Page 18 of Revived

Once we catch our breaths, I ask Grayson to help me set the table and then we all take a seat as Rachel presents the giant platter of spaghetti and fresh garlic bread.

“This smells fantastic, Rachel. Thank you. Although, you know you don’t have to cook us dinner every night. That’s not what I’m paying you for…”

“Stop, Luke. I know what my job description entails, okay? I did this because I’ve been craving my mother’s sauce, your son told me his favorite food is spaghetti, and I wanted to do something nice for you as a thanks for the job and a place to stay,” she fires back at me, making me retreat slightly in my seat.

“Well.. okay then. I mean it though,” I say, reaching for her hand. “Thank you.”

She flashes me a soft smile. “You’re welcome.”

We stuff our faces while Grayson recounts their day to me. A trip to the park and the grocery store, a movie about how the brain works, and then a long nap for both of them after they tired each other out. All in all, the joy that radiates from my son with his cheeks covered in tomato sauce is the best part of my day, by far.

“We also made Grandma a card so she can feel better,” he mumbles through a mouthful of noodles.

“That’s a nice thing for you to do, bud. She’ll love it.”

“I wanna show you…”

“Not before you take a bath, little guy,” Rachel chimes in, standing from the table to help Grayson down from his booster seat, handling him with just her thumbs and forefingers as she laughs while leading him to the bathroom. “I’ll handle bath time if you’ll clean up,” she says to me, interrupting me watching her walk around the table.

“Oh, yeah. Okay… I can do that,” I reply, realizing that for the first time since Hannah died I have someone here to help with our nighttime routine, and it not only makes me grateful, but sad. I shake off the reminder of what I missed out on from her death and make myself useful in the kitchen while I enjoy the giggles coming from the bathroom.

After another recount of his best day ever, Grayson finally passes out in bed. Kissing my son on the forehead, I cherish the childish features he still has while also taking in the fact that he’s quickly becoming a little boy. The baby fat in his cheeks and dimples in his fingers are slowly vanishing, leaving a young man behind that will grow up in the blink of an eye.

“So be honest now… how did today actually go?” I ask Rachel as I saunter down the hall and see her sipping a glass of white wine on the couch, her feet propped up along the chase. I plop down next to her, resting my head on the cushion behind me.

She chuckles before taking a sip and answering. “Honestly, he was great. He had a little meltdown in the store when I told him we couldn’t buy an entire cake from the bakery. But after his nap and mine, he was an angel,” she grins around her words. “I’ve never taken naps before in my life until I started looking after this kid. No offense.”

“None taken. He’s exhausting.”

“Yeah, but in the best way.” She glances over at me, flashing that natural smile of hers that is quickly becoming addictive.

“Thank you again for dinner. It was really nice coming home and not having to figure out what to cook for us. And I’m glad he ate your spaghetti because some days it’s his favorite, and others, it’s a war to get him to eat.”

“I saw that a bit at breakfast this morning,” she laughs at my son’s antics.

“I’m glad you’re here, Rachel. I was fighting hiring someone for the past few months, but I’m glad it ended up being you that filled the job.” And I mean it, looking over at her eyes intently so she knows I’m serious.

“You don’t know how much I needed this, Luke. Moving out here from New York was a leap of faith I took, not knowing what I would do with myself while I wait to finish school. But looking after Grayson makes me feel like I have a purpose, which is overwhelmingly satisfying.” Her lips curl around her glass again as she drinks, and I have to actively pull my eyes from the sight.

“Well, I think it was all about timing in this case,” I reply before moving to stand. “Well, I’m exhausted. I’ll see you in the morning.” Turning to walk down the hall, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder at her as she stares off in the distance, casually sipping her wine with a contented grin on her face.

“Goodnight, Luke.”

Even though it’s strange, the sight of her in my house feels right. And I hold on to that feeling as I pass out in my bed, accepting my new normal.

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