“I’d paint a feature wall behind the TV, something calming like a forest green.” She turns around slowly. “You could add color with bright cushions and rugs and a colorful throw for the back of the couch. It wouldn’t take much to make it more homey and less sterile.”
I smile at her choice of words. I like the plain white walls and gray furniture. It never occurred to me that there was anything wrong with the way the place is decorated.
He gaze goes to the peace lily she gave me which I’ve put on the kitchen counter. There are two buds almost ready to open.
“It’s still alive.” She seems surprised.
Her fingers run over the silky leaves. “You have to make sure they don’t get dusty, and they like indirect sunlight.”
I make a mental note to dust the plant.
There’s an awkward silence, and it’s moments like this when I wish I could talk.
I’d ask her how her day was and how her mom is. But instead I stand there like a big awkward lump, trying to keep the scarred side of my face turned away from her.
“I can help you with Jake’s stuff,” Avery says.
I run a little water and drip it into the soil of the peace lily.
“It’s a lot to do on your own, and it’ll give me a chance to go through his things as we sort it out.”
It makes sense. But I don’t know if I can be around Avery. Every time she’s near, I can’t stop watching her. I have to keep my hands busy to stop from touching her. Her scent invades my senses and leaves an ache in my loins that I can’t satisfy on my own.
“It means Mom won’t have to go through it,” she says quietly.
I set the plant down and face Avery. She looks down at her hands, worrying a jagged edge of her nail.
I don’t want to cause that family any more pain. I don’t want to cause Avery anymore pain. But they will have to go through Jake’s things at some point. At least this way I’ll be there with her.
I nod once.
Avery sighs, no doubt realizing the heaviness of the task she’s agreed to. “Is tomorrow evening okay?”
I nod again, and she gives me a faint smile. “Don’t forget our session in the morning.”
How could I forget?
All week I’ve thought about calling it quits with the speech therapy. Who needs to talk anyway? But it might mess up my insurance from the VA. If I refuse one treatment, they might take away another. Besides, Avery gets a kick out of helping me.
I’ll do it for her.
12
AVERY
“Morning Gina.” I pass her table of knitted items without stopping today. She gives me a friendly wave as I stride across the atrium.
Ed is my first client, and I want to make sure I’m ready for him.
Maria comes out of her office when she hears me in the corridor. “You’ve got the VA referral today.” Her shrewd gaze scans my face, and I put on what I hope is a neutral expression.
“I think we’ll make some progress today.”
She leans on the doorframe. “What makes you so sure?”
Hope is a small town and the military community smaller still. Word must have gotten out that Ed is living opposite me in Jake’s house. There’s no point in lying to Maria.
“I’ve seen Ed around, and he seems to be improving.”
