Page 40 of Tempting Tessa

Tessa

3 Months Later

The past 3 months have flown by. Ty is doing fantastic in school, he turned 7 and is just growing like crazy! Jake and I fall more in love every day. I’m almost scared to admit it, but life is pretty much perfect. I love working only 2 days a week, it’s enough for me to feel like I’m doing something productive, yet not sacrificing my time from Ty and Jake. The bathroom remodel that Jake surprised me with for Christmas was amazing. I picked out all the material and colors I wanted and his crew came in and worked their magic and I now have an amazing sanctuary in my master bathroom.

I’ve been feeling a little anxious the past few days as this Friday is the anniversary of Matt’s death. This has happened every year and I wish I knew how to change things. No matter how much I miss him, I can’t bring him back. I’ve noticed that Ty is also having a hard couple of days. He, of course, was too young when Matt died to actually remember him. He just knows him from the pictures and all the stories I make sure to tell him about his dad. I’m also a little worried about Jake. The anniversary of his accident was a few weeks ago and I’ve noticed he’s been waking up from nightmares lately. He hasn’t really wanted to talk about it and I’m sure he had dealt with this before, but I still worry about him and that his PTSD is bothering him. I remember him telling me months ago that he doesn’t usually get the nightmares anymore, but they will sometimes start popping up around the time of his accident anniversary. Maybe when Ty has his sleepover with my parents this weekend we can have time to have a serious discussion about everything that is going on. If he needs help, I want him to address it now and not once it’s so bad that he has fallen into a hole.

I realize I’ve been spacing out thinking about everything when the call button goes off from one of my patients, so I head into her room to check on her. I hope she’s almost ready to push that baby out! I just love helping women bring their babies into the world. It never gets old. Getting to hold brand new babies is one of the perks of my job.

My shift ends and I head home. Jake has completely taken over picking up Ty from school as his schedule allows it due to it being the slow season. That will change in the next few weeks once they start their new project. So I am a little shocked when I get home and my mom is the one there with Ty.

“Hey, I’m home,” I call as I come in from the garage. “Where’s Jake?” I ask my mom.

“He called me this afternoon and asked if I could pick up Ty. He said he had an appointment that came up. He didn’t call or text you?” she asks, seeing the look of concern on my face.

“No, he didn’t.”

“Well, I’m sure he’ll be home soon. I made supper and Ty has already eaten. He’s playing up in the playroom and will be ready for his shower soon,” Mom says as she pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you so much, Mom. I just wish he would have let me know,” I tell her as I hug her back.

“It’s no big deal, Tessa, you know we’re here to help you whenever you need it.”

“I know, Mom. It just bothers me a little that he didn’t let me know.”

“I’m sure he just figured you wouldn’t have an issue with me or your dad getting Ty and having him for the afternoon. He did sound pretty stressed, so maybe something was stressing him at work.”

“Maybe, I will try and call him once you leave. I’ve worried about him lately. He’s been having symptoms of his PTSD the past few weeks and I was going to try and talk to him more about it this weekend when Ty is with you and Dad. When I have tried to bring it up, he just shuts me down right away and says he’s fine and that the symptoms will pass.”

“I’m sorry he’s having difficulties. I didn’t know and I hope that if he needs to go back to get more help, he does. We love him and I know he makes you and Ty so happy. We only want what’s best for all of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I’m going to head home. You call if you need anything. I love you, Tessa,” she tells me as she wraps me in another hug.

Once my mom is gone and I peek in on Ty, I try calling Jake. I get his voicemail, so I leave a message and then text him. I’m worried about him. He has never disappeared like this on me. I call Caroline as I’m starting to freak out.

“Hey, T, how are you?” she asks me when she answers.

“Not great,” I tell her. “Have you guys heard from Jake today? He called my mom this afternoon asking her if she could pick up Ty from school. Said he had a last minute appointment that he needed to go to. He didn’t try and contact me at all and now he isn’t answering his phone or texts.”

“I haven’t, but let me ask Luke,” she says as she asks Luke. “He hasn’t heard from him either. He’s going to try and call him now.”

“Thanks, I’m just so worried about him.”

“Why, what’s going on?”

“He’s been having some symptoms of his PTSD for the last couple of weeks. He shuts me down anytime I try to bring it up. I think he might need to go back to his doctors and get help. I’m getting scared and worried.”

“I’m so sorry, Tessa, we had no idea.”

“I know,” I say as I sigh. “I’ve been trying to just let him deal with it and not nag him. I just don’t know what to do. I had planned to have a come to Jesus talk with him this weekend when Ty is at my parents’ house, and if this disappearing act has anything to do with all of this then that is definitely something that needs to happen.”

“I think that sounds like a good idea.”

“Hey, he just pulled in, so I’m going to get off the phone.”

“Ok, text me to let me know if he’s ok.”

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