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We didn’t speak on the ride home. He held my hand, and after a while, even that felt like too much.
At two o’clock, he pulled up to my house. “Please, don’t get out,” I said, on the verge of hysteria. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to scream and jump out of the car.
“Can I call you later?” he asked.
“Of course. I’m so sorry.” I opened the door and slid off the seat.
“Feel better,” he said.
“I will. I just need a moment.”
I waved and shut the door, needing to have the last word. I noticed my car was the only car in the driveway, and I was so grateful, I nearly sobbed. At the door, I didn’t turn around to wave again, but a minute later, I heard Flynn’s car leave.
Relief flooded over me. What had I been thinking, going off with him? I kept seeing his tiny mother, her lips pursed, hands folded across her belly, watching me.
I hadn’t eaten and was starving. I grabbed fruit and took it to my room. Then I got out my phone and called Skippy.
“I’m going to get a note from that doc so I can come back to work,” I said. “I’ve had enough time off.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
“By the way, expect a call from Ralph Clark from City Council. They’re going to give you that hero’s award.”
I felt like I’d been slammed in the face with a medicine ball. “No! I don’t want that, Skippy. I’m going to leave it up to you to make sure it doesn’t go any farther.”
“It’s a done deal, sweetheart. You’re getting it. They’ll have a little ceremony on the steps at City Hall and give you the check and the necklace thing.”
“What check?”
“It comes with a big check, Bella. Face it, sweetheart, you will not get rich working for Busy Bee. You need the money.”
“Tough! I don’t want a hero’s award.”
“You’ll take it and move on. I’ve got to go. Rest up and get that note, and I’ll see you in forty-eight hours.”
“See you,” I said, hanging up, crestfallen.
I looked up and saw the bouquet. I’d forgotten about the flowers. Getting up from the bed, I walked over to the beautiful profusion and wanted them gone. They still looked nice, so maybe a change of scene would be enough.
I took the vase into the kitchen and set it in the middle of the table. The colorful arrangement made everything else look dingy. The time had come to put some energy into cleaning our home. I’d taken the last three days off. Not that I was the sole housekeeper, but my roomies had tough, demanding jobs, and I felt like I had more energy most of the time.
I took my bucket and cleaning supplies out of the closet and set to work. In an hour, I had the kitchen and bathroom sparkling. Running the vacuum felt like exercise. It would be good for me to do this, and they would appreciate the effort like they always did.
Afterward, everything looked nice. At that moment, the thought that similar work was probably going on at my parents’ house in preparation for the tree came to me. It was a downer. The vacuum came with me to my bedroom. I’d clean in there, too. But first, I was going to let my mother know that I disapproved of the tree.
I got out my phone and dialed the landline at home.
Lillian answered. “Did you change your mind?”
“About what?”
“About coming tonight.”
“Mother, I think it’s a mistake. It’s disrespectful. She died on Christmas.”
“It’s been six years, Bella. I need to do this for myself. I know you had a rough time. But it wasn’t the same as losing a child. I gave birth to her. Daddy and I need to do this. It’s time to make a new tradition.”
