for a moment before walking to her bed and lightly touching the comforter. I eyed the space, noting everything. It had taken some time to pick out just the right things. After watching her and asking her about her favorite color, I’d settled for natural shades of brown, green, and blue, hoping it would remind her of being outside. I never wanted her to feel caged here.
The scent of her worry caught my attention, and I stepped into the room. She turned to look back at me.
“You worry too much,” I said. The need to take her worry and ease her fears rode me hard. If only I knew how.
She smiled slightly and touched the comforter again.
“Thank you for this.”
I nodded and was about to ask why she was worried when Liam called out.
“Emmitt, can we work on my bed?”
“I’ll be back,” I said and turned to help Liam.
Before I could get Liam situated, Michelle left her room and started moving stuff over from the old place. It didn’t take her long. As soon as she put the last of Aden’s shorts into his dresser, Winifred called for Michelle’s help in the kitchen.
The day Winifred had gone rummaging, she’d managed to pick up boxes of houseware items. All of it needed to be washed, dried, and put away. Once we finished, the apartment would be a fully equipped home. Finishing would take a while, though. Liam and Aden loved helping, but holding screws wasn’t enough. They wanted to use the hammer and the screwdrivers. They wanted to help lift anything that needed lifting. By the time we finished, Jim’ stomach was making noises.
“We need some food after all this work,” he said to Aden. “But we’ll have to be quiet about it.”
Aden nodded in agreement, looking very serious. Jim brushed his hands on his shorts then casually left the room. Aden copied every move.
“Do you think they’ll get in trouble?” Liam asked, looking up at me.
“Nah. Nana knows growing boys need food. She’ll let us get away with a snack before dinner.”
Liam nodded and reached for my hand.
* * * *
I lifted Aden and carried him up the stairs. Liam followed slowly behind me. The sun hadn’t quite set yet, but both boys were exhausted. After leaving the apartment, we’d eaten our snack, played, made dinner together, and played some more, and now they were ready to crash in their new bunks.
“Do you think Mimi and Nana are done cleaning yet?” Liam asked.
“Yep. I think so, little man.”
“Good. I don’t want to clean,” Aden said, his head on my shoulder.
I laughed and set him down when we reached the top. Michelle and Winifred were still inside. Everything was neat, and the place smelled faintly like cleaners.
Michelle looked at her brothers with worry.
“They’re just tired. We played hard today.”
“I forgot about dinner.”
“Don’t worry. Jim and Aden didn’t. We all ate downstairs.”
“Thank you. Nana, I better get these two to bed. I can finish the rest on my own.”
“Have a good night, dear. Enjoy your new home.”
Michelle nodded as her stomach growled.
Didn’t you stop to eat? I asked Winifred as I followed her out the door.
No. Time slipped by us.
While Winifred went downstairs, I went into my apartment. It still smelled like Michelle and the boys. I breathed deeply. Her scent wrapped around me, and for the first time in weeks I felt myself relax a little.
Checking the freezer, I found she hadn’t taken any of the food with her. I shook my head, took out a package of chicken breasts, and started thawing them in the microwave.
While I cooked, I listened to Michelle get her brothers ready for bed. Despite their exhaustion, they still had enough energy to fight over who would get the top bunk. I grinned as I turned the meat.
By the time I had two potatoes microwaved and a side of green beans hot, Michelle was in her new kitchen, checking the cupboards. I plated everything, set two spots at the island, and cut off a chunk of cooked meat, skewering it on a fork before going to the door. As soon as she entered the hall, I opened my door all the way and lifted the fork.
“Thought I might see you yet tonight.”
She smiled at me and took the fork, hungrily eating the bite.
“Mmm...” She closed her eyes as she chewed.
Why did that sound have me staring at her neck? Probably because I still wanted to know how she tasted.