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I turned back to the trees and smiled to myself. "Yes," I said. "I believe we would. Excuse me. I need to make a quick phone call before we leave."
I stepped outside on the back porch and sat down on the steps to dial Brandon's cell. It was hot in Boston for late September, enough that I had shucked my suit jacket long ago and was sitting in just my pencil skirt and silk shell. But the lush greenery of the orchard made it feel relatively cool in the shade.
"Hey, beautiful," he answered on the second ring.
I closed my eyes against a breeze and relished the feeling his deep voice sent through me. Although I had wanted a few days to myself, I was more than ready for him to come home.
"Hey," I said. "Sorry to bother you."
"Not possible, Red," Brandon said, and I smiled again. "What's up?"
"I..." I ran a finger over my knee. "I think I found our home."
I was careful about my word choice––he would know what I meant by that.
There was a pause.
"Yeah?" His voice was low, but slightly eager, like a kid who wasn't quite sure whether to believe that Santa Claus had actually shown up.
"Yeah," I said, just as quietly. I glanced around at the beautiful house and property. I wasn't quite sure it was real either. "It's a house, in Brookline. Colonial craftsman-style. Gated on three acres. Four bedrooms, plus an office for you. There are also separate guesthouses where Bubbe and Dad could live or stay. Private, a few blocks away from the reservoir. It would be a great place...a great place to raise kids..."
My voice choked up a little at the end. It was a subject we had barely discussed, although I knew eventually it was something we both wanted. It would be painful for a while yet. But sitting here, I could see that future so clearly. It seemed more immediate than I'd ever thought.
Brandon was quiet for a moment. "It sounds amazing."
"It's more than that," I said. "I don't know how to explain it, but it feels like...home, Brandon, it really does. More than any place I've ever been. More than even my family's house in Brooklyn." The house, I thought with a sinking feeling, I'd never go back to.
"Buy it."
I gawked at the trees. "What? It's not like your other places, Brandon. It's not super big or anything, and it needs some work on the inside. Don't you want to come back and see it for your––"
"Just buy it," he interrupted. "Call Margie today and have her put down an offer. She's done it for me before; she can do it again."
Was he crazy?
"Brandon," I tried again, "you haven't even seen the place. That's a major gamble to take sight unseen––"
"You love it?"
I glanced back at the house, unable to keep myself from smiling. "I do."
"Then just do it. I want to get out of that apartment as soon as possible. Besides," he paused. "I trust you, Red. You're home to me. If it feels right to you, I'm going to love it. I already know."
This time I couldn't stifle my grin at all. I turned my face up to the sun, letting it shine down onto me through the trees.
"Red? You there?"
In response, I giggled. For a moment, the world felt light.
"I want you to see it," I said.
Brandon just laughed in response. The feeling was infectious.
"As soon as I get back, Red," he agreed. "I can't wait to see our new home."
~
