"Ali, your dad understood. He was so proud of you, he loved you more than anything in the world, and he is here. He's always with you. He's watching over you every day," she says in the most comforting way she's ever been with me.
I thank her and cry myself to sleep.
Chapter Thirty-One
I wake to the smell of bacon and coffee. I look over, and Ris is still sleeping, arm over her head, mouth wide open, and releasing tiny snores. I quietly get out of bed, change out of my clothes from yesterday into something comfy. I look back at Ris; she is still fast asleep.
In the kitchen Gladys and Luke are making breakfast. Everyone else must still be asleep, most likely. Luke turns and smiles at me; I smile at him back.
"Good Morning!" he says as he walks over to give me a hug and a kiss.
"Morning," I say, still half asleep.
Last night seemed like a terrible nightmare. Today doesn't seem so bad, not yet at least. I hope it stays that way.
"Morning, Ali," Gladys chirps. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please," I reply with a smile.
I love Gladys. She's like a mother to me. I love her warmth and care when she speaks. Gladys pours a cup of coffee and hands it to me. She turns to Luke, talking about the flowers she is planning to plant today and where. I sit down at the island and stare out of the window at the lake. It looks like glass right now. I bet its prime fishing time out there. I am sure my dad would be down at the end of the dock, rod in hand.
I glance back at Luke, who is flipping scrambled eggs. His hair is messy. He has a white tank that shows his rib cage and gray sweatpants-style shorts. He's still looking hot, more so since he's cooking. I trace my eyes down his tattooed arm losing myself in all the detail.
"Ali. Ali! Turtle!" Luke says with a giggle.
"Huh?" I reply as I am lifted from staring at him.
"You want some breakfast?" he asks.
"Yes, please," I smile.
Luke dishes Gladys, me, and himself a plate. Gladys takes her plate into the living room, and Luke sits down next to me. He looks at me and smiles as he rips a piece from his bacon.
"You look beautiful," he says with a mouth full of bacon.
I smile.
"So do you, Martha Stewart," I giggle.
We continue eating our breakfast as we stare at each other and laugh lightly, between him stealing bites of my bacon and me stealing bites of his right back. Gladys walks into the kitchen and rolls her eyes then begins to clean up. She places the leftover food on a plate, slides it into the oven, and wipes down the counter.
"I got the dishes," I say.
"Thanks, Ali," Gladys says and smiles, walking toward the door.
Luke kisses my forehead then heads out after her. I grab our plates and bring them to the sink to start the dishes. I fill the sink with hot, soapy water; I hum quietly to myself while I wash each dish and silverware. Jason walks into the kitchen and sits down. I turn and look at him, then turn back to the sink.
"Want some breakfast?" I say.
"Yea," he replies.
I wipe my hands, grab a plate, and dish him up. I slide it across the counter then turn back to the dishes. It's silent for a while, and I can hear Jason chew. I don't have anything to say to him right now; last night is still very fresh on my mind.
"I'm sorry," Jason says.
I don't reply or turn around. I pretend like I didn't hear him. He gets up, grabs something from the fridge, then takes his plate into the living room. I finish the dishes and head back to my dad's room. I open my bag and dig out some clothes to wear today. I wake Ris up and ask her where my orange suit is. She sits up, says it's in one of her bags, then heads to take a shower. I find my suit in the last bag I search through of hers.
I throw on my orange bikini. The bottom has a slight ruching on the sides, and the top is a halter style with a twist in the fabric across the bust, which makes my chest look perfect. Perfect enough for Luke to keep his eyes on me at all times! I put on some jean shorts and a tank top. I brush my hair and throw it back in a ponytail, then apply some light makeup. Ris comes back with wet hair and wrapped in a towel.
"Will you french braid my hair, bitch?" she says, laughing.
"Yes, slut," I snort.
That's how we've always talked to each other, calling one another vulgar names. She's like a sister. Ris sits in front of the mirror behind the door and applies gallons of makeup as I brush her hair out and french braid it. We laugh as she commentates while putting on her face. Ris finishes and digs out her white thong bikini from her bag. She rocks it! Jason will be eating out of the palm of her hand by lunch.
"I told you I was going to bring this," she winks at me and laughs.
She puts her suit on. It fits her like a glove and makes her look super-hot. She grabs a sheer wrap and ties it around her waist, then pulls her floppy hat down onto her head and grabs her sunglasses before walking out of the room. I grab my sunglasses and our towels then head out after her.
We walk out front, and I can see that more people have arrived. Nikki and Mindy are here with another guy
