AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I get it started, then grab my phone that I left on the back deck. I stop in my tracks when I see a text from Lily.
Lily: I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you. I needed time to process. Can I come over?
I look and see that she sent this three hours ago. I didn’t realize how long we had been working on the house.
Me: You don’t need to apologize to me. I was out building Arthur’s treehouse and just came in and saw your text. If you still want to come over, please do.
Lily: I’ll be there at 7:30.
Me: Okay.
Arthur and I eat, then he goes to take a shower. I watch from the window as Lily pulls up.I don’t think meeting her at her car this time is a good idea, so instead I wait for her to get to the steps before I open the door.
“Hi,” she says, her voice small.
“Hi,” I reply back to her.
Her eyes are red, and it looks like she’s been crying. She walks up to me, lifts her hands but pulls them back quickly, like she doesn’t know if it’s okay if she touches me. I grab her shoulders, bring her to my chest and wrap my arms around her. I’ve missed this.
Her body starts to tremble as she cries.
“It’s okay, Lily. Whatever it is, it will be okay.”
She nods her head then pulls away from me, wiping her face with the sleeve of her hoodie.
“Miss Lily!” Arthur says from behind me.
He walks up to her but stops and cocks his head.
“Are you okay, Miss Lily?”
“Yeah,” she says with a sniffle. “I’m okay.”
He grabs her hand. “Come with me. I think you will like my new treehouse. My dad built the whole thing.”
She looks at me, pulling her lips into her mouth and takes a deep breath.
“Okay.”
“Quick buddy, it’s your bedtime.”
“Alright, Dad.”
He pulls her through the house to the back yard. They get to the house, and she kneels to be more at his level. I see Arthur point to it, I’m sure she’s getting a complete breakdown of every aspect of the house.
“Say goodnight to Miss Lily, and I’ll tuck you in,” I tell him.
He gives her a hug and I can see her eyes filling with tears. She fluffs his hair with her hand. “Goodnight, Arthur.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lily
Idon’tmeantolisten, but I measure my breathing and lean against the wall outside of Arthur’s door.
“Dad, is Lily staying?” I hear Arthur ask.
“What do you mean buddy?” Ethan replies.
