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“Does she have any help?” Dad asks.
“She has a younger sister who helps out when she can. But she’s at Vic, so she’s obviously not around in term time. Alice’s aunt also shares some of the care, but again, she works full time, so…”
“Does she get paid help in?”
“She prefers not to do that. It’s delicate. I’m working on it.”
“Well if there’s anything we can do,” Dad says.
I nod, then look over as the sliding doors open and Saxon and Catie come back in. I note that he’s holding her hand.
“She said yes,” he states with obvious relief, and she holds up her hand, showing us the ring on her finger.
We erupt into cheers, and everyone gets up to exchange hugs and kisses. I give Saxon a bearhug and murmur, “Well done, bro.”
“Thought I’d blown it for a minute,” he admits, “but I managed to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat.”
I grin and release him so I can give Catie a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so pleased for you,” I tell her.
“Thank you, Kip.” She gives me a hug. “I’m so happy.”
“Aw.” I put my arms around her and hug her back. “You’re far too good for him.”
“Ah, that’s a nice thing to say, but I know I’m getting the better deal by far.”
“Honey, I’ve never seen him so happy. You complete him.”
She presses her fingers to her mouth and her eyes shine. “Aw, Kip…”
“Are you making my fiancée cry?” Saxon says, putting his arm around her as I release her.
“Fiancée,” she squeaks, and we all laugh.
They turn to talk to my parents, and I watch Saxon lift Catie’s hand and kiss the ring he’s just placed on her finger. I feel a strange tightness in my chest. We’re heading toward thirty, so we’re hardly kids, but both of us have steered clear of commitment until now, hanging onto the last vestiges of boyhood. For some reason, it feels as if this is the final step into adulthood. Soon he’ll be married with two kids. Catie is his confidante now, and I know there’ll be things he talks to her about that he doesn’t discuss with me.
Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I bring up my text conversation with Alice and message her.
Me:Saxon proposed, and Catie said yes :-)
She comes back almost immediately.I wondered how it was going! Oh, I’m so glad!
Me:He’s pretty happy.
Alice:I bet. How are you doing?
I study the phone, surprised at her astuteness.
Me:Why’d you ask that?
Alice:Sixth sense. Are you sad?
Me:I’m thrilled for him.
Alice:Yeah, I know. Wanna chat?
I hesitate. Then, opening the sliding doors and going outside, I dial her number and put the phone to my ear.
She takes a few seconds to answer. “Hello, you!”
