Page 105 of Until Now

“You were there, that’s all that matters. Come on,” Eileen ushers me past the fireplace into the living area. “We have plenty of food if you’re hungry.”

“It’s ‘bout time you showed up,” Josh says from the refrigerator where he and Michaela pack away food. I notice everyone is accounted for, except two. If everyone was leaving, I hope I can still get time with Nina if there isn’t someone to distract John. “Where’d you run off to earlier? Didn’t see you at the cemetery.”

“Had to make a stop.”

“Nin should be up in a few. She’s just taking care of some business,” Elizabeth reappears with a suitcase.

They cannot be serious. “She’s working?”

“Takes her mind off things,” Kai says when he returns with two suitcases.

“If she wants to be alone with—”

“No,” Eileen interrupts me. “No, Nina has been hosting all of us since the accident and we should give her some space. You’re fine, Nick.” When Eileen hugs me, I give her a reassuring squeeze. “We’re happy you’re here. Thank you.”

“Take care of her,” Michaela whispers, hugging me next.

“You heard anything yet?” Josh asks.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” My answer confuses the others, but it tells Josh everything he needs to know. After a quick embrace, he leads Eileen and Michaela out the front door.

When they are gone, Elizabeth sighs. “Look, Nick, the other night…she was just upset. She didn’t mean to blow up on you. I think it was just a combination of everything and— And, then he shows up.”

“It’s okay. I won’t stay long. I’m sure they want—”

“He’s gone, Nick. Left about an hour ago.” Elizabeth smiles when I perk up. She hugs me tightly. “I know it’s been rough, but having you here means a lot.”

“Tell Lina I’ll be out in a minute,” Kai instructs Elizabeth when we part. When she’s gone, he looks around the house and checks the stairwell. Sure we are still alone, he says, “Look, I know things got off to a rocky start, but if there’s one thing I know…you and Nina have that spark. We all see it. Dad, too. And, I know you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t love her.” Kai takes a deep, shaky breath, he rubs his eyes trying to hold himself together a little longer. “Nin has been the glue holding all of this together. She’s done all of this by herself, I don’t know how. I don’t think I could have done it.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

Kai shakes his head, “I understand why, but you’re here now and she needs you now more than ever. You’re a good guy, Nick. I’m glad she has you.”

“If you need anything—”

“You’re already here.”

When Kai leaves, the house falls into a comforting silence and I take the opportunity to explore. The first thing I notice is the floor — concrete, an interesting choice — it encompasses the entire house. The living area is an open space where the great room, kitchen, and dining room meet. Warm, soft colors and different shades of wood cover the home. White oak ceilings flow from the foyer into the living area meeting white ceilings outlined with large white oak beams. Along the back wall, paneled windows offer expanding views of the backyard and lake.

A fire roars in the fireplace that stretches into an opening in the ceiling — clerestory windows on either side allow for more natural light to flood the room making it feel bigger than it already is. I don’t know how I missed them in the foyer. A large flat screen, hung above the mantle, plays a Hallmark movie. Blankets sprawl on the gray couch and an empty wine glass sits on the solid wood coffee table. In another small alcove with more windows, a large Christmas tree decorated in white and gold. Matching Christmas decorations are scattered tastefully throughout the house, but not overly done. I wonder if that is by choice or because of the accident. It’s hard to imagine Nina as one of those people who over-decorates for Christmas.

The kitchen is state of the art. The refrigerator made to blend in with the cabinets. A glass-front hutch opposite the refrigerator showcases serving dishes, cookbooks, cutting boards, and glasses. But, it’s the countertops that capture my attention. Bright white contrasts the warm, dramatic veining of the Calcutta marble and the off-white cabinetry. The expansive island houses six black and white bar stools. It’s immaculate, but what is the point in having such a grand kitchen if you never used it? Has she ever used it? I can’t remember ever seeing her cook before.

A bump out on the left side of the kitchen houses the dining room with a long black farmhouse table. Another iron chandelier extends the length of the table. To the right of the kitchen, a glass panel door separates the large walk-in pantry. The same cabinetry, tile backsplash, and black metal accents carry from the kitchen. Down the hallway just off the kitchen, a wine cellar behind a similar glass panel door. Across the hallway, a home gym. But, it’s the closed door at the end of the long hallway that calls me. I refuse. For now, it is off-limits.

On the wall, next to the hallway, a collection of black and white photos. Each photo a moment of her life frozen in time. Nina at college graduation. Nina walking Elizabeth down the aisle. Nina, Elizabeth, and Michaela on the beach. Nina, Elizabeth, Kai, and Eileen in front of a large castle, mouse ears on their heads. Nina and Eileen in a lagoon surrounded by snow. Nina harvesting in a vineyard. Nina playing with a red panda. Nina and Ric at a Christmas event. Nina standing with a shovel on a construction site.

“Snooping?”

I jump at the sound of her voice. How long has she been standing there? My heart sinks when I see her by the fireplace. She looks paler than I remember, still wearing her long black dress from the funeral, but her hair has been pulled into a messy bun and her makeup gone exposing the dark, puffy circles under her eyes. She looks like she has been crying, but she wears a smirk trying to mask it just a little longer.

“I didn’t mean to, I was just—”

“I’m joking.” The smirk slips into a smile. “What’s the point of putting them up if not to be looked at?” She holds her hand towards me. “How about a tour, so you can gawk at the rest? I mean, I snooped in your room. It’s only fair.”

I smile at her admission. When I returned to find the photo marking my place in the book, I had one guess as to who had been in my room. “Nina Villa, a snoop? I would’ve never guessed.” She rolls her eyes and leads me down the same hallway I had refused to enter moments earlier.

Entering her room, I’m floored by the size — I swear, it’s bigger than my entire house. A wall of paneled windows showcases the landscape outside. Along the back wall, a wood platform king bed stands against a blue-gray wall. Different shades of blue throw pillows against white sheets and a comforter with black trimmings, a blue throw blanket across the foot of the bed. A blue and ivory colored ornamental rug against the dark concrete floor. Above the bed, a painting of magnolia flowers. A marble fireplace with a wood beam mantle across from the foot of the bed. A sitting area nearby with white arm chairs, paperwork sprawls the floor. Just off the fireplace, a door matching the windows leads to a balcony overlooking the lake. A black trimmed mirror and a single photo of Nina, Ric, and Kai sits atop a gray chest next to the bathroom door. I’m amused and surprised to find no private laundry room.

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