She looks up at me, taking a moment to catch her breath. Two weeks, we’ve lived under the same roof. After the first weekend, I was back to my usual six am to six pm schedule at work. It was hard not needing to get Olive up and ready for someone to babysit.
Work has helped keep me at a distance from my new wife. I’m up and out before she wakes. I make sure to kiss Olive before I leave. And I’m not back until dinner time, which leads to Olive time. Before we know it, we’re saying goodnight and starting the routine again.
On the weekends, she’s asked to visit home. I’ve offered to go with her and even have tried to ask questions, but she brushes me off with a smile and leaves for a few hours.
Unfortunately, the more distance I succeed in placing between Iris and me, the more curious I get. I want to know her more. I want to spend more time with my daughter and see the day-to-day that’s led to a very quick bond between those two. I feel left out or like I’m missing out on important moments in Olive’s life.
“She’s going to love this. I don’t know if she’ll be able to contain all the emotion she’s going to experience when she sees everything.”
“Yeah?” She smiles that radiant one under berry-strained lips I remember the taste of still.
“Yeah,” I grin, lightly squeezing her arm before I get out of there and look for something, anything else to do.
That wildflower scent, I swear, follows me at night and lives in my pillow.
“Holeee-shit,” Keith booms as he makes his entrance. “Damn, Iris. This is the shit.”
Laughing, Iris walks over to greet them. “Thanks, Keith. Laura,” she smiles as they hug. “Here,” she reaches out for the platters Keith balances. “Let me take those to the kitchen.”
Keith holds them out of reach. “No, little lady. My wife trained me to be a gentleman. Lead the way, and I’ll set them where you like.”
“Damn straight,” Laura mumbles, then smirks at her husband.
“Teach me your ways,” Iris jokes with Laura as she and Keith head for the backyard.
“Hey, Ellis.” Laura comes in for a hug.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” She looks around at the balloons, the cupcakes arranged in actual paint palettes, the paint-splattered tablecloths, and all the clever themed food. “Olive and the kids are going to lose it. This is amazing.”
“All my wife’s doing.” Over the last week, I have unconsciously taken to referring to her as such more and more each day.
“How’s that been?” Laura asks as she and my boss are part of the few privy to our arrangement.
"What?” I know exactly what she’s asking.
“Last I saw, Olive and her are thick as thieves already.” We both stand back watching our spouses laugh about something stupid I’m sure Keith said.
“They have been…makes this crazy idea already worth it.”
“And you?” she asks. I feel her stare but keep mine on Iris.
“What about me?”
“Don’t play dumb, Ellis. You look at her differently. Like magnets, you sneak glances at each other constantly.”
“Not one of your romance sex books, Laura. This isn’t some fairytale.” I turn away and busy my hands with needless arranging. “I had my one chance at love. This isn’t that. It’ll never be that.”
“You know Keith wasn’t the only man I have loved,” she says softly. At my silence, she continues. “Greg and I were childhood sweethearts. When he proposed, it was a literal dream come true. I never thought I’d love anyone else for the rest of my life.”
I know what she’s trying to prove. I just…I can’t shake off the guilt.
Laura moves into my line of sight, arms casually crossed, leaning against the table. “Do you believe my Greg, after losing him so young, wanted me to never find love again? You think he’d resent Keith healing a part of me I thought was gone forever?”
Resting my hands on the table, my eyes fall closed.
Laura’s hand rests on my back. “Iris was the last thing you expected. But of all the women to walk through that door and become your wife…”
