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“I’ve been the one watching out for PJ since we were kids. Maybe it’s because we’re both adopted, but we have always been very close, and she always accused me of being a bit…overprotective.”
“That’s what big brothers are for,” I said.
“But yesterday, I couldn’t be. Hell, I was barely able to keep it in check for myself. All I could think about was Crystal. She had lost so much blood and her blood pressure had dropped.”
“But she, they, have made it through the surgery,” I reminded him.
“Yes. And it reminded me not to take a moment I have with them for granted. In a blink of an eye, I almost lost her.”
I could imagine what Joey felt when he received that call. If it had been me, and PJ had been in the hospital and I couldn’t get to her, it would’ve been like a knife in my chest. A pain I couldn’t bear.
“You should go and be with her,” I said.
“I just need to make sure PJ is taken care of too.”
“I have no plans to leave anytime soon. That is, as long as she doesn’t kick me to the curb for ruining her favorite frying pan.” I couldn’t clean it so I’d tossed it in the trash.
“I can’t help you with that one,” Joey gave a faint smile. “But there is something PJ doesn’t know yet. Crystal and I are looking at moving closer to Washington, DC. Right now PJ stays in Orlando because it’s where Crystal lives. That’s going to be changing once she’s able to travel.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.
“Because she will be here alone. I really don’t want to see that happen,” Joey said.
“I can’t move to Orlando. My business is in Boston,” I informed him. Traveling back and forth was one thing, but I had too many employees who couldn’t or wouldn’t relocate.
“That’s understandable. But I believe she’d follow you to Boston if you asked her to. I hope you don’t consider this too forward. It’s just that almost losing the woman that I love has opened my eyes to what is important.”
I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for yet another lecture.
“Joey, I came here because PJ needed me. But I also need her. We haven’t spoken about where this is going to go, but that conversation will take place when the time is right.”
“It’s always the right time to tell someone you love them,” he said. “The only regret is not saying it. Because time is not guaranteed.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I responded.
He nodded. “Thanks. I’m heading back to the hospital. At least now I can give all my energy and focus to Crystal.”
“And I’ll be doing the same for PJ,” I replied.
Joey left, but I could see he was more relaxed than when he had arrived. When he arrived, I never expected he had come to speak to me. Now, I’m glad he had. I had Joey’s blessing, which still blows my mind. There was just one more person who I needed to feel the same.
PJ.
I might not be able to give you what you deserve, which is the universe, but I’m ready to give you my heart.
