Max and Ren fell in love instantly, as I knew they would, and he was now curled up next to her feet, loving her attention as she scratched his coat.
“You still plan to call your boss soon?” I asked.
“Yes. No sense in putting it off. I’ll call this week.”
I twisted on the sofa to look at her. “Having any regrets?”
Several emotions passed quickly over her face before she faced me and shook her head. “No, I’m not. I have so many plans for our business, but right now I’m enjoying this rest. But I’mpraying the work visa comes in sooner rather than later. I don’t think I can sit around for too long.”
I chose to ignore how she’d pivoted the conversation.
“I can see that. You don’t seem like you could. But we can work on some projects here at the house in the meantime. There are a few things I’d like to do.”
She smiled. “I’d love that. I’ll get my notebook ready. But for now, let’s finish watchingSabrina. I love this movie.”
“Tell me again. Is she in love with both brothers? That’s an interesting plot.”
“Just watch. It’ll make sense.”
We had been watching for about fifteen minutes when I grimaced. “Ah, isn’t Bogart like in his fifties in this movie? He looks like her dad.”
Ren shoved me with her shoulder. “No talking during the movie. And yeah, it is kind of weird.”
“Good thing I’m not in my fifties. I’m a much better catch than him,” I said, preening.
She side-eyed me. “I wouldn’t have married you if you were that old.”
“Rude.”
“But true.”
Her rule about not talking during the movie went out the window as we bantered through the whole thing. She laughed hysterically, choking on her popcorn when I muted the movie and made up my own words as the actors spoke, most of which was pure nonsense. I would do anything to hear her laugh so freely.
I’d gotten up and gone to get us something to drink when I saw the mail I’d brought in when I walked to get Max. I set the bottles down and opened one from the hospital. With Grammy’s permission, I’d gone to the administration office and had any bills her insurance didn’t cover come to me. It had taken somepersuasion, but she had given in when I convinced her to let me take care of it while she recovered.
As I read, I realized it was a copy of her discharge papers I’d asked for. The words ‘congestive heart failure’ glowed like neon and those feelings of anxiety returned. Once again, the fear of losing her returned as I remembered how helpless I’d felt when I’d gotten the call.
Grammy’s heart is going to give out soon. You have to brace yourself for that. You’re not going to be able to hide this depression from your wife much longer.
My heart raced, and my shirt suddenly felt too tight. I’d learned from my own private research that certain things triggered depression or made it worse, and thoughts of losing my grandmother were a major one for me. I was pulling my T-shirt away from my neck when I heard Ren walking toward me, and I panicked even more.
“Mike? Everything okay? You didn’t come back.” I kept my back to her, hoping to let this pass quickly so she wouldn’t see me like this.
Taking in a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts back and squeezed my hand into a fist to redirect my brain.
“Mike?” She was at my side in a moment, her hand on my back.
“Hey, sorry. Yeah, yeah. All good. I, um, was just reading this from the hospital and got distracted.” I stepped away from her, causing her hand to fall to her side.
“Are you sure? You look upset. Is there new information on Grammy?”
Pushing the stack of papers aside, I turned back toward the living room, and she followed. “No, nothing like that. Let’s get back to the movie. Looks like Bogart is going to win the girl,” I said with forced mirth.
She watched me for a few minutes when she sat next to me, but didn’t say anything.
While the credits rolled, I picked up our snacks and brought them to the kitchen, grateful that I could escape to my room. I hadn’t been able to take a full breath since earlier.
“Well, I’m beat. I think I’ll turn in a little early,” I said, trying not to make eye contact. When I turned to head toward my room, Ren grabbed my hand.
