Page 43 of Finding Solace
"Logan, there are chairs that I can sit in," sheteases.
"You'll sit your ass right here where I want it. Don't sass me woman; I just bought you a really expensive guard dog," he pulls her in tighter making her feet dangle off theground.
She rolls her eyes, "I already have you," she kisseshim.
Ava slowly walks up to her momma while trying to carry the pup in her arms. "Momma, I want a doggie," she giggles when the puppy lifts its head back and the dog's tongue laps at herface.
I chuckle, and it causes Mila to turn around giving me a stern 'she doesn’t need a dog' look. Shit, I'd give either one of them whatever they want. If her momma were to say yes, I would go out and get a puppy tomorrow if it made themhappy.
"I'm sure you can come play with this one anytime you want, sweetie," Mila tells her then looks to Bella to help herout.
"You can come play with her anytime you want," Bella smiles andconfirms.
"Yay!" Ava giggles and continues towards the grass toplay.
We sit a while enjoying the cool evening breeze. The sun is starting to set a little, casting an orange glow across the tops of the trees as the lightning bugs begin to randomly flicker on and off while they hover over the water'ssurface.
"I want to sell Grams' house," Mila says softly breaking thesilence.
"Babe, you sure?" I ask her knowing it means a great deal to her and holds so many memories. I can't have her give that up because I want her to live withme.
"What if I moved into the house with you?" Ioffer.
She is quick with her answers and firmly says, "No. I want to stay where we are. I'm happy there. Ava is happy there. No. I'm selling the house. The sooner, the better," she states. Shifting her body she faces me, "Will you help me pack? I have tomorrowoff."
"Yeah, babe." I take her face in my hands and kissher.
Relaxing for the first time today, she sinks back into me. We end up staying until the sun has set before saying our goodbyes and headhome.
* * *
The next daywith Ava in tow, we turn onto the street to Mila's house and roll up to see all my brothers and waitin' in the driveway with a moving truck. I imagine Logan called in reinforcements after last night's conversation. It's what family does for one another. You shouldn’t have to ask someone to be there for you. They should already be there willing to help. Mila is still getting used to the fact she has become a part of the family. It still overwhelms her. The same as it did when everyone was there to show support and respect when Grams passed away. Day in and day out someone was there. Whether they cooked her food or took care of Ava or merely checked on her, they were there. "You good with them helpin' out, Kitten?" I ask her to besure.
She swipes a lone tear from her cheek as we come to a stop and I turn off theengine.
"More than good," shewhispers.
She unbuckles herself and her daughter, and the rest of the woman go inside to get things started. I walk up to my brothers who are gathered on the front lawn talking. Since we're just the muscle for the day, we hang back and let the ladies do what they need todo.
"Hey, brothers. Thanks for helpin' out today," I greetthem.
"Heard you could use the help," Prez speaks up. "She really sellin' the place? It’s a nice, quietneighborhood."
It is a good neighborhood. Quiet because most of the residents are on the older side, but most the properties around here are well maintained. I'm still kinda shocked she was willing to let go of it so fast. I decided not to bring the issue up to her again after we got home last night. It's her choice. I only hope her and her daughter can be happy in the long run living in town. I have a backyard, but it's much smaller than this one. Not what I would think someone would want to raise a kid in if they had another option like this home. It's on the older side. Maybe built in the early mid-seventies. A ranch-style home, but it seems to be more family oriented than what I have to offer. "She's set on it. Not sure that’s what she really wants, but she is selling it," Iconfirm.
We stand around and shoot the shit for I don’t know how long. Mostly we throw around the idea of doing a charity run sometime soon. We do a few every year. The one comin' up helps fund a charity that supports ourveterans.
"We have some stuff ready to get loaded in here," Bella steps out onto the porch andannounces.
While my brothers start hauling boxes marked for my place- Strike that- our home, I search the house for Mila and find her in her Gram's room. She's sitting on the floor surrounded by boxes that have been taped up and has a photo in her hand. "Hey, babe. Youokay?"
She cranes her head back to look up at me, "I'm good. I was looking through some old pictures and came across an old one of Grams and my grandpa back from when they started dating in high school," she says handing me the picture. I stare at the grainy black and white photograph in my hand. It's uncanny how much she looks like her grandmother. I give the photo back to her, and she places it in abox.
"I didn’t think it would be so hard packing everything away." She goes to get up, and I help herstand.
"You're allowed to change your mind about selling the house," I tellher.
"No. I still want to sell. It does me no good sitting here when another family could build their own memories in a home that held so muchlove."
