Page 32 of Someone to Watch Over Me

“What’s everyone doing next Friday night?” Joy asks.

While they make plans, I fully exhale for the first time since I came home to find Tom on the floor. Being with them is always a reminder of how important things like resilience and courage are in the aftermath of loss. I’m at a crossroads with a big decision to make. Who do I want to be in this widow life? Do I want to be someone who hides from anything that can ever hurt me again? Or do I want to risk it all on a second chance at love?

I’m not sure yet which path is best for me, but I’m comforted in knowing that whatever I choose, these special friends will be by my side to make the journey less lonely than it would’ve been without them.

8

Lexi

Tom is released from the hospital on Friday afternoon. I offered to take the day off to drive him home, but he’d already lined up Cora to do the honors. He said he’d see me when I got home from work. I stop at the grocery store and get what I need to make a big salad for dinner with grilled chicken.

That’s heart healthy, right?

I need to do some more research to help him adjust to his new lifestyle without some of his favorite things, such as steak.

For now, I hope the salad will be okay.

I’m excited to have him home, as it’s been so quiet in the house without him and his music and amusing commentary to entertain me. The quiet reminds me too much of what it was like to continue living in my parents’ basement after Jim was no longer there with me. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now.

Cora’s car is still in the driveway when I get there.

I gather the groceries and my work bag and head inside, excited to see him back where he belongs.

Upstairs in the living room, he’s in a recliner that must be new or rented since it wasn’t there before. He’s still paler than usual, and his face is leaner than it was, but he looks a whole lot better than he did the last time I came home to find him in that same room.

His face lights up with a smile when he sees me, and the sense of homecoming is profound. At some point in the last few months, this house has truly begun to seem like home to me, but only when he’s there. He’s the one who makes it a home, which is an interesting thing to realize when you’re expected to say something.

“How was your day, dear?” he asks.

“Boring as usual, but it just got much better. Welcome home.”

“Thanks. It’s good to be out of that zoo called a hospital. I might actually get more than an hour of sleep at a time.”

Cora comes in from the kitchen carrying a steaming mug that she hands to Tom. “Hi, Lexi.”

“Hi.”

Tom takes a sip from the mug and grimaces. “What’s in that?”

“It’s herbal tea. It’s good for you.”

He makes another face that only I can see.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. “I got stuff to make a salad for dinner.”

“Oh joy.”

“Welcome to your new life, my friend.” Cora checks her watch. “I’ve got to run to pick up the kids, but I’ll check on you later?”

“I’ll be here.”

Cora leans over to kiss his forehead. “You’d better be.”

“Thanks for everything this week.”

“No problem. Lydia will be here tomorrow but call if you need anything in the meantime.”

He glances at me. “I think we’ll be okay on our own this weekend. The doctors said I was doing so well I don’t need the visiting nurses.”

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