Livy would find the old woman again. It was on a visit to the nursing home. As she made her rounds, she heard a familiar voice as she passed down a hallway. Standing just outside one room, she listened as some elderly woman spoke softly to someone in the room. She knew the voice and couldn’t resist popping in the room just to make sure she was right. On one side of the room there were two beds. They were scooted close together and the woman was reaching across to the other bed. Not knowing anyone was in the room, she spoke to the man in the other bed. Livy stood at the door and listened.
"I don't know what I'll ever do with you George. You are the most stubborn man I've ever known."
The man was quiet, not offering any kind of conversation. The woman went on and on as if he was involved. She'd ask questions, and then she'd play his part, answering those questions. It was heartbreaking to see that nothing ever changed for the little lady. Livy started to walk toward her, but something in her heart begged her not to. The woman looked dreadfully sad as she sat still waiting for her husband to speak to her. Livy heard a every time the woman would take over and begin a new conversation. Wow, that's all the woman knows. He's never going to change and never going to come back. She was right. Livy wasn't even sure if the woman would remember her, so she backed slowly out of the room. She'd wait until another day, and then she'd try again. She left the room and leaned against the wall outside the door. Tears welled up in her eyes, thinking how close she came to that kind of loneliness. For two years, she had the taste of being that alone. She never wanted to go back.
***
Three months later...
"Get up sleepy head!" Piling on top of Brad, Livy always loved waking him up in the mornings.
"Is the coffee made?" He rolled over, pulling the covers over his head.
"Yea, but that's not the only reason you want to get up is it?" Sitting up and staring down at him with one crooked brow.
"Of course not. But, it helps this early." He grabbed at her, but she jumped from the bed. "If you want a cup, you had better get up."
She left the room and went back to the kitchen. They had stayed up too late, and now they were paying the price. She hollered from the kitchen again, ten minutes later.
"Hey lazy! You better get up. I'm leaving for work in ten."
Not wanting to miss that goodbye kiss, he threw on a pair of jeans and ran into the kitchen.
"You're not leaving without kissing me goodbye." Pulling her into his chest.
"I thought all you cared about was the coffee." Teasingly, she pulled back.
He grabbed her, kissing her neck, working his way down.
"Don't even start! I'll be late. That'll be twice this week."
"Coffee always comes after you. Are you sure we can't?"
"No way! Your cup is in the cabinet. The coffee is still hot and I left your breakfast in the oven. Don't forget to turn it off. I got to go!"
"Fine! I'll see you when you get home."
She was out the door and into the truck before he could get his cup down.
Amber had learned a lot from Livy. It turned out that Amber met a new guy and they had dated. She was not very good at trusting in love. She had been all talk and no walk. Watching Livy enjoy freedom and love, she sat back and watched. Being beaten by her last boyfriend, she was slow to let any guy back into her heart. After many girl talks and watching Livy let go, Amber followed suit. The couple became very close and spent lots of time getting together. Months passed, and Amber beat Livy down the aisle. On one very gorgeous spring day, Livy stood beside her looking into a mirror.
"You make the most beautiful bride Amber."
Leaning back, she looked into the mirror. "I don’t know about that. I think you will be the prettiest one of all. When are you going to tie the knot?"
"I don't know. We've talked about it."
"Talk is cheap. You better take the plunge. I can't be a fat pregnant woman all by myself."
Gently, Livy led her away from the mirror. "Hey, this is your day. Let's walk down that aisle. I'm so proud of you. I told you that he'd make a great husband."
"We aren't there yet." Amber was happy, but her habits hadn't vanished.
"Yeah, but you're only minutes away. Now, let's go. Your groom is waiting."
***
After the wedding…
After the beautiful wedding an idea was planted in Livy's mind. She was going to marry Brad Tifferton. She didn't know how soon she'd be walking down that aisle, but she knew she would. She sent her best friend off with a hug and kiss and then climbed back into the truck with Brad.
"Can you see us getting there?" With a new look in her eyes; it thrilled him.
"I've always seen us getting there." Squeezing her hand, he kissed her cheek.
"Really Brad?"
"Really. You just never knew how much I loved you. I always did. I just had to wait."
So did the lady, she thought. She waited and waited for her husband to go home to her. He waited until he was old, wrinkled up and had nothing to offer. She curled up in Brad's arms, thankful they had finally found each other.
"What do you say we sit outside and cook on the grill? We have left-over hamburger in the fridge that needs to be used."
"Sounds great. We can't let anything go to waste, can we?"
Thinking on the time she had wasted, she replied, "No we can't."
Love had found its place in their hearts. Nothing could come between them. Not bills, not stressful work days, not even cranky neighbors. They worked together in the shop on days she was off, and he had to get vehicles out, and she became quite good at handing him his tools.
***
A few months passed and life was still good. Not to say they didn’t have spats. They were over the little things, and they always managed to make up. Brad had meetings to attend, courses to take and he'd travel to different mechanic shows to learn as much as he could, trying to stay up with news skills. Sometimes Livy would go with him, and other times she'd stay behind, taking care of Marcy and old Rascal. She visited her mother a lot while he was gone and stayed close with Amber. She even gave in and paid the old woman a visit in the nursing home.
Little did she know that her visits would brighten the lady's day just enough to put a smile across her face. Instead of wasting her breath, making up conversations with her aging husband, she was able to look face to face with Livy and hear the voice of another one who cared.
Livy worked the day shift and spent many evenings sitting beside the woman. Her name was Gladys, and her husband, George never did participate in their conversations. Livy wondered though if he could hear everything they said. She watched him from time to time and when his wife would complain about his ways, he'd frown and turn his head to the window. But, when she spoke of her undying love for him, he'd look their way. There was a look in his old eyes that told Livy that he would someday say something. She waited and waited and it paid off. Walking into the room one evening, she paused at the door. She heard Gladys talking to George and she nearly walked in and announced her presence. But what she heard next kept her at the door.
"You've been gone a long time George."
Well, I'm back now. Can we just concentrate on here and now?"
"I don’t know George. I've waited for ages."
Livy smiled as she stood at the door quietly. The couple had a long way to go, but it was a start. With not many years left, Livy knew that every minute counted. She didn’t enter the room. While George was talking, she didn’t want to interfere. Gladys had waited long enough to hear her husband talk with her. Livy backed away from the doorframe and walked on down the hall. She'd some back later.
***
One month down the road…
Livy had paid several visits to Gladys and George, never staying very long. She did hear from Gladys that George had finally asked for her forgiveness for the time he had been away. Livy didn't expect to walk into their room that Sunday morning. Brad had stayed at home, catching up on s
ome rest and she ran into town. She walked down the hall and made it to the room. Excited, she couldn’t wait to give them the treats she had baked. George liked to eat chocolate chip cookies. Gladys liked to feed him. She busted into the room, ready to make their day. She could hear the nurses stirring about down the hall. The room was quiet and she could see Gladys's hand stretched across the bed, lying in George's hand. Nothing was odd about the sweet picture; they always held hands. Before she could get to their bedside, a nurse appeared. Livy turned to her to say hello. The nurse just stood there with a blank stare.
"What? What's wrong?" Livy could see that something was wrong.
"They are … they are gone. We are just getting ready to call the coroner.
"No!" Livy dropped the plate of fresh baked cookies to the floor and ran to the beds that were sitting side by side. She crept to the end of Gladys's bed and looked straight ahead. There was Gladys and George, still holding hands. She broke down in tears and slipped down to the bed. The old pair had gone together, not willing to stay apart any longer. The scene was emotional as she looked back up. Shaking her head, she went to Gladys and placed a kiss on her still warm cheek. Staring down, she touched their hands that were entwined.
Livy knew that George had finally healed his wife's heart and it left her with a peace that she might never experience again. She'd met a dear old woman that had spoken hard truth and saved her life. Now she had to learn how to let go of such a dear friend. Livy went over, picked up the foil wrapped cookies and laid them on a nightstand. Then she turned and walked out of the room.
She cried all the way home, releasing tears and realizing that her visits with Gladys had come to a halt. But, by the time she pulled into the drive, she understood that Gladys was finally happy and she was free from pain. George had come back to her at the last minute, and late was always better than never. She grabbed her purse and walked into the house, going straight to the front room. She sat down next to Brad and took his face into her hands.
"I missed you." She kissed him long and hard. He didn't even have to ask why. He could see in her eyes a sadness.
"Was it Gladys or George?" He asked her quietly.
"Both. It was both of them. They went holding hands."
"Oh man, that's how I want to go with you."
They curled up, watched movies the rest of the night and woke up at three in the morning. Something about Gladys passing sparked a new love in Livy's heart. Thinking that she knew everything there was to know about love, she could feel her heart swell. Just looking over at Brad working in his garage brought a smile to her face. She had finally found that balance in her life. She still thought about Curtis and the life they shared. She had no qualms about thinking of him, and she felt no burdens of guilt. Gladys had been one wise woman, telling her that there were all kinds of love. Livy had found that out and it made life much easier. Once in a while, she unlocked that tiny jewelry box to look at Curtis' picture. Then, she'd place it back and shut the box. It warmed her heart to know that the time they had together was good and loving. She could rest in her heart as he slept. He wasn't aware of her involvement with Brad. And she even believed that if he was, he would somehow approve.
She had been with Brad for two years. They were getting closer to starting a family. They wanted to wait until they were sure that they could handle all the responsibilities of raising a child. But she sat at the kitchen table many days, making a long list of her favorite names for babies. She circled her choices and then she'd slide it back into a kitchen drawer. Once in a while she'd pull it out and smile, seeing where Brad had circled his own favorites. They played back and forth with the list, never saying a word. The list grew and grew, names were added and some scratched out. She could feel the moment getting closer that they would finally take the plunge. She began looking around, preparing ahead and getting ideas about colors to decorate the special room with. She kept that part secret, waiting for the right time.
Brad's business flourished. He became quite known in three counties wide and was considered to be one of the best mechanics around. Their finances were stable and life was looking good.
Marriage was a thing they were talking about. In a few months, they would take that leap and join hands in marriage. They enjoyed each other so much that they didn't mind the wait. Brad began working on the house, adding a room and another bathroom. Hurrying him along, she helped him as they worked side by side. Materials were gathered and the project was well on its way. This allowed them to take things at slower pace, getting loans paid off before taking on a family. He still had meetings and classes to take, and she traveled with him less than she had at the start. They felt confident with their relationship, and she stayed behind to take care of the ranch and tend to the horses. Quiet days came and went when he was away.
She had a surprise for Brad before he left for a convention. She had been looking through wedding magazines and found the perfect dress. Rushing to him while he was packing for his trip, she plopped down on the bed with the magazine sprawled out. He glanced up from the dresser, and slid the drawer shut.
"What's that?"
"That is the dress I'm going to wear in the day you make me an honest woman."
"I thought you were already honest." He grinned.
"I am. But, you'll make me an honest married woman, and when you do, I want to look like a million bucks."
He leaned over, took a look and then said, "You look like a million bucks already."
"Then I want to look like a billion bucks. What do you think?"
He sat down next to her. "If you wear that, we'll never make it to the ceremony."
"Then you won't be allowed to see me until I walk down the aisle, because I'm not going to miss out on wearing this." Her face was lit up, and he leaned over and kissed her. His kisses hadn’t changed a bit. They were still long lasting and filled with desire. She knew he had no time to waste, so she shoved him off.
"Don't start that now. You have a plane to catch."
"Yeah I do. I guess I had better get going. I'm going to just leave my truck at the airport. That way I can just hurry home when I get in." He stood to his feet and kissed her again. Then he turned to walk out the door.
"Hey!"
"What?" Livy looked at him, wishing he didn’t have to go.
"Will ya miss me?"
"Every minute of every day."
He started his truck and she listened to him pull out. Brad would be gone a long two weeks this time. It was one of his longest trips away.
He had classes back to back, but he would come back with updated knowledge on engines. The times were changing and so were the trucks. Livy had enough to keep her busy between work, spring cleaning and visiting her mom and Amber. But about midway through she had a lazy day. Waking to the sounds of Marcy and Bullet, Brad's horse stirring around in the barnyard, she looked out and smiled. They had become the best of friends and got along beautifully. Throwing on a pair of shorts, she went to the kitchen and started the coffee. She threw in a couple slices of toast and then sat back and waited. Pulling out the growing list of baby names, she checked to see if Brad had left any surprises. Sure enough. There at the end of the list was Danielle, Grace Olivia, Rachel and then, Robby, Benjamin and Kage. She looked the list over and drew smiley faces by her picks. She tucked it back in the drawer and poured a cup of coffee. The toast popped up and she took her breakfast to the front room. Picking up her wedding magazine, she sat down and started making checkmarks. As she turned the pages, she stopped at one page and a smile spread across her face. Brad had left another surprise. Written on the pages edge were, Will You Marry Me Now? Her face lit up and she grabbed a pen and wrote an over-sized, yes! He was ready, and she was beyond ready. She tucked the magazine into her chest and kissed the page with her wedding dress. It was really happening. They had finally made it there.
An hour passed by as she sat there. Now she was marking up the pages in not only the wedding magazine, but she began scribblin
g all over baby magazines. Getting a subscription with the company, they had thrown in a free twelve month subscription to two leading baby magazines. Flipping through the pages, she laughed out loud at all the ideas that she saw. Picture after picture was the face of a laughing child, a dirty faced child or even twins holding hands. She grinned from ear to ear, knowing her own future. I can't wait to have his baby, escaped from her lips.
That's when there was a knock at the door.
It was a soft knock. It was early for anyone to be paying a visit, and her cell hadn’t rang once. Dragging herself from the sofa, she laid the magazine down on the table. She glanced down to make sure that she was presentable. She hadn't showered, but shorts and a tee would be okay. She thought about who it could be so early. Maybe someone is broke down, she thought. She looked out the window first and saw a blue Chevy truck parked out front. I don't know anyone that drives that, she whispered. Realizing that Brad was gone, she paused, not sure she should go to the door. She looked again through the curtain, but with the blind spot, she couldn’t tell who was there. They were persistent and knocked again, this time a little harder. Tip-toeing across the room, she stood in front of the door. She was always the one that harped at Amber for leaving her doors unlocked, and now some stranger was at hers. Instead of opening it, she talked through the door.
"Who is it?"
There was silence. That bothered her more. She ran into the kitchen and picked up her phone.
"Who is it?" Again they had knocked and she held her breath after asking.
Then it came. A voice on the other side.
"It's me."
The voice was soft, spoken slow and yet it sounded familiar. She replayed the sound of the person's voice over in her head a few times, and then it came to her. Reaching down, she unlocked the door and turned the knob. Stepping back, her bare feet scooted away from the door. She swung the door opened and dropped her phone.
Curtis was on the other side.
To be continued…
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