Page 13 of Always Us

“Yeah, I don’t run as much as I used to because I don’t have anyone to run with me. Garret doesn’t want me running alone.”

“Do you two ever go running together?”

“We do, but he doesn’t like running. He only does it for me.”

“I just recently convinced Frank to start going on walks with me.” She glances back at him and waves. “I don’t think he likes it, but he’ll do it if I ask.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t like to exercise.” We inch forward in the line.

“He needs to, though.” Her tone turns serious. “It’s good for his health. I’m trying to get him to be more active at home, as well, and not sit so much.”

“How’s he doing? Does he tell you? Because he never tells me anything and I’ve noticed he seems more tired than normal.”

“People with MS have good and bad days, and the past few months he’s had some bad days, but he’s doing better now.”

The past few months? Why didn’t he tell me this? Why didn’t Ryan say anything?

“What was causing the bad days?” I ask her.

“His doctor thinks it was stress. Selling the house and moving to the new one was good, but stressful. And he worries about you and Ryan.”

“He does? Why?”

She smiles. “Because that’s what fathers do. They worry about their children.”

“He doesn’t need to worry about me.”

“He doesn’t as much anymore. He knows Garret takes good care of you. He really likes your husband.”

I look over and see Frank and Garret talking. Garret keeps glancing over at me, like he’s checking on me. He did this at the airport, too. He wouldn’t let me out of his sight, except when I went to the bathroom. And even then, he waited outside the door. I like that he watches over me, but sometimes I think he’s a little too overprotective.

I turn back to Karen. “So why is Frank worried about Ryan?”

“Because Ryan won’t move forward with his life. He thinks he needs to live with Frank so he can take care of him, but Frank doesn’t want that.”

“I kind of thought that was going on. The two of them were fighting about it last July when they came out for my wedding.”

“They were fighting up until just last month, but it’s better now. They came to some type of agreement. I don’t know what. I didn’t ask.” We step forward in the line and her hand brushes my arm. “Jade, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all of that to you. It’s really not my place.”

“Frank would never tell me this stuff, so I’m glad you did. And it’s good to know Frank’s feeling better. I wish he’d tell me when he’s not feeling well.”

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’m doing whatever I can to make sure he stays healthy. Even though I’m a nurse, I didn’t know that much about MS until I met Frank. But since then, I’ve done a lot of research and I’m trying to help him have more good days and fewer bad.”

I watch her face as she says it. She seems determined, like she really wants to help Frank get better.

“You care about Frank, don’t you?” It’s a stupid question. She obviously does and yet my mouth just spit out the words before I could think.

“Yes, very much so. I love spending time with him. He’s very smart. And funny.” She looks back at him. “And handsome.”

The way she’s talking about him, it’s almost like she’s in love with him. Holy crap! What if she is? And what if he’s in love with her? Would they get married? How did this happen so fast? I’m overreacting. They may be in love, but they’re not getting married. Frank moves at a snail’s pace when making decisions. Then again, he didn’t take long to decide to buy that house, so who knows?

“Name, please.” I wake from my thoughts and realize we’re at the front of the line. Two high school girls are handing out packets.

“Kensington, Jade,” I say to one of the girls as the other girl helps Karen.

“Kensington.” The girl flips through a stack of papers, finds my name, and checks it off. “Did you watch that show?”

“What show?”

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