“I’ll have this out in a jiffy,” she says, disappearing behind the swinging door that leads to the kitchen.
My back is straight, hands resting on my thighs, not on the table, as I stare at the single daisy in the center of the table.Ellison always loved daisies.They were her favorite.Only she loved the wild-colored ones.She called them crazy daisies.I don’t know if that’s their real name, but they used to carry them at the grocery store over by the deli.I would buy them for her all the time, and the smile that lit up her face was worth the guys giving me shit over being whipped.
I was whipped.
I was in love with her, insanely so.
Hell, I still am.
“You can relax, you know.”I turn at the sound of the voice to see Leighton standing behind me with a laptop bag on her shoulder and a travel mug in her hand.
“Habit,” I tell her.“Want to sit?”I ask, nodding to the seat across from me at the small table.I was never close to Ellison’s sisters.I spent more time with Baylor than with any of them.I’m sure I’m the last person Leighton wants to sit with, but she’s an extension of her sister, and I’m craving that connection.
“I don’t know.Is that considered fraternizing with the enemy?”she asks.Her tone is light and playful.She moves to take the seat regardless of her words.
“I don’t want to be the enemy.”The confession rolls off my tongue before I can stop it.
“Hmm,” she says, not bothering to reply.“Your mom’s appointment is today, right?”Leighton asks, ignoring my statement.
“Yeah.At ten.I’m going to eat, then head over to her place.”
Leighton nods.“Let us know if we can do anything to help.Mary has always been there for us.”
There’s something in her eyes, a challenge maybe, but I don’t take the bait.“Thank you.”I straighten the silverware that doesn’t need to be straightened.“I don’t know what we’re up against.They didn’t tell her much, just that it was stage two and that they caught it early.All I know is what I’ve found on the internet, and that’s… overwhelming,” I admit.
“Don’t do that,” Leighton says softly.“Take your questions and your answers from her doctors.”She surprises me when she reaches across the table and places her hand over mine.“Take it all one day at a time, Copeland.”
I nod.“I know.It’s hard not to research it, though.I feel like that’s all I can do right now.”
“Today, you should have more answers.I meant what I said, no matter what it is, if you need us—any of us—you let us know.”
I know she’s trying to tell me that Ellison is included in that, and I like to think I’m a strong man.I’ve been faced with things during my career in the Marines that many couldn’t fathom.I’ve faced it with a stoic expression, never letting anyone see how it affects me.
However, sitting here, in my ex-girlfriend's family business, with her little sister telling me that their family is here for me, that shit gets me choked up.I clear my throat, hoping that when I speak, it’s steady.
“Thank you.”I nod.My voice gives me away with a slight waver.Leighton smiles softly, telling me without words that she understands.She heard it, but she’s not commenting.Not that I thought she would.Besides, she believes it’s all about Mom, and it is; it’s about her and my fear for what this disease is going to do to her, and hell, possibly take her from us far too soon.But it’s also about her sister.Being in the orbit again of the only woman I’ve ever loved is fucking with me.
Alice arrives with my breakfast and places it on the table.“Leighton, what can I get for you?”she asks her.
“Oh, nothing for me, Alice.Thank you.I’m just going to settle into the corner over there and get some work done.”
“Well, I’ll be out in a little while to fill that up.”She motions toward the travel tumbler in Leighton’s hands.
“You spoil us, Alice.Thank you.”Leighton smiles kindly at her.
“And you.Can I get you anything else?”Alice asks me.
“No, ma’am.I’m all set.Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she sings, as she turns and heads back to the kitchen.
“I’ll let you eat.”Leighton stands and pushes her chair in.“Let us know how it goes today.”She moves to walk past me, but pauses and places her hand on my shoulder.She gives it a soft squeeze without saying a word, before she keeps on walking.
I sit quietly and eat my breakfast without tasting it.Alice appears, asking if I want more, and offers a coffee refill or to go, and I decline both.“No, thank you.”Reaching into my wallet, I pull out a five-dollar bill and hand it to her.
“Oh, heavens, we don’t take tips.This is what we do.”
I drop the bill onto the table.“And this is what I do, ma’am.”I nod toward her before standing and pushing my chair in.“Thank you for a delicious breakfast.”I’m sure if I could have tasted it past the worry lodged in my throat, it would have been as good as it looked.
