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She was exhausted…and hopelessly alone.
Her parents had flown out of town for a fishing trip her father had wanted to go on badly. They had booked the non-refundable excursion almost six months ago. It was non-refundable and despite their protests, she urged them to go, claiming she’d already packed everything and hired movers.
Movers werenothired.
Her brother was in Afghanistan – and so was Ian. Neither would be helping her move boxes or furniture, and while she had connections for discount moving companies, part of her balked at the expense and the invasion of privacy that came with it. She didn’t want a bunch of people going through her things – or knowing where she lived… alone.
She was completely alone… and had said as much to Ian, hitting reply to his beloved email.
Dearest Ian,
I’m sorry I didn’t think to send you with any photos – and I feel guilty about that. You are so right. We need photos of us smiling, laughing, or cutting up together… because I desperately miss your smile too. I don’t think I have laughed since you’ve left.
Monday’s flowers were roses again – deep, red, brilliant buds that took my breath away. I donated all the other vases, but I might keep this one. Believe it or not, there is a large ‘S’ on the front of the vase that seems so special considering my new last name… eh? If you didn’t plan that – then it’s a miracle. I think I might try my hand at planting some red roses in the back yard so I can see them at any time. They are truly my favorite… so thank you.
Speaking of the house – I close Friday afternoon and get the keys.
I’m not going to lie, it hit me this afternoon about the move. I’m packing and boxing things, but cannot figure out how to get some of it over to the new place. I’ve got a U-Haul reserved, but I might have to see if I can bribe a couple of neighbors to help me load the furniture on the truck. I can’t do it alone, and the cost of movers is ridiculous. I’ll figure it out, because I did it once before when I moved in here after Mark died. You just forget how much JUNK you have until you are boxing it up.
I had to take Gigi to the vet yesterday… sigh… you know she eats everything?! She found something on the floor and swallowed it before I could get to her (and I keep it spotless!). I rushed her to the animal ER clinic, and they did x-rays, induced vomiting, and found it was a Tic-Tac.
A Tic-Tac.
Four hundred dollars later, one guilty puppy-mommy, and a very tired furball… we are home, and the house I thought I kept spotless? I am now roaming at her level (on my hands and knees) searching for stuff. In fact, on my final walkthrough today? I was doing the same thing before I brought Miss Gigi over.
It might be a hot-minute before you hear from me because of the move… be patient, Handsome. Oh, and I mailed you something a few days ago… so don’t laugh.
Yours always,
June
Sitting on the floor beside Gigi, she smiled wanly.
“It’s gonna be alright,” she whispered, scooping up the puppy and kissing it repeatedly like Ian used to do. “Yes, I miss your daddy too – so here’s a bunch of kisses from him.”
The puppy barked several times, waved her head around happily trying to lick her, while her whole bottom torso shook from tail-wagging-excitement.
“I know, sweet girl,” she crooned softly, and stared at the boxes surrounding her. “We’ll figure this out and have it all set up next time he comes home. He’s such a good man and I adore him… I really want to make this work somehow.”
She swallowed nervously, taking a quick photo of her and Gigi – and emailing it to Ian.
“I wish sometimes I could have as much faith as he does, believing everything is going to be just fine… it’s just hard and scary to let it go, you know? Miss Gigi, everything has been so rough up to this point, that it’s hard to believe I can have something as beautiful as Ian in my life… and I want to believe it so much,” she whispered tearfully, hugging and kissing the puppy again. “Dear God, I really want to let myself believe that this is it – that this is going to be alright to let myself love Ian… because I am falling more and more in love with that crazy man.”
* * *
Friday morning finally rolled around,and June was at her desk when two packages arrived from Ian. There was a massive box that was extremely long and wide, clearly marked with the term ‘Baby Gate’ on the front, that set Amanda’s tongue wagging almost immediately – and June rolled her eyes. The woman just needed any excuse to latch onto something, and it was pitiful. Hopefully she would find her own happiness someday with that new husband of hers… and quit eavesdropping into her life.
The second box was unmarked.
Sliding a small blade across the tape, she opened it up and saw a glossy gift box inside with hot pink ribbon across it… again, unmarked.
Removing the gift card, she smiled.
I dream of that view all the time.
Love,
Ian
