Chapter 11: Blurred Vision
Happy, Happy Birthday To You-Part
1
Late morning light filtered softly
through the curtains, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of breakfast that
seemed, at first, like something borrowed from a dream. Mark hovered in that
gentle space between sleep and waking until the absence beside him registered—a
quiet, unfamiliar absence where warmth and a steady hand usually rested. When
he turned, he found Kimmy already watching him, perched cross-legged at the
foot of the bed like a secret she could no longer keep, sunlight catching the
auburn strands of her hair and turning them to gold. Her chin rested on her
clasped hands, her eyes dancing with a kind of joy that made the whole room
feel lighter. “Hi honey-bun,” she said, her voice bubbling over before she
could hold it in, lifting the tray with a flourish as if revealing treasure.
The smell was real after all—eggs, bacon, coffee—and so was the moment, simple
and full at the same time. Mark blinked himself awake, leaning up slowly, still
catching up to the morning as Kimmy slid closer, the edge of his shirt slipping
off her shoulder just enough to distract him until she gently pulled his
attention back with a playful wag of her finger. “Up here, mister…” she teased,
laughter tucked just behind the words.
Confusion
melted into warmth as she settled the tray across his lap, tucking a napkin
beneath his chin with exaggerated care, her touch lingering just long enough to
say what she didn’t need to. “My main man deserved a special treat,” she added,
looping her arm around his shoulders as naturally as breathing. Somewhere down
the hall, the faint echo of their son’s early morning routine lingered, and the
memory of it softened the edges of everything. Mark laughed, finally
understanding, finally present, the moment landing exactly where she’d intended
it to. Mark suddenly realized that the
smell of the breakfast food had not been in his dreams. “Why did you, what time is it? Wait….what is going on?”
Kimmy laughed
out loud now and placed the tray on Marks lap then put a napkin under his chin.
“I know Brad
has been getting up REALLY early since we got back from the Disney cruise and I
thought my main man deserved a special treat today. How about that? Good idea, right Dad?” And she giggled again.
Mark laughed
out loud at her mocking their son’s constant need for confirmation.
Kimmy put her
arm around Mark’s shoulder, “Go ahead try it before it gets cold. I have to get the little man up for day care
soon. Then we have a big day today….do
you remember?”
Mark pretended
to be clueless, “Ummm, Wawa coffee and then puzzle time. Right?”
Kimmy slapped
Mark playfully on top the head. “No
goofball. Today we need to do the big
grocery shopping for Brad’s birthday party on Saturday. THEN we need to pick him up early and go
register him for pre-school at the Sunrise Academy. I told you all this, duh.”
Mark gave his
best performance, “What…..Brad has a birthday?
And it’s this weekend?”
Kimmy gave him
first the pout and then she grabbed his nose.
“Your nose will grow like Pinocchio’s if you keep making up stories like
that. And then, who knows….maybe
Tuesdays and Thursdays disappear from our calendar, what would you think about
that?”
Mark gave a salute and said,
“Ma’am, yes ma’am…..I’m all on board with today’s agenda. Won’t happen again!”
The day
gathered itself quickly after that, as it always seemed to do, folding them
back into their rhythm. Brad’s small hand slipped easily from Kimmy’s grasp the
moment he spotted Jillian, the two of them colliding in a burst of energy that
only children seemed to summon so effortlessly. Mark caught Allan’s eye and the
two couples walked to meet one another.
“Missed you at Wawa Dude, where were you?” Allan gave a suspicious look
to first Mark and then Kimmy.
Mark chuckled,
“No….nothing like that brother.” Kimmy
blushed and Sally giggled. “The little
man continues to wake up early for the daybreak showing of Peter Pan – 2:45am
this morning. And then my girl surprised
me with breakfast and coffee in bed.”
Allan turned to
Sally, “Isn’t THAT nice sweetie? Did you
hear what Kimmy did today?”
Sally put her
hands on her hips and said, “And were YOU up early for a movie today to deserve
such a treat?”
All four of
them laughed together. Kimmy shook her
car keys, “Shall we go register the kids?”
And they all headed off to their cars.
Ms. Pat was in
her late 60’s and had been the director of the Sunrise Academy for more than
ten years now. She sat across from the
two couples in her office and handed each of the women a folder. “We’re so happy you’ve selected the Sunrise
Academy for your children. Typically we
get kids here about a year older than yours, but we also offer a two-year
program if they want to start early like Brad & Jillian. Do you have a plan in mind?”
Mark took the
initiative and spoke up. He glanced at
Kimmy who’d opened the folder and was looking over the paperwork. “We really think that Brad is ready and while
maybe at some point we might reconsider, we believe he’ll fit in with the older
kids and benefit from it.” Ms. Pat
turned to Allan, “And what about little Miss Jilly?”
Allan looked at
Sally who looked up from her folder, placed in her lap and said slowly. “We are nearly sure that Jillian will need to
be held back sometime before Middle School.
But she and Brad are so close that we want to try letting the two of
them start together, if that’s ok.” Ms.
Pat looked over the top of her reading glasses and smiled softly. “Of course, of course. And remember we do have that two year option
if you opt to do that for Jillian next August.”
She reached into her desk drawer and drew out two colorful pamphlets.
“As first year
students, and parents, we like to offer this special program the first weekend
in October.” She handed over the
pamphlets. The photo on the front was of
about a dozen students sitting in a circle on sleeping bags and the title read,
“First Year Sleep Over.”
“Each year
about a dozen youngsters come to the Academy on Friday morning, but we let them
stay over night both Friday and Saturday night.
We provide three meals, an afternoon snack, and have a full day’s
program each day. You’d pick up your
child Sunday around noon. Do you think
you’d be interested?”
Mark looked at
Kimmy who was thoughtful as she returned his gaze. Mark turned and said, “That sounds very
interesting, can we think about it?”
Allan and Sally nodded in agreement.
Ms. Pat smiled
and said, “Of course, we still have plenty of space, but I’d recommend letting
us know within the next ten days. We
look forward to seeing Brad and Jillian a week from Monday!”
By the time
they reached the grocery store, the morning had softened again into something
lighter, more familiar. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Kimmy moved
with purpose, her list held like a roadmap she fully intended to follow, while
Mark trailed behind in that easy way of his, watching her with a quiet smile
that never quite left. There was comfort in this too—the back-and-forth, the
playful resistance, the tiny negotiations that somehow felt like part of
something much bigger. Mark pushed the grocery cart and Kimmy led the way with
her neatly printed grocery list in hand.
Mark smiled as he watched his wife stroll thru the aisle pointing to one
thing after another knowing that he would grab them and put them into the cart
in his own particular way. Kimmy looked
back over his shoulder as Mark hesitated in front of several large boxes of
Cheez-its. “Hey….hey mister. You’re falling behind here.” She smiled sweetly and curled her
finger. “Look baby – Cheez-its. For watching “The Voice” this week. Right?
That’s a good idea.”
Kimmy turned to
face him and dramatically looked at her list.
“Let me see….Cheez-its, Cheez-its.
Hmmm, not on the list. You
know….I knew an Economics teacher who once told all his students, “make a list
and stick to the list…that’s the secret to a successful budget.” Know anyone like that?”
Mark gave her
his best pout and crossed his arms.
“That sounds like a stupid plan.
What fun is watching TV with the girl of your dreams if you’re not
munching on a snack? And don’t even say
you don’t like Cheez-its.”
Kimmy didn’t
move…..Mark didn’t move. Then he drew an
imaginary line on the floor with the front of his foot. He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head.
Kimmy’s mouth
opened with surprise. She paused, waited
another beat….just long enough for Mark to begin to reconsider then she pulled
the pen from behind her ear and scribbled “Cheez-its” on the list and turned it
around to show him. “Oh look, Cheez-its
ARE on the list. You can put them in the
cart….now let’s move along.”
Mark’s grin
spread from ear to ear and he even skipped the next two steps as he followed
Kimmy into the next aisle.
Happy, Happy Birthday To You-Part
2
“Happy birthday to you…” The song
rose in a cheerful, slightly off-key chorus that wrapped itself around the
porch like a ribbon, warm and familiar. Brad stood at the center of it all,
cheeks flushed, eyes wide with the kind of joy that couldn’t be contained, his
small chest puffed with pride as the final note lingered in the summer air. The
candles flickered for a brief second longer before he leaned forward, took a
determined breath, and blew them out in one triumphant burst. Applause broke
instantly, laughter layered over clapping hands, and Brad turned in place as if
he needed to make sure everyone had seen. “I did it, right Dad?” he called,
voice bright and certain.
Mark’s smile came easily, but it
was Kimmy’s hand tightening around his arm that made him glance sideways. Her
eyes shimmered—not quite tears, not quite laughter, something softer that lived
somewhere in between. “Our little boy…” she whispered, her voice catching just
enough to give it away. “…he’s growing up so fast.” Mark didn’t answer right
away. He just let his hand rest over hers, his thumb brushing lightly across
her fingers as they both stood in that fleeting space where pride and time
seemed to meet, knowing without saying it that these moments never stayed still
for long.
The afternoon unfolded into that
perfect kind of easy chaos that only a house full of friends and children could
create. The August sun stretched long and golden across the yard, catching the
slow, steady movement of the creek beyond the railing, its quiet gurgle
blending with bursts of laughter and the clatter of small plastic spoons
against paper plates. Mark and Allan drifted naturally toward the back rail,
the two of them settling into that comfortable stance—shoulders angled toward
the yard, drinks in hand, watching life happen in front of them.
Allan tilted his glass toward the
cluster of women gathered near the far end of the porch, their voices rising
and falling in easy conversation. “Remind me again,” he said, narrowing his
eyes slightly as if trying to sort it out in his head, “who are these girls? I
remember them from the shower Sally gave Kimmy, but I don’t remember how they
all knew one another.”
Mark followed his gaze, his
expression softening into a quiet fondness as he took them in—this circle of
laughter and history that Kimmy carried with her so naturally. He lifted his
cup, pointing casually, one at a time. “That one—Kelly,” he said, nodding
toward the blonde with the easy smile. “She started teaching the same year
Kimmy wrapped up. And next to her—Kristi. Same department, last five years.”
His hand shifted slightly as his eyes landed on the redhead, her posture
confident, her laugh just a touch louder than the others. “Carolyn—committee
queen,” he added with a grin. “If something needed organizing, she was already
three steps ahead.” Then his finger drifted toward the smallest of the group,
the one with the pixie cut who seemed to be mid-story, her hands moving
animatedly as the others leaned in. “And that’s Annie,” Mark finished.
“Trouble…in the best possible way. Keeps them all laughing.”
As if summoned by the description,
Kimmy turned at that exact moment, Annie’s words still hanging in the air
between them as they broke from the group and headed toward the men. Kimmy’s
smile reached him before she did—that familiar look, bright and just a little
bit knowing. “Hey baby…” she said, slipping easily into his space. “Annie had
an idea and I want to know what you think, ok?”
Mark let out a quiet laugh,
already shaking his head as he looked at her. “Oh honey…don’t give me that
smile with those eyes and ask a question,” he said, leaning slightly closer.
“That’s that thing you do.”
Kimmy turned just enough to nudge
Annie with her shoulder, lowering her voice like they were sharing a secret.
“See? I told you he’d be on board.”
Mark glanced over at Allan, giving
him that look—the one that said watch this—before turning back. “And
what exactly,” he asked, “am I already on board with?”
Kimmy’s hands came alive as she
spoke, her words tumbling out in that excited rhythm he knew so well. The
girls, the new assistant principal, drinks at the Inn Field Tavern, a Friday
night kickoff to the school year—it all unfolded in a swirl of energy that
carried just enough momentum to feel like a decision already made. Mark
listened, his smile settling into something steady as he pieced it together.
“Of course,” he said easily. “I’ll watch the little man.” Then, almost as an
afterthought, “Kevin…wasn’t he in your department your last couple years?”
Kimmy nodded. “He was. Now he’s in
admin,” she said, brushing a strand of hair back as she looked at him. “He’s
always hung out with the girls.” Her voice softened just slightly at the end.
“You don’t mind if I go…right?”
“Not at all,” Mark replied, his
tone simple, certain. “I’ll drive you. No way you’re worrying about getting
home from happy hour.”
Before Kimmy could answer, Annie
stepped in, quick and confident. “I’ll come get her,” she said, flashing a
grin. “Don’t worry about that.”
Allan gave Mark a light tap on the
shoulder, already shifting gears. “Dude…Friday’s the North Carolina game—big
one…it’s on national TV, ESPN. Why don’t you and Brad come over? We’ll watch
it, you can run and grab Kimmy, and then we’ll all catch the second half
together.”
Kimmy’s face lit up instantly. “Oh
that’s perfect,” she said, turning back to Mark with that same bright
certainty. “Right, baby? Good plan, isn’t it? I won’t stay long—promise. We’ll
all be back together before halftime.”
Annie nodded, already locking it
in. “I’ll swing by around five. That work for you?”
Mark let out a soft chuckle,
lifting his hands just slightly in surrender. “OK…ok. Seems like everyone’s got
this figured out.”
The moment held there for just a
beat—plans made, laughter shared, the easy rhythm of their lives continuing
without effort—before it was broken by a familiar, high-pitched call from the
table.
“MOMMA…more ice cream pease!”
Brad and Jillian stood side by
side, bowls raised triumphantly above their heads like trophies, streaks of
melting frosting already making their way down sticky fingers
and—unnoticed—onto their hair. Their eyes were wide with hopeful determination,
completely unaware of the mess they’d become.
For a split second, the adults
simply stared.
Then the porch erupted.
Laughter spilled over
everything—loud, full, unstoppable—as Kimmy shook her head, already moving
toward them, and Mark leaned back against the rail, smiling at the beautiful,
messy, perfect scene in front of him…unaware, just as they all were, of how quietly
and patiently something else had begun to edge its way into their world.
Liar, Liar — Enhanced
Annie and Kimmy stepped through
the doorway of the Inn Field Tavern, and for a brief second the outside world
seemed to fall away behind them. The warm glow of the August evening was
replaced by a dim amber haze, the air thick with the low hum of conversation
and the faint clink of glasses. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust, for
shapes to sharpen into faces and shadows into people.
“Here—over here!” Kelly’s voice
cut through the noise from the back corner, bright and welcoming.
Kimmy smiled and followed Annie
through the narrow path between tables, brushing past chairs and laughter, the
energy of the room wrapping around her like something familiar, something from
another life she used to live every day.
Kevin rose as they approached, his
smile already in place. He reached for Annie first, shaking her hand, then
without hesitation turned and pulled Kimmy into an embrace that lingered just a
beat too long to be casual. When he stepped back, his hands remained lightly on
her arms.
“Kimmy…you look great,” he said,
his eyes holding hers a moment longer than necessary. “We miss you so much at
school. Right, girls? I know I miss that pretty face and gorgeous smile
starting off every day.”
Kimmy felt the warmth rise to her
cheeks and laughed softly, easing into the seat between Kevin and Carolyn as if
nothing about the moment had lingered. The familiarity of the group settled
around her quickly—the easy chatter, the overlapping voices, the comfort of
shared history.
The waitress came by, and Kimmy
ordered a glass of red wine, her voice steady, her smile easy.
Kevin lifted his glass once
everyone was settled. “So this year, ladies,” he began, his tone just a touch
louder, drawing attention, “I propose a toast—to the best year yet. To the
kids… and more importantly, to the pretty ladies that teach them every day.”
Glasses lifted. Laughter followed.
Kevin’s gaze found Kimmy again.
“Don’t you wish you were still hanging out with us every day?”
Kimmy smiled, tilting her head
slightly. “I’ve got a full classroom of one,” she said, her voice softening
with pride. “My little Brad.”
The conversation shifted easily
from there—birthday stories, spilled frosting, too much sugar, shared laughter.
The moment smoothed over, normal again.
Across town, the glow of the
television flickered against the walls of Allan’s living room. Mark stretched
out along the sofa, one arm draped across the back, his attention fixed on the
screen as the game opened with a burst of crowd noise.
Allan leaned back in his recliner,
relaxed, comfortable, the rhythm of the game settling in.
Sally moved through the room,
placing a tray of crackers and cheese on the table, the quiet clatter of dishes
blending with the announcer’s voice. “You boys enjoy the game,” she said,
glancing toward the hallway. “I’ll check on the kids—they’re watching Peter
Pan, of course.”
She paused near Mark. “You’ve got
your phone, right? You’ll see Kimmy’s text?”
Mark lifted it without looking
away from the screen. “Got it,” he said easily.
Everything felt normal.
Back at the tavern, time had
slipped forward without anyone quite noticing.
Kimmy glanced at her watch—7:40.
A small shift.
“Girls, I’m going to have to—”
Kevin’s hand rested lightly on her
shoulder, gentle but firm enough to pause her. “Hang on…one last round. You
can’t leave without trying these. They make the best Long Island iced tea
here—sweet tea style. You’ll love it.”
Kimmy hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then Annie and Kelly looked at
her, smiling, waiting.
Kimmy’s eyes flicked back to her
watch…then up again.
“Well…okay,” she said softly.
“Just one more.”
On the field, the crowd roared as
the play broke open.
Mark leaned forward slightly, eyes
locked in.
Then, almost absentmindedly, he
glanced down at his phone.
7:45.
Nothing.
A small thought passed through his
mind—quick, easy to dismiss.
She’s just having fun.
He tapped into the location app.
The glowing dot sat exactly where it should.
Allan chuckled beside him.
“Women…they get together and time disappears.”
Mark smiled faintly.
“Yeah,” he said.
Still…he didn’t close the app
right away.
Kevin stood at the bar until the
bar tender came over. “I’d like six of
your famous Long Islands….two large, four small please.” “Coming right up” said the bar tender. Kevin looked over his shoulder and admired
the five attractive women. His gaze fell
on Kimmy. He looked at her long auburn
hair and the attractive curves of her body as she sat on the stool in her cute
short sleeve white blouse and navy shorts.
Each time she laughed Kevin’s smile grew larger. He watched the bar tender mixing the drinks
and glanced to either side before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a
small plastic bag with two small white pills in it. The bartender brought over the drinks on a
tray and said, “That will be $47.50.”
Kevin pulled out a $100 bill and said apologetically, “Sorry this is all
I’ve got, can you break this for me?”
The bar tender nodded and turned away.
Kevin looked around and quickly dropped a pill into one of the tall
drinks and quickly swirled the drink with the straw before the bar tender returned
with his change.
The first sip was sweet.
Too sweet, maybe.
Kimmy noticed it—but only in
passing.
“That’s really good,” she said,
smiling lightly.
She took another sip.
Around her, laughter swelled,
voices layered, the room alive and bright.
Kevin watched her carefully.
Not obviously.
But closely.
The game surged forward.
Mark didn’t realize when his body
shifted—but it had.
His eyes moved to his phone again.
8:10.
Still nothing.
This time, the thought didn’t pass
as easily.
It lingered.
As the girls began swaying on the
floor they seemed to go in and out of focus to her. Kevin leaned in closely and said, “Hey honey,
you feel ok?” The words didn’t register
at first as Kimmy’s eye lids seemed to get heavy. “What….wait, what? Oh yeah.
I’m so tired all the sudden. I’m
going to step outside for a minute.”
Kevin stood and pulled her chair
out for her, “Want me to come with you?”
Kimmy swayed slightly on her feet, grabbed the table and steadied
herself. “No….ummm, I’m ok….just need
some air.” Kevin smiled and stepped
aside. Kimmy wobbled towards the door
placing her hand on one chair after another to make her way outside. Once she stepped out into the crisp fall air
she seemed to regroup but fell back against the wall of the bar and took a deep
breath.
The night air hit her like a cool
wave.
For a moment, clarity returned.
She leaned back against the wall,
breathing deeply.
“Get it together,” she whispered
to herself.
But then the dizziness came again.
Stronger this time.
The world softened at the edges.
“Whew….get it together girl,” she
muttered, “…guess it’s been too long between happy hours.” She took several deep breaths and then felt
dizzy. “Bathroom” she muttered and headed
back inside. Kevin watched from the
table. He looked out at the dancing
girls, all too absorbed in their fun to notice Kimmy slipping down the hallway
towards the bathrooms in the back.
Back at the house, Allan glanced
over.
“Still nothing?”
Mark’s brow tightened.
“Even if she’s having fun…she’d
check in.”
He picked up his phone.
Typed.
Baby…you ok? Ready to come
home?
He stared at the screen for a
second longer than usual.
The bathroom mirror wouldn’t hold
still.
Kimmy stared at her reflection,
but it shifted—blurred—split.
Her hands pressed into the
counter.
Heavy.
Too heavy.
Her phone buzzed.
She reached for it.
Her fingers didn’t quite listen.
A flicker of fear.
“What’s wrong with me…”
She tried again.
Slow.
Deliberate.
The screen swam in front of her
eyes.
She found the message.
Opened it.
Typed.
H…e…l…
The letters felt like they took
everything she had.
Her eyes closed.
She forced them open again.
…m…
Her breath hitched.
No.
No no no.
This isn’t right.
Her thumb moved again. “9 – 1 – 1”
The four girls came back to the
table and noted only Kevin was there.
“Where’s Kimmy?” asked Annie?
Kevin shrugged and said, “I think she texted Mark and headed out.” The girls exchanged glances and Kelly
chuckled, “She’s such a light weight” and they all laughed. Kevin had a big grin on his face as he took
another sip of his drink.
At the bathroom door, the knock
came.
Too fast.
Too close.
“Kimmy…are you okay? It’s Kevin…”
The handle moved.
Mark’s phone buzzed.
Relief hit first.
Immediate.
Automatic.
Then confusion.
Then something colder.
“What is that…” Allan said
quietly.
Mark scrolled.
Saw the numbers.
Everything inside him dropped.
“We gotta go.”
The truck roared to life.
The world outside the window moved
too fast.
Kimmy couldn’t follow it.
“Where…are we…”
Kevin’s hand pressed into her leg.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly.
The words slid past her—but
something in the tone didn’t.
Didn’t feel right.
Didn’t feel safe.
Mark leaned forward, gripping his
phone, eyes were glued to his phone.
“Hurry brother” he implored Allan.
His heart skipped a beat and Allan glanced over, “What is it Dude?” Mark said breathlessly, “The app shows she’s
leaving the parking lot and pulled out on the highway. Wait – she doesn’t have a car. WAIT….they are going the wrong way. Floor it man!”
Kimmy’s eyes were out of focus but
she could see the lights of the buildings along the road and she said, “Where
are we…..this doesn’t look like my road Kevin.”
Kevin reached over a patted Kimmy’s thigh. “Not to worry honey, ole Kevin is going to
take good care of you tonight. I’ve got
you.”
The car stopped.
Lights.
Big red letters.
MARRIOTT.
The word cut through the haze.
Wrong.
Everything about this is wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------
Mark’s voice rose an octave as
Allan’s truck blew by the Inn Field Tavern.
“The car stopped.” He enlarged
the map and his breath caught, “It shows her at the Marriott. Hurry Allan.”
------------------------------------------------------
Kimmy was aware of the car
stopping. “Finally home” she
thought. She felt the cool air hit her
face as the door opened. Kevin’s hands
pulled her out of the car. Kimmy looked
around and she saw the big red letters on the building “MARRIOTT.”
“Kevin…where are we? What’s happening?”
Kevin had Kimmy pinned to the side
of the car. He leaned in closely and
brushed her hair behind her ear. “I’ve
got you honey. You have to be tired of
spending your days with that old guy.
You need a man like me to take care of you. I’ve got us a room here….I know you’ve always
liked me. Tonight’s our night” and he
nuzzled her ear.
“C’mon Kimmy you know you want
this.” Kevin said and he pulled her arms.
“Stop Kevin, you’re hurting
me. Let go of me.” Kimmy squirmed, Kevin gripped her arm. Her bracelet snapped and flew to the parking
lot.
There was a squeal of tires and
Kimmy heard a loud voice, “Step away from my wife!”
Kevin’s head spun around and
Kimmy’s eyes suddenly began to focus.
“Baby? Is that you Mark. Help me baby!”
Mark was striding quickly towards
the two of them and he cried out, “You’ve got three seconds to move away from
my wife.” Allan caught up to Mark and
held his arm, then he glowered at Kevin, “The man said move away and I’d advise
you to do so quickly before we both make you.”
Kevin pushed Kimmy against the car
and muttered, “Fine….that’s the thanks I get for trying to help.” And he hurried around to get into the
car. Mark reached Kimmy and pulled her
close.
“Are you alright baby? Did he hurt you?”
“I’ve got you honey. It’s ok now.” Mark whispered in Kimmy’s
ear. Allan took Kimmy’s other hand and
they led her back to the truck.
Working My Way Back To You Babe
Mark slept lightly, never quite
settling into true rest, his body stretched beside Kimmy but his awareness
anchored fully to her. Each small shift she made in the night drew his
attention, his eyes opening to check the steady rise and fall of her breathing,
his hand instinctively reaching for her as if to confirm she was still there.
The house felt unusually quiet without Brad, the stillness pressing in around
them, and Mark found himself listening—not just for her—but for anything that
didn’t belong.
When the first pale strands of
morning light slipped through the blinds and brushed softly across the bed,
Kimmy stirred. For a brief moment she lay still, caught between sleep and
waking, and then suddenly her body tensed. Her hand shot out, clutching tightly
at Mark’s shirt as a sharp gasp escaped her lips.
“I’m here,” Mark whispered
immediately, his hand already moving to her hair, smoothing it gently,
grounding her. “You’re home… it’s all good, honey.”
Kimmy’s eyes opened, but they
didn’t quite settle right away. They searched the room, unfocused at first,
trying to place where she was, what was real. The confusion in them struck Mark
hard—it was so different from the bright, certain look he woke up to every
morning that it sent a quiet alarm through him.
“Baby… how are you feeling?” he
asked softly.
Kimmy blinked slowly, her hand
moving to her temple. “I have a headache…” she murmured, her voice thin. Then
suddenly her expression shifted, her eyes widening as memory rushed back in
fragments. “It wasn’t a dream… was it?” Her voice trembled now. “I… I don’t
remember everything but I remember Kevin…”
Mark didn’t let her finish. He
pulled her gently but firmly into him, wrapping her in his arms, anchoring her
against his chest.
“You don’t have to think about
it,” he said quietly. “Nothing happened. We got you home. That’s all that
matters.”
Kimmy’s breath hitched as the
tears came, soft at first, then deeper. “I was so foolish…” she whispered. “I
should have known better. He was… something felt off, but I didn’t… I didn’t
think…”
Mark lifted her chin carefully,
making sure her eyes found his. “No,” he said, steady and certain. “None of
this is on you. Not one bit. You trusted people you knew. That’s not a
mistake—that’s who you are.” His thumb brushed gently across her cheek. “And
I’m not going to sit here and say I should’ve gone with you. That wasn’t the
plan. We were living our life, just like we always do.”
He gave her the smallest of
smiles. “We were lucky, honey. That’s the truth. You’ve got a headache and a
bad memory. That’s all he took from us.”
Kimmy looked at him, her eyes
still wet but clearer now. “But you came for me,” she said softly. “Even when I
couldn’t think… couldn’t understand what was happening… I just knew. I can’t
explain it, but I felt it.” Her voice steadied. “Mark will come.”
Mark’s own eyes misted now as he
sat up beside her, still holding her hands. “I couldn’t stop watching my
phone,” he admitted. “I kept telling myself you were just having fun, but
something didn’t feel right. I couldn’t shake it.”
A faint spark returned to Kimmy’s
expression as she leaned closer. “I don’t know how we got this,” she said
quietly. “I don’t know why… but whatever it is that ties us together… it’s
real. And I’ll never take it for granted.”
“Who would have thought?” Mark
said softly.
For a moment, the room felt steady
again.
Then Kimmy’s eyes darted slightly.
“Where’s Brad?”
Mark smiled gently. “Sleepover at
Allan and Sally’s. He negotiated an extended stay,” he added lightly. “Said we
could take as long as we needed.”
He stood slowly. “I’ll go grab
coffee… your puzzle… you can just—”
Her hand caught his shirt again.
“Wait…” she said quickly, then
softened her tone. “Do you mind if I come with you?”
The question wasn’t casual. Mark
saw it instantly—the flicker of uncertainty, the need not to be left alone.
He didn’t hesitate.
“Of course,” he said warmly. “I’d
love the company.”
At Wawa, the normal rhythm of
morning life felt almost surreal.
Allan stood waiting, his usual
easy grin flashing—though it faltered just slightly when he saw Kimmy. “Well,
well… we don’t usually get the pleasure of your company here,” he said, trying
to keep it light.
Kimmy offered a small smile, but
her hand remained wrapped firmly around Mark’s arm. Mark felt it—the slight
tension in her grip, the way her eyes moved… scanning, checking, never quite
settling.
Everything looked the same.
But it didn’t feel the same.
By Monday, the edges had
softened—but they hadn’t disappeared.
Kimmy moved through the routines,
smiling, laughing in the right places, but there was a subtle shift—she stayed
closer, reached for Mark more often, her eyes finding him again and again as if
confirming he was still there.
As the rest of the weekend passed
Kimmy slowly began to appear to return to her normal self as the routine of the
days began to settle in. But Monday
morning when it came time to take Brad to pre-school Kimmy asked Mark if he’d
go with her and then wanted to tag along to Wawa again. Mark worked hard at keeping a smile on his
face to ease the obvious issues Kimmy was having with being alone. When they were on the porch, together again,
he pulled out his phone and tuned to Kimmy.
“I was going to text Sandy and set
up our date night. Just the two of
us. I thought maybe we’d go to the
Italian place….it’s quiet, never many people there. Would that work for you? And let’s get dressed up. How about that?”
Kimmy was staring out at the creek
and at first didn’t answer. “Baby? Thursday?
Yes, no, maybe so?”
Kimmy shook her head softly. “Sorry, yes…honey, yes. I think I’d like that.” Mark noted she was instinctively running her
hand around her wrist where her favorite bracelet had been for three years but
now was gone. Mark decided to try a
different tact and said, “Ummm, I was thinking, you know since tomorrow is
Tuesday and everything, how about I cook you dinner. What would you think of that? Promise it will be better than grilled
cheese.”
Tuesday.
“Dinner,” Mark announced. “Cooked
by yours truly.” That got her. The sparkle returned—small, but real.
“You? Cooking?” she teased. “Absolutely,” he replied. “And I promise—it
will be better than grilled cheese.”
That earned him a giggle.
There she was.
Tuesday afternoon came and Sandy
arrived fifteen minutes early as she usually did. Brad excitedly put his back pack over his
shoulder and gave his parents a kiss good-bye and ran out to Sandy’s car for
his big adventure. Mark had started
setting out pans on the stove when Kimmy came from the bedroom and stood in the
doorway. He turned and looked then
smiled, “Oh the really short shorts from Egypt – that’s a good look for
tonight.” Kimmy had tied her navy halter
just high enough above the waist line so her belly button was showing. She tentatively shifted her weight and
thought, “I’m good….I feel good about things again.”
Mark pulled out a package of crab
meat from the refrigerator and put it on the counter. “And what’s on the menu tonight?” Kimmy asked
as she walked into the kitchen. She put
her hands on his shoulders and leaned into him giving him a soft kiss on his
ear.
Mark was focused on his cooking,
but smiled at the kiss. “It’s a rarely
seen dish in these parts…..it’s seafood mac & cheese….and it takes precise
cooking and concentration I’ll have you know.”
Kimmy giggled and then she stepped around Mark and hopped up on the
counter. Mark stopped what he was doing
and looked at her curiously. “What’s….”
Kimmy reached up and slowly untied
the top of her halter and pulled Mark closer.
“Don’t turn the water on to boil just yet” she said seductively as she
wrapped her legs around Mark’s waist and drew him in.
Later, on the porch, the air
softer now, the world finally feeling still again. They sat contentedly on the side by side and
Mark thought “this is the most relaxed I’ve seen her in days” and it made him
smile. Kimmy reached up and brushed
Mark’s hair on his forehead.
“You know….” she began.
“Tell me honey” Mark said softly
turning his gaze to her.
Kimmy grinned and said, “I don’t
think I’ve ever had dessert before the main course before.”
Mark chuckled and said, “Well to
be fair, that wasn’t the original plan but I pride myself on trying to please
my wife when she goes a different direction.
But I DO get credit for knowing it’s Tuesday and that that particular
dessert WAS on the menu.”
Kimmy giggled again and snuggled
into Mark. “I am so glad I don’t work
any more. The more time we’re together
the more I feel like I can’t get enough time with you. You make me feel special, you know that
right?”
Mark kissed her forehead and said
softly, “Well that’s a good lead in for a little surprise I have for you.”
Kimmy’s heart skipped a beat as
she thought, “he’s done it again” and she looked at him. “What did you do?”
Mark gave her a soft look and
said, “Wait here.” He got up and went inside.
Through the window she could see him disappear down the hall. When he returned he had a small box in his
hand.
As Kimmy looked at his face she
saw some hesitation in his look.
Mark took a breath. “I thought about this and have gone back and
forth, but I think this is the right thing to do right now. And well, partly because….well, the way
dinner, I mean, the, well…you know…um….”
Kimmy put her hand on his cheek
and kissed him softly. “You are so
adorable that you can’t just say it. But
yes, I am fully aware of what happened and how enjoyable it all was – and I’m
not talking about the seafood mac & cheese, though it was also good. Go ahead….tell me, what is this?”
Mark hesitated again. Then he said, “I don’t want to bring back bad
memories – especially tonight and ruin what’s been a great “date-at-home”
night, but I’m hoping this will make you happy.”
He opened the box and Kimmy’s
breath caught.
She held up her wrist and looked
at the bracelet, then lowered her arms around his neck and pulled him in. “The one think I know, for certain, is that
my life has moved forward since that night on the terrace in a direction that I
never imagined. And I know that it’s
because of you…..that it’s always about us.”
Mark pulled Kimmy close and kissed
her softly. “I love you so much” he
whispered.
Kimmy nuzzled his neck and said,
“And I love…”
“MOMMA I’m home…..MOMMA look at
what I got!”
Mark and Kimmy’s foreheads fell
into one another softly and they chuckled.
“And so the romantic moment ends”
Mark muttered softly. Kimmy kissed his
cheek and turned.
“Let’s see what you got my little
man.”
Mark turned and looked back over
the railing. And just as it had last
week, earlier this evening, and at this moment….the creek below kept gurgling
and winding forward.
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