by Laura Domino
“Really?” Her brows pressed together, emphasizing her frown.
“Yes, really. You were venting. You sound very stressed and tired. You didn’t let me answer your complaints. I tried twice.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why do you want to meet my mom? Benita, that was my question. And you answered me.”
“I did?” She looked away, and then she looked back at him with a pensive look.
“Yes.” He scooted close to her and, with one hand, stroked her hair. After pulling her in for another kiss, he put some room between them. “You said you fell in love with me.”
“I did?”
He laughed. “Well, do you love me?”
“Yes.”
He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I love you too.” He smiled, waiting for her to return the gesture. When she smiled back at him, he whispered, “Now, let’s meet each other’s parents.”
Her head tilted as she sat back against the sofa. “You’re a little late. My mom died when I was a teenager.”
“No. I’m sorry.”
“It looks like yours is the only mom we’ll have—if we’re going to be together.”
“Wow. That sounds awfully serious.” He took her hand and gave a reassuring smile.
“I’m in love with you. Yes, it’s serious.”
With her rant over and his heart woozy from the torture of it, he was satisfied that they still had hope. Their future was still uncertain, but hope strengthened him to face it. “I’d better get started.” He stood and held out a hand to help her off the sofa. “I can arrange a dinner. I would love to have you meet my mom.”
“I’m sorry about the rant. But, Adam… I’m not going to lose the promotion. And I’m not going to lose you.”
Adam walked with her to the door and opened it. “After tonight, no more kissing. No more care group for you. No more volunteer hours. No more seeing each other. Nothing until the announcement is made on Friday.”
“No, Adam. I want to see you.”
“Then, we’re going to have to figure this out.” He turned and left.
Chapter 27
With too much to do, as usual, Robert had to prioritize his tasks again. The desk had four piles of project files. Another stack of paperwork that had to be reviewed before signing or sending. He hoped there would be an assistant for him in Spain. He needed one now, but they had all left for the day. They were all busy doing other things, not thinking about staying late and helping him out. Certainly, his team was doing everything they could to help him while they were in the office, but his team members were all locals. They were sure the promotion didn’t extend to them.
There was one vacancy in Spain. One leadership role. The job was his. His team didn’t have any reason to help him—other than the fact that it was their job to follow his lead. He should have thought of a way to reward them other than the party that he’d be hosting after the announcement.
He was just hours away from being proclaimed the winner. Seventy-two hours to be exact. Three whole days, but who’s counting. He could barely wait. Winning the promotion was going to feel good. Seeing the look on Benita’s face as she realized the job was his? Priceless.
Robert had to find out what she was working on. She should be in her office doing exactly what he was doing. Trying to look like work was still going on but feeling like starting the party early.
He slipped on over to her office slowly and quietly, so he could discover more through his specialty, the sneaky surprise appearance. No one ruined his stealthy approach by speaking to him. Good.
Inches away from her doorway, he took a breath and walked in at normal speed. “Hello, Benita.”
“Goodbye, Robert.”
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. She had her backpack already on her shoulder. The desk was cleared off. He checked the time on his phone. “It’s only five o’clock. What is happening? Are you really going home?” He would offer to check her forehead for a fever, but she might bulldoze him in her hurry to leave.
She slowed to look him in the eyes as she walked through the doorway. “Yes. Many people go home at five. It’s a normal thing. Look around.”
He followed her down the hallway. “You know he’s going to call a meeting. He’ll want both of us in it. We’re just a couple of minutes from getting his surprise request.”
She acted strange, different. She had given up. Was she quitting her job? He couldn’t figure out what had just happened.
He stayed there in the hallway, fascinated, watching her wait for an elevator. Wouldn’t it be nice if she were carrying her box of personal belongings? Not to pack up and go to Spain, but to go to a different company. He would be packing his things for Spain soon enough. And not before the party. There would definitely be a party.
With the elevator’s ding, he came out of his daydream. The promotion was finally his. He could go to the meeting and accept the news with humility. He couldn’t wait to call his family with the news. This would be the longest seventy-two hours of his life.
His phone buzzed. He looked. It was the text he’d warned her about. “Meeting. My office. At 5:30 p.m. today. Do not be late.”
This was going to be so fun.
XOXO
Benita called the care group meeting to order at the restaurant.
“Wait for Adam. Isn’t he coming?” Charlie shoveled another bite of taco salad in, hurrying as usual to finish her dinner before her shift began.
“No. He can’t make it. He got a call from the hospital to be with Dan. It doesn’t look good. They don’t know how long…” Her voice trailed. She remembered how she yelled at him before he left her place yesterday. For him to have to go through that and then face Dan’s emergency today. She couldn’t have known what he would have to face. He had the nerve to apologize for asking her to keep the group going. Of course, she’d do that.
“Oh, no. Poor Adam. Is there something I can do for him?”
“I don’t think so. Not yet. He needs his family right now. I’ll ask him when he calls later.” The care group meeting was about this very thing. They needed to think of some way to help Adam. “Actually, we can do something for him. Later when he comes back to this group, we can show him that the group he started will continue even if he misses a couple of meetings.”
Charlie nodded. “I agree. We can’t let the meetings stop. He’ll need something to come back to.” She sipped her water and looked at Benita. “How about you? Is there something coming up for you?”
“I’m hanging in there at work. This is one of the most important weeks of my life, and… I’m fine. It’s strange, really. I feel okay. I thought I would be so nervous this week that I wouldn’t be able to eat. Well, I am nervous, and I’m exhausted. But my appetite is surviving. Apparently, I’ll live through the stress of work this week.”
“Good for you. I’m glad for you. But, please, tell me how you’re doing that.”
Benita took a moment and realized the major change in her life was not Spanish lessons and certainly not having a new boyfriend. “I’ve been praying more since I met Adam. The most powerful change in my life has been my focus on God. My stamina is a gift from God.” After the care group was over, she planned to give God a lot more time than she had right now to express the thankfulness in her heart. “Charlie, do you have concerns this week?”
“No.” She shrugged. “I mean, I’d rather not say.” She stabbed an olive at the bottom of her salad and popped it into her mouth.
Clearly, Benita needed to push Charlie with some gentle encouragement. “It’s your turn.”
Stalling, she took another sip of water. “This time, I don’t want to speak up at all. With all the things you and Adam do to help others, I just end up looking lazy. And now with his friend Dan coming to the end of his life.” Charlie was silent for a moment, thinking.
“Charlie, I’m sorry. Lazy? Really? You’re anything but lazy. And you’re nice.” Benita hoped she hadn’t put too much pressure on
her to come up with something.
“I was nice yesterday. I gave a student a break, which I don’t normally do. They have to learn to study now in fifth grade or junior high and high school are going to eat their lunch.” She took another bite of her salad.
“I know you have something you want to say. Don’t you?”
“Okay. Okay, I have something to say. But I really don’t want to say it at this time.”
Benita leaned in, interested. “Charlie, I’m going to be brief because you don’t have a lot of time to get into this with me. Your shift starts soon. Time is limited.”
“Okay, B. Got it.”
“Tell me what is going on with you.”
Charlie laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing. Really, I’m not laughing at you, but your face. You just look so serious.” She laughed again. “Sorry. I just need to keep it light.” She sobered her face and continued. “Okay, B. Here it is.” After pushing her salad bowl away from her, she shook her head, hesitating, obviously trying to keep herself from becoming emotional. “My baby’s birthday is tomorrow. I don’t have a party planned.” Her pleasant expression seemed strained, almost forced. “My oldest is making her favorite cake, but it’ll just be the four of us. I bought her a book last Christmas.” No longer putting forth the effort to look pleasant, her face turned despondent. “And I didn’t give it to her in case I wanted to use it for a reward for doing something special.” Charlie worked up a smile, but only held it in place briefly. “We all need little rewards sometimes. Well, I forgot about it.” Sadness seeped into her voice. “I found it last night in my drawer and thought…” As she took a breath, her eyes teared up. “I thought I could just use that as her birthday gift. A book. She gets a book for her birthday. All the other kids will be envious.”
“What does she want?”
“A book.” Charlie dried her cheeks.
“Charlie, it’s okay. You’re giving her what she wants.”
“She’s a little girl. What did you get when you were a little girl?” She stood and picked up her salad bowl and glass of water. “I’m sorry, B. I need to pull myself together. I’ll see you next time.”
After Charlie started her shift, Benita paid her bill and waved goodbye. When she turned to leave, she heaved her backpack over one shoulder, jingling the coins in the bottom of her backpack.
Benita knew what she would do if Adam were with her. She would insist that he come with her to the corner store. After she walked into the store, she found the correct aisle and looked to see if there was a toy for a little girl. She found a doll. It looked perfect. Not too babyish. There was a gift bag exactly the right size on a different aisle. She carried those items and five pieces of candy, and then stopped when she saw some crazy-colored, fluffy paper confetti for stuffing to put in the bag. Heading to the cashier with all of that, she stopped again and picked out an age-appropriate, feminine card with no words on the inside. Just enough. Not too much. She went back to the restaurant with her purchase and handed it to Charlie.
“What’s this? What did you do?” When Charlie realized what Benita had been up to, she started to complain. “B, you know I can’t accept it.”
Benita wouldn’t hear it. “Listen to me. I don’t do much for you. I don’t really think I do anything for you.” She stopped to control her tendency to bark at people and continued in a gentle tone. “Let me do this.”
Charlie nodded and took the bag.
“There’s a card inside. Write something sweet on it.”
A genuine smile slid onto Charlie’s face. “I will. Thanks.”
XOXO
Adam heard a buzz and a familiar tune, so he hurried to his kitchen to answer his phone. He looked at his mom’s photo on the screen. “Hello?”
“Adam, honey, I need you to clear your schedule today.”
“What’s up?” She had to be calling about Dan. Something must have happened.
“It’s time. You need to come up here. I’m at the hospital.”
“I’m on my way.” He ended the call and set his phone on the countertop. The day had been relaxing so far, as relaxing as it could be after leaving Benita’s apartment in such a bad mood. He tried to put the whole argument out of his mind. There was no way he could figure out that woman.
He found his shoes near the back door. Checking to make sure he had his wallet and keys, he picked up his phone and tapped. There was one more phone call he needed to make before heading to the hospital.
“Adam? What’s up?”
“Hey. Are you feeling okay today?” He wished last night would’ve ended on a better note. “I’m sorry about our argument last night.”
“Thanks. I feel fine. What can I do for you? You don’t usually call to just chat.”
“I’m going to miss the care group meeting.”
“Really?”
“It’s Dan. Mom called. I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“I’m sorry, Adam. I wish I could do something to make this better for you.”
“You can lead the care group.”
“I can do that. You can’t just cancel the meeting. Charlie will want to know why you’re not there. I’ll keep it going.”
With him gone, she would have a good opportunity to share like women did when the men weren’t around. He didn’t know if he was a help or a hindrance when women needed to talk.
“Thanks.” Adam put his phone away and headed out the door. He didn’t think to ask his mom if she needed him to bring anything up to the hospital for her. She’d told him she had been coming up to see Dan over the last few days. With Dan being out of touch for the past few years, Adam hoped they had time to say all they needed to say.
When he spoke to his mom earlier this week, she mentioned that Dan was still trying to get out of the hospital and run off to Alaska and check that off his bucket list. Adam was glad he’d been able to deliver the photo book yesterday.
At the hospital’s ground level, a large group of people waited for elevators. The crowd seemed to be the usual mixture of visitors and hospital employees. Just more of them at one time. He would have to wait for the next one. Looking up, he watched the numbers to see which elevator would be next. None of them seemed to be moving very quickly.
Of course.
Today, when he was in a hurry, it would take him forever to get up to Dan’s floor.
After riding a slow elevator and maneuvering through a crowded hallway, he arrived at Dan’s room. The light switch was off as usual, and the light streamed in from the window. One thing was glaringly different about the room. It was empty. He was too late.
Slowly, he exhaled. Just for a second, he thought the doctor had taken him to surgery. He turned to look at the nurses standing at their station. With one glance at their mournful faces, he knew there was no surgery. Whatever hope he was clinging to had vanished. He wanted to walk over to the bed and sit, but he couldn’t move. He stared at the empty bed with nothing left to do but breathe. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He blew out the stress of hurrying to the room, only to find Dan gone. He took another breath and blew out again, blinking back the disappointment of arriving too late. He turned and headed to the nurses’ station.
They saw him coming. One of them met him halfway. “I think your mom went to the chapel. You might catch her there.”
“Good. I might try that. Was she here when…” It was so hard to believe. “The way he told stories… It gave him energy. I thought he’d be around for much longer.”
The nurse nodded.
“It always takes you by surprise, doesn’t it? We knew. Everyone knew, but … It still takes you by surprise. I thought I’d have more time with him.”
She showed him the book in her hands. “Dan had been visiting more with us this week. He was planning a trip, being friendly, and donated the Alaska book to the hospital.” The nurse gave it to Adam. “You can have it back if it means a lot to you.”
“Thanks. It does mean a lot to me. But I’ll let the hospi
tal share it with patients who need cheering up. I can show it to some of the people on this floor before I leave.”
“That would be sweet.”
“I appreciate your kindness to him. Everyone was persistently patient with him.” Adam smiled and flipped through the book. He nodded at the nurse and walked over to another older person’s room to share the book with them. No reason for him to stop his hospital visits just yet. The others might also enjoy some company and a good book about Alaska.
Chapter 28
Benita opened her door and let Adam in. He looked tired. “Come sit down.”
“Thanks for…” He sat down without finishing.
She’d do what she could to help him carry his heavy load. “Nonsense. I’m glad you came. I can make dinner for you. Have you spoken with your mom?” She got a glass out of the cabinet and filled it.
“No. I drove straight here. She probably needs to talk to someone.” He stared at the blank part of the wall. “I just didn’t…couldn’t go over there. I should call her.”
Walking to him, watching his distracted gaze, she’d never seen him look so weak. He wasn’t himself.
Adam leaned forward with elbows on his knees. “You don’t have to cook.” His hand swept over his forehead in a miserable, worrisome rub. “I can leave. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have come over.”
Benita handed him the glass of water, and then stood with her hands clasped, waiting for a sign of how she could help him.
Adam’s face looked up from his water. “Now I know I should leave. You’re pretty tense.”
“No, I’m not. Why would you say that?”
“Your knuckles. You’re squeezing the life out of your fingers.”
“What?” She took her fingers apart and shook them out.
“Your hands give each other a death grip when you’re stressed or feeling tense. It’s your tell.”
