AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Looks good. Do you like it?”
I step aside, my fingers clutching the smooth gold charm. “Let me go see.” I step into the bathroom and stand on my toes to get a better look in the mirror over the sink. The charm hangs over my clavicle. It’s the perfect length and, in truth, it’s perfect for me.
When I return to the kitchen, he’s holding a folder.The flowered folder.
“What is this?”
“It’s just…research.”
I move to take the folder from him, and he lifts it higher in the air, out of my reach.
“You’re looking into IVF?”
“Well, I researched it. My insurance doesn’t cover it. Since, you know, I’m single.” I still get irked over the unfairness of that bullshit policy. “But I don’t know that IVF will be needed. I’ll try, you know, the old turkey baster approach.”
“You want kids?” Familiar brown eyes wash over me, thoughtfully but without any hint of judgement.
“Yeah, I do.” I move to take the folders out of his hands.
He narrows his eyes. “Who’s the…”
“Sperm donor?” I ask, since he seems to be at a loss for words.
“Yeah.”
“I think I’ve picked this one.” I pull out the paper-clipped papers, and he takes them from me. Like a good friend, he sits back with his wine and studies all the information with a fervent intensity.
ChapterNine
Ian
Last Year in May
Weekends aren’t a part of my regular work routine, but twice a week the hospital schedules me to be on call for emergencies. Orthopedic surgeries are often planned and scheduled, but many are not. Accidents happen.
And, as luck would have it, a three-car collision on Highway 59 happens Sunday afternoon. A text from Sunny saying she was one hour out arrived as a nurse found me and told me I’d need to be on standby. Fortunately, there wasn’t much for me to do other than surgically repair a fractured wrist. Still, by the time I scrub out and arrive home, a silent apartment greets me.
I smell citrus. With a deep whiff, I confirm the scent, kick off my shoes, and drop my keys and ID card on the entry table.
“Sunny?” I call.
A brown wicker basket with an oversized white bow sits on my kitchen counter. I peek in the basket and pick up a funny-looking bar of soap. Chunks of lavender and rosemary protrude from the uneven surface. With one sniff, herbs invade my nostrils.
The label on the spray-top bottle reads All-Natural Cleanser. I pull the trigger, and lemony water droplets glisten in the air. A white contraption sits on my counter, plugged into the wall. I lean over it and inhale citrus.
Sunny brought me aromatherapy products. Personally, I prefer disinfectants that are scientifically proven to kill germs and microbes. Besides, there’s an argument to be made that the world is better off with minimal use of anti-bacterial disinfectants.
After showering and getting dressed, I call Harrison and ask him to meet me at Jack’s. Given he’s always up for a night out, it’s no surprise he agrees.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was singing tonight?” Harrison asks as we approach the lounge. “I would’ve been there on time.”
“I thought I’d be home to drive her.” And not that I will admit this to Harrison, but I hadn’t decided if I wanted to invite Harrison to join us.
The lounge door opens, and adrenaline spikes as Sunny’s sultry voice wraps around me. The light shines down her lithe jean clad form creating a half silhouette, half golden ray effect. The stool she’s sitting on is slightly off-center. Her fingers strum her beloved acoustic guitar, and her long, straight, sunbeam hair is tucked behind her ears.
The modest Sunday night crowd sits mesmerized, sipping their beers or cocktails, leaning back in their chairs, entertained.
Harrison and I find a small booth off to the side near the front. Sunny gives a soft, friendly smile in recognition as we pass the stage. She’s wearing a tank top with lace along the edges, and her faded denim jeans tuck into her lucky cowboy boots. It’s the kind of outfit she wore in high school. Beaded bracelets line her wrists, and the necklace I gave her dangles from her neck. The golden sun pendant glints in the light, and a flush of warmth comes out of nowhere.She’s wearing my necklace.
