Chapter Six

Returning home after the antagonistic time she spent with his parents, Jayme was exhausted. Stretching across the couch, she took a four hour nap. Waking at six, she was so hungry, she was nauseated. Dragging herself to the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and grabbed the milk gallon. Without a glass, Jayme drank straight from the jug.
After putting the milk away, she felt somewhat better. Sitting down, she slipped on her shoes and grabbed her purse and keys on her way out the door. Jayme was not usually one for eating out frequently but since she was now only cooking for herself, and her baby, she wasn’t interested in cooking. She had always been the kind who longs to care for people. Until her baby is born, she had no one but herself to care for.
Deciding to pick up her dinner and sit in the park to eat, Jayme found a parking spot beneath a large tree, just fifty feet from a picnic table. Sitting at the picnic table, Jayme engaged in the scenery and view. The park sat on a hill overlooking Dollar Lake, named for it’s shape and curves. This time of the year, the fall colors reflected on the still lake, creating a colorful mirrored image.
Hearing a familiar voice behind her, Jayme turned to see Steve coming up behind her. He was holding a box of chocolates with a card. “I just wanted to drop this off to you and I’ll leave.” He said, sitting down in the opposite direction on the same bench.
Jayme took the box from him and slid the card out of the ribbon. Opening it, it was a sympathy card. Within, it explained his sorrow for losing a friend who left a wife and unborn child behind. It explained how he had promised Scott that if anything ever happened to him, that Steve would check on and protect Jayme and their children. It explained that this agreement was made just three months before his death.
The letter also explained how Steve knew about Scott’s life insurance policy in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars. Slowly her suspicion turned to comfort, knowing it was something Scott had planned. She knew that Scott loved her deeply. Putting the card down, Jayme looked up at Steve with tears in her eyes. “Thank you for that… I needed it.” She said and reached to him for a hug.
“I promised Scott that you would be protected and cared for.” Steve said. “He loved you so much…”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea. Why I had no idea about you I guess I’ll never know.” Jayme said. “So… What else do you know about me?”
“Is there somewhere else we can go and talk? It’s getting chilly out here. I think the temperature is dropping.”
“Um…” There were still parts of her that didn’t want to trust this man but the majority of her does. “So, you should know where I live?”
“Yes, of course.” Steve answered.
“I need to stop at the store for a second, how about you meet me at my house.” Jayme said.
“I can do that. Perfect.” Steve smiled and stood up.
Jayme watched him walk to his car and get in before she got up. Steve left the park before she did and she watched him turn in the direction of her house. Leaving the park, Jayme stopped at the store for a few items before returning home.
As she drove near her house, it was still just light enough to see a car in her driveway before she turned into it. Pulling up, she could see that it was Steve. She smiled as she put her car in park and shut it off. Unlocking the front door, Jayme stepped inside and held the door open for Steve to enter, then closed it. “Have a seat…” Jayme said as she set her purse and keys on the small table beside the door.
Walking toward the kitchen, Jayme went to the refrigerator and opened it. Removing one bottle of pop and a bottle of beer, Jayme returned to the living room. Offering Steve the beer, he took it from her then she sat down on the opposite end of the couch from him.. “So, what else do you know about me, Steve?”
“I know that you’re twenty eight and this is your first pregnancy. I know you’re an emergency traumatic injury nurse at the hospital. I know that you were born and raised in Hillman, where your father, the heart surgeon, and mother, the nurse, still live. In the house you grew up in.”
“You have been well informed, I see. Are you aware that Scott was having an affair?”
“Scott? No…” Steve shook his head. “If that were true, he didn’t want me to know about it.”
“Apparently he hid it well. I had no idea, especially being that it went on for three years.” Jayme said.
“Three years? Wow…” Steve said, his facial expression changing.
“Anyways, we don’t have to talk about him, do we?” Jayme requested.
“No…” Steve smiled. “Of course not.” He lifted his bottle of beer.
Jayme tapped her bottle against him and they both took a drink. “Since you know so much about me, I should know so much about you…” Jayme said and took another swig.
“What would you like to know? Ask me anything.” Steve said.
“You’ve never been married?” Jayme asked.
“Yes, I have. My wife passed away a few years ago. She was terminally ill and we never had children.” Steve said.
“That’s horrible, I’m so sorry.”
“So I do understand what it’s like to lose a spouse. Although I saw it was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier.” Steve empathized with her.
“I think it would be worse to be with them in the last few weeks, to see their suffering and pain…” Jayme said. “At least it was instant for Scott.”
“Yes…” Steve agreed.
Jayme swigged from her bottle. “And you were born and raised in Greenville?”
“Well, no. I was born in Canada. When I was three, my parents moved us to Genoa, about one hundred miles from here. That’s where I started, and ended primary school. Then I moved to Greenville, to attend the college here. Then I just stayed here.”
“Oh. So your parents live in Genoa?” Jayme asked.
“My father, yes. My mother has since passed.” Steve said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How long ago was this?” Jayme asked.
“Three years ago.” Steve answered. “She was ill too.”
“I’m glad you still have your father.”
“Yeah, well, he’s an asshole and I haven’t spoken to him in three years.”
“Oh, you don’t get along with your father?”
“Well, he was an alcoholic asshole for my entire childhood. He’s recently quit drinking and I think he’s ill. He keeps trying to make amends between us but I’m not ready.”
“Steve, don’t you think you should try to work through your differences, for the sake of you both. I mean, if he’s ill, you may not have much time.” Jayme said.
From the look on his face and the way he inhaled sharply, Jayme knew she needed to drop the subject. Looking around the room, she tried to think of something. Anything. But all she could think of was Scott. Feeling herself becoming emotional, she covered her eyes with her fists while her elbows rest on her knees.
Knowing Jayme was having an emotional moment, Steve scooted close enough to reach his arm across the back of her neck and shoulders. His other arm reached across the front of her to her far shoulder. “I’m sorry, I know you’re so… indented by this. I wish I could absorb your pain…” Steve whispered in her ear. Moving her hands from her eyes to his arms, she grasped his arms and held them with loose arms.
Although it wasn’t her husband, it still felt warm and comforting to have a man’s arms around her. Even though he was a stranger to her, she felt a certain connection to him. With his face so close to her neck, she could feel his sweltry breath. She could feel his lips and the stubble around them as they scantily touch her neck.
Jayme closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, breathing in a stimulation and exhaling the sorrow in her heart. For long moments they sat still and quiet, with his lips just touching her skin. Jayme could feel a rising desire for this man who was a stranger. It left her feeling somewhat uncomfortable but not enough to pull away from him.
But she thought of Scott and instantly pulled away. With Scott in her mind, she stood up and wiped her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I’m sorry, I probably should get in the bath and get ready for bed.”
Steve stood up and faced her. “Yeah, it’s probably time for me to get heading home.” Steve said and reached up to gently squeeze her arm. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
“I have Scott’s funeral tomorrow, I’ll probably be occupied the entire day, but I’ll see you there, right?”
“Um, What time is it starting?”
“The showing starts at eleven, but the funeral is at three.” Jayme answered.
“Um, probably not, I have to work tomorrow and I cannot get out of it.” Steve said. “I’m sorry I won’t be attending.”
“That’s too bad.” Jayme said. “I may have needed another pallbearer.
“I’m sorry…” Steve said and looked at her for a moment before turning and walking straight out the door with another word or look. Jayme took in a deep breath then looked down to see their bottles on the coffee table. Picking them up, she took them to the kitchen, dumped them out and disposed of the bottles.