AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ahh, the real reason you’re happy to see me. You want the mutt.”
“Todd! Lulu isnota mutt. And you love her too.”
“Do not.”
“You do too! Now, where is she?”
While they banter back and forth, I drain the pasta and put it into two bowls, then ladle the sauce on top of it. When I’m done, I carry the bowls to the dinner table.
Todd grins at me, then stares back at Athena. “Okay, I’ll bring her back in the morning. Last I saw her, she was fast asleep all snuggled up with Shannon.” He kisses Athena’s cheek. “You look good. Your hair has really lightened.” He nods at me. “See you both in the morning. Enjoy your meal.”
“Wait, did you want some?”
Todd shakes his head. “Nah, man. Shannon and I ate a couple of hours ago. If I eat this late, I’ll be fatter than a pig in a pen.” He hugs Athena again and gives me a lazy salute as he heads for the door.
“Night, honey,” Athena calls out to him.
“Night,” Todd replies without turning around.
I watch Athena as she watches Todd leave, then she looks up at me.
“Did you want to eat here or in bed watching TV?” I ask.
“Here. I’m not super hungry, but I am tired.”
Looking down at the bowls of steaming food, I pull out a chair for her and sit. “You don’t have to eat it all.”
In companionable silence, we eat our meals. Athena finishes all of hers and then looks at me.
“I guess I was hungrier than I thought.”
Chuckling, I say, “I know what you mean. I’ve practically eaten all of mine too. You’re right… Shannon can cook.”
Athena nods. “Told you. She’s used to the boats coming in late in winter. She and TB need to cook good hearty meals that will keep until they dock.”
We both grew up in Boothbay, and I sometimes think Athena forgets I used to work on those boats. My dad had wanted me to take over his trawler, but fishing was his dream, not mine.
Picking up her plate and my own, I put them in the dishwasher.
“Come on, Mrs. Livingston, let’s go to bed.”
Athena puts an arm around my waist, and we walk to our bedroom.
“I’m going to have a quick shower.”
“Meet you in bed.” She kisses my lips, slips off her robe, and slides between the covers.
Wasting no time in the shower, I do what I need to do and hurry back to Athena. She’s fast asleep. Smiling, I lay beside her, and she nestles into me.
It’s moments like these I count myself lucky. Athena means everything to me, and to think I nearly lost her by leaving her behind all those years ago. The thought of it makes me cringe, and I’m so thankful I got another chance. Taking in a deep breath, her scent fills my lungs, and with a sigh, I fall to sleep.
***
“Kris!”
Athena’s screams wake me, and I’m out of med, on my feet, scanning the room, looking for threats.
But there aren’t any.
