Page 33 of When We Were More
“Um…” Layla glances at me for help.
I smirk. This little angel is one smart cookie. She’s clearly aware she already has me wrapped around her finger.
“Henry, it’s late afternoon, and I’m guessing Layla hasn’t eaten yet. Are you okay if I take her in the house for a snack?”
Henry looks back into the house through the door. “Uh. Well, sort of. I mean, we’re almost done putting everything back in your kitchen, and then we wanted to do a big reveal. Would you mind if she had her snack somewhere other than the kitchen, so you don’t see until we’re ready?”
I stand. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?
“You’ll be finished today? You’re ahead of schedule?” I’m still holding Layla’s hand, but it’s Henry I’m looking at now.
“Yep. Once you okayed the woodwork and cabinet refinish, things picked up. I finished that over the weekend. We worked all day to get it ready for Thanksgiving. In case you wanted to cook.”
There’s a lump in my throat, and my eyes moisten. “Thank you. Very much.” My voice cracks, and Henry’s eyes soften.
“Of course, Matilda. It’s our pleasure.”
We all go into the house, and Henry walks Layla and me to the family room. I tell him there are cheese sticks and grapes in the refrigerator for Layla’s snack, since I can’t go into the kitchen yet. He brings her a small plate and water back, and then, before he leaves, he turns to me.
“You sure you’re okay with her being in here? I don’t want you to feel like you have to watch her. She can sit in the kitchen.”
I appreciate him asking, but it’s unnecessary. “We’re fine. Get back to work.” My tone is light and teasing.
Thirty minutes later, Henry pops his head into the room. “We’re ready.”
Layla jumps up. “Yes! Let’s go.” I chuckle at her enthusiasm and stand. She walks toward the kitchen, then stops and turns back to us. “Wait. Don’t you have to make us blind, Daddy?”
Henry’s face is comical as he tries to hold in a laugh. “I think you meanblindfolded,Layla. Not blind. But we’ll be okay if Tillie closes her eyes. You don’t have to since you’ve already seen the kitchen.”
Her eyes narrow, and her jaw drops. She looks thoroughly offended. “It wasn’t done when I saw it. I need to be surprised, too.”
Henry put his hands up in front of him, palms facing Layla. “Okay. My mistake, ladybug. You can both close your eyes.”
“Perfect. Now we’ll close our eyes, and you hold Tillie’s hand, and she’ll hold mine, and you can get us there without us falling.”
We do as she says because, well, it’s clear she’s in charge here. As Henry’s hand takes mine, I try not to focus on how nice it is to have his rough, much larger hand wrapped around mine.
I remind myself he’s my new friend, that’s it. I don’t want more, either.
When we get to the kitchen, Henry positions us where he wants us and releases my hand. Layla and I keep ours clasped.
“Open your eyes on three, ladies. One. Two. Three!”
When I open my eyes, I’m stunned silent by the kitchen. Never did I imagine it would come out this gorgeous. The refinished cabinets and trim immediately draw my attention. The wood is absolutely beautiful. A deep, dark brown with hints of red—it looks brand new. I’ve always liked natural wood, but this might be the prettiest I’ve ever seen.
I walk over to one of the cabinets and run my hand along it. It’s smooth, flawless. I stare at the cabinets for what is probably an unusual amount of time because it takes Henry coming up next to me to pull me from it.
“They’re beautiful, Henry. I don’t even mind the handles, though I wish I could find some more of the copper ones like the few I have.”
“Yeah, those were pretty rare. I’m sorry you couldn’t find them. However, I agree; these are nice too. Did you want to see how the refurbishing of the sink turned out?” His voice is soft, gentle, even.
I walk over to the sink and am shocked by how well Henry’s subcontractor repaired it. It looks new. I touch the cool porcelain and peer out the new window above it—now a lovely garden window—and emotion fills me as I recall all the times I stood here as a young girl and looked at this same view.
I’ve seen pieces and parts of this room as the men worked to get it finished, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing it with the final touches—the cabinets, trim, and sink—all completing it. I’m in love.
“Do you like it, Tillie?” Layla’s sweet voice asks. “I think it’s real pretty.”
“I love it. I love it so much. You’re right, it’s very pretty.” I take a moment to make eye contact with Jay, Tommy, and then Henry. “Thank you all for giving me this gift.”
