Page 30 of Enemy Kisses

When we reach Frank’s door, Andrea knocks softly, then opens it. “Frank. Harriet’s here to see you.” Frank glances at me, then turns his face back to the window, but there’s no mistaking the redness around his eyes and nose. “Is it okay if she comes in for a while?” He simply nods once. Andrea smiles, then touches my arm as she leaves. “Take your time.”

I nod. “Th-thank you.”

Andrea closes the door quietly behind her, and I stand in silence for a few moments. The two of us have never spent time alone together. We always had Beverley and her wicked sense of humor.

“I loved her, you know,” Frank whispers roughly into the silent room. “I didn’t think I’d love anyone after my wife died, but I loved Beverley.” My feet take on a life of their own and within a few steps, I’m at Frank’s side. “It was a different kind of love, but I loved her.” He sniffles and I bend down to wrap my arms around him. He doesn’t move or reciprocate, butIneed to hold him in our sadness. “She made this place tolerable.”

“I know.” I pull back and rest my butt on the edge of Frank’s bed. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“Me neither.”

We sit in silence. Side by side, staring out of Frank’s window as late afternoon turns to dusk and dusk turns to night. The dinner service comes and goes, and neither of us touches the meals left for us. Hours pass and neither of us speaks.

What is there to say?

Voices in the corridor intermittently break the silence in Frank’s room. My legs are numb and my mind is blank of everything except the devastating news. I’m sure my face is swollen like a balloon as tears come in waves.

A soft knock sounds on the door, and it opens. “Harriet. I’m so sorry to do this, but it’s late. I have to ask you to leave, but you’re welcome to return tomorrow.”

I move to stand too quickly and lose my balance when I try to put my weight on my feet, which have gone to sleep. I drop my butt back to the bed and try to wriggle my toes to wake them up. “Of course. I understand. I have to work tomorrow, and I have deliveries coming late in the day, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to come back tomorrow.” The blood rushes back into my feet, and I test to see if I can stand.

Frank glances at me. “Thanks for sitting with me, Harry.”

My heart cracks at the raspy nature of his voice. “Any time.” I hug him tight and whisper, “I’ll be back.”

Andrea walks me out and when she notices the parking lot is empty, she turns to me. “How did you get here?”

I point to my bike. “I rode.”

“Do you need me to call you an Uber or something?”

“No, thank you. The ride will do me good. Can you please let me know if Frank gets worse?” Andrea nods. “And when Beverley’s funeral will be. I’d like to pay my respects.”

“Of course.”

I climb onto my bike and ride into the night. I don’t pay attention to where I’m going. I just pedal, wiping away the tears as they escape down my cheeks. It’s so unfair. Beverley had so much life in her. She was always cracking inappropriate jokes and getting up to mischief. I can’t believe she’s gone. I glance up to the night sky as the wind dries my damp cheeks. “Don’t get up to too much mischief together up there.”

When I focus back on the road in front of me, the lights fromBrady’s Pubshine brightly in the darkness. I blow out a long breath. I know exactly how I ended up here, even though it wasn’t my intention.

I don’t want to be on my own.

Not tonight.

And Finn … well … he has this way of making me feel like I could turn to him for comfort and he would hold my broken pieces together for a while. Which is completely unexpected, but exactly what I need. And a drink wouldn’t hurt even though I’m not a drinker. Not after watching Dad all my life.

I park and lock my bike behind my café, then head next door. The pub is crazy busy, busier than I expected. Winding my way through the throng of people, it takes a fair amount of maneuvering to get to the bar. There’s a woman behind the bar, but it isn’t Macy. I find an opening and wedge myself between two burly guys. The male bartender makes his way over to me with a welcoming smile. I glance at his name tag: Gabriel. “What can I get for you?”

Uhhh. I didn’t even consider what I would order. I’ve had limited experience with drinking alcohol, only having tried whiskey and gin twice when I was younger and not being a fan of either. I know that if my dad wasn’t drinking rum; he was drinking red wine so neither of those are options for me. “What would you recommend to a person who rarely drinks?” I raise my voice to be heard over the crowd.

He studies me closely and I appreciate that he’s taking his time to consider suitable options. “How about a Vodka cranberry? It’s sweet and fruity and you can’t taste the alcohol.”

I nod. “Sounds good. Thank you.”

He tips his head to me and then sets about making my drink. I slide some cash across the bar and take a sip of the sweet concoction. Gabriel watches me closely as I swallow the fruity goodness and then step up on the foot rail so I can thank him. “Thank you. It’s delicious. Just what I needed.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know when you need another.” He winks and moves on to serve the next customer.

I spot a stool open up on the other side of the guy next to me, so I quickly grab my drink and perch myself on it. Tracing my fingers down the condensation, my mind wanders back to earlier and the utter devastation on Frank’s face. I always knew he had a thing for Beverley, but I had no idea how deep his feelings were.

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