Chapter Seven

Waking at eight AM, after only four hours of sleep, Jayme pulled herself out of bed and straight to the shower. The hot water helped to wake her up but after crying on the floor of the tub for ten minutes, she felt exhausted.
After pairing sweaters and blouses with dress pants and skirts, she found a skirt that fit her growing belly and matched it with a sweater. Then she picked out her shoes. Standing in the bathroom for nearly an hour, she fixed her hair and wore simple makeup because she knew she would be crying.
With her nine thirty arrival, she was the first to arrive, other than the funeral director. He showed her the open casket but she requested it to be closed due to the fact that the entrance wound, from the bullet, was visible.
It was ten thirty before the room began to fill with people, most of whom she knew. But there were people that attended that she didn’t recognize. Through the service, certain people stood and told stories of their times with Scott. Jayme was so beside herself that she was unable to stand and speak.
After the lengthy service, everyone got into their vehicles and formed a long line to the cemetery, traveling though the small town. At the grave site, another prayer and words of devotion, they lowered him into the ground. Jayme was the first to grab a handful of dirt and throw it down, along with a single red rose.
When everyone left the cemetery, they gathered at a banquet hall that Jayme and his parents had rented. His family decorated it before the service. There was food, crying, laughter, music and dancing. It was late by the time she returned home and went straight to bed, feeling dead on her feet.
Jayme was in the kitchen eating her breakfast when she heard the doorbell. Pulling her robe shut, she went to the door and opened it. On her porch stood a young man holding a bouquet of roses, carnations, daisies, and other decorative foliage. “Delivery for Jayme McNally…” The man said and handed her a clipboard containing a paper for her to sign..
Signing the paper, she handed it back and the man handed her the flowers. With a smile, Jayme shut the door. As she walked to the kitchen, she found the card attached and pulled it from it’s clip. Opening the envelope, the card read: “Jayme, I hope you find these flowers beautiful, but they could never be as beautiful as I think you are.” Signed Steve.
Jayme smiled and reached into the cupboard for a glass vase. Putting the flowers in the vase, she filled it half way with water and set them on the table. Then she leaned down and sniffed the red rose. She had always loved the smell of red roses. She slid the card on the refrigerator and placed a small magnet on it.
Getting dressed, Jayme left the house and drove to the hospital. From the nurses station in the emergency room, she searched and located her supervisor, Dr. Taylor. As they went into the office, Anne closed the door behind them then went towards her desk to sit down. “What can I do for you, Jayme?”
“Anne, I’m sorry to have to inform you, and the rest of the staff, that I will be selling my house and moving back to Hillman, where I’m from. It’s been something that I’ve been talking with Scott about lately but he didn’t want even want to talk about it. Now I know why… and now that he’s gone… I’ve decided to go back. So I’m giving my two weeks notice.”
“Everyone here is really going to miss you. But if that’s your decision, I accept your notice. So the leave I granted will mostly eat up that two weeks.”
“Yes, I understand. And I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We all feel terrible about what happened. And don’t worry about us, I think we’re pretty fully staffed. Just do what you need to do and maybe we’ll see you sometime.”
Jayme hugged Anne. “Thank you so much and I’m so sorry for not being her.”
“Jayme, that’s nonsense and you know it. No one expected you to be here so don’t worry about us.”
“I’m going to gather my things out of my locker before I leave.” Jayme said.
“Well, good luck, Jayme, I’m really going to miss you.” Anne said and hugged Jayme again.
Gathering the items in her locker, which were mostly toiletries, in case she needed to shower at the facility, Jayme threw it all in her tote bag and shut the locker. Leaving the hospital, she returned home. She knew it was time to contact a real estate agent to sell her house. After meeting with them, she would begin to move her unnecessary items to Hillman.
Deciding on a real estate company, Jayme picked up the phone and dialed the number. Speaking with a man named Gary Miller, Jayme made an appointment for ten the following morning. For the remainder of the day, Jayme packed and cleaned. The entire upstairs was completely packed and ready to move, except for her bedroom. She hadn’t even started there yet.
As she was looking for something to eat, she heard a knock on her front door. Closing the refrigerator, she walked to the front door. Opening the door, she saw Steve standing on her porch. “Hey.” He said with a smile.
“Hey.” She returned.
“I was wondering if you were hungry?” He asked and held up plastic bags from a local Chinese Restaurant.
“Oh, you got Chinese…” Jayme smiled and stepped back, opening the door wider.
“I was really hoping you liked Chinese food.” Steve said as he walked through her door.
“Love it.” Jayme responded. “How did you know I would be hungry?”
“You’re pregnant…” Steve said.
Jayme smiled and nodded her head. “Yes. I’m always hungry these days.”
Opening the bags on the table, Jayme separated the containers into three different dishes. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a variety.” Steve said.
“I’ll grab some plates.” Jayme said and turned toward the cupboards.
Sitting at the table, they both ate until they were full, leaving only a little to put away. As Jayme was standing at the sink, she put her hands in the soapy water to begin washing dishes. Steve came up behind her, slipping his arms beside her and into the water, sliding his hands over hers. “Here, let me help you with that…” He whispered against her ear, close enough that Jayme could feel the heat of his breath.
Suddenly stupefied by his actions, Jayme knew it was too soon but it felt so good to be this close to a man. And she found herself rather fond of Steve. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. And now this. He was quickly destroying her resistance.
In slow, gentle motions, their hands intertwined, they washed a few dishes and placed them in the other sink. As Steve’s lips brushed Jayme’s neck, he mumbled, “it’s driving me crazy being this close to you…” he said and brushed his lips across the back of her neck. She could still feel the heat of his breath and every inch of the back of her neck felt like it was on fire.
Pushing back against him, she gave herself enough room to spin around to face him. Looking up at him, he looked into her eyes for only a moment before pressing his lips to hers. It was a firm kiss as he pushed her up against the counter with the weight of his body.
Knowing things were moving too fast, Jayme reached her hand up to his chest and firmly pushed him away. “It’s too soon…” She said and escaped from his arms.
“You’re right.” Steve said and stepped back, turning his back to her.
“I’m sorry…” Jayme said, feeling to blame for the sudden defense.
Turning back toward her, he placed both hands on either shoulder. “No, Jayme, don’t be sorry. It’s me who should be sorry… I think I should go now.” He said and turned to walk away from her.
Jayme said nothing and didn’t move. She heard the door shut and knew he was gone. Sitting directly down in the spot where she stood, she buried her face and cried. Her emotions were taking her over and she knew she needed to resist Steve. At least for now, she needs to clear her head.