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“Why are you not looking at me?”
His confused voice fuels from frustration. Why isn’t this as weird for him as it is for me? He has to know I must have unpacked by now.
“I unpacked, okay.” I finally glance at him.
“So?” His eyebrows furrow.
“You packed my tampons for Pete’s sake!”
“Aren’t those necessary things? I didn’t look at any of your stuff. I just threw in everything from your toiletries’ cabinet,” he states in an agitated voice, and I smile, watching him flustered.
I’m glad that this is awkward for him too. “Okay.”
“I wanted to tell you that Gigi had dinner. After mercilessly beating the computer in three poker matches on her iPad, she’s finally asleep. And now I’m also going to bed.”
Before Zach can end the call, a thought flashes in my mind and I blurt, “You have something to eat for the night?” I know he gets hungry more often than others.
His eyes widen and an incredulous expression etches on his face before he gives me his familiar crooked smile. “William packed me some cookies and I got a coffee machine in Gigi’s room. Don’t worry about me, Hopper.” He winks at me before ending the call and a thousand butterflies go rabid inside me as I bring the phone down.
He gave me a nickname!
Nobody has ever given me a nickname. My name is already short and there isn’t much to create a nickname out of, but he did it.
With my heart racing fast, as if I have just chased Mr. Stanley all through the park, and a more confused brain, I just dump all the stuff on the floor and change into a pair of pajamas and get inside the covers of the cozy bed.
My brain continues to swing between deep worry for Mom and intense confusion over my body’s reaction to Zach’s kindness.
Stupid, stupid, Hope.
I wakeup to Ray’s chatter coming from another room. For a moment, the crippling fear of waking up in an unknown surrounding gets me but I remember soon. I take a few controlled breaths before ambling out of the room, following his voice, and find my sweet boy ready for school. He is having breakfast sitting on the kitchen stool talking to William, who is hanging on to my son’s every word. I look at the clock and sag in relief that I didn’t oversleep. We’ve still got some time.
“When did you get up, munchkin?” I kiss the top of his head before hugging him from behind.
“Grandpa Will woke me up. He asked me if I need help getting ready, but I told him that I do that by myself.” My son grins proudly at me, his gray irises shining bright this morning.
William places a cup of coffee before me. “Thanks a lot. I forgot to charge my phone and missed the alarm.”
“Don’t worry. You needed a good sleep. And the deliveries to the bakery are done.” William stands before me holding Ray’s schoolbag. “I will now drop Master Ray to school. Your breakfast is in the oven.”
My heart feels full and warmth courses in my chest at his sweet gesture. “Thanks a lot, William.” I help Ray with his schoolbag and bottle and give him a hug. “Have fun, munchkin.”
“I like it here, Ma,” he whispers in my ear when he hugs me back.
