“Miwwy won’t care. She woves you.”
I nearly stumbled backward.
“She woves me too,” he added.
“Did she tell you that?”
“She didn’t have to. I can teww. She awways gives you the best pieces of pizza and the biggest bowls of ice cream. That’s what you do when you wove someone.”
How in the hell had he noticed that when I hadn’t?
“Come here, buddy.”
He skipped over to me and I lifted him up high in the air. His giggles made me smile. Then I hugged him. God, I loved this kid. “You’re pretty smart, did you know that?”
His little shoulders lifted up close to his ears.
“Take it from me, you are.”
“Can we go now?”
“Yep, we can.”
He ran out of the apartment and knocked on her door with his little fist. But no one answered. He was crushed.
“Maybe they went out to dinner. Her sister is leaving tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” he answered in a deflated tone.
“You wanna walk the dogs and then go out to eat?”
“Okay.” He wasn’t happy.
“How about this. Let’s go eat and maybe by the time we’re back, they’ll be home.” That perked him up so off we went. Only they weren’t home by the time we returned and it was getting late. “I’m sorry, big guy. It’s getting late and we have bath time and then bed since tomorrow is school.”
“Ooookayyyy.”
“We can check once more before you go to bed.” But they still weren’t back. “Hey, there’s always tomorrow. Chester will be here so don’t you worry.”
He knelt down and said his prayers—one for Dick that he’d keep getting better, one for Milly that she’d be around tomorrow, one for Chester that he wouldn’t pee in Milly’s house, one for Gammie and Bebop that they wouldn’t make him eat any green stuff, and one for me that Milly would keep giving me the best pieces of pizzas.
Then I kissed him goodnight and kept thinking about what he said. Did she really love me or was that just a five-year-old’s imagination? I’d sure like to know because right now, my heart was certainly one twisted up mess and I’d hate to think this was all one-sided. I knew she had feelings for me, but were they as deep as the ones I had for her? That little chat I had with her sister had me thinking they were, but I wondered if I was the one who was going to get hurt the most if things didn’t work out between us.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Milly
Ellerie and I were out to dinner. It was her last night here. “I wish you didn’t have to leave, but I know you’re anxious to get home to John and the kids.”
“I won’t deny that.”
I reached across the table and said, “Thank you.”
“For what.”
“Come on, Ells. You know what for.”
She dipped her head and said, “It’s not like you wouldn’t have done the same for me.”
“True, but thank you all the same. You’re the best sister I have.”
She smacked my arm. “I’m the only sister you have.”
“Yeah, but if I had another one, you’d still be the best. But honestly, I don’t know what I ever would’ve done without you.”
“I love you too, Mills.”
She was quiet for a minute. “Mom and Dad mentioned something. I’m not sure if you’d be up for this, but Mom, Dad, John, the rugrats, and me, are thinking about coming for Thanksgiving. If you think it’s too much, tell me now.”
A wave of excitement rolled over me. This was something I’d always dreamed of—Thanksgiving in Manhattan. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue. The lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Plaza. “Are you serious? I’d love it!”
“Yeah?”
“Totally!” I had to practically sit on my hands to keep from clapping them like a kid. “Oh, my God. I can’t wait.”
“Hold the ponies, cowboy. It’s not even summer yet. We’ve got a ways to go.”
“I don’t care. A girl can get excited, can’t she?”
“She sure can. And who knows. Maybe by then, your hot McFoxy and you will be …”
“Will be what?”
“You know.”
“I want to go slow, after Harry, so don’t hold your breath on that. And whatever you do, do not say anything to Mom about him. I don’t want to have to field her questions on a daily basis.”
“Fine. I won’t. But you’ll still have to answer mine when I ask.”
“I will.”
“You’d better, or I’ll tell Mom on you.”
“Tattletale.”
“That’s right.” She angled her head and asked, “You don’t still miss him, do you?”
“Miss him?”
“Harry?”
“God, no.” And for the first time, I realized it was the truth.
Ells was beaming. “I believe you.”
“I haven’t thought about him like that in ages. I’m still pissed at the little fucker for what he did, but miss him? Not in a million years.”
“The anger is real.”
“Damn straight. That whiny ass. All that time I tried to fix us when there was never an us to fix. And then when I lost Simon—the nerve of him.”
“I don’t blame you one bit. Let’s do something really wicked to him.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Send his new bride something to indicate what a shit he is.”
“No. I won’t stoop that low. Besides, she needs to find that out on her own. Eventually, he’ll show his true colors.”
“You’re right. He will.”
After we finished our molten chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert, we strolled home. Ells rubbed her belly as she walked saying that she was nothing more than a beached whale.
“John isn’t going to recognize me when I get off the plane.”
“Puhlease. You’ve only been gone a few days.”
“Yeah, but I’ve eaten everything I could get my grubby paws on.”
We joked about how our mother would be scolding us for carrying on like that.
“Ellerie, mind your manners. Millicent, straighten your shoulders and don’t act like an urchin,” Ells mimicked.
I cackled at her imitation. “I never knew what an urchin was. I always thought it was a huge monster or something.”
“Remember that time I came home and told her how Mary Grace peed her pants?” Ells asked.
“Oh, God. I thought she was going to expire on the spot. ‘Ellerie, no one ever pees their pants.’”
“And I yelled, ‘but Mama, I saw it.’ And she said, ’She urinated, Ellerie.’ I had no idea whatsoever what she was talking about.” We giggled the rest of the way home over that one. My mother was over-the-top proper when it came to manners.
Ellerie’s plane was leaving at ten in the morning, so we said our goodbyes as she hopped in a cab and I left for work.
Right before she left, I said, “I’m going to miss you more than ice cream.”
She waved as the car drove off and I felt a piece of me go with her. It was ridiculous, I knew, but she’d come when I needed her the most.
Later that day, Hudson called. He wanted to know if I was interested in going to his parents’ house the following weekend.
“It’ll be a nice opportunity for you to spend some time with Dick and we can take the other dogs with us. It will also give Chester a chance to meet Dick too.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“How about we leave Saturday morning?”
“That’s great.”
“Good. That will give us a chance to hang out on Friday night. Wiley was disappointed he didn’t get to see Chester last night.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. We went to dinner since Ellerie was leaving this morning.”
“It’s fine. There will be plenty of other times for him to see the pup.”
“I’ll see you later tonight t
hen.”
We’d been really busy at work and the day flew by. Ava stopped by my office several times, but I barely had time to speak, I was so tied up.
“Are we ever going to hang out again or are you too busy with sex god?”
“Oh, Ava, you’re too funny. That new puppy is killing me. I hate leaving him all day and then again after work. You should come see him.”
“Actually, I met someone.” She beamed.
“What? How did I not know this? Who is he?”
“You won’t believe it, but he’s one of the vendors for our July event.”
I clapped my hands together. “That’s exciting. I’m so happy for you.”
“It’s not serious. You know me.”
“You never know.”
We made tentative plans that she’d come home from work with me one day soon.
When I left to go home, I was completely wiped out.
Chester was happy to see me, and I hurried outside with him as he had to pee. He gobbled up his dinner and right as he finished, there was a knock on the door. Wiley and Hudson were there, and Wiley rushed in to see the pup.
“I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” I said, stifling a yawn.
“How’s he doing?”
“Good. He cried the first two nights, but he was great last night. I had to wake him up at three for his walk.”
“Oh, damn. I’m so sorry. I forgot all about that.”
“It’s fine. I took him two steps out the door and he went right away. The doorman was right there.”
Hudson was not happy. “I feel terrible about forgetting. I’ll walk him tonight with you.”
“That’s so kind of you, but you don’t have to. Honestly, he's super fast.”
“Nope. I’ll knock at three. I’m not taking no for an answer. And since he didn’t cry last night, he should be good from now on.”
A huge yawn escaped and this time I couldn’t stop it.
“You tired?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s been a rough couple of days.”
“Ellerie told me.”
I was instantly on alert. “Told you?”
“About the anniversary.”
My entire body sagged. “Oh.”
“Hey, come here.” He opened his arms and I couldn’t resist. I walked into the warmth and safety of them and it was comfort like I’d never had. “I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I wish I had known beforehand.”
“I never talk about the day.”
“Understood.”
He rubbed my back as he held me and we just stood there together. It was really nice, feeling his strong arms around me. I knew then I didn’t want to lose whatever it was we had.
“Hudson, I …”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. Just know I’m here for you.”
Chester’s bark, if it could be called that, caught our attention and we pulled away from each other. Wiley was throwing one of his toys and he was chasing it. We went to check the two of them out. They were so cute together, my heart tumbled inside my ribs. I couldn’t help thinking how lucky Hudson was to have a son like Wiley. And it made my heart ache to think of how much I lost too.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Hudson
As soon as we pulled into my parents’ driveway, I noticed Milly’s leg twitching. “Excited much?”
“Yeah. How could you tell?”
“You look like a bull in a pen waiting to be set free.”
“Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen him. I’m a little excited.”
“Really?”
The car came to a stop and Milly glanced my way.
“Go ahead. I’ll take care of Wiley and the pups.”
“Miwwy, can I come?”
“Not now, dude. Let her go first. You need to help me with Chester.”
“Okay.”
Milly shot out of the car like a cannon. Mom was on the porch, but Milly only gave her a quick hug. Mom laughed as Milly pushed her way through the door. I could only imagine what the reunion in the backyard would look like. She would definitely need another shower in a few minutes. Dog slobber would be covering her. Too bad I didn’t have some coveralls for her.
Roscoe, Flimsy, and Scooter were all carrying on in harmony. They knew where we were. I opened up their kennels and hooked their leashes. Chester was in the back seat being snatched up by Mom. She was also handling Wiley.
“You’re beginning to resemble a traveling carnival,” she said.
“Don’t remind me.” I rounded up the hounds and said, “Let’s go, guys.” Wiley held Gammie’s hand and we all traipsed inside.
There was a gigantic water bowl in the kitchen the size of a small bathtub that the three dogs helped themselves to. Then Flimsy checked out Dick’s estate. She tried to confiscate his orthopedic bed.
“Hey you, don’t get too comfy in there. That’s not your palace,” I reminded her. “Let’s go in the yard. Mom, you’d better let me handle Chester. We don’t know how Dick is going to take to him.”
She passed me the puppy and we headed out to the yard, where Dick was pawing, a.k.a., knocking over Milly.
“So, how was the reunion?” I asked.
“Not as robust as I expected. I think he’s forgotten me,” she said, pouting.
“Hardly,” I answered. “Look at him.” He had his head in her lap and gazed up at her with his sad eyes.
“That’s because he thinks I’m going to cave and keep giving him treats.”
“Yeah, I may have spoiled him a little,” Mom said.
Milly scratched his ears. “I can’t blame you. This face is irresistible.”
It really was.
Wiley was skipping and hopping around. “Miwwy, did he spit on you?”
“Sort of. I’m a mess.”
“Is Big Dick aww better now, Daddy?” Wiley asked.
“I need to examine him buddy and I’ll do that in a minute. Let’s see how he likes Chester.” The other three dogs were running around him, and he didn’t seem to care. I lowered Chester down so he could get a glimpse of him. Dick sniffed and sniffed again. Then his gaze went back to Milly. “I don’t think he’s very interested.” I lowered Chester some more, but Dick didn’t pay the slightest attention to him. Chester, however, quivered like a leaf in a hailstorm. Yeah, even if Dick loved Chester, Chester didn’t want anything to do with Dick.
“He’s so scared,” Milly said.
“I’m afraid it’ll be worse if Dick barks,” I said. Dick had the scariest, deepest bark even though he was quite harmless. He could trample you to death unintentionally, but he wasn’t the least bit aggressive.
Milly held her arms out for Chester and I handed him to her. “It’s okay, baby, this big lug isn’t going to eat you or anything.” Dick lifted his head and sniffed, then stuck out his tongue and gave Chester a slobbery bath. Chester’s eyes bulged out even more, but then he promptly stopped shaking, wiggled out of Milly’s arms, and settled on top of Dick, where he stayed until Dick stood up. For the remainder of the afternoon, Dick had a tiny gray shadow following him everywhere, even into his estate when he went inside to take a nap. He was very generous about sharing his orthopedic bed too.
“I’m afraid Chester is going to need another bath when we get home,” Milly said. “He’s all sticky from Dick licking him.”
“Dick’s a good big brother, isn’t he Miwwy?”
“He sure is.”
“I wish I had a big brother.”
I laughed. “Too late for that, wild man.”
“Can I have a widdle brother, wike Aaron?”
Milly paled and Mom—I could’ve killed her—said, “Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Wiley?”
I gave her the dirtiest look I could muster. “Mom!”
She ignored me and only asked, “Is anyone hungry? We have lots of things for lunch.”
“I am,” Wiley yelled.
“Good. Let’s go ins
ide and get some sandwiches made. You can help me.”
I eyed them as they went into the house. “Sorry about my mom. She doesn’t know about your loss.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. She shouldn’t be saying things like that. Wiley doesn’t need to get his hopes up only to have his bubble popped.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s not really fair.”
“I’ll talk to her about it.”
“Let’s go grab a sandwich. Knowing my mom, she bought out the entire deli.”
Milly chuckled then said, “I need to wash up first.”
When we got into the kitchen, there were all sorts of goodies out for us. Wiley was proud of his culinary accomplishments. Only I didn’t dare tell him that he forgot the turkey on the turkey sandwich he made me. I snuck around and put it on behind his back.
Then Milly showed him her secret to the best ham sandwich ever by adding potato chips in between the ham and the cheese.
“No way,” he yelled.
“Way. Just watch.”
His eyes were stuck on her like he was watching Cars and when she took her first bite, he insisted on trying it too.
She offered him a bite of hers, and I fully expected that awful face he made when he disliked something. But it never came.
“Daddy, that’s reawwy good. You should try it.”
Milly offered me a bite, and damn, it was delicious. We were all stuffing chips in our sandwiches then.
“Not very healthy but every now and then, you just have to give in,” she said.
After lunch, Mom and Dad watched TV and took naps like they usually did. Wiley fell asleep too. Milly and I watched a movie and when Mom woke up, I took Milly out. I wanted to show her around the area since she hadn’t seen it yet.
I gave her the grand tour, which included showing her the high school I graduated from, the neighborhood where Marin and Grey lived, and the town square.
“This is such a lovely area, and so close to the city.”
“It was a great place to grow up.”
We returned to the house and Mom was doing prep work for dinner. Dick and his tiny shadow were prancing around the house, along with the rest of the clan.
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s outside with Wiley. They’re getting the grill ready.”
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