Page 56 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
“I can get the munchkin bathed and into bed,” Moira said. “You don’t have to wait to take Lucy home. You guys feel free to head out. You too,” she said, turning to face Jane and Natalie.
Jane grinned. “Matt told me he’s opening up one of my favorite wines. But I can stay if you need me to.”
“Me too,” Natalie said.
Moira shook her head. “You get to be with Danny all the time. It’ll be fun for me to have some alone time with him.”
They both nodded, and there was a round of kissing and hugging as everyone said goodbye.
“I’m going to say goodnight to Danny,” Andy said to Lucy. “Cover up until I get back. You’re still cold.”
He was right. She felt like she’d swallowed icicles.
As soon as he disappeared up the stairs, Moira sat down beside Lucy and narrowed her eyes. “I’m not stupid. Youaresick, aren’t you? That’s why you came home. I told Andy something was up.”
She didn’t like hearing they’d discussed her condition behind her back. “I’m not sick,” she said, gripping the quilt. “Please don’t ask me any more questions, Moira.”
After hearing how quickly the news of the calendar had made the rounds, the last thing she wanted to do was tell one more person about her condition. Even if she thought Moira would respect her privacy.
“My brother is worried about you,” Moira said, “and so are your parents. I won’t ask any more questions, but I’m glad you’re relying on Andy. It’s always made me happy how you two have stayed close friends all these years. It’s pretty rare, especially when someone gets married.”
“Kim knew I wasn’t a threat, thankfully.”
“That isn’t the only reason she was glad youand Andy were friends,” Moira said matter-of-factly. “Andy pours so much energy into taking care of other people, and because of that, he doesn’t always tell us how he really feels about things. But he could share those things with one other person besides Kim. You.”
But their agreement was changing, Lucy realized. Even though she was doing her best not to let Mr. Responsibility take care of her, here she was, relying on him for a ride because she couldn’t drive. And now he would be driving her to the doctor too. She was entangling him in her problems, and though she didn’t want that, she wasn’t sure how to stop.
“He’s the best friend anyone could ever have,” she said in all seriousness. “It’s been hard to make longterm friends given how much I travel. Andy has been a constant in my life forever.”
“And you’ve been one in his,” Moira said, giving her a smile. “You might be a bit older and my brother’s best friend, but I’ve always liked you. Considering the way I blabber every time I talk to you, I’m sure you know I admire you and all you’ve accomplished.”
“Thank you,” she said, not sure how to respond except directly. “Are you saying you’d like to be my friend too?”
Moira laughed. “Yes. Hope that doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”
Andy walked back in. “Ready?”
Nodding, she rose. “Thanks, Moira for?—”
“You don’t have to say it,” she said. “It’s whatfriendsdo. Don’t rush back on my account, Andy. The munchkin and I are going to have some fun.”
“Thanks, Mo,” he said, crossing the room to Lucy and extending his hand to help her up like she was too weak orblind to walk alone. When he grabbed the quilt to bring with them, she wanted to bristle.
“I’m not that cold,” she hissed.
He gave her a look. “Humor me. See you in a bit, Mo.”
After leading the way to the garage, he opened the passenger door and stood beside it until she was buckled in.
When he tucked the quilt around her, she blurted out, “I’m not an invalid.”
“I know you’re not,” he said softly before closing the passenger door.
But as he drove her all the way out of town and to her house, all she could think about was that shewasan invalid. She couldn’t even drive herself home. Those seven miles between her house and his felt like the longest she’d ever traveled. They drove in silence, and she was glad he didn’t try and engage her in conversation. When they arrived, she threw the quilt in the backseat, undid her seatbelt, and exited the vehicle. Sure, she still felt cold, but she would get over it.
It was her vision that troubled her. It hadn’t improved yet, and she feared she’d slipped backwards. Was this it? What if it never got better? What then?
He was waiting for her at the hood of the car, and while he didn’t touch her, she could feel his support as they walked to her front door. She inserted the key into the lock with a heavy heart.
