Page 138 of Aftersome
That whole night he would come up to me randomly and tell me a horrible joke.
Now I know why.
“I’m guessing you remember that night?” He laughed as I shook my head.
“Terrible fucking jokes, Hendricks. I don’t think anyone would have smiled at those.”
“Maybe not back then, but hey… My wife thinks I’m a comedian, so that’s all that matters.” The corner of my mouth turned as he continued. “But, anyway, I was walking to my car after practice last Tuesday when I finally saw you smile. You were carrying Wren on your back and she was kissing the side of your face.”
I could easily recall that day and still felt the imprint of her lips on me. I think I almost ripped the corners of my mouth from smiling so hard.
“It was a good smile, Mal. Not quite as good as mine, but it did stop me in my tracks.”
I had no idea how to respond to that, but a part of me no longer felt so annoyed in his presence.
Not quite to the point where we’d be all buddy-buddy with each other. Not like that would fucking happen anyway, but it still felt nice to know that someone actually gave a shit.
“Hard not to smile when she’s around.”
Already, I was counting down the time until she’d make me smile again. Fuck, even just talking about her made me want to smile.
“Just wait till she’s got you smiling like it’s your job. That’s when you know she’s the one.” He sighed. “I think my mouth is permanently in a smile because of Kate.”
It didn’t take a smile for me to know that Wren was the one for me.
For me, it was already written in the stars and I knew without a doubt, she was always meant to be mine.
48
WREN
Tonight, I borrowed a yellow summery dress from Kate that hugged my chest generously and flared out at the waist. Over the top, I wore a simple jean jacket that pulled it all together. My hair was in fresh curls down my back, while soft, minimal makeup covered the small imperfections on my face.
Overall, I felt beautiful tonight.
I only wished Mal were here to see me.
I hadn’t expected to miss him as much as I did, but I felt like a part of me was missing. And I could only imagine what he was feeling.
I anticipated at least a few text messages or maybe even a call, but every time I would check my phone, there would be no new notifications.
My heart had sunk every time, but maybe a part of me was just as irrational as Mal was. But with everything that we had both been through, could you really blame us?
Once you have lost someone, the reality of death weighs heavily on you, and the fear of losing another loved one becomesa new constant in your life. With Greg and Shelia, it was a constant worry, but with Mal, it plagued me to my core.
A hidden thought in the back of my mind that could become destructive if I let it.
“God, is this not the best ravioli you’ve ever had in your life?” Kate moaned around her fork as she took the final bite of food off her plate.
Tearing me out of my trance, I smiled at my best friend.
“Do you want mine?” I offered on a laugh as she tore through an entire basket of garlic bread and a large plate of pasta before I had even finished my meal.
Pregnancy cravings were apparently no joke.
Wiping the sauce that was stuck in the corners of her mouth, she shot me a menacing glare.
“No, I’m full now, thank you very much.” She lifted her chin, causing her boobs to practically spill out of her top.
