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“She’s been decent, the last few days. Tires easily,” Josh explained.
“Good. She does chemo again soon, right?”
“Tomorrow,” Josh replied.
“Nancy organized her church and the neighbors. You guys don’t have to worry about a thing. We have lunch and dinners planned for you for the next two weeks while she’s going through this. Then Nancy will do it all over again.”
He didn’t want to cry in front of Bob, but he felt his lip trembling and his eyes watered. “Man, that is so kind of you. Thank you, Bob. I’ll come over and thank Nancy later.”
“Don’t you worry about it. She knows you appreciate it. When I had my back surgery two years ago, you mowed the lawn and took care of anything she needed. Remember? Sophie did a lot of cooking to take the pressure off her. Nancy was so grateful. Heath shoveled our driveway and sidewalk many winters when I couldn’t.”
Josh chuckled. “He’s a good kid.”
“He is. Joshua has great parents and grandparents. He’ll turn out fine. Heath brings him over to say hello when he’s here.”
Josh didn’t know that. “He and Hannah are buying a house in Cooper. They close in a few weeks. They want to be closer with all that is going on with Sophie.”
Bob agreed it was for the best. “I’ll let you get inside. You’re home early for a reason.”
Josh shook his hand. “Thanks again, Bob.”
He turned and headed for his own house anxious to see Sophie. Inside, everything was quiet. It had been this way, since the kids had left home. Even with Ally back now she tended to be gone most nights unless Sophie was feeling bad then Ally was home to help Josh with her care.
She wasn’t in the living room, so Josh headed down the hallway towards the bedroom. He stopped in the doorway. A puppy with her head resting on Sophie’s hip gazed at him with a look that said see where I am. He shook his head at her. So much for the dogs not getting in bed with them.
He went in the room and Delilah peeked out from beneath the blankets. He ruffled her fur and slipped out of his shoes. He dropped his pants on the floor and yanked his shirt over his head with every intention of climbing in bed with his wife and taking a nap. When he slid the sleeves of his shirt down his arms Josh realized that Sophie was awake.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting in bed with you.” He tossed his shirt with his pants. He would pick them up later. Josh knew one of the many things that drove Sophie crazy was him leaving his clothes on the floor.
He slid in beside her and she moved over into his arms. “Hello,” she said snugging into his warmth.
“Hi.”
“Just us?”
He chuckled. “And the dogs.”
Cleo pushed her way up so that she was tight between them. “That’s a given.”
“It’s like having Heath and Ally all over again when they were toddlers.”
“It is, isn’t it.” He saw her smile and knew she was remembering their sleepless nights.
He brushed her hair out of his face then kissed her temple. She kissed his chest. They had this easiness from years of being together. A lifetime, it seemed often and other times not long enough now that Sophie had cancer.
Josh’s hand traced circles over her shoulder. The house was quiet. They had the peace, that they needed. “Why did you come home early?” Sophie asked.
Outside, was light. The sun shining through the heavy curtains that hung at the bank of windows facing the street. The room was dim but not dark.
“For this,” he replied.
“To snuggle me and the dogs?” She teased him.
“Exactly,” he responded.
Sophie’s finger moved back and forth across Josh’s chest. “I’m scared Josh. I am dreading tomorrow.” Her voice was soft and told him more than her words did. If she didn’t have to do this, she wouldn’t. She’d rather find another way, but there wasn’t one. She was strong, so she would do what she had to do to get better.
