Both incidents seemed like random occurrences and didn’t seem connected, so I left my parents’ home and reluctantly returned to my own apartment. It was highly unlikely that someone was out to get me. My parents were worried, but I told them I’d check in with them on a regular basis.
Honestly, though, they worried about me all the time. Daniel’s death had delivered a wound to my heart that would never go away. It was the kind of thing that marred you forever. Changed you on the inside. And the fear… The fear had been all consuming at times, overpowering and debilitating. I found ways to deal with it. Tried not to think about the past. Carried pepper-spray. Memorized Bible verses to keep my thoughts on track. Met with a therapist to work through the grief and the aftermath of such an event. Eventually, I was able to cope again. I wouldn’t say I got over it, but I learned to put the pieces of my life back together.
I glanced out the window and then turned to my friend, Robert. It was evening, and he had stopped by to check on me after work. It had been a while since we’d been in touch. A year ago, he confessed that he had feelings for me, but I’d expressed that my heart still belonged to Daniel and didn’t see that changing anytime soon. I hadn’t even gotten rid of Daniel’s clothes yet. I’d tried once, but I just couldn’t follow through. I always told myself I’d do it one day, but that day had never come.
Robert was hurt, understandably, and I had to distance myself for a while so he’d have the chance to move on. I wanted him to find someone who returned his feelings. He deserved that. To my knowledge, he never dated anyone, but a few weeks ago, he called and said he missed my friendship. I’d seen him a few times since then, and he’d acted completely normal, so I knew he was over his little crush on me.
We had an interesting history, Robert and I. We’d met eight years ago, back when Daniel and I had just started dating. Robert managed a tight-knit group of financial planners who often socialized throughout the week. After he hired Daniel, I was introduced to him one evening when everyone from the office stopped at a local restaurant for dinner.
I still remembered the way he’d looked at me that night. He had an intense look on his face, and he’d held onto my hand like he didn’t want to let go. Daniel told me later he thought Robert was blown away by my beauty. I didn’t buy that, but we had a running joke that his boss had the hots for me. Neither of us really believed it. It was just Daniel wanting to tease me.
Robert was always respectful after that, and I soon learned that he went out of his way for his friends. When Daniel announced our engagement, he threw us a huge party. He was there at our wedding, showing his support. When I found out he’d purchased all the pieces of a china set I wanted as a wedding gift, I was shocked. Daniel said that was just the kind of guy he was. The day Daniel told him we wanted to get pregnant, he actually ran to the store and returned with a baby rattle. It was cute, but more than that, it was thoughtful. He was a steady friend throughout our three year marriage, always offering help when he could.
When Daniel died, Robert took it really hard. He promised he would look out for me, and he’d kept that promise ever since.
“I can’t believe that happened to you again,” Robert said, running a hand over this thinning hair. He stood a little over five foot nine with a thin, wiry frame and a confident air about him. He looked extremely concerned, and I could tell my news had affected him. “I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.”
“It was my big break, but I’m starting to wonder if I chose the wrong career path. Being in the public eye draws the unstable types.”
“You have too much talent to let it go to waste.” He stepped closer and put a comforting hand on my shoulder, the scent of peppermint wafting over. He was always sucking on a piece of candy because he worried about bad breath.
“I appreciate your support. You know that, right?”
There was a smile in his eyes as he gazed down at me with a look of admiration. “Of course, and I’ll continue to be there for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“What would I do without you, Robert?”
He laughed. “If I can help it, you’ll never have to find out.” He licked his lips and moved a little closer, crossing into my personal space.
I instinctively retreated, putting distance between us. It had nothing to do with him. I just… couldn’t be that close to a man who wasn’t my husband or father. Not after what happened. I also didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. He seemed over his crush
