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“Well, you were. You called 9-1-1.”
“I barely remember doing that. When I got my new phone, I figured out how to get 9-1-1 without dialing it.”
“Well, it worked.”
“Did the cop car that pulled up behind us get the call from 9-1-1?”
“I’m not sure. Mark said they’d just pulled up when Emory was trying to leave the parking garage.”
“I’m glad it’s done with. All the mysteries are solved. Except for the baby skeleton.”
“They’re working on it. I’m sure they’ll have some news soon.”
“I’m worried our relationship is based on all this baby bull crap,” I said.
“Put that right out of your mind. I’m going to start working on the solar lights around the cottage like we talked about. And now is a great time to plant dormant bushes and trees so I don’t have to wait until the spring.”
“Okay. Relief. We’ll obsess about the cottage instead.”
I laid my head back against the headrest. Cars were not built for comfort back in the sixties, but I fell asleep anyway.
***
Pam stayed with me despite my protests. I had the feeling she was trying to make restitution for something, and if it meant having her nearby, I’d accept whatever reason.
Monday, I woke up from a nap on the couch and she was sitting on the other end with knitting in her lap and earbuds in her ears, listening to an audiobook.
“You’re up! How do you feel?” she asked, pulling the earbuds out of her ears.
“Like a truck ran over me.”
“I’ll get you fresh ice,” she said. “You slept through those maniacs working on the kitchen, so you must really have needed the rest.”
She got up for more ice for my ice bag and helped me position it over the swollen left side of my face.
“I thought Will was going to make me go to the ER this morning, he was so concerned about the swelling.”
“He’s such a nice guy,” Pam whispered. “Wow, and head over heels.”
“Who said?” I asked. “We’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of days.”
“I know love when I see it, and I see it in him.”
I lay back against the couch pillow and pulled the blanket up. Will loved me? It would be the best thing that ever happened to me if it was true. “I think I love him, too. But we haven’t gotten that far.”
“I know. But it’s enough that you’re together for now. No point in rushing into anything if you don’t have to.”
“I wouldn’t have gotten through the day without you, Pam. I told Will I didn’t need anyone, but I clearly did. I feel like I slept the whole day.”
“You almost did, thankfully. Will just texted that he’s on his way home. Do you want tea?”
“Tea would hit the spot. Thank you.” I struggled to sit up. My left arm hurt enough to need something for the pain. “Can you get me a couple Tylenol?”
“Sure.”
She returned with a cup of tea and two pills just as the side door opened and Will called out, “Hello.”
Will had picked up dinner and come straight to the cottage to relieve Pam of her nursing duties. The sounds of someone returning home filled the cottage, doors opening and closing, bags rustling, a hanger being removed from the closet.
