by Casey Peeler
Chapter 44
MARLEIGH
After giving our parents the run down of the doctor’s orders, Gunnison decides to finally get a shower and for some reason, I can’t help imagining the sight of him in my shower.
“Mar!” Tin says. “Did you hear Dad?”
“Oh sorry, must have zoned out.” She laughs because I’m sure she’s read my mind. “What was that, Daddy?”
“Mar, we can stay another day. We don’t have to leave tomorrow; just let us know what you want us to do.”
“Let me talk to Gunnison, and see how Gunner is tomorrow. If he’s back to his normal self, I think it would be fine to go back. I don’t want to upset his routine and make a big deal out of this. We do need to get his appointment for the allergist scheduled. I know that Gunnison wants to be there as well.”
“What do I want to do?” he asks as he dries his hair with a towel and makes his way into the living room, and I’m pretty sure I’ve just had to pick my mouth off the floor. Hot damn.
“Um, Gunner, keep his normal routine. We were talking about tomorrow. I figured we’d talk about that together,” I say as he tosses the towel into the bathroom and then comes to have a seat beside me.
Tinleigh interrupts our conversation. “Y’all, Spring Break! Helllloooo!”
“Ohmygosh! It totally slipped my mind between the game and then tonight. I just assumed it was a normal week,” I say.
GUNNISON
After we to talk to everyone together, they excuse themselves. My parents insist on going to my apartment, but plan on coming back in the morning. When we are alone, I place my arm around her shoulder and pull her to me on the couch. We don’t say anything, but I can feel her thoughts.
“So you want to talk about tomorrow or do you want to know more about why Jordan was at the game?”
“Both.”
“Mar, what do you think we should do about Gunner leaving?”
“I think he should stay this week. What do you think? We can take him back next weekend. I mean, unless he wants to go with them tomorrow. It might honestly kill me though. I don’t know if I can watch him leave knowing we about lost him. I’ve never been so scared in my life. The thought of losing your child has to be the worst fear as a parent. How do you feel about that… the leaving part?”
The fact that she values my opinion and that we are truly in this together makes me pull her closer. “Mar, you’ve been doing this longer than me, but I agree. He needs to keep things normal. Yes, something terrifying happened today, but it can be avoided. I think we need to make him aware of it, but I don’t think we need to act like it will change his life. I would love for him to stay with us. We could have so much fun this week.”
She pulls away and faces me. “This is the second decision we’ve made as parents together. Do you realize that? I mean telling him who you were wasn’t a decision. It had to happen, but this shows we can do it. Thank you, Gunnison, for being here with me because today was the first time in my life I didn’t know if I could handle this alone.”
“Mar, you’ll never be in this alone anymore.” She slowly bats her eyelashes at me and I capture her lips tenderly with mine. “I love you more than basketball and life itself. I’ll never leave you, I promise.”
“I love you, too,” she says as she pulls her legs underneath her, and then asks me to talk about why I think Jordan was at the game.
“I don’t really know, Mar. I mean, he’s a Carolina guy. He could have just been there to watch the game or see someone who may have gone to Laney High. Typically, I don’t think he scouts or anything. I could be completely wrong though. Since he’s an owner now, who knows? I didn’t have time to ask Coach his opinion. I noticed his sons with him. That’s why I think it was probably just coincidence he was there. I don’t think it means anything.”
“Come on. You have to have a feeling about it.”
“I’m not really sure. Honestly with everything that happened, I didn’t have time to think. I just played harder than I have in a long time. My end goal was Gunner, and that game couldn’t have ended soon enough.”
After she is content with my explanation, she asks me if I want to sleep in her room. When I refuse because there’s no way her daddy is catching me in there, she goes to the closet, grabs a blanket, and snuggles back into my arms. Finding a movie we can agree on, we drift off to sleep and don’t move until we hear the pitter patter of little feet. Waking up with Marleigh in my arms and Gunner in front of me is exactly how I want every day to begin.
Chapter 45
MARLEIGH
Gunner is his normal self this morning. He eyes look tired but other than that, he’s his normal, spunky three-year-old self. After talking to everyone, Gunner says he wants to stay with us. Tinleigh and Carleigh take him down to the beach to look for seashells while we talk to our parents in detail about how this week will work.
“Mar, I’m just throwing this out there, but I think you and Gunnison should spend some time together, too. I mean, this is the first time you haven’t had classes or practice since you both got here. Why doesn’t Gunner stay until Wednesday, and then you spend the rest of the week together?”
I look toward Gunnison for an answer. As much as I want to keep Gunner with me all week, time with Gunnison with no plans, classes or basketball sounds fabulous.
“Mrs. Anderson, I think that sounds like a good idea,” he says. Within fifteen minutes, my sisters and Gunner arrive back at the house. Our parents pack their things and we say our goodbyes. Watching Gunnison’s parents tell Gunner bye is a moment I will never forget. It’s like watching a happily ever after in a Hallmark movie.
When everyone is gone, we walk into the house and that’s when Tinleigh begins to smile the size of Texas. What’s going through that mind of hers? “Spill it, Tin.”
“Kinda funny, ya know?” We all look at her with more confusion. “Y’all! S-P-R-I-N-G B-R-E-A-K,” she spells. Cocking my head to the side and thinking, the light bulb goes off. Spring break four years ago, I met Gunnison and it changed my life. Today we stand there together, planning to spend the week with our son. Gunnison looks between Gunner and I, then speaks.
“It’s the week that our worlds changed for the better.”
GUNNISON
Thinking about the week I met Marleigh warms my heart yet tears it apart at the same time. We left on a high, but the valley we had to go through to get to where we are now was worth every ounce of heartbreak and pain. It’s made these moments stand out in time.
The next few days, we do anything and everything that Gunner wants to do. I stay at their place, but on the couch. On Tuesday, I decide to surprise Gunner and Marleigh. After breakfast, I pack up the truck and we make our way to the North Carolina coast. When I was younger, we visited Wilmington for basketball, go figure. I can remember how amazing it was, but the ferry is what I remember most.
Making our way toward the state line, Marleigh begins to question what we are doing. When I refuse to tell her my secret, she pouts and it’s too cute. As we get closer to Southport, signs for the ferry begin to appear and I know she has it figured out.
Arriving at Fort Fisher, we wait in line for the ferry to arrive and drive on. Gunner asks questions about what we are doing and when the ferry pulls into the dock, I point to it. He’s amazed by the size, but when I tell him we are going to ride on it, he doesn’t understand. As the worker waves us on, I drive the truck onto the ferry, put it into park, and add my emergency break. Looking at Marleigh, I ask if they want to stay in the truck or go to the watching deck. It’s an absolutely beautiful March day.
“Outside!” Gunner exclaims, and we make our way up the stairs and onto the watching deck. As the ferry makes its way across the sound, I watch Gunner’s reactions as well as Marleigh’s. Seeing them experience this for the first time is something I’ll never forget. I can’t help but wonder if this is how my parents looked at me.
As the captain announces that we are approaching Kure Beach
, we head back to the truck and as soon as we’re docked, the vehicles are in motion.
“Now what?” Marleigh questions.
“You’ll see,” I say with a smirk.
Within minutes, we arrive at the North Carolina Aquarium. This place is right off the beach and almost feels as if we could drop off into the ocean. We each take Gunner by a hand and make our way inside. He’s in awe of all of the sea life as well as land animals they have in their makeshift habitats.
After grabbing a quick bite to eat to tide us over until we get back to Southport, we sit outside and let Gunner play on the playground. Checking the clock, I know it’s time to get back to the ferry. Reluctantly, Gunner stops playing when we tell him it’s time to leave but when I mention the ferry again he grabs my hand without hesitation.
Arriving back in Southport, I drive us toward the Fishy Fishy Café. Knowing how much Marleigh loves the water, I can’t wait to see the look on her face when we get there. I’ve done my research, and she’s going to love the fact that this is where “Safe Haven” was filmed.
Pulling into the sandy parking lot, Marleigh stares at the bright blue building as the sun shines on it. “The reviews on this place are fabulous.” I don’t mention the movie, but when we make our way to the hostess she spots a picture of the cast. As she looks my way, a grin escapes my lips. Picking Gunner up, I carry him to the table. After we order, we walk to the railing and look at the small fishing boats in the inlet.
We enjoy lunch with only minor whining from Gunner and then make our way back toward her house. Within minutes, Gunner is asleep. Marleigh and I talk about tomorrow and taking him back to her parents, and I’m thankful they are going to meet us halfway in McBee. Now what are the two of us going to do? I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it will be too much too soon for her.
Back at the house we enjoy the remainder of the afternoon. As Marleigh begins to prepare supper for us, her mama calls to let us know there’s been a cancellation at the allergist for tomorrow afternoon and they can fit Gunner in. I guess that means my plans will be put on hold, and I can’t help but laugh at the fact that I don’t want to be patient.
Chapter 46
MARLEIGH
Wednesday morning, we wake up early and make our way to Gaffney. We arrive on time for Gunner’s appointment. I’m a nervous wreck. Having no clue of what to expect, I’m thankful that Gunnison is with us.
After speaking with the doctor and the nurse reappears with a box of miniature needles, my heart begins to race and I’m terrified for Gunner. I want it to me be and not him. She explains that she will make small pricks and then we will have to wait to see if there is a reaction.
Gunner does well with the pricks, but within minutes he’s trying his best to scratch his back. As Gunnison talks to him and holds his hands, I run my fingers down the sides of his back, careful not to touch the testing area. Between the two of us, it helps soothe him as much as possible. The fifteen minutes we have to wait feels like an eternity and as soon as the timer erupts, I’m staring at the door for the nurse. Quickly she comes in and uses a pen to circle certain ones, and as soon as she’s finished, the doctor enters. He informs us of Gunner’s other allergies as the nurse takes a cream and wipes down his back. Gunner is in immediate relief. The doctor informs us that he’s allergic to almonds and several types of grass. Thank goodness! I don’t know if I could keep him away from bread or eggs. He prescribes a daily allergy medication to use and tells us he will see us in a year.
GUNNISON
Walking out of that doctor’s office, there is no way we are leaving him tonight. That was pure torture. By the time we get to her parent’s house, he has fallen asleep. Marleigh takes him in her arms and holds him tight.
After giving her parents the rundown, we enjoy the night at their small farm. As Marleigh and her mama give him a bath, her dad and I have a heart-to-heart talk, and by morning it’s time to head toward the beach. Watching Gunner in the rearview mirror is hard, but Marleigh squeezes my hand to try to ease my mind.
“It’s tough, isn’t it?” she asks and I nod because of the lump in my throat. “It doesn’t get easier, but it gets bearable.”
“Mar, I don’t want to keep doing this. I mean I know we want to finish this year out with the plan, but next year, I want him with us.” She doesn’t say anything and I’m not sure what she’s thinking. She turns the radio up and as the song begins to play, she begins to sing. I’m mesmerized by the sweetness yet perfect roughness of her voice.
“Mar, you need to sing more often,” I say as the song ends. As she blushes, I say it again. “I’ve never heard a sound as sweet as that in my life. Well, except maybe your laugh.” She shakes her head, and then she asks what we are going to do until next week. I shake my head and tell her I haven’t planned a thing.
Chapter 47
MARLEIGH
It’s odd having Gunnison at my place without Gunner. It’s like we aren’t complete. My sisters greet us, and we tell them about Gunner’s appointment. Gunnison stays with me, but then heads back to his place Friday morning. He seems a little odd, but we have been together a lot lately so I brush it off thinking maybe he needs some alone time.
My sisters and I decide to spend the day at the beach. With the sun shining brightly in the sky, it warms our skin even with the cool ocean breeze. Soaking in the vitamin D is exactly the perfect way to spend my day. I wish Gunnison were beside me.
As the sun begins to lower in the sky, my phone rings, it’s Gunnison. He’s informing me we have a date tonight and for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling he’s got something up his sleeve. Tinleigh and Carleigh cut their eyes toward me seeking information. I give them a smile and shrug my shoulders like it’s nothing out of the normal, then I lie back in my chair and absorb the sun.
GUNNISON
Hanging up from Marleigh, my heart begins to beat out of my chest because tonight, our world changes again. I just pray she’s ready for what I’m about to ask. Gunner’s appointment led to a conversation with her father that I’ve wanted to have since the day she walked into my life.
Stepping into the shower, I close my eyes and try to predict the future. As the water turns cold, I’m brought back to the present. I spend a little more time on my look than normal. I want tonight to be a night she never forgets.
Chapter 48
MARLEIGH
As I get ready for my date with Gunnison, I have no clue where we’re going or what we are doing. I don’t know what I should wear. Are we going to dinner and a movie? Dancing? Something fancy? I’m freakin’ clueless. After staring at my closet for too long, I decide to just shower and get my sisters’ opinions. While I’m standing there in my towel, they look through my closet. Carleigh looks like she wants to say something but is keeping quiet. When does that happen? Checking the weather, Tinleigh believes I need to look “southern chic.” Pulling my Walk Away Joe tunic dress from my closet, Tinleigh gasps. “It’s perfect. Hold on,” she says as she leaves my room. She returns with suede fringe boots, and she’s right, these are perfect together. “Oh my gosh!” Carleigh says as she leaves and returns with a teal belt and accessories that accent the bright pink beautifully. Hurrying to do my hair and makeup, they leave me alone. I sing as I straighten my light brown hair, and as the songs continues to play, I slide the dress on, add the belt and accessories, and slide on the boots. After a splash of perfume, I look in the mirror and there are no words as I look at my reflection.
“You look gorgeous, Mar,” Tin whispers as they watch me staring. “Actually, gorgeous doesn’t do you justice.” Smiling her way, she informs me that Gunnison is here, and all of the sudden I’m sweating like a hooker in church.
Making my way to the living room, I’m caught off guard by my Yankee Cowboy. He’s standing there in a pair of dark denim jeans with a fitted pearl snap. As his naturally sun kissed skin peeks beneath his rolled sleeves, my heart stops. Glancing over my shoulder, I realize my sisters are nowhere to be found.
>
“Mar…” He pauses and appears to be at a loss of words. I step toward him and take him by the hand.
“Gunnison Cyrus, you’ve left me speechless as well,” I say as I push up on my tip-toes and kiss his cheek.
“Mar, there aren’t words to explain my feeling for you in this moment.”
He takes me by the hand and leads me to his truck, which has obviously been detailed today. Opening the door, I carefully slide in, making sure not to flash him as I take a seat. As he makes his way around, he looks at me with yearning in his eyes. “Mar, you might want to stay on that side of the truck if you want to make it through this date.” I giggle, and that’s when Gunnison loses it. He unbuckles his seatbelt, moves toward me, and pulls me onto his lap and kisses the hell outta me. I. Love. It. When neither of us can catch our breath, he pulls back and brushes my hair out of my face.
“Okay, I think I can make it through this date now,” he says and as I begin to giggle again, he gives me a look of warning. I kiss him slowly and then move from his lap. He moves back to his seat, fastens his seat belt yet again, and then puts the truck in reverse as he grins ear to ear.
GUNNISON
Drive, GC, drive. That girl has my head spinning. Damn. Marleigh is beautiful in cutoffs and a tank, but holy moly, it’s like she took all of her qualities and wrapped them up in one perfect southern package. Focus, GC.
Trying to keep my eyes off that short dress that shows just enough of those long legs is nearly impossible. She looks in my direction and I want to fast-forward the date and just go straight to dessert. Thank goodness, Sara J’s is right down the road.