Page 79 of Where Are You Now
“I love that he danced with you in your dream.” Ava set the mugs on the counter. “Remember how he used to dance with us in the kitchen?”
“I do. When I was cooking dinner. He’d come in from the fields, filthy, and wrap himself around me while I tried to dodge him.”
Ava laughed at the memory.
Her mother’s face became serious. “If I’d known how little time we’d have, I’d have danced with him in his soiled clothes and not cared a bit. Funny how our perspective changes when we look back on things.”
“There was no way to know.”
“If Lucas ever wants to dance with you, and he’s disgusting, do it.”
Ava tipped her head back and laughed. “And why do you think he might want to dance withme?”
Her mother gazed at her. “Because, through the window the other day, I saw the way you two looked at each other when you were chatting.” She gave her a wink.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
If her feelings were showing enough for her mother to see from a distance, had Lucas noticed? Her mom had to bereading into things. But it did make Ava wonder again why God would let her feel this way about him.
“I wish I knew why Dad’s come into your dreams so much lately. Have you thought about him more than usual?” Ava asked, waggling a finger between the espresso machine and the coffeemaker.
Her mom pointed to the espresso machine. She stirred the egg mixture. “I’m not sure. I wonder if it’s because you and I are together under the same roof.” Her mom turned on the stove and set the pan on the burner. Then she coated the pan with butter.
Ava packed the coffee grinder and turned it on, the rattle of the beans drowning out their conversation for a minute. When the grinder had finished, she said, “I wish he’d come to me.”
Martha stopped stirring.
“I haven’t seen a single trace of him since he died, apart from my memories” Ava continued. Suddenly, tears pricked her eyes. “He’s had lots of chances. Years and years of nighttime visit opportunities.” She busied herself with filling the portafilter and setting the espresso machine, but—inside—her heart ached for her father.
“Maybe he’s saving his visit,” her mother said.
Ava turned around. “Why?”
“Could he be waiting for something?”
Ava blinked away her tears and rolled her eyes. “Well, if he waits too long, we’ll all be back up there with him.”
“He was never good at being punctual,” her mom said with a small smile.
“True.”
They let the topic dissolve between them, but Ava did wish she could’ve heard from her dad.
Just as they’d finished rinsing their dishes, there was a knock on thedoor.
“That’s Lucas,” Ava said, sliding on her heels and picking up her clutch.
Martha dried her hands on the dish towel. “I’ll grab my sweater.”
Ava opened the door.
Interest swelled in Lucas’s eyes when he saw her. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Ready,” Martha said, joining them. “Lucas, you look very spiffy.” She patted his arm and then walked past them and out to Lucas’s Range Rover.
Lucas waved a hand in Ava’s path. “After you.”
