jenna heard when she woke up the next morning was laughter drifting through the screen of her bedroom window. It was Katie’s signature “very happy” laugh, which was sharp and shrill and so full of exuberance that anyone nearby couldn’t help but smile.
It was loud and it was special, because that “very happy” laugh was something of a rarity for Katie.
Her daughter giggled a lot and smiled often.
She was a happy little girl and always had been.
But it was unusual for her to completely let loose and laugh, no holds barred.
Jenna had never been able to hear that laugh and not smile.
And here she was, smiling now. Even though Jenna felt weak and was in desperate need of a shower, Katie’s laugh lifted her spirits.
Her heart lifted even further when she walked outside and spotted Katie sitting next to Nelson. He was holding Blue while the cat was pawing at the spray of bubbles in the air.
It was too good a picture not to admire. Jenna settled against the doorframe and watched the three of them.
As if Nelson sensed she was near, he turned his head. When he spotted her just behind them, he grinned. “You look better.”
“Danke. I feel better.”
“Hi, Mamm!” Katie waved but made no move to budge from Nelson’s side.
“Hiya, Katie.”
Still keeping a firm hold on the kitten, Nelson said, “I hope our antics didn’t wake you up.”
“Not at all.” Moving closer, she added, “I’m starting to feel like I’ve been missing out, though. You two have been having all the fun.”
“Mamm, come sit with us. This is really fun.”
“I don’t know if I should. I don’t want you to catch whatever I have, Katie. Believe me, you don’t want this.”
“She might have a point there, Kitty,” Nelson said.
Katie wrinkled her nose. “Jah.”
“Do either of ya want to tell me how our indoor cat came to be sitting out here on the porch?”
“He was meowing something awful,” Katie said. “He really wanted to join us.”
“Katie.”
“Jenna, I promise, Katie’s telling the truth. Blue was very upset to have to watch the bubbles from the window.”
She wouldn’t have thought that, but what did she know? “He doesn’t seem to mind you holding him now.”
“You’re right, though to be honest, I don’t think Blue remembers that he’s on my lap. All he cares about is batting at these bubbles.”
“See?” Katie called out as another batch of bubbles flew into the air and Blue got on his hind legs and batted them with his front paws.
It really was adorable. “It’s a good toy, Nelson. Thank you for bringing it.” Of course, she had about a dozen things to thank him for. The roses, the food, calling her mother to come over, then returning early this morning so she could leave.
He’d done so much, just so she could rest. It was humbling. “I don’t know how I’m going to repay you for all these favors.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t want you to try. We’re friends, remember?”
“I haven’t forgotten that.”
“Good.” He stood up, securely holding Blue in one arm while he bent down to turn off the bubble machine. “Let’s go inside and see how you do with some soda and maybe a cracker or two.”
She was surprised by the offer. “You were able to get them delivered?”
“Fanny ran to the store and dropped them off last night.” He motioned for Jenna to walk inside first.
“Fanny is so nice,” Katie said. “She brought me a sugar cookie from the bakery.”
“Wow. That was nice of her to do.”
Katie frowned. “Nelson wouldn’t let me eat it, though. He said I had to ask you if I could have a cookie.”
Surprised, Jenna glanced his way.
He shrugged. “You’re the mom. Not me.”
“Can I have that cookie now?” Katie asked. “I’ve been really good and quiet.”
“You may,” she said. Sure, it was Katie’s laughter that had woken her up, but she’d take that sort of wake-up call any day. Her daughter’s happiness was good medicine.
“Yay!” Katie trotted into the kitchen while Nelson set the cat on the floor.
“Don’t run, Katie,” he warned.
“I won’t.” After getting her cookie, Katie walked over to the kitchen table and sat down.
“How are you feeling?” Nelson asked when Katie was out of earshot.
She knew he was asking about her health. He was concerned about her. He wanted to know if she was feeling less feverish. If her stomach was better. Less sour.
But all Jenna could think about was how at peace she felt. Or, maybe peace wasn’t the right descriptor. It was more like she felt normal. Like herself. Less stressed. Less everything.
It came as a surprise.
Jenna realized then that she hadn’t felt “normal” for quite some time. Maybe not since Jimmy died. Or . . . maybe she hadn’t felt like this for even longer.
She and Jimmy had been experiencing a bit of a rough patch before his accident. She’d kept hoping he would change. Become a bit more stable. Less restless.
Not that she’d ever want to admit that out loud. But it was how things had been.
And after his death? Well, Jenna had just been trying to survive. The weight of being a single mother was heavy on her shoulders. The knowledge that she might be alone for the rest of her life was something else that she’d been trying to come to grips with.
Nelson’s appearance in her life had made things brighter. Easier. As they’d gotten closer, things had changed between them again. A friendship had developed, and now that he and Katie had become close, there was an ease between them that she appreciated.
Nelson helped her relax. He made her feel as if all the detritus, all the extra stuff that got in her head and took hold and seemed to constantly keep her up at night, didn’t really matter.
Instead, it was a sunny morning, there was a smile on her daughter’s face, and she had the comfort of a good friend who didn’t seem to want anything besides her happiness.
“I’m good,” she finally answered.
Nelson raised one eyebrow. “That took you a minute. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Jah.” Choosing her words with care, she added, “It’s going to sound funny, but I just realized that I’m good right now. Not because I feel better—though I do—but because I feel content. At peace. Almost normal.”
Some of the worry lines around his eyes eased. “That’s a good thing.”
“Yes. It sure is.” She smiled. “I think the Lord has finally helped me see that I still have much to be thankful for. Even though Jimmy died too young and his accident was a terrible thing, dwelling on it won’t help me. And grieving his death for the rest of my life won’t ever bring him back.”
“It’s nice to see you happy, Jenna,” he said softly.
“It’s nice to be happy,” she replied. Unlike the night before, she was being completely honest. Putting her heart out there for him to see.
She secretly thought that was what he’d always wanted. For her to openly return his feelings. To want to date him.
And though she hadn’t quite gone that far . . . she still thought he’d be pleased.
And he was. Almost. For a second, though, she thought he seemed a little uneasy. Something had flickered in his eyes. It looked a lot like doubt. Maybe worry.
Perhaps regret?
But when the moment passed and they started talking about other things, everything seemed to be normal again.
Most likely, that brief flicker of doubt had just been her imagination.