Page 35 of Tony

Startling, he jerked stiffly.Sherrie? How did Marla know her name?It was a dream…but felt like more. He realized that Marla had spoken to him. Somehow, somewhere…she knew.

Standing quickly, he grabbed his wallet, cell phone and keys and headed out of the door. Driving as fast as he dared, he pulled into Sherrie’s driveway. He jogged up the front stairs and pounded on the door. Torn between anger at her sneaking out and desire to crush her body against his, he waited impatiently.

“She ain’t home,” Bernard’s voice called out from the fence.

Tony headed over to greet the older man. “Did you see when she left?”

“Yeah,” he said, pushing his hat back from his forehead a little, his squinty eyes steady on the younger man. “She left out of here early. Not usual for her on the weekends.”

Tony’s mind raced for a moment, trying to work the problem.

“You ain’t asked the right question yet, sonny,” the older man quipped. At that Tony’s gaze shot back up to Bernard’s.

“And what would the right question be?” Tony growled.

“What did she look like when she left here?”

Tony rubbed his large hand over his face, stilling his frustration. “Okay. What did she look like when she left here?”

Bernard nodded, saying, “She was carrying a few of the winter roses that my wife gave her years ago that she keeps protected on her back porch. And she was wiping her eyes.”

Tony’s mind raced for only a second before quickly surmising, “She was upset. And heading to the cemetery.”

Bernard smiled a slow smile. “Thought you were a smart man when I met you.”

“Thanks,” Tony shouted over his shoulder as he jogged to his truck, pulling his tall frame into the driver’s seat. He arrived at the cemetery as quickly as he could and parked near her car. He looked over, seeing her kneeling at the grave marker of Charisse. Suddenly feeling like an intruder, he sat in the truck for a few minutes, allowing her time to grieve privately.

I love him so much Charisse. If you were here you’d be drooling over him and telling me to go for it. I just want something…something that’s all mine. I don’t mind that he has a past. I hurt for his loss, but I’m not jealous of his deceased wife. But Charisse, I want all of him. Not to be the shadow of what he had.

Kneeling next to her sister’s grave-marker, she pushed the grass away from the nameplate.I wish I could afford to buy you a tombstone too. As soon as I can, I promise I will.The cold wind whipped around her tiny frame, as she stood, wrapping her arms around her. Protecting her from the wind. Protecting her from the hurt.

Sighing deeply, she wiped her tears before kissing her finger, leaving a lipstick stain on the end of her forefinger. Leaning down, she touched the grave marker transferring the lipstick kiss.That’s my kiss goodbye until next time, Charisse.She turned and started to walk away, then stopped suddenly, twisting around one last time.I love you, sis.

Tony’s heart ached for the woman he loved as he witnessed her open grief.I’ve had years to learn to deal with my grief. Deal? Hell, until Sherrie, I was just existing, not dealing.Wanting to wrap her in his arms, he stepped out of his truck, startling her.

She looked up, eyes wide in surprise. Her blonde hair was tucked under her winter cap but a few tendrils blew about as the wind whipped them. Her cheeks were red, both with the cold and the tracks of her tears.

“Tony? What are you doing here?”

“You left,” he accused gently.

Looking anywhere but into his eyes, she mumbled, “I had somewhere to go.”

“Here? Is this where you had to go? ‘Cause if so, darlin’, I’d have driven you.” He noticed that her gaze never met his. Stepping forward slowly he lifted his hand to her face, cupping her frozen cheek. Rubbing the cold tear tracks he leaned down, desperate to see into her eyes.

“I…um…just…” she faltered.

“Sherrie? What’s going on in that head of yours?” He moved his hand so that her face lifted to his. Anguish gazed back at him. Icy fear slid through him as he wondered what she was thinking. Cocking his head to the side, he asked, “This is more than you just visiting Charisse’s grave, isn’t it?”

Bringing his other hand up, he pulled her gently toward him until her face was resting on his warm coat and his arms were enveloping her body, cradling it next to his.

Sherrie allowed herself to take in his warmth. Soak it in. Feel it float through her veins.Ihave to let him go. And he deserves nothing but the truth.

Lifting her hands to his chest, she pushed gently moving away from him. Forcing her gaze to his questioning eyes, she said, “I can’t do this, Tony. I’ve cared for you since the first day I met you, but…I can’t be someone’s…replacement.”

His eyebrows darted together as he questioned, “Replacement? What the hell do you mean by that?”

Sighing, she stepped back, noticing that he allowed her to. “I?—”

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