Subtle Reminders

by D. J. Pierson

  “Joey, it’s time to open your eyes.”

  I despised that part of the morning. After dreaming of BC for hours, something pulled me from the only place I wanted to be. “No.”

  She laughed. It felt almost as if she were actually beside me. “You can stay here, but I need to eat something.”

  “It’s going to be difficult since I’m not letting you go.”

  The spot on my neck she kissed turned warm. “If I don’t get food soon, you’re not going to like me.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever only liked you. Please, give me a few more minutes. You do this to me every damn morning.”

  “What are you talking about?” Her playfulness faded. “Joey, look at me.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Okay.” Her voice shuddered with concern.

  Recognizing it wasn’t the normal routine, my eyes flew open and I flipped her over, hovering above her. “You’re really here?”

  “Yes, I’m really here,” she repeated, burying her fingers in my hair. Teardrops ran down each cheek. I kissed them away.

  “I’m so sorry, B. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “So when we promised no more keeping secrets from each other, regardless of what it was…”

  To reassure her, I explained, “It always seems so real when I dream of you. Then I wake up and you’re gone.”

  “You dream about me?”

  “All the time.”

  “I’m so sorry, Joey.”

  I covered her mouth with mine. “We also said no more apologies,” I reminded her.

  “I love you.”

  “Hearing you say those words never gets old.”

  “You’ll get old, though.”

  It was too early to have my balls busted. “Not without you,” I said, then properly wished her a good morning.

  We showered together. Her hair took a lot more effort than mine, but BC still finished getting ready first. She completely distracted me as she walked around partially naked, whereas an empty stomach provided her with the proper motivation to hurry. If she had any food in the refrigerator, she wouldn’t have gotten clothes on at all.

  Tying my shoes, I decided to bring up something we’d been avoiding. “After breakfast, I’m going to call my dad. I should give him as much notice as I can about not going back to work. Plus, I have to ask how to transfer to another state.”

  “Joey…”

  “We’re not arguing about this, B.”

  “Fine.” The straightforward, simple response was not what I had anticipated.

  “Fine?”

  She impatiently waited near the door leading to the garage. “Yeah. Fine, but it’ll suck when you move here because it won’t actually solve anything.”

  I furrowed my brows at her. “Huh?”

  “I talked to my mom last night. I’m moving in with my parents until I get back on my feet, so we’ll still have the same distance separating us.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “I am.”

  “You’re moving home?!” I must’ve been dreaming.

  “That’s what I said.”

  I ran over, lifting her off the ground. “Fuck that. You’re living with me.”

  She laughed and squirmed until I set her down. I couldn’t help but kiss her. “I can’t live with you until I find a job.”

  “I don’t give a shit if you’re working or not. Hell, you can stay home with our kids.”

  “Joey–”

  “I won’t take no for an answer. You’re moving in with me.”

  “So you want us to have kids and live with Jack? He’ll be thrilled.” It was the first time she didn’t cringe when I mentioned a future involving children.

  “We’re not living with my fucking brother. He’s on his own. Whatever house you want, it’s yours. Ours. Pick it out. I’ll make it happen.”

  “Joey…” She could say my name a million times and it wouldn’t change anything.

  “Are you really giving me shit about this? Where do you want to live?”

  “Well, I saw this house, but I don’t think it’s available anymore.”

  I sighed. “Will you just tell me so we can go eat?”

  She shook her head. “It’s next to Lex and Vince, but–”

  Knowing her as well as I did was the best skill I’d ever acquired. “Done.”

  “I love how you screw with something so important.” She went into the garage and I followed, swiping at my phone as she locked the door behind us. I tapped a contact and the line rang.

  “Donna Sullivan, please.”

  BC’s head spun around to look at me. “What the hell are you doing?”

  I shrugged, walking toward the car. Without me having to ask, she got into the passenger seat and handed over the keys. “Hey, Mom. It’s me.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Listen, could you draw up the paperwork on that house I asked you to hold and I’ll sign everything when I get back?”

  “Brie’s coming home?”

  I glanced next to me. The shock on BC’s face was priceless. “Of course she’s coming home. I wasn’t leaving without her.” I ran a finger along the soft skin of her jaw. “Could you please find out what needs to be done and get B the information? Whatever she wants is fine with me. The sooner I get her in the house, the better.” Mom said she’d send an email before leaving for the day, then we ended the call.

  Mouth open, she blinked at me. “This isn’t actually happening,” she whispered.

  Nodding, I responded, “Me knocking you up is also happening, so prepare yourself.”

  “The other day, I noticed the sign missing from the lawn.” She shook her head. “You deserve an ass kicking for scaring the shit out of me. I honestly thought some stranger was going to live next to my sister.”

  “Bring it on, Buttercup. I’m always up for going a few rounds with you.” I wasn’t positive she was hearing my remarks because she didn’t comment on them.

  Hitting the button to open the garage door, she sighed. “Be careful backing out. There’s no time for repairs. I have to get this house on the market soon so I can go home.”

  “Whether or not this place sells, you are coming home.”

  BC gave directions toward a diner roughly five miles away. As we entered, the hostess greeted her by name, as did the waitresses. While still keeping a grip on my hand, she introduced me as her boyfriend. The news didn’t cause confusion or sideways glances, so I figured the doctor hadn’t been there with her. At least not recently.

  Deciding on something to eat wasn’t complicated. I chose an omelet off the first page of the menu and closed it. Across the table, BC hadn’t even opened hers yet, staring at me instead.

  “Marry me.” She spoke casually, as if she’d asked for the salt.

  My lips formed the grin she loved so much. “Nice try, B, but no way are you getting the credit for that. I asked first.” Reaching over, I traced her fingers. “There’s nothing to worry about, though. After all this time, I haven’t changed my mind.” Content, she bit her lower lip and smiled.

  Conversation flowed freely once our order was placed and continued while we ate. Before we got up to leave, I mentioned how Lex would want to know what was going on. BC sent a text, telling her she was moving home. Within forty seconds, Lex called, crying with excitement. The girls spoke briefly, setting a time to chat more later in the day.

  As BC said goodbye to the girls on our way out of the restaurant, an older couple came in. She didn’t notice them right away, but they certainly saw her.

  “Brielle! I thought you’d be gone another week,” the woman said.

  She turned to greet the husband and wife. “Hi! What are you doing all the way down here?”

  “Oh, I had a check-up for my knee. Carl insisted I not only bring him along, but also take him to breakfast. You know how the grumpy old man is about his food.”


  “I’m not grumpy,” the man pouted. “Brielle knows better.”

  “Of course I do.” BC laughed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Hungry.”

  BC smiled. “I’d like you both to meet someone.” She pulled me toward them. “This is Joe Sullivan. Joey, this is Mr. and Mrs. Harrison…my favorite patient and his beautiful wife.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I said, shaking hands.

  “Joe, it’s a pleasure,” Mrs. Harrison replied with a secretive smile. “I’m surprised we haven’t heard about you.” It was more of a question for BC.

  “Joey is the reason I’m moving back to New Jersey.”

  “What? When?” Mr. Harrison didn’t seem all that pleased with the news.

  “Carl!” his wife snapped.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not leaving until your treatments are completed and I know everything went well.”

  “Brielle, I am so delighted to hear this.” The woman smiled. “Your parents must be thrilled.”

  “They are.” BC squeezed my arm. “And so am I.” Saying the words out loud made them more real for her. “I haven’t told work yet. Maybe I’ll go in to discuss it with them tomorrow.”

  “What if I’m not finished? What if I need more treatments?” Mr. Harrison was trying to grasp the situation. While I was beyond elated my girl was coming home to stay, part of me felt sad for the man. BC was clearly important to him.

  “I’ll be here as long as you need me.”

  He sighed. “This is definitely the right thing for you, but I’m really going to miss you.”

  BC hugged him. “You only have two more visits with our office anyway. Something tells me your stubbornness will make sure of it.”

  “Ah. Now I understand why you two are so close. Stubbornness has been bonding people for centuries,” I remarked.

  “Watch it, Sullivan. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.” She could pretend to be annoyed all she wanted, but I knew the truth.

  I kissed her, not caring who was there. “Damn right, I am.”

  “Please take care of her,” Mrs. Harrison said to me. “She’s really special to us.”

  “You have my word,” I vowed.

  “Come on, Nancy. Let them be on their way. I’m starving.” He went to the hostess, who had been patiently waiting, and requested a table for two.

  “That man is so lucky I love him.” They said goodbye but, before parting, Mrs. Harrison whispered to BC, “Now I understand why you weren’t interested in the doctor. You’re a very smart young lady.”

  As I held the door for BC to exit, she caught my smug grin. “You heard her, didn’t you?”

  “Yup.”

  “Great,” she grumbled, walking through the door.

  Chuckling, I followed. “What was that about anyway?” Leaning my body into BC’s, pushing her against the car, I stared into her eyes. The love radiating from her was unmistakable.

  “She’d suggested Aidan and I would make a nice couple.”

  “Well, glad I showed her.”

  “I’m glad you showed me,” BC softly said.

  “It was my subtle reminders that convinced you, wasn’t it?”

  She raised up onto her toes so her mouth reached mine. “There was nothing ever subtle regarding your intentions for me, Joey.”

  So much had occurred in such a short period of time. Where some moments felt like a whirlwind of chaos, others were the best I’d ever had in my life, the journey beginning the night Joey showed up at my door. He stayed in Connecticut the rest of that week, barely letting me out of his sight, then traveled back and forth until moving day. My parents had come in over the weekend and started the ball rolling with the same realtor we used when purchasing the house a few years prior.

  For the most part, everyone at work respected my decision. The doctors and staff tried to get me to change my mind. The office manager said she’d never be able to fill my shoes, promising I’d always have a place there if I wanted to come back. Laney cried, but was happy for me. At one point, she admitted to not being shocked at hearing Joey and I were back together. “Some things are just meant to be,” she said more than once.

  Word spread like wildfire through the departments of the hospital, which turned out to be beneficial because one of the doctors finishing up her residency in the Emergency Department had been offered a full-time position. She’d been staying with relatives in the area. Since accepting the job, house hunting had been long and torturous. After a quick walk through the townhouse, she put in an offer I wouldn’t have refused even if I weren’t anxious to get out of the mortgage.

  Aidan kept his distance and his opinion to himself until the morning of my last day. Since he’d waited so long, I assumed I’d been spared the conversation. “Carl Harrison’s results are in,” he announced, walking into the lounge.

  “And?” Aidan smiled as he always did on good days. A sigh of relief escaped me.

  I was grateful he asked me to join him when he spoke to the Harrisons. I met him in his office a little before they arrived. He offered me his chair, but I declined. Being too excited to sit, I paced until an extremely nervous husband and wife entered the room with their two sons and daughters-in-law. Reactions like the one I witnessed that particular day were why I did what I did. The tears of joy, the emotional laughter, and the eternal family bond made it worth it. Those were the memories I hung onto when things seemed hopeless.

  As I started to leave, Aidan said, “I think you’re making the biggest mistake of your life.” The guilt of all I had put him through made me stop and listen. “This whole thing with the cop… It was over a long time ago. What you’re feeling is only temporary. Maybe you should consider a short-term leave of absence instead of a resignation. At least you’ll have a place to come back to when things don’t work out as you expect them.”

  “Aidan…”

  He rose from his chair and came around the desk. Taking my hand, he lowered his head. “I could give you so much more, Brie.”

  He was hurting and desperate. I felt terrible for causing him to feel that way, but it was completely unintentional. “I’m sorry, Aidan,” I whispered. “But Joey’s all I’ll ever need.” There was nothing else to be said. I left, not seeing him at the farewell lunch the office had for me.

  Driving back to the condo to pack, excitement of the future replaced the sadness of leaving. Seeing Joey and Alexa standing on the small front lawn when I pulled up was the reason there wouldn’t be any second-guessing. A moving truck was backed into the driveway, so I parked on the street behind my sister’s SUV.

  “Hey. You guys made it.” It had been a week since Joey and I had seen each other. Falling into his arms, it no longer mattered. Distance separating us would never be a problem again.

  “We would’ve been here sooner if your sister didn’t take so damn long getting ready,” he whined.

  “We were here in plenty of time,” Lex countered. “The truck is already more than half-full.”

  “Did you sleep last night?” I asked Joey.

  “Nope, but I’m going to sleep soundly for the rest of my life.”

  “What if I want you to stay awake?” My teeth nipped his earlobe.

  “Buttercup, you should be careful. The fact your parents are inside is the only reason you’re still wearing clothes.”

  “Yo!” Vince called from the doorway. “Let’s get this shit loaded. We don’t have all day!”

  In a few hours, the house would no longer be mine. Joey took my hand and led me inside so we could help with the rest of the packing. All of us worked together to complete the huge chore in plenty of time. Vince drove the moving truck straight from the house to my parents’ with Lex keeping him company.

  The closing came and went as smoothly as expected. Between my parents and the amazing realtor, everything was ready. The only thing I had to do was sign my name there, initial there, and I was on my way. Mom and Dad came to the closing, then left in Lex’s SUV. Joey and I made a q
uick stop before hitting the road. Showing him the beach I occasionally visited to sit and think seemed like the best way to leave Connecticut behind.

  The sun began setting as we strolled hand-in-hand through the sand to my normal spot. It was slightly elevated and offered a beautiful view. Not many people were there at that particular time of day. Sitting, I told Joey how, on September third every year, it was where I’d go and spend hours wondering what could’ve been.

  He leaned over so his lips brushed against my ear. “From now on, that’s not happening.” I wiped at the tears dripping down my cheeks, then spun the ring on my right finger. “You’ll never be alone again. Not on September third or any other day of any other year. Life may be unpredictable, but that’s one thing I have absolutely no doubt about.”

  Shortly afterward, we brushed away the sand and left. It was the last time I ever stepped foot on that specific beach. I thought about it from time to time, but not once did I miss it.

  The plan was for us to go directly to my parents’ house but, because of the late hour, Joey suggested it would be better to get some sleep at his place, then head over first thing in the morning. My dad was kind enough to empty his garage so I could store my stuff there until the new house was ready. The change was fine with me; however, I became confused when Joey steered the car into my sister’s neighborhood.

  “Where are we going?” I wondered.

  “Home,” he said, lifting my fingers to his mouth.

  After the emotional month of waiting to return to New Jersey, I was too tired to question him…until he pulled into the driveway of the house next door to my sister. “What the hell?” He stopped short of the garage. The moving truck occupied the space closest to the house.

  “Welcome home, Buttercup.” He angled over the center console and kissed my cheek.

  “It’s done?” It wasn’t supposed to be for another few weeks.

  “Not exactly, but enough. Come on.”

  We exited the car and rounded the truck. I heard a distinctive bark and saw the shadow of an adorable face in the front window. “Maddie’s here?” Suddenly wide awake, I yanked Joey’s arm, dragging him to the front door.