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I couldn’t speak. My chest felt tight.
“If you don’t feel the same, it’s okay. But I just couldn’t let you go right now without saying something. Tell me, what do you feel?”
I didn’t know what to say. So, I answered him the only way I could. I grabbed his face and kissed him.
Siena
The clouds, an ominous shadeof gray, continued to build after the initial rain. They were dark and promised a crazy storm. But nothing could dampen the feeling inside me.
Michael brought me home after we finished the rest of our deliveries. A tender kiss goodbye and a promise to see him later. My feet were light as I bounded up the steps, a feeling that I could take on the world flowing through my veins.
The air smelled of onion, garlic, and spices, a rich aroma that made my stomach grumble. I walked to the stove, lifted the lid, steam rising in the air. Minestrone made with fire-roasted tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, cannellini beans, kale, and fusilli pasta simmered in the pot. “Smells delicious.” I inhaled another deep whiff before pulling out a spoon to get a quick taste.
Grams’s eyes landed on Pops. “I thought it’d be a good night for a hearty, healthy soup.”
“More like keeping me filled with rabbit food,” Pops complained.
“You’ll eat it, and you’ll like it,” she admonished. “It’s not only your favorite, but it’s good for you.”
He grumbled into his water. “No coffee, no wine. No nothin’.”
“C’mon, don’t be like that. We just want to make sure you’re okay. Can’t wait to eat,” I said, going to my grandfather, kissing his cheek.
“We have to follow doctor’s orders. Things will get back to normal soon,” Grams said.
“I know. I just don’t like feeling like every move I make is being monitored. It is. I know it’s for the best. But it just—”
“Sucks,” I finished for him.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, Pops. I know it does. Will you hate me if I make a coffee?”
“No.” He scowled at the machine, his now sworn enemy.
“Let me make you some tea,” Grams said.
“Blech.” He stuck out his tongue.
“If you have some tea, I’ll have some tea,” I said, trying to persuade him.
“Herbal tea. Nothing with caffeine,” Grams warned.
“I’ll just suffer in silence.”
Grams and I burst out in laughter together. “Yeah, right,” I said as Grams shook her head.
Thunder rumbled, loud and mighty.
“Exactly,” Pops said, looking skyward like the weather was agreeing with him.
I glanced out at the darkened horizon. “It’s gonna be gnarly. Sky will open up any minute now.”
“Wonder how Michael will be,” Grams said.
My eyes drifting toward his place. I longed for him with every part of me. My stomach fluttered at the passionate and emotional memories of earlier.
“You want to make a salad for dinner?” Grams asked.
