by Liz Lovelock
“Sherri has said you’ll be staying with us while you heal,” Seth informs me as he pushes me in the wheelchair to the car.
“That’s not necessary; Janie can look after me.”
“No, she’s doing the opening in the café next week, so she’ll be busy with that. Chance can watch the garage, and so I’ll be taking care of you.”
“What about my parents? They can look after me.”
“In a hotel room?” Sarcasm is evident in his response. He gives my shoulder a squeeze. Mum and Dad could stay at my place but I don’t think they’d be comfortable, there isn’t a whole lot of room. “It’s okay, Chloe … I’ve got you.”
“I know.”
On the way to his place, I fall asleep. It’s only a quick trip, but that twenty-minute nap has given me some more energy.
“Chloe?” Seth lightly shakes me, my eyes flickering open to the view of his home, with Sherri and my parents standing on the porch. He quickly steps out of the car and comes to assist me.
“Hey, honey,” Mum calls, as she makes her way down to me. She takes the bags Janie packed for me from the backseat.
Not being able to do anything for myself blows. Having my leg restricted as well as all the bruising limits what I can do; I hate being dependent on others. Always the damsel in distress. Seth’s arm wraps around my waist, assisting me.
“I have crutches here to help me, Seth.”
“I know, I’m just helping you out, and then I’ll grab them for you.” He smiles.
“Thanks.”
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I sit in one of Sherri’s comfortable chairs. She had cleared out a room for me to rest in, but I had no interest in lying on the bed. After spending three days lying around, I swear I am about to start growing bed sores. Gross!
Sherri walks out holding a plate of something that looks like one of her famous pastries and a cup of tea. “Here you go, dear.” She places them down on the small table set up beside me.
Taking the pastry, I devour it. “Sherri, this is delicious.”
“Anything for you. I know hospitals don’t have nice food. I spent a lot of my time there when Seth was younger. He was a wild child.” She eyes me.
“Oh, really? Him and Chance?”
She nods.
“The older generation at the hospital know the two of them very well.” The thought of Seth there when he was younger makes me laugh. “The doctor who looked after me knew them. Her first question was, what they had done now.”
“Are you ladies amused at my expense?” Seth walks into the room. He had been showing my parents around his beautiful home.
“Always,” I reply, still giggling.
Mum and Dad follow Seth into the room.
“It’s good to see you out of the hospital and looking much better,” Dad says as he leans down, placing a kiss on my forehead. He’s the best father any girl could ask for.
“Thank, Dad.” My eyes fall to Mum, who looks to be in some pain. “Are you alright, Mum?” Concern fills my voice.
“Oh, yes honey, just a headache I can’t seem to shake. Most likely stress and lack of sleep.” She waves it off.
“Why not go get some rest? I’m fine here, I promise.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” She looks to Dad, who nods.
“We’ll be back later,” he announces before they step out the door, leaving.
“Do you need anything?” Seth asks, placing his hand over mine. It’s a simple gesture, but it fills me with tingles. Every single touch he places on my skin ignites a passion within me.
“No, I’m good thanks. Sherri took care of me.” I gesture to the plate and the steaming tea.
“Alright.”
Sherri stands. “Well, kids, I need to get to the café and make sure things are going well. Your friend Janie is a wonderful help, Chloe.”
“Yeah, she’s great. How are things going there?”
“Beautifully. They are just making some final touches in the kitchen today, and then we should be ready to go next week. I’ve done the menu up and I’ll get you to look over it tonight.”
“Yeah, that’d be great. Oh, my gosh, I’m so excited.” I squeal.
“Me too, dear. It’s going to be great being busy again and doing what I love with a wonderful business partner.”
Moving here is the best thing I’ve ever done. When life throws you a lemon, you’ve got to keep sucking through the sourness until you don’t taste it anymore, and eventually it’ll simply be sweet.
Once Sherri’s gone, Seth stalks over to me with a huge grin on his face and a hungry look in his eyes. Without saying a word, he scoops me up into his arms.
“No, you shouldn’t be doing this with your arm!” I protest.
“It’s only holding your legs and if you hold on tight, you take some of the weight.” I grip tighter to him. He walks us around the couch, and I spy a picture hanging on the wall. A familiar face smiles back at me. She’s surrounded by someone who looks to be an older version of Seth, her father. There also stands a young Seth. His smile—that’s his mother’s. She stands with her arms wrapped around the young Seth. There’s laughter and love in this picture. Being here so many times, how could I not have noticed it? I guess if you aren’t looking for something, then you won’t see it. Even at work I never saw photos. I know he keeps one there because he moved it when I walked in that first day.
“Who are they?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself. I know who they are but, I want him to share their story with me.
Seth stops, staring at the picture, a grin spreading across his face. The lake they stand in front of is familiar. It’s the same place I was at in my dream with Olive. Their family holiday spot at the lake.
“That’s my family.” There’s a sadness in his words. It breaks my heart that they aren’t here.
A million questions burn within me, but I don’t want to push for answers. Being in his embrace right now, a sense of home and belonging flows over me. How can one man make me feel like this? “Oh,” I respond, unsure what else to say.
He continues walking until we’ve make it to my temporary bedroom. When he lays me down gently, I prop myself up on the million pillows that sit on the bed for decoration. He places himself beside me, turning towards me.
Taking a deep breath, he continues. “They’re dead.”
“Oh, my. I’m so sorry, Seth.” Reaching out, I take his hand in mine and squeeze.
“It’s not something I like to talk about.”
“I’ve noticed. You’ve shut down any talk about your family. Why are you telling me now?” The first night he brought me here, I asked about his family and he simply stopped talking about them.
“Because of what we just went through and the agony of nearly losing you brought back so many painful memories. It’s my fault they’re gone. I blame myself and I couldn’t bear to lose you too.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, fighting back his emotions.
My world stops. “How-how can it be your fault?” I stutter.
He remains silent for a moment. “Because I was driving the car when we had the accident.” My words are lost. I should be saying something, comforting him, but I’m unsure what.
“I don’t expect you to understand.”
Finally, I find my voice. “Accidents happen, I mean look at what happened to us. It wasn’t your fault. The mishap with me wasn’t your mistake, either. Stop blaming yourself for things that are freak accidents.” My tone firm, I seek out his beautiful blue eyes, placing my hand under his chin. When he raises his head, I see the anguish in his tear-filled gaze. The room is only dimly lit by the lamp on the bedside table, but it’s enough for me to see the glimmer of wetness that streams down his cheeks.
“You don’t hate me?”
“Seth, how could I hate you? You’ve shown me so much love and compassion—I couldn’t think anything bad of you.”
“I blame myself for losing them. The road was wet and a car was comi
ng towards us too fast. It freaked me out because I’d only had my licence for a few months. That car wasn’t the cause though.” He pauses, taking deep breaths. “The rain got heavier … Dad told me to slow down. I still remember my foot tapping the brake.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I prepare to hear the tragic event that made a huge impact on Seth’s life.
He continues, “Everything was going good … We were on our way to our usual place for the annual camping trip at the lake. It’s a beautiful place; I’ve not been back there since that day. Too many painful memories I don’t want dredged up.”
I shift my body closer to him, comforting him any way I can.
“There’s this one corner where you can’t see what’s coming around from the other side until it’s too late. Everyone usually takes it slow. I came to the corner and tapped the brake again. The thing is, there’s a slight drop-off at the side—nothing huge, but enough to do damage. This is so hard.” He chokes on his words.
A lump forms in my throat as I struggle to be what he needs right now. I want to be here for him in every way I can. “You’re doing great. I know this is hard.” Now I realise the problems I was having with my family, the ex, and my best friend are nothing. The loss of family is so much more, having no one. At least he’s got Sherri.
“We came around the corner and out of nowhere, a car came too fast around the bend. It … it T-boned us right into the rail and flipped us over. The screams from my sister, Olive, give me nightmares every night.” He falls silent. His shoulders shake, I wrap my arms around him and hold him close.
“Seth, it’s not your fault. You need to stop blaming it all on you. Your parents and Olive wouldn’t want you to.” My voice trembles as I speak those words. His sobs take over. My arms tighten around him, pulling him against me. Such an awful loss.
We lie together, his arms tightly wrapped around my waist. My fingers run through his dark brown locks. His breathing becomes steady, and it’s then I realise he’s fallen asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, I lean over, turning out the light. My thoughts don’t want to rest, so I lie awake for who knows how long.
How can Seth blame himself? It’s not his fault. He was going slower than the speed limit, judging by what he’s told me. Sharing this with me is huge. I have a deep desire to kiss those perfect lips. Slowly, I lean in and press my lips to his. He responds by pulling me as close to him as he can, devouring my lips. I guess he wasn’t asleep.
It’s a blissful moment—each touch and kiss is what I want forever. Ryan and Chad don’t measure up to Seth in any way, shape or form. He has claimed that pedestal. He is my forever.
As my eyes open slowly, I sense movement beside me. After my sight adjusts, I see my sleeping beauty. Her hair is splayed across her pillow, a peacefulness to her face. Our passionate embrace last night was different to the other times, at least it was for me. We’ve somehow managed to reach another level in our relationship. There are now no secrets between us. Nothing is keeping us apart. She’s managed to take away the trepidation I’ve been living with since I was seventeen and now finally at twenty-three, it’s as if a burden has been lifted, only slightly though.
The first part of our interaction replays in my mind. I can’t believe I told her. She’s different, so different to anyone I’ve ever dated—not that I’ve dated many. Being damaged and having nightmares every night doesn’t make me want to invite girls into my bed. The replaying of those horrible memories causes me to wake drenched in sweat, my heart racing. Yeah, it’s probably best not to have someone witness my night terrors as well. My dreams were different last night—they were of Chloe. Happy dreams.
We were in the future and we were together, living happily. A perfect dream, one would think. But what if she looks at me differently today because of what I told her? Will she hate me?
“Chloe, dear?” Nan walks in before I can stop her.
Chloe stirs slightly.
Nan eyes me with a questioning look. Slowly, I move from the bed, taking Chloe’s hand from mine. Before leaving, I place a kiss to her forehead.
Once out the door, Nan questions me. “What were you doing in there, Seth? She’s our guest. What if I had been her parents? You know I’m pretty laid back about this since you and Chloe are grown-ups, but her parents might not see it like that.”
“Sorry Nan, we were—talking last night. I told her about Mum, Dad, and Olive.”
Her hands come up to her open mouth. Her eyes look ready to pop out of her head. “Oh honey, how are you?”
“To be honest, I’m kind of relieved. I had the best rest last night, and waking up beside her is nothing short of amazing.” I’m unable to hold back the huge smile, and Nan returns one before wrapping her arms around me.
“You’re a wonderful young man. They would be proud of you, as I am.” She releases me, stepping back.
“Thanks, Nan. Things have been looking up lately, and it’s because of that girl in there.”
“I know. I’ve been watching and paying very close attention to you both. Come, have some breakfast.” She turns, walking towards the kitchen, and I follow, coming to a halt at the picture that started the whole conversation with Chloe. Olive’s beaming smile greets me. I wonder what she’d be like today. She’d probably still be an annoying little thing. Damn, I miss her. Mum’s smiling face and Dad’s silly one make me laugh; their relationship was a crazy one. Dad was such a joker and Mum was always trying to be serious, but he always managed to make her laugh.
That trip was our last, but it had been the best. We’d taught Olive to put a prawn onto a hook for fishing. It was hilarious.
“Eww Seth, can’t you do it for me … please?” Her blue eyes had begged me, and they even had small tears in them. Mine had been filled with tears of laughter. She’d touched the prawn and gagged so much, she’d almost thrown up her lunch.
“No, you can do it. It’s dead!”
“But feeding the hook through its bum, that’s just not right.” Her protests had continued. “Can’t we just use bread?”
“Do you want to eat tonight?”
“Mum has food!”
“No, she doesn’t,” I’d teased.
“Yes, she does!” she’d said, her loud cry echoing through the hills.
“What’s going on here, crazy kids?” Dad’s voice had drowned out the whining Olive kept producing. As her older brother, I’d loved teasing her; it had been my job.
Olive had stomped over to Dad. With her pouty lips and puppy-dog eyes, I’d been sure she’d have Dad wrapped around her pinky finger. “Daddy, Seth is being mean.”
“What’s he doing, princess?”
“Making me put the prawn on myself.”
Dad’s laugh had taunted her. “It’s not hard, honey—just thread the hook through its bum.”
At the mention of the process, her face had screwed up and even paled.
“Dad, it makes her gag even touching it.” I’d snickered.
“Oh. Seth, do it for your sister.”
“What? No way. She has to learn herself.” I’d been annoyed that I was always the one who had to give in.
“Come here, princess.” Dad had taken a seat on a rock. Olive sat beside him. He’d reached inside the cooler and pulled out a big stinky prawn. Stopping what I was doing, my first thought had been This is going to be gold.
Reeling in my fishing line, I’d taken a seat on the grass and prepared for what was about to happen.
Dad had never been much of a fisherman. Grandad taught me all that I know. Mum even knew more that Dad.
“Here’s what you do.” He’d begun by taking the hook on her line. Olive’s face had been white. “Line up the butt of the prawn with the hook and just thread it on,” he’d stated matter-of-factly, while threading it onto the hook, then turned to Olive, who’d remained silent with a blank expression on her face.
“See, honey? Easy. Are you alright?”
Before he’d got a chance to move, her lunch made a reappeara
nce, only this time it was all over Dad. It had made me nauseous. But I’d still doubled over with laughter—how could anyone not? My hands had gripped my ribs that hurt from the laughter.
Dad had said nothing. He’d looked a shade of green as well.
“Better go for a swim.” Mum had laughed as she made her way over to Dad and Olive to assist before Dad’s lunch reappeared, too.
“What’s so funny?” Chloe’s face makes an appearance around the corner. Hobbling along without her crutches, she pauses when she sees me smiling. “Are you going to get my crutches? I called out, but I don’t think you heard me.”
“Crap sorry, I’m a terrible host. I should be taking better care of you.” I race over scooping them up, handing them to her.
“It’s okay. So, what were you laughing at?” I watch with an eagle eye to make sure she doesn’t fall while settling on her stabilisers.
“Oh, I was remembering this trip to the lake. It was one of the funniest we’d ever been on. I’d completely forgotten about it until I stopped and looked at this picture. Before last night, it would taunt me. Now, it’s a reminder of the love my family had for each other.”
Her lips curl up into a beautiful grin. “I’m so glad. Will you tell me about this trip?”
“Sure. Come, I’ll tell you over breakfast. We’ve got a big day of planning ahead of us.”
A few hours later and after several coffee refills, Nan and Chloe have finalised the menu. A new chef named Ava had ordered all the food stock needed. Ava had moved here a few weeks back and had been searching for work. Nan invited Ava over to the house to have an interview. Chloe and her clicked right away, the house was full of their laughter. It brought me great joy hearing Chloe’s laughter. Nan gave Ava the job right after the meeting, and she accepted. Everything was falling into place.
A week later we all arrive for the grand opening of Huggamug Café. This past few days have been hectic, to say the least. Chloe has been limited to what she can do, so she’s been making calls to builders to finish the final touches, and to the food suppliers making sure everything will be on time. She’s amazing.
