Page 88 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“I want floor to ceiling bookshelves to start with, a small window seat in the bay window, and can you build me one of those fancy rolling ladders?”
“You mean, like Beauty and the Beast?”
“How the hell do you know that?”
“The better question is, whodoesn’tknow that? Women only need 3 things to be happy: respect, appreciation, and the library from Beauty and the Beast.” Getting relationship advice from someone who is perpetually single wasn’t exactly on my to do list today, but to be fair, Mileshashad his fair share of… romantic entanglements.
“Paige saw the one they have at Chapters and Brews and I could see the hearts in her eyes. I think it would be really cool for her to have one at home, too.”
Miles leads me to the lumber section of the store, pointing out the best materials for the main structures, along with some decorative trim that he thinks will give the room a “whimsical vibe” — his words, not mine. I tend to agree with whatever Miles suggests; I wouldn’t trust him with any of my sisters, but he has my full confidence when it comes to construction.
It’s midday by the time we get all the supplies ordered and we both skipped breakfast, so we head over to Rosie’s for a late lunch with Dean and Cara. We arrive in time to find them canoodling in our usual booth. It’s not long before we get our orders placed and the discussion turns to Paige and my grand gesture.
“Have you heard from Paige lately?” Dean asks. It might seem like an odd question to ask her husband, but Paigehasbeen really busy since her flight landed 2 days ago. She stopped in Toronto first and she’ll be there for a couple more days, tying up loose ends.
I received her copy of our visa petition; it’s up to me to finish filling it out and mail it off. We were required to provide a ton of evidence to prove that our relationship is real, so Paige painstakingly went back through months of correspondence and vacation photographs. She even reached out to some of our friends to provide written testimonials. It turns out the not-so-secret Sunshine album on my phone was extremely efficient.
“Yeah, she’s doing ok. Probably better than me, to be honest. She’s been busy wrapping everything up back home. I, on the other hand, have entirely too much time on my hands now that she’s not here.” I've never had trouble being honest with my friends. They know that I’ve been pining for my girl since the moment she stepped out of my arms and into the airport.
“Yeah, man. You kinda look like shit.” Dean may be crass, but he’s not lying. I have dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep and I’m overdue for a haircut. I’ve taken to wearing my cowboy hat everywhere because it simultaneously reminds me of her and hides the mop on my head. “So when do you want to get started on this super secret project?”
It’s Miles who answers this time, “I’m in between job sites right now, so I offered to meet with the lumber delivery guys at the cabin tomorrow morning. We should be ready to get some of the framework done in the afternoon if you’re free.”
“Sounds good. My calendar is wide open tomorrow. I only have one consult early in the morning to take care of and then I can head over to help get the office cleared out.”
I appreciate these guys more than they’ll ever know, but they’re not only doing this for me; it’s just as much for Paige. The fact they’re more than willing to drop everything to do something for my wife says everything you need to know about Paige. She draws people to her like a moth to a flame. She has us all wrapped around her little finger.
I catch Cara smiling at Dean while he discusses plans with Miles. She’s good for him; he needed someone to make him slow down. “I’m not good with tools —”
“I wouldn’t say that, babe,” Dean smirks, cutting her off.
“As I was saying, I’m not good with building shit,” she elbows Dean in the stomach, “but I’m great with a paintbrush so once you’re ready to slap some paint on the shelves, say the word and I’ll be there.”
“I appreciate it, Cara. It looks like Paige is going to be gone for at least 2 weeks, so I’d like to get everything done by then. Does that seem like a reasonable timeline?” I ask Miles. He’s the one who’ll need to work around his own projects and, truth be told, he’ll be doing most of the hard labor.
“Yeah, it’s not a huge project. I think I even have some leftover sage green paint from your kitchen cabinets, if that’s the same vibe you want in the library.”
Our lunch winds down sometime around 4pm. We worked out all the little details for the library and I’m itching to get the ball rolling. Unfortunately, real life is calling, and I’m due for my shift at the bar.
Chapter 34
Paige
? You’re Gonna Go Far - Noah Kahan (with Brandi Carlile)
Since the moment I walked into the terminal, Cade’s final words at the airport have been echoing on a loop, making this past week feel like the longest of my life.
“Take care of everything and come back to me.”
I spent a few days in Toronto packing the last remnants of my stuff there. Mags has a new roommate moving in next month, though she’s less than thrilled about my abandonment. Now I’m back in my hometown for the first time since New Year’s Day, sorting through fragments of the past that shaped me, and in many ways broke me.
When I’m not drowning in boxes and surrounded by my scattered belongings, I’m trying not to dissolve into tears. I’ve been desperately trying to find closure with my parents, but I’m not sure if they’re ready to make amends yet. They were hurt that I got married without them. I can’t really blame them, but they weren’t exactly supportive of the engagement in the first place and things have been difficult for a very longtime.
I love my parents, and in some ways I do wish they had been there if only to witness the love that we share, but I don't think they were ready for me to take that step and ultimately it would’ve cast a dark cloud over our day.
“Hey honey.” Mom walks into the room holding what looks like one of our family photo albums. She sits down on the couch behind me and hands me the book in her hands.
“I thought you might want this. I know we haven’t always gotten along. Things have been strained for a number of years, but I hope you know I love you.”
