“You should go on a stand-up tour.”
“I’m not appreciated in my own time.”
Next to me, the ladies discussed their next meeting. Something about the art of kintsugi.
“I found some boxes of teacups in the basement here. I’m sure we could smash those up,” Gretchen said.
I looked over at her in horror to find her watching me. “Kidding, kidding.”
It was pick-on-Ford night. Normally, the ostracizing would have raised my hackles but now I saw it for what it was—good-natured teasing between friends. We were all friends. What a weird and wonderful life.
“Still no word?”
“Nobody has seen her. I’m starting to worry.” This came from one of the twins. I still couldn’t remember who was who even though they weren’t identical. I didn’t remember most of the names of the group of women who traipsed through my house. Suzie’s studio could not open fast enough.
Suzie and Gretchen frowned.
The redhead said, “We’re going to have to step in.”
“It’s between her and her parents. What can we do?”
Their conversation moved toward the hot toddy stand and I couldn’t hear the rest. I frowned at Suzie, but she shot me a reassuring smile from across the room. Whatever was going on there, I’m sure she’d fill me in on later.
When the boxes were empty and the tree was plump with sentimentality, everybody started to make their excuses.
Gretchen put on her heavy coat and wrapped a scarf around her neck. “I got a hot date.”
“Do I know this person?” Suzie asked.
Gretchen shrugged coyly then smiled. “Oh look! It’s starting to snow.”
“Sure, you can change the subject,” Suzie teased.
We all went to the window to confirm. It didn’t snow much here, so the few flakes that fell from the sky quickly melted. But it was perfect for the festivities.
“Beautiful,” someone whispered.
It was a picture-perfect scene. A warm house full of friends and laughter. My heart was thumping in my chest but not from fear or rage, just pure unadulterated happiness.
“I’ll drive you all home,” Jack said.
“Ladies man,” Gretchen teased, and we all said our goodbyes.
Suzie and I sat in the loveseat that faced the large window, holding hands watching the snow collect in contented silence.
“Did you ever think you could be this happy?” Suzie asked.
I waited a beat and thought. “No. I don’t think I ever allowed myself to dream this big.”
She nuzzled a smile into my shoulder as I slipped an arm over her. I felt the warmth through my whole being.
“You, here, in my arms. It’s more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
“Me too.” Suzie sighed. “I’m not great at many things, Ford, but I’m going be so damn good at loving you.”
I held her gaze and felt my love expanding in my chest. Every day I loved her more in ways I never thought I could.
“I never thought a woman like you would love me.”
