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I nod, taking a deep breath and allowing the tension in my stomach to uncoil. “I think that’s a good idea. I’m proud of you for taking that step.”
“Me too,” he replies. “Now, give me your feet.”
“My feet?” I laugh, looking down at my bright purple toenails on the floor, still the same color from when Olivia gave Willow and I matching pedicures.
“Yes, your feet.” He waves his hands at me, shooing me in the direction of the end of the couch. “Scoot.”
I stretch out to my full length, placing my legs across his open lap. He grabs one foot and tucks his thumb into my arch, making a slow circle.
“A foot massage, huh?”
“It seems like the least I can do for you, considering you’re growing an entire human being for me.”
“You’ve got a point.” I sigh in ecstasy and adjust in my seat, leaning my head back on the armrest.
“In my weakened and apologetic state this evening, I might have promised Willow I’d take her roller-skating tomorrow.”
“Is there a place in town?” I ask, racking my brain on where it could possibly be. By now, I’ve seen all of Gamble Springs, and even though it’s barely a blip on the map, I love this little town. I never dreamed I’d live anywhere but LA; it just hadn’t been on my radar. But once I got a taste of the fresh air, slower living, and small-town lifestyle, it seems impossible to ever go back.
“No, we’d have to go into the city. Is that okay? I think it would be good to get out for a bit. Do something that doesn’t center around our sadness.”
“That does sound nice. And I’d be willing to pay good money to watch you flying around on roller skates.”
“Well, lucky for you, you get the show for free. And, trust me, it will be a show. The last time I took her was a few years ago, and I fell so many times that my ass was black and blue for a week.”
“Oh, this is going to be fun.”
“I can’t believe it’s been so long since we’ve gone. She used to love skating. I hate how much she’s missed out on these past few years.”
“I don’t think she missed out on anything. You and Emily kept her childhood as normal as you possibly could.”
“Yeah.” His lips flatten as his movements slow on my foot. “It’s hard to know how to treat this. I want to help her move on, find some happiness in each day, but I also don’t want to push her too much before she’s ready.”
“I think she’ll tell us what she needs, even if it’s not always in words. We just need to be patient and understanding through the rough patches. And I’m sure her therapist will be a helpful resource for us too.”
We both stay quiet then. I focus back on the TV while he finishes rubbing my feet, and eventually, my eyes start to flutter close.
“You ready for bed?” he asks, gently nudging my leg with his hand.
“Hmm,” I mutter, pulling myself up to sitting. “Only on one condition.”
“What’s that?” He stands from the couch and reaches out for my hand as I rise.
“That I don’t have to sleep alone tonight.”
He gives me a small smile, placing his hands on either side of my head and running his fingers against my scalp. “You never have to sleep alone again.”
