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The porch light spilled muted, sea turtle–friendly orange-red light across the deck, and moths hovered nearby—but no butterflies, for which I was grateful. Dez had offered up an all-natural mosquito repellent when I told him I was going to sit outside for a while, and it felt as though I were sitting in a eucalyptus forest as I listened to the soothing waves hum me a lullaby.
My chest ached, thinking of Sam. He hadn’t come by today. I tried not to give his absence too much thought because it hurt just a little too much for me to deal with right now.
“Be right back, Sprite,” Dez said from inside the screen room. “You’ll be okay while I’m gone?”
“I will.” I swung my legs off the lounger to face where he stood in the screen room. He was going to pick up takeout from the Salty Southerner, having insisted upon staying home tonight in case I needed him. Honestly, he’d been more of a caretaker to me today than I’d ever been to him. “Before you go, Dez, can I ask you a strange question?”
“Strange questions are my favorite kind. Hit me with it.”
There was one thing about the whole Carmella situation I still didn’t understand. “When I first met you, do you remember the seaweed scent we all smelled? And how the air had gone still?”
“How can I forget your ghost? That was something else.”
Then he frowned, likely realizing that it hadn’t been Alexander with us that day after all, since it had been Estrelle who sent the letter that brought me here.
“Have you smelled that scent since?” I glanced over his shoulder. “In the house?”
He scratched his beard. “Can’t say I have. Why? Have you?”
“A couple of times.”
“Interesting. Might could be you’ve gotsomeonewatching over you after all. How exciting!”
I didn’t find the idea as delightful as he did. I found it puzzling.
I was still thinking about it minutes later, after he left to pick up dinner, and only my phone buzzing snapped me out of my thoughts.
Mom:Wilson and I’ll be there tomorrow at noon. Anything you need me to bring?
There had been no stopping her once she’d heard—and listened to—everything I’d had to say when I called her earlier. Even though I told her I was fine, she’d insisted she needed to see me with her own eyes, hug me. I had the feeling her hug was going to be a lot like Bettina’s and I’d need a pry bar to wiggle loose. I was okay with that. In fact, I found that I looked forward to it.
Me:Not a thing other than you
Mom:See you soon. I love you
Me:I love you too
I put my phone down and stood up. Moonlight created a glittery river of light on the water, and I struggled to tear myself away from its beauty, to go inside to set the table for dinner.
I was still standing there when I heard footsteps on the deck boards and the jingle of dog tags. My breath caught as I turned and saw Norman running toward me along the side porch. I crouched down and opened my arms and he jumped into them. I laughed as he wiggled and licked my face, whining happily.
Sam stepped hesitantly forward, carrying a small package wrapped in tissue paper. “Hope we’re not interrupting. On his way out, Dez told us you were back here.”
I stood up, keeping Norman in my arms. “Not interrupting at all.”
Sam rushed forward. “Should you be lifting him? I can take him.”
He’d come so close I could see the warm gold flecks in his eyes. I kept hold of Norman. “He’s fine. I’m fine.”
I wasn’t sure how many times I’d need to say it before anyone believed it. Before I believed it. The worry that my seizures would return was always going to be in the back of my mind, because it would always be a possibility, despite any kind of remission. However, the doctors assured me that even if my disorder did return, epilepsy patients had healthy babies all the time. It had been a relief to hear those words.
“The nurses at the hospital gave me some tips for dealing with morning sickness, so I’m already feeling much better,” I added. Might as well get it out in the open. Lay it bare. No doubt he probably knew every detail of my hospital stay by this point.
My heart was beating wildly as I gazed at him, feeling like there was a great distance between us even though we stood only two feet apart.
“I brought you something.” He held up the package.
“You didn’t have to—”
