Page 8 of Since the Day We Wished

As Luke walked over to grab their bags out of the car, he thanked the movers, who had already finished unloading all the boxes and furniture. After the moving truck pulled out of the drive, Luke and Jeremiah made their way up the paved walkway to the house’s entrance. As they entered the foyer, their eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the details of the almost eighty-year-old house. Despite its age, the interior radiated a warm and inviting atmosphere, without a hint of mustiness.

“So, what do you think?”

Jeremiah shrugged, sparing only a glance at the house as he slumped his shoulders and trudged along behind Luke. “It’s whatever, I guess.”

“I know things haven’t been easy lately, but I was hoping this new house would be a fresh start for us. Can’t you try to be a little more positive?”

“Why does it even matter? It’s not like it would change anything. Can I go to my room and unpack now?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Luke set down his bags and tried to push away his frustration over not being connected to his son. Releasing a long exhale, he looked around and was mesmerized by the house’s woodwork. His fingers trailed along the intricate designs carved into the panels and molding, admiring its craftmanship. In the dining room, he paused to examine the stained-glass window, marveling at the way the colors shifted in the sunlight.

As he made his way upstairs, he felt awestruck by the beauty of the house. The curved banister and carved newel post were stunning, and the wallpaper lining the hallway was a muted floral pattern that reminded him of his grandmother’s home.

Entering the master bedroom, a mix of emotions washed over Luke as he surveyed the space. Although the movers had dutifully placed his bed, dresser, and nightstand in their respective spots, the room felt both familiar and alien to him. The weight of grief pressed against his chest as the memories of Kate flooded back. Her absence seemed to echo in the room, and he missed her more than ever at that very moment. Somehow, someway, he would have to begin life again without her in this new place.

Luke dropped his bags onto the hardwood floor and collapsed onto the sheetless mattress. Staring at the ceiling, he let his mind carry him in a different direction. He wondered why anyone would ever give up such a beautiful home. Still, he was grateful to be the one to carry on its legacy.

Sitting up, he walked out to the hallway, leaving behind the contemplative thoughts in his bedroom. As he approached Jeremiah’s room, he noticed the door was cracked. He gently pushed it open and peeked inside, seeing his son unpacking his belongings.

“I’m going to order a pizza we can split for dinner,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “Want anything special on it?”

“Mushrooms,” Jeremiah called back, without looking up.

Luke bit his bottom lip. He hated mushrooms, and Jeremiah knew it. “Okay, maybe I’ll get two then.”

He continued down the stairs, taking in the details of the house as he went. As he entered the kitchen, he rifled through the packet the realtor had left him, searching for the brochure of local restaurants. The kitchen was spacious and modern, with gleaming stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. With a wonderful kitchen at his disposal, he promised himself he’d cook another time, but tonight was meant for pizza and relaxation.

Luke was grateful to find a menu for Gino’s Pizza. He dialed the number, placed an order for delivery, and then turned his attention to the daunting task of unpacking the mountain of boxes in the living room.

Rummaging through them, a touch of nostalgia tugged at Luke’s heart as he unearthed a framed picture of a beaming five-year-old Jeremiah. As he stood there, cradling the precious memento, he smiled at the memory of the happier times and only hoped they could create more someday. The fireplace mantel seemed to call out to him, as the perfect place to display it.

As he walked over, picture in hand, he saw something etched into the corner of the mantel. He leaned in for a closer look and saw the initials “A + L” enclosed in a heart.

“Hmm...”

He smiled as he set the picture down next to it. The carving reminded him of Kate, and how he had gotten her name tattooed on his left pec the night of their high school graduation. She had laughed when she first saw it and told him he was ridiculous.

Luke had been in love with her since middle school. But they didn’t get together until their junior year, when Kate finally broke down and said “yes” to being his date to the homecoming dance. They had been through a lot together through the years, including a long-distance relationship when he left for Harvard and she was at NYU, or when his father unexpectedly passed before their wedding.

The ache in Luke’s heart was a constant reminder of what he had lost in Kate. He longed to feel the warmth of her smile or hear her infectious laughter. Sometimes he would listen to a particular voicemail she had left for him while he was away on business, cherishing every word she spoke. He knew deep down that he had made mistakes, that he had taken their love for granted. If only he could turn back time, he told himself, he would do things differently.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Luke glanced out the side window before turning to call up the stairs. “Jeremiah, pizza’s here!”

Chapter 5

Emma

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Emma looked up from her desk and over at the front door. She had gotten caught up in doing some bookkeeping for Barking Orders and hadn’t been watching the time. She closed her laptop and stood up, doing a quick scan of the room to make sure everything looked tidy. After deeming it good enough, she walked over to the door and opened it, finding Kara with a few shopping bags and a houseplant.

“Happy housewarming!” Kara said, handing Emma the plant.

“Oh Kara, you didn’t have to get me anything! But I appreciate it. This is beautiful.”

“It’s a succulent. Doesn’t need a lot of water and loves the sun.”

---