Page 67 of Losing Forever
I’ll have to thank Mr. Becksworth for having it repaired so nicely. I already paid him for the service. He must have worked fast to get someone out here. On my phone, I bring up his contact information and send him another text, letting him know how grateful I am.
Back in the family room, I find Grayson in the same spot as before, only he opened one of the glass doors.
When he sees me, he stiffens. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah. Of course. I wanted to air out the house, anyway.” I join him and open another door.
The view beyond stirs memories and emotions in my chest. Again, I tamp them down and focus on the moment, using my senses to help secure me to the present.
Water darkens the color of the wooden decks. Earth, trees, rain, and moist wood perfume the air in the most pleasant way. I inhale in a deep breath. Like the front of the house, the landscape looks unmanicured but the same.
“Can I explore?” A childlike twinkle brightens Grayson's eyes. He gestures to the yard, which slopes down a hill to a small grassy lawn.
I can’t stop a smile from forming. “Sure. The trees look really big from down there.”
He takes the stairs from the first deck to the second then the third. I don’t know how he doesn’t trip with the way he keeps taking in the thick forest surrounding the yard.
At the bottom, he stares at the dark-green grass. “It’s all wet.”
I giggle. “That’s what happens when it rains all the time.” Even when the sun is out, the rays barely make it to that area.
“I don’t want to ruin my shoes,” he calls up. “Or drag dirt through the house,” he adds, though I think this is more about ruining his shoes.
One thing I’ve learned about Grayson is he owns several pairs. Different styles to match his outfits. Casual, dressy, preppy, athletic, stylish. A big, hulky guy with a shoe fetish. Who’d have thought?
I stand at the railing, watching him as he climbs up the stairs toward my level. He looks good here. Then again, he looks good anywhere.
Once he’s on the first deck, he strolls over. “I never thought I’d want to live in a place where it rains all the time, but if I lived here, I could be swayed.”
I scan the outline of the house, trying to see it how he does. I’ve never studied the house or given it much thought. It was home, plain and simple. Having lived in Florida for over a year, and getting familiar with the different architecture and landscaping, I can imagine how this home and scenery would appeal to Grayson.
My phone chimes with a text. Grayson’s does, too.
He takes it from his jacket pocket. “How much do you want to bet it’s Noah?”
I don’t know why, but I walk into the house for privacy before reading my text.
It’s from Aunt Lina.
Hey, sweetie. Have you arrived at the house yet? I’m thankful Grayson went with you on this trip. I would have loved to go with you, and I can still join you if you change your mind.
When she offered to come with me, I told her Grayson had already volunteered. He was so excited at the idea of visiting Seattle, having never traveled anywhere other than Georgia. I told her I couldn’t turn him down.
I also couldn’t take up more of her time. She’s dedicated enough of her life to me. I’m not her responsibility. She has her own family and has done more for me than anyone could have.
I’m here, Aunt Lina,I text.Don’t worry about me. Grayson is entertaining. He’s like a kid at Disney World. It’s funny.And cute, but I don’t add that.Thank you for checking in. If I need anything, I’ll call. Love you.
She replies at once.Okay. Take your time. No hurry to rush back. Noah understands. You do what you need to do. I love you, too.
It occurs to me that maybe she wanted to come to say good-bye in her own way. After all, this was her sister’s home.
Grayson strolls up behind me, his spicy scent welcoming. “Did Noah text you, too?”
“No. It was my aunt.” I face him. “What did Noah want?”
“To know if we landed and if you were doing okay.” He studies me. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good.” Staring up at his beautiful, chiseled face reminds me of how different my life is now. Guilt slams into me, and my eyes fill with tears. I sniffle and wipe my nose. “If my family hadn’t died, I wouldn’t be here with you.”
