Page 106 of Despite It All
“Thank you.” I shake his hand as the front door opens.
“Jett?” Wyla steps out onto the porch. “Oh. Hey, Dad, what are you doing here?”
A second later, Stevie jumps out the door in front of Wyla then screams, “Papaw!”
Mr. Bennett scoops her up. “Hey there, Stevie. I thought you guys could use some breakfast.” He sets her back down and hands her the bag. “Here you go, Stevie, why don’t you take those inside.”
Stevie squeals, delighted and races back inside.
Wyla shakes her head. “Thank you. What flavors did you get?”
Without hesitation, he says, “Peach.”
I nearly spit my coffee out. Wyla is not amused in the slightest. “Dad, that’s not funny.”
He pulls her in a hug. “Wyla, your sister wouldn’t let a peach enter her store even if a customer brought it in. I got your favorites.”
A small crash comes from inside. “Mommy! I made a mess.”
I chuckle, and stand to go help but Wyla pulls back from her dad. “It’s okay, Stevie. Papaw’s coming to clean it up.”
He laughs and points at her. “There’s my girl.”
She rolls her eyes to me as her dad makes his way inside to Stevie. “What were you doing up so early? I thought I was the pro at sneaking out of rooms.”
“I didn’t realize this was a family that makes trauma jokes.”
For the first time since everything happened, Wyla smiles. Her nose scrunches slightly, her dimples show, and every question I’ve had about what to do next is completely answered.
Chapter 38
Later that day, Meredith and her husband Daniel stop by with a ton of apologies and offer to cover all of the medical expenses from the hospital. I’m both shocked and appreciative of the gesture, but Jett and I both agree we aren’t going to accept the money.
I don’t imagine Daniel will “just hand” any flavor to kids anymore, and really, that’s all I need to put this behind us.
I can’t say it doesn’t sting a little when Jett gets on a plane a few hours after that, but I understand.
Well, I’m doing my best to understand.
Actually, I fucking hate it and wanted to demand he stay another day, at least.
Yeah, Stevie’s okay and I know he knows it bothers me, so he said he was sorry. I get it’s his job… but damn it, does he have to leave sosoon?
I’ve wanted to say my peace about it all week since he’s been gone, but over the phone feels wrong so I’ve pushed all my feelings down for now. We’re leaving for Seattle tomorrow and I can’t imagine they’ll stay that way much longer.
I get in my car after my official last day working at the vet clinic. It’s bittersweet, they threw me a little party and everything. Even though Jett told me I don’t have to work in Seattle there’s no way I can’t do anything. I did agree on waiting a few months until we could get a babysitter we’re comfortable with and I can get my license switched over.
My parents asked if they could keep Stevie for tonight and there’s no way I could say no considering we’re moving nearly three thousand miles away tomorrow.
After changing out of my scrubs, I’d love nothing more than to crawl in the bed but I know it will stress me out tomorrow trying to get our stuff packed in my car while Stevie’s running around. I know I can’t get all of it in there now because I’ll need some in the morning but I could manage some suitcases.
I've got three suitcases we’re taking to start and have them set in the living room. I go ahead and open the front door so I don’t have to worry about that. Pulling up the handle for the biggest one, I take it out and set it in my trunk.
Outside, Poppy has happy paws next to me thinking we’re going for a ride. “Sorry, Pops.” I pet her head. “No ride today, but that does remind me. I need your bag too.”
Running back inside, I know I need to get the dog bag out of my room before I forget so I do that first. I grab the duffle off the floor and Poppy lets out a bark. “Don’t you bark at—”
“Hey, baby girl.” Jett leans against my door frame. “You know you should really keep this door closed. Anybody could walk—”
