Page 34 of The Problem with Falling
Present Day
When I got back to my place, I headed straight to the bathroom to check on Willow. She was still there, sleeping in the tub, covered in crumbs. I moved in closer to find her snoring very lightly.
I tapped her arm. “Willow, you should go to bed.”
No response, just more snoring.
She couldn’t stay in the tub all night long, so with a short sigh, I bent down and lifted her into my arms. I carried her out of the bathroom to her bedroom, shaking off as many crumbs as I could. She still didn’t wake. She simply snuggled in deeper against my chest, giving me nothing more than her inhales and exhales.
With finesse, I used my foot to pull back the blanket on her bed, then laid her down. She instantly rolled on her side,grabbed a pillow, and hugged it against her chest, growing even more comfortable. I covered her up and tucked her in.
Ituckedherin.
What the hell, Theo?
Never in my life had I tucked another human into bed.
As I turned to leave, I flipped off the light, only to hear her voice.
“Theodore?”
I didn’t look back to face her. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
I didn’t reply. I went back out on my boat. It was a hassle and a pain in the ass to take it back out on the water, but I was too awake to stay in the house. Plus, if I stayed in the house, I might’ve found the urge to check in on Willow more than once.
Instead, I went out on the water and thought about the fairy who got too high on Matt Turner’s brownies.
CHAPTER 10
Willow
From: [email protected]
Subject: Willow News Update
Hey Old Man,
My first few nights in Westin Lake have been adventurous, to say the least. I’ve been here a bit over three weeks, and everyone has been pretty welcoming. About a week ago, I accidentally ate too many special brownies without knowing they were special brownies, and let’s just say the night went in a direction I didn’t think it would. Remember when Anna and I got into your edibles and took toomany when we were sixteen? Now imagine that times fifty.
Gosh, I was a handful for you. I’m surprised you didn’t ground me forever after that—though six months did feel like forever back then.
I’ve been thinking about Anna a lot lately. I wish I could turn off that part of my brain sometimes. I wonder how she is. I always wonder how she is. I guess that’s life, though—a blend of memories and regret and words left unsaid.
Molly asked if her grandson Theo and I could move up the anniversary party for her and Harry. She came back the other night upset after a doctor’s appointment for Harry. I think they got some bad news after a fall he had last week. They thought it wasn’t that serious, but his hip is having a lot of struggles. I feel awful, and it makes me want to pour everything into their anniversary celebration. Theo and I are going into town to meet with a few caterers and shop for decorations tomorrow.
Theo’s a hard nut to crack. I still can’t tell if he likes me, but he did give me his cookies, so that’s a good sign. Then again, afterward, he told me not to eat any more of his food with the grumpiest expression.
Anyway, I love you, Dad.
I’ll see you soon.
-Your Little Bird
PS Don’t worry. I’m okay.
