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One thing about my uncle is that he’s OCD neat. Everything has a place, and everything is in its place. Securely latching the shed door, I make a quick circuit of the tiny building. The lids to the trash cans are scattered on the ground.
I’m guessing it was a raccoon.
A quick circuit of the yard and nothing else appears out of place. Before I head in, I return to the trash cans and replace the lids, just in case it rains later tonight. Not that it will.
There’s not a cloud in the sky. The flashlight batteries finally give up and die, but I remain in the backyard for a few more minutes, marveling at the number of stars overhead.
It’s simply amazing.
I take in a deep breath and lift my face to the heavens. Peace Springs is a good place, and while I ran from Redlands, I feel as if starting over here is going to be the best thing I’ve ever done.
As I head inside, movement in the back of the yard spins me around. I peer into the darkness and cock my head, listening for that raccoon. I hear nothing other than the whispering of the wind.
Upon my return, my uncle isn’t in the chair. I check his room and see he put himself to bed. He clutches Aunt Martha’s afghan, holding it tight to his chest. The strong, powerful man from my youth is gaunt and frail, yet there’s a peacefulness to his expression that warms my heart.
I don’t want him to leave me, but I’m happy he’ll be reunited with the love of his life. I can only hope to be as blessed as my aunt and uncle when it comes to love.
So far, my track record is pathetic. Although, things are looking up in Peace Springs.
With those thoughts running through my mind, I close up the house for the night. I check every door and every window, closing latches and double-checking the locks.
Then a pang of sorrow hits me. Someday soon, this will be my house, and I’ll be all alone.
No parents.
No Aunt Marta or Uncle Pete.
No cousins.
No extended family.
Life is going to be lonely, which is a good reason to throw myself into work.
I do exactly that for the rest of the week.
The relief in Pamela and Craig’s faces each day when I power through a busy morning clinic is all the reward I need. They’ve been seeing their patients and splitting my uncle’s load for months. They deserve a vacation. I just don’t know when I can give that to them.
As for me, I’m simply looking forward to tonight.
It’s Friday.
Which means, I have a date, and hopefully a movie neither of us will watch.
MOVIE NIGHT
“Tell me about your first week at work.” Drake draws lazy circles on the inside of my wrist, sending sparks of electricity shooting through my nervous system with his feather-light touch.
I’m relaxed, more relaxed than I’ve ever been.
We’re back at the farm. Or is it a ranch?
Wherever we are, it’s the most romantic place on earth.
Just like last time, he ties a sheet between two trees, anchoring the bottoms to rocks on the ground to form our movie screen. Despite my thoughts on whether we’ll make it through the movie, we move along nicely.
Like every boy on the planet, Drake confesses his obsession with Leia after that scene with Jabba the Hut and her skimpy outfit. It brings a smirk to my lips that stays a beat too long. I have fantasies too, but I’m not brave enough to voice them.
At least, not yet.
