The pain in her expression immediately morphed into a smile. “Totally fine. Just stiff after sitting for too long. Time to stretch these legs and take Gizmo for a walk.”
At the W-word, Gizmo barked and half-jumped up in his bed. Well, he jumped the best he could without the use of his back legs. Laiken hurried over to him and hooked him into his wheelchair. “He’ll drag himself to the door with sheer force of will alone if I don’t get him hooked up quickly enough.”
I stood, moving towards the back room to grab my bag. “I admire that kind of spirit.” I needed to channel a little more Gizmo in my daily life.
Laiken chuckled as she grabbed a leash from a hook in the back room and fastened it to Gizmo’s harness. “Me, too. Want to head out the back with me?”
“Sure.” I pulled my jacket on and followed her out the back door into the alley. “Thanks again for today.”
“Thanks for being the best hire I’ve likely ever made.”
I knew she was trying to make me feel better about my floundering, but I appreciated it, nonetheless. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye, Gizmo.”
He barked in response, and Laiken waved.
I started down the alley, checking my watch. I had thirty minutes to make it to the library before it closed. I picked up my pace, ducking inside the now-familiar building. The librarian waved at me with a warm smile that I did my best to return. I hurried down the aisles I now knew by heart.
I stopped first in the technology section. I picked up a book called Computer Basics, and another called Computers for Dummies. Those seemed like the best places to start. Then I wove down another aisle, picking up a couple of books on art, including one on textile art.
I carried my stack to the checkout, and Jeanie stepped up to help me.
“Looks like quite the assortment today.”
I pulled out my wallet, removing my library card and handing it to her. “I got a job at The Gallery.”
“Addie, that’s wonderful. They’ll be so lucky to have you.” She read the two titles of the computer books, and I knew she was putting pieces together. “You know, we teach a computer class here once a month. It covers the basics: email, word processing, that kind of stuff. The next class is this Saturday. Want me to sign you up?”
I swallowed against the tightening in my throat. There was no space for pride if I wanted to succeed at The Gallery. “That would be great. What time?”
“Ten o’clock. And it runs until noon.”
“I’ll be here. Thank you, Jeanie.”
She slid my books over to me. “You know I’m happy to help if you’d like to set up something one-on-one, as well.”
My cheeks heated. “Thanks. I’ll just start with the class.”
“I’ll see you Saturday.”
“See you.” I made a beeline out of the library as fast as my feet would carry me.
I kept my pace as quick as possible all the way home, trying to beat the darkening sky. My book-filled bag thumped against my back as I speed-walked. The tightness in my muscles eased a bit as the white farmhouse came into view. Lights in the downstairs windows were illuminated, along with the ones on the front porch. It was a gentle reassurance that I was safe.
I hurried up the front steps, unlocking the door and turning off the alarm. “Beckett?”
There was no answer. I caught sight of a little yellow sticky note next to the alarm panel.
Grabbing dinner with Hayes and my dad. Your cell phone is on the coffee table. Text me if you want me to bring you something back. – B
I traced the single letter sign-off with my finger. It wasn’t cursive exactly, nor was it a block print. It was some sort of in-between scrawl. One that didn’t fit within any bounds or definitions. So like the man himself.
As I moved through the space towards the living room, I realized that Beckett had left the lights on, not wanting me to come home to a dark house. It was a simple kindness that I wanted to cling too tightly to.
The phone was right where Beckett had said it would be. I picked it up, tapping the screen. I knew a little about navigating the device from the tablets that Birdie and Sage had, but they only used those for games, to watch videos, or to read. There were no messaging apps or ways to call out.
I played around with it until I had all the basic functionality figured out. If only the computer system at The Gallery was this easy. I leaned back against the sofa cushions, slipping off my shoes and hugging my knees to my chest. Everything burned. My throat, my eyes, my chest. It felt as if my house of cards would all come tumbling down with one wrong move.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The first tears slipped free, cascading down my cheeks. They came quicker as the first sob shook my body. Unfortunately, the tears only made me feel stupider, which in turn made the crying worse.