Page 37 of Oz Wisdom

Ruby slid her phone back onto the counter. "All set.”

***

Lush greenery surrounded Taylor as she walked with Ruby toward the door of a large log-sided home. Quiet. Secluded.

Ruby pushed the doorbell and stepped back. Taylor knew she was talking but couldn’t hear a word for the roar in her head. Was this a mistake? Was she making things worse? The door swung open. Too late to change her mind now.

“Come in. Overlook the mess.” Nealy laughed. “That includes me."

"You're never a mess,” Ruby said.

"Your blindness to it is sweet,” Nealy told Ruby, dropping onto the end of the large leather sofa.

Taylor found herself standing in the center of a large family room. Toys were scattered across the floor. A basket of laundry sat next to the coffee table where someone had begun folding the contents. And Nealy. Taylor didn't believe she looked a mess. She had never seen her so casually dressed in shorts and an oversized tee with whisps of hair escaping a messy bun. But a mess? Not even close.

"Where's the kids?" Ruby asked.

"Can you believe they’re all napping at the same time?”

"How’re you feeling?"

Nealy laughed. "I look that bad? I told you I was a mess. I'm tired. Exhausted, really.”

"And here we are interrupting your rest,” Taylor commented.

"I'm glad y'all are here."

"I'm staying here tonight,” Ruby announced.

"You don't have to do that.”

"I know I don't. But I am. The men are gone having fun. No need for us to sit home alone.”

"Brick was so excited for this trip. You should’ve seen him. He looked like a proud papa with Nathen rolling out with him.”

"He should be," Ruby said. “He’s been a great role model for that boy.”

Nealy looked toward Taylor. "Nathen is his nephew. He's been spending the summers with us.”

“Look,” Ruby cut in. “I'll leave you two to catch up and I'm going to run home and grab a few things. I won't be long,” Ruby announced heading toward the door.

The click of the door echoed through the silence. Taylor instantly felt like she was in a sauna. Say something. Anything. "I can come back another time," she offered.

"Please stay," Nealy said. "How have you been? I hear you're staying with Oz.”

"I am. Or I have been. I'm looking for a place of my own now."

"I can't imagine Oz being hard to live with. He's so sweet. Quiet too.”

Taylor smiled. "He's been great. He was just helping me get back on my feet.” She paused a moment, then jumped right in. "I asked Ruby to bring me here. I owe you an apology.”

"I don’t know what for. If anyone does, I feel as if I owe you one.”

What? This was unexpected. And crazy. Nealy was always nice to her. “How could you possibly think that?”

“I have never forgotten the sadness I saw in your eyes when we ran into each other at the convenience store that day. I know it’s been a while, but I haven’t forgotten. I wanted to do something to help. To reach out to you, but Jethro said no.”

He controls her? And she seems happy? “You’re happy being told what to do?” Taylor knew she most likely sounded judgmental. Not that she meant it that way. Her shock just forced out the words without thought.

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