Page 50 of Let Me

“Nice.It’s huge.”

“Yes.I love a big house.Entertaining is my thing, so the extra room is perfect.I don’t care much for the two levels, though, but hey, it’s paid for honey.”

“That would motivate me to stay, too.”

We walk quietly for a moment, enjoying the mugginess of the morning.The quietness of the street.The sound of our shoes hitting the pavement.We walk to her house, up the stairs and sit on the porch in the white rocking chairs.Her porch is like an oasis – like something you’d find in a fancy Airbnb.There are two ceiling fans spinning above our heads.We place our coffee cups on the table.

“So, you like him?”she asks.

I smile softly.“Yes.I like him very much.”

“Has he told you about his situation?”

“If you mean the cancer, yes.He has.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I am.I like him for who he is, not what he has.He’s a kind soul.I think that’s what attracted me to him.”

“He is, and like I said earlier, he’s always been that way.But let me tell you something, Autumn.I have never seen my son more broken than when he was diagnosed with cancer.He was in his last year of college.He’d proposed to his girlfriend, and they were both looking forward to getting married after graduating.But honey, when she found out he had cancer, she gave him the ring back.That broke him again.Imagine the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with just up and leaving you when you were going through one of the worst moments of your life.That’s what happened to my son.Has he gotten over it?No.His response to it was to just not involve himself with anyone.For years, he hadn’t looked at a woman twice, and I don’t care how pretty she was.You should’ve seen all them women coming through the line at the store just to see him and talk to him.He wasn’t interested.But all of a sudden, you’re at his home, staying the night and he’s smiling again.How does that happen?”

“I honestly don’t know but I’m glad it did.”

“I am, too, dear, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared for him.I can’t take another woman leaving him when he needs her the most, and if you’re accepting him for who he is, hewillneed you.”

“I know, and I’m here.I’m not going anywhere.I told him that.”

“Oh, that makes me so happy.”

“Why?”

“Besides the fact that he’s my son and I love him dearly—what’s life without love?We all need that in one aspect or another.There’s no greater feeling than to love and be loved.”

I nod and say, “It’s what my parents have.It’s what I want, too.”

“If you want it with Judah, I have to warn you so you can be prepared.”

“You’re scaring me.”

“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to scare you.I just want you to be cognizant of the fact that he puts his diagnosis ahead of everything in his life.He’s been doing that since the day he found out.So, just expect it.”

“Thank you for saying that.I’ve already seen him do this, even with us.I’ve reassured him that I have no intentions of going down this road with him only to run for the hills later on.I can’t explain why his fiancée did that to him.I wish she hadn’t because I know it hurt him, but at the same time, I’m glad I have an opportunity to show him how he’s supposed to be loved.”

“You feel that strongly for him?”

“I do.”

Her smile widens.“My heart is full.I can tell you that much, Ms.Autumn.It’s been real nice talking to you.I’ll let you get back to your morning, but if you need anything, you know where I am.”

I stand up and say, “Yes, ma’am.It was lovely meeting you.”

“You as well.”

I step down off the porch, waving at her as I take the short walk back to Judah’s house.Speaking of Judah, he’s standing on the porch, waiting for me I presume, so I waste no time jogging up the steps and jumping into his arms.Then I place my hands on his face and my lips to his, kissing him softly, easing his burdens, removing the pain and giving him my love.Like his mother said, he needs it.Somehow, I knew that from day one.

Chapter 15

Dinner.

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