“Did you bring us something?” Bessy asked.
I remembered the bag of gifts. I doubted those things had been put in my luggage. Did they even know where I placed them? They needed something from the world out there. I started to explain that I hadn’t been able to bring everything back with me. Momma then said “in the seat. There’s a box right there for the taking. That there box is what she brought home to you. Your sister mailed it before she left. You go ahead Bessy and carry it on in since that’s the first thing you were concerned with.”
I hadn’t mailed anything home. I wasn’t sure what was in that box or why momma thought it would be gifts. I didn’t say anything in front of the kids. I hurried and sidled up to momma. “I didn’t mail anything,” I said, as quietly as I could speak.
“That woman said to look for it today and that was what it was. I picked it up at the post office on my way to get you. It was there just like she said.”
Gia. Again. Gia. I really needed to thank that lady, although it was Ezra that knew about the items. He told her to get them and send them. I wanted to personally thank him, see his face and hear his voice.
As we walked into the house Bessy put the box on the table and began opening it up. The kitchen table shook with her aggression. She was as excited about the contents as the younger two. I hoped everything was still inside. It wasn’t much and the box was larger than needed. I figured Gia found the bag and stuffed everything in it so she didn’t appear to be prying.
Bessy opened the flaps as Henry climbed in a chair so he could see inside. Hazel quietly watched as she lifted the bag and to my surprise the bag was stuffed.
“There’s so much!” Bessy said with elation in her voice as she began to plunder the contents. She pulled out shirts and purses, hats and flashlights, with a map of the city laminated. There was a small toy replica of Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty in green. The jewelry, stuffed animals and bags of candy were from the M&M store in Times Square. I hadn’t bought any of that. My budget would’ve exploded.
They squealed with delight as the three figured out what gift went to whom and why. I stood there watching unable to speak, smiling when they showed me with pleasure something that made them happy. Saying “you’re welcome” to all their “thanks” seemed wrong for me to reply to. I hadn’t done any of this. But I knew who did and I was humbled.
“What a fine thing to do,” momma said.
My chest ached with the love before me. I was home. I was with my family. But I missed him. Ezra was vapor. Though here he was again in these gifts. He may be unreachable but my memories wouldn’t permit me to forget him any time soon. I doubted they ever would. I had fallen in love with a man I couldn’t have. Ezra was not to be “had.” The man was smoke and that cloud had dissipated.
“You look surprised,” momma said in a very low voice as she came to stand beside me.
“I only bought a fourth of that. I couldn’t afford another dime.”
Momma nodded. “The woman said Ezra was sending extra. Some things you mentioned the kids would like. Is Ezra the one who’s got you in knots?”
Hearing someone say his name made it real. I needed that right now. To know he was real and that Ezra was actual, not the vapor or the smoke that he seemed.
“Yes,” I replied. “He’s the one.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Momma wouldn’t let me go to work the next week. She said “rest and let your face heal. Then you can work with the public. They’ll be nosey as is and we don’t want to help that. They’re already asking questions.” Moulton was still small and Moulton remained Moulton.
Sleeping late and being alone in the house was something I’d never done. I’ve risen with the sun since I was old enough to walk and carry a basket. Momma had chores for all of us. This was odd. Being here alone.
Five days after my arrival I stood fixed before the coffee pot. The music of its brewing was enticing. Nine in the morning and the whole place was desolate and I thought to myself this is sad. I’m not a fan of this empty house. I wanted to go be with my family. See my friends without explanations. Jamie didn’t know I was back yet. I hadn’t told her because rehashing the story was a thing that really upset me. I couldn’t have it both ways with bruises on my face so I quietly stayed in the house. She would eventually know the truth. Good or bad, Jamie got it all. But right now I wasn’t ready to share that. My memories of Ezra were getting me through the day. I missed him more with each passing moment. I thought it was supposed to get easier, but my longing was getting worse.
The coffee finished brewing and I took a rare moment to appreciate the coffee maker. I’d missed having a regular no frills cup first thing in the morning when I woke up. The way the kitchen smelled from the coffee brewing and the memories that held made everything steady in my world.
I walked outside with my coffee into the warm summer morning. I’d never taken time to enjoy this place because I took it all for granted. I wouldn’t do that again. Now I knew that every dream one might pursue didn’t have the result they wished. Some were meant to be left alone, their silver linings really dark clouds.
“You look better.” The male voice came from behind me and I jumped spilling my coffee. A small startled squeal shot from my throat, but it died instantaneously. I knew that voice. Knew that tone.
Spinning around, spilling even more coffee, I soaked in the sight of Ezra. He was here, in my backyard. Looking as beautiful and dangerous as ever, just like I remembered. The same as he was in last night’s dream, but the dream was now reality.
“You’re here,” I blurted out, still in shock. I knew I was awake. The stinging on my hand from the burn of the liquid was my assurance this was happening.
He nodded and took several steps towards me. “I’ve been around.”
“What? You’ve been around?”
He grinned and I melted just a smidge. “Yeah. Around. To make sure you were okay. Settled in.”
Where exactly was “around” I thought? “What about your work for Hale?”
He shrugged and continued to look at me with that warmth in his stare that completed me and made my body feel whole again. Excited, he replied “that’s handled. It will and can find its own end.”