Page 39 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
“It’s been hard.”
“I missed seeing you when I came through. He told me you went to live with your aunt. You back in town now?”
“I am. I actually renovated the house.”
He smiled. “I know. It’s beautiful. I’m glad to see you turning the place around. I remember when your parents first moved into the neighborhood. Your mom would waddle out to the road with that belly getting bigger and bigger for her favorite ice cream. She thought I’d always give it to her for free, but the truth is your dad paid for it in advance.”
“He did?”
“Yep. He did the same thing for you.”
My brows furrowed. “What?”
“He paid for your ice cream the beginning of every week. You know, the cream parlor was right across the street from the plant he worked at. He came over on his lunch break like clockwork every Monday. You never knew that’s why I didn’t charge you?”
I shook my head. “I thought you were just being nice to me.”
He chuckled. “I wasn’tthatnice.” He grabbed my hand. “I know your dad had some issues, but he really did love you, Wynter. Whenever I spoke to him throughout the years, I asked about you. He was always so proud of how well you were doing.”
Tears brimmed my eyes as I listened to him. I had no idea my father even talked about me to anybody.
“Thank you, Mr. Mason. I needed that.”
He smiled. “Can I tell you something?”
I nodded.
“He told me you asked him to move in with you. I can tell you that he tried to leave. Several times, in fact. He just… he couldn’t do it. That house… those memories had a hold on him that he just couldn’t let go of. He thought the best thing he could do for you was let you go so you could really live. You may not believe me, but next to losing your mother, that was the hardest thing he ever had to do.”
I remained quiet.
Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn’t. He wasn’t here to confirm or deny it. Still, the thought that he wanted to be with me gave me slight comfort. For now, I would have to just take that.
Mr. Mason squeezed my hands. “I gotta get going. It was good to see you and I hope you take care of yourself. Good luck with the house. Come by the ice cream shop sometime. I’ve got your favorite… this time on me.”
He winked at me as he crawled back on the truck. I took a step back and watched as he pulled out of the cul-de-sac. After amoment of sitting with my thoughts, I made my way back to the house.
I prayed that this move would heal a part of me in ways nothing else could.
“You look handsome,” Jamari said from the door of my bedroom.
I was getting ready for my date with Wynter and putting on the final touches.
“Thank you, baby girl.”
“Are you excited?”
I chuckled. “Nah.”
“Soooo… do I get to meet her?”
I turned back to her. “If things progress.”
She wore a look on her face that I couldn’t quite read. I took a seat on the bed and motioned her to me.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Mama’s been calling me. I didn’t answer, though.” She pulled out her phone and showed it to me. “She finally texted me.”
