Page 49 of Safe With You

Katie shook her head. Even now, just thinking about it made her tired. “I didn’t want to cause any more trouble.”

“You should be paid for damages.”

“I’d need to get a lawyer or something to make that happen. Legal fees would be more than what she would owe me. I’m just glad I’m leaving and can put it all behind me.”

Ethan exchanged a glance with Becca. They both looked like they wanted to go to war on her behalf. While it had devastated her when it happened, and she appreciated their concern for her, she’d had time to move past it.

“It’s all right. I just want to leave Elling and forget about all of this.”

Ethan nodded at the bag. “Can any of it be salvaged?”

“I hope so. I guess that’s the good thing about upcycled clothing. Patches and embroidery can fix almost anything.” Somehow, she’d find a way to use the damage to add character to the piece.

They continued working, and by evening, they had packed most of the apartment. Standing in the living room, Ethan surveyed what was left.

“We should get your bed and other furniture loaded so we can pack around it.” He gestured at the couch. “Think the three of us can manage this?”

Becca gave it a determined look. “I think so.”

“Otherwise, let me text Drew. Maybe he can help for a bit and at least get the furniture out.” Katie grabbed her phone. She hadn’t heard from him all day, even after she’d texted him they’d arrived in Elling. Though she thought they’d been on the same page when he’d left Two Lakes, he had said little about her plans. She couldn’t help feeling like he wasn’t happy with her.

It took a few minutes for him to answer her text, and the response was short.

Sorry, I’m busy tonight.

Though it was impossible to tell the tone of a text, in light of their recent conversations, it seemed a bit cold. She frowned at the message and tried to force away the discomfort it left in the pit of her stomach. She could just be reading too much into it, though he’d never mentioned any plans he’d made. Part of her had been hoping he’d show up without her having to ask. He must know an extra guy would have made clearing the apartment much easier.

Was he upset about her moving? Or was he not keen on hanging out with Ethan and Becca? She thought he’d gotten along with them the night they’d had supper, but he never had an interest in talking about them or her relationship with them.

She shook her head to herself. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions without talking to him about it. Especially based on a couple of phone calls and a text that lacked the ability to convey true emotion. For all she knew, he was stressed at work and that’s why he acted distant and disinterested. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Swallowing down disappointment and putting on a smile, she turned back to Ethan and Becca. “I guess he can’t make it. But we can manage.”

Ethan watched her closely. Not wanting him to pick up on her disappointment, she walked over to the couch and removed the pillows.

Katie woke the next morning on one of the cots they had brought for sleeping. She glanced over at Becca, who had shared the bedroom with her. Still sleeping. After how hard they worked yesterday, Katie should probably still be sleeping too. They’d cleared out nearly the entire apartment. Between the three of them, they’d managed to get the couch and other furniture down without incident. All they had left this morning were a few remaining boxes and clean-up. They planned to be on their way back home after lunch.

Slipping out of her sleeping bag, Katie grabbed her clothes and quietly left the room. The door across the hall to the sewing room, where Ethan had slept, stood open, and his cot was packed up. After changing and brushing her teeth in the bathroom, Katie entered the living room. Ethan sat on the floor, resting against the wall, his Bible open in his lap. The sight produced a feeling of warmth and happiness. Despite what he’d told her things were like after she left, he clearly took his faith seriously now.

They traded smiles and good mornings, and Katie motioned to the floor. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.”

She slid down against the wall perpendicular to him. “Where are you reading this morning?”

“Daniel.”

“Ephesians.” She opened her Bible app on her phone. They both read for a time. It was nice to sit and read with someone like this. Did Drew read before work in the mornings? She wasn’t sure of his daily routine. She contemplated texting him but didn’t want to interrupt him if he was reading. Likely, he was getting ready for work already.

Twenty minutes later, Becca joined them and sat down next to Katie. They talked briefly before digging into the leftover muffins and getting to work. Ethan offered to take the rest of the boxes down while Katie and Becca worked on cleaning the apartment.

Once he joined in, the chores went quickly, and before Katie knew it, they finished. The apartment was empty and clean. She stood in the door for one last look on their way out, but the only pleasant memories she had here were the rare occasions she’d invited Drew and acquaintances from church over. She found nothing bittersweet about leaving. No, she was glad to put this chapter behind her.

After giving her keys to her landlord, they all climbed into the truck. Katie directed Ethan toward the center of town, where they would get lunch at a diner she liked before heading home. Parking on a side street, they walked to the restaurant, the scent of fried food drawing them inside. They sat down at a small linoleum-topped table by the windows, Ethan claiming the seat next to Katie, as usual.

He browsed the menu. “What’s your favorite?”

“They make great BLTs and grilled chicken salad.” Katie wasn’t sure which to pick. She didn’t see herself ever returning to Elling, so this was her last chance to enjoy the diner.

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