Page 56 of For Now

We began working in silence again. After about ten minutes, I decided to break the silence. “So where’s Mason?” Iasked.

“He’s spending the week with his grandparents. I asked them to take him while I helped over here. I figured it would be easier that way,” hesaid.

To my surprise, I was a little bummed about that. I missed that kid. “Oh, that’s nice,” I said. More silence.God, this waspainful.

“So I heard you found a place in Virginia?” heasked.

“Yeah, how did you know that?” Iasked.

“David told me. We’ve become pretty good friends,” hesaid.

What? They’re friends now? What the hell?“Oh. Well, yeah, I found a cabin over there. It’s nice. Pretty quiet,” Isaid.

“Are you seeing anybody?” Samuelasked.

I wasn’t really sure how to answer that. I could lie and say I was but that would be hurtful for no reason. Although, if I told the truth and said no, I wondered how pathetic I would sound. “No, I’m not. I’ve just been focused on me,” I said.Dare I ask?“Are you?” I asked, reluctant to hear the answer. I glanced over at Samuel, a smile forming on hisface.

“No,” hereplied.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I felt my spine relax. I didn’t know why I was so relieved. Though, the thought of him telling me he was seeing someone else made me want tovomit.

We returned to our comfortable silence for a bit longer. I stopped and wiped my brow with my forearm. I checked my watch. It was approaching dinner time and to my surprise I felt starved. I looked over at him and he was looking atme.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Iasked.

“If you’re thinking we need to eat, then yes,” hesaid.

“You are correct, sir,” Isaid.

“What do you want?” heasked.

I stood here pressing my lips together and thinking.Why do men always ask this? We don’t know. Just feedus!

“Okay, we could be here all day if you have to pick. Never mind.” He laughed. “I’ll go grab us some food. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said. He grabbed his jacket and headed toward the frontdoor.

I stood here for a moment and then darted out to catch him before he left. “Hey, Samuel?” I said, coming around the corner to the living room. I saw him stop and shift his weight to his back leg. He looked back atme.

“Don’t worry, Delilah. I remember,” he said, and with that he was out thedoor.

I thought seriously about going and taking a shower to wash the paint and sweat off me but decided it wasn’t worth it. I would just end up that way again before the night was over. I went into the kitchen to grab a glass of ice water and heard some rustling in the back and a door being opened. I poured another glass forEmma.

“Hey, Mama, did you have a good nap?” I asked her, handing her the water as sheapproached.

“Yes, very much. It’s the one thing about pregnancy I don’t mind. Total freedom to take all the naps you want and no one says a word,” she said,grinning.

“So Samuel is here,” I said. “Well, not here. He went to getfood.”

“Oh my god,what?”

I explained to her what her husband had done and she looked about as surprised as Samuel and I when we saw eachother.

“Delilah, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. But, wait, you’re letting him help?” she asked, raising her eyebrow tome.

“Well, it’s a lot of work. And I really want to get it done for you. So I’ll deal with it. I’ll be okay,” Isaid.

She tilted her head at me and smiled. “You’re a good friend,” shesaid.

“Yes, well, you’d do the same for me,” I said. I updated her on the progress in the room but told her to stay out of there because of the paint fumes. That couldn’t be good for pregnancy. I told her she could see when we were finished. The smile on her face was everything. I didn’t care how awkward things between Samuel and I might be, it was worthit.

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