“Hey,babe,” he said in a creaky morning voice that was low and sexy. Iwatched his lean muscles flex with slight movements as he rubbedhis tired face. I’d been dating John for a year now and things werefinally starting to get serious. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Imean… no, not really.” I paused to push those tears back in onceagain. “My dad died yesterday. That was my auntcalling.”
He immediatelysat up in bed, the thin grey sheet pooling around his waist.“Jesus, Dianna, are you alright?”
Aslightly shaky nod was all I could afford. John outstretched hisarms, inviting me back to bed. I had been on my way to work whenAunt Mary called. But, given the circumstances, I should take todayoff, too. Using my father’s death as an excuse to get out of workseemed wrong to me, but it’s what normal people would do, isn’t it?Normal daughters, whoknew how to sort through their feelings when a parent dies? Iworked my ass off for that sous chef position at the restaurant,but they couldn’t deny me a couple of days leave forthis.
I crawled upthe side of the bed and into John’s warm embrace. The heat from hissleeping body still held within the blankets. I let it soak into myskin and inhaled the scent of him.
“Ishould call work and let them know. I’m going to try to get aflight for tomorrow.” I stretched my neck, so my lips touched hissoft mouth as I pulled my cell phone from my pocket one more time.But John snatched it from me.
“I’llcall. Judy loves me.”
It was true.My boss adored John. And, to be honest, who didn’t? He’s gorgeous,friendly, smart, and butters her up every chance he gets. I hate tothink it had anything to do with me getting the promotion, but itprobably did. Regardless of how hard I worked to get there.
I rested myhead on his chest, in the crook his shoulder made for me when hisone arm held me tightly. He quickly found the restaurant number inmy contacts and then placed the phone to his other ear. In thesilence of my bedroom, I could hear a few rings go in beforesomeone picked up.
“Hardware Grill, Emily speaking. How may I helpyou?”
“HeyEm’, it’s John. Can I speak to Judy, if she’s free?”
“Oh, heyJohn!” Emily’s annoying voice reached the same squealy octave mostgirls’ did around my boyfriend. “Sure, she’s right here.” Ilistened as my co-worker passed the phone over, light muffledsounds coming through.
“Hello?”
“Goodmorning, Judy, sweetheart,” John schmoozed. “How’s itgoing?”
“Oh, youknow. Same ol’, same ol’,” my boss replied. “How are you,dear?”
“I’mgood, sweets. But I’m calling on behalf of Dianna.”
“Oh? Isshe sick?”
“No,there’s been a death in her family, so she needs three daysbereavement plus her usual weekend. Is that okay? I’m sure youladies can manage without her for a bit, right?” That’s why Iadored him. He had a way with words. Somehow, already getting theanswer he wanted before the other person could even formulateone.
“Oh,well, um,” Judy stammered over her thoughts out loud. “I suppose wecan manage. I’ll cover where I can. You tell Dianna not to worry.Go, be with her family. We’ll see her next week, dear.”
“You’rethe best, Judy. Bye.” He pressed end and handed the phone back tome. “There, all done. Easy as that.” John’s long arms wrappedaround my frame and pulled me closer. And, for a moment, I let himmake me forget about everything. The next few days were going to behard on me. I was about to do something I hadn’t done since Igraduated high school ten years ago.
I was goinghome.
***
Thanks to thestupid tourist season, the only flight available was that same day,the red-eye. As the car rolled to a stop in front of the departuresentrance at the Edmonton Airport, I inhaled deeply before lookingto John. “Are you sure I can’t just turn back and ignore my familyfor the rest of my life?”
Hetipped his head and gave me that look, the one that said,grow up, Dianna. But he could seethe nerves coming to the surface and quickly softened. He reachedover and cupped my face in one of his massive palms and I let thewarmth of his skin calm me.
“Babe,you’ll be fine. You don’t owe anyone anything. Just go, help withthe funeral, and sort out the stuff in the house. You’ll be homebefore you know it.”
I pulled awayand gave a slight nod. I wanted him to be right. I really did. ButI knew my family, and this trip was going to be the furthest thingfrom pleasant. When I finished high school, I was expected to staybehind and help run the family business. When I immediately leftthe island for college, I created quite the stir.
I was treatedlike an outcast. As if everyone assumed I thought I was too good tostay behind in small-town Newfoundland and settle. Then, when Ifinished college and still didn’t return… well, let’s just say Ibecame a traitor. The people of my tiny community are a proudbunch, and once I became a mainlander, I was no longer part of it.Sure, they put on a super happy, but equally fake, smiles when theyspoke to me.
But that wasjust for show.
“Okay,”I sucked in one more deep breath, “here I go. Wish meluck.”
John smiled;the kind that reaches the eyes and creates little crinkles.“You don’t need it. You’re overthinking it all.”
I leanedin and planted a kiss on his lips and then exited the car. Igrabbed my carry on from the backseat and waved to him as he pulled away from the curb.After I entered the sliding doors of the departures section, I mademy way over to the WestJet counter to check in.
“Goodmorning!” the chipper lady with a teal neck scarf greeted. “Do youhave anything to check?”
I handed hermy ID with a meek smile. “Nope, just a carry on.” I watched as shepunched in my info on the computer.
“Oh,heading to Newfoundland, are we?”
I pretended tofiddle with something in my purse. “Yep.”
“I hearit’s really great this time of year. Are you going for business orpleasure?” she asked. The poor woman, she was just trying to befriendly,
