again. Her eyes are focused on something far off in the distance. I can’t help but wonder where she goes during these times. Is she lost in a dream or does time just stop for her?
I stand up and take the picture of John from her hands and place it on her nightstand before helping her lie down.
The rest of my afternoon is busy helping all of my honorary grandparents see to their needs. I do things I don’t normally do when we’re fully-staffed, and I find I’ve missed spending this extra time with the residents. I brush teeth and change bedding, I administer medication and comb hair, I clip toenails and tell stories. The time flies right by.
On my way home, I stop off at the market to pick up some wine to take with me to movie night. I know Lee told me not to bring anything, but there’s no way I’m showing up empty-handed. I pick up a bottle of merlot and a bouquet of brightly colored gerbera daisies. I’m going to have to plant some of these at my new house.
My new house. A rush of contentment washes over me. The words are music to my ears, a balm to my soul. I feel sad that I can’t tell Davis about it, but I also think I’m making the right decision by cutting him out of my life.
More than being mad at him, I’m disappointed. I can’t comprehend how he’s remained friends with the most despicable person I’ve ever known. Top that off with ambushing me, and I just don’t see why I would choose to spend time with him
It doesn’t matter that Chad was trying to apologize. I don’t believe that particular leopard has changed his spots. Sure, people get better and learn from their mistakes, but even if by some miracle Chad Adkinson has evolved, I don’t have it in me to forgive a transgression of the magnitude he perpetrated on me. I’m not a saint.
The party appears to be in full swing by the time I get to Lee’s house. Lee opens the door and lets out a squeal of delight. “Come on in, honey! We’ve got Chinese food on order, popcorn on the table, and daiquiris in the blender.”
I hand her the bottle of wine and the flowers. “That sounds like the perfect movie food.”
Emmie is the first one to greet me when I walk into the living room. “Hey, Ashley, come sit by me.”
Amelia gets up to make room on the couch. “I’ll go get you a drink.”
Beau’s girlfriend Lexi says, “I hear you got a house today. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Then I tell them all about it.
Lexi says, “I have a bed and breakfast over on Millionaire’s Row. It was the original Frothingham family house when they founded Creek Water.”
“Wow, that must be a lot to take care of,” I say. “I’m slightly overwhelmed by the responsibility of taking care of a small house.”
“Beau lives right next door,” she tells me. “He helps a lot, but so do his parents and Davis. They’ve been a godsend.” She leans in and asks, “Any new developments between you and Davis?”
The last time I saw her was at the Spring Fling. There doesn’t seem to be any reason to fill her in on all the highs and lows since then, so I say, “Nothing to report. Now that I’m buying a house, I’m not sure I’m interested in dating anyone right now. I’ve got enough on my plate.”
“I can see that,” she says. “But like I’ve mentioned, Davis has been super helpful with my place. You might be able to kill two birds with one stone with him around.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell her, knowing I’ll do no such thing. Davis might still be a good guy, but as things stand, he’s not the guy for me.
I have more fun watching Sixteen Candles with the Frothingham women than I thought possible. They take turns playing the different roles as the movie goes on. It’s like going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show except no one is wearing costumes. Note to self, next time we do this, we need costumes!
After promising to get together again soon, I call it a night and head home. I’m going to take a hot bath and start a list of all the things I want to do to my new house. Unfortunately, I get sidetracked.
Chapter Fifty-One
There’s a large vase of flowers sitting on my stoop when I