Chapter Nineteen
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Between spending everyavailable minute in Xander’s arms, I’ve been cleaning, cooking, and helping Mom set the house up for Dad.Not that there is much to do, but we did move the Christmas tree and make more room in the living room, where he will rest in his recliner until it’s time for him to go to bed.You’d never know Christmas was just three days ago.
“Any plans for the new year?”Mom asks, rinsing the last dish in the sink.
“To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it,” I say, with a shrug of my shoulders, placing another tin of food in the fridge.The doctors say Dad will have his discharge papers in the morning; other than following up and taking his medications, he should be fine.
“Nicki mentioned the Wig Wam.Maybe we can all go and spend it together?”She puts the dish in the dish drain and grabs a paper towel to dry her hands.
“I’m up for it.You think Dad will be?”I wonder about taking a seat at the kitchen table.
“It was his idea,” she says.
“Then it’s settled, New Year’s Eve at the bar with the family.”I hold up my cup of coffee.She clicks hers against it and takes the seat across from me.
“So, how are things?”She fiddles with the napkin resting on the table in front of her.
“Things?”I place my cup down and sit back in the chair.
“You and Xander have been inseparable.Surprised he isn’t here now,” she giggles.
“Things are good, kind of what I’ve always wanted and have been waiting for.”I smile, thinking of how long it took us to get here.
“You look happy, and that is all we ever wanted for our girls.”
I get up from my chair, walk around the table and hug her.“With Dad on the mend, I couldn’t be happier.”Then I turn and lift the faucet to wash my mug in the sink.
“I’m going to head home.Dani is going with you to get Dad in the morning, right?”I confirm, and she nods.
“Okay, call me if you need anything.Make sure to hog the bed tonight because he’ll be back tomorrow.”I joke, blow her a kiss, walk through the hall past the stairs and out the front door.
When I pull up to our apartments, I notice Xander’s light on in the living room.I pull my phone from my pocket and shoot him a text, letting him know I am home.
The three dots appear, and then they are gone.No reply.
I slide my key in the lock and enter, throwing my jacket on the hook and placing my keys on the small table before heading into the living room.I plop down on the couch, rest my head, and close my eyes.
It’s been a hell of a few days.I’m running on empty.