“I’ll be honest, brother, I've got it pretty bad. I've only known her for about three weeks but she's incredible. She's witty, deep, thoughtful, fun, loves to dance, and so damn gorgeous it pains me. I'm really hoping it gets serious.”
“Oh, yeah, you're gone. You sound like me when I just met Sienna.”
“I’ll take that as a good sign, seeing as she still loves your sorry ass.”
We wrap up our call, and I feel a whole lot lighter now that we've talked it out. My mom is recovering nicely, I've got Lyra, and I think my brother and I just reached a much better understanding. Today, I get to go back to being optimistic. Before I head back to Ma's, I pick up my phone again to shoot a text back to Lyra. It's like if we don't at least text a little during the course of a day, I start to get antsy. I look over my original text and her response before I reply.
How are you today, pretty Firecracker? We are thankfully out of the hospital and home
I should be asking you that. I'm so glad she's doing ok and home. Do you all need anything?
Yeah, she's doing so much better, thank goodness. We've got tons of food and all of her medicine, we should be all good. Thanks for asking, though
Of course
What about you, how's your day been?
Same old same old, just work and Brody. He misses seeing you on your route
You miss seeing me on my route too, Lyra?
I just saw you yesterday, so it sounds pathetic to say it. But yes I do
Progress! Last time I asked you that, I got a maybe
smh
I'm going to stay with my Ma for a few days just so she has someone there with her at night for a little while. I'll be back to work tomorrow. Next time I'm in your neighborhood I'll stop by to say hi. I miss you already too...
Chapter 18
Lyra
Taran and I fall into an easy, drama free routine of seeing each other when we can in the week since his mom was in the hospital. We've both been busy with work, and he's been focused on making sure she's ok. Twice when he was in the neighborhood around lunchtime, he knocked on my door, kissed me senseless, and sat and ate with me before he had to get back on his route. I went with him for a few hours to Evelyn's house over the weekend to hang out with her, since I wanted to see how she is doing for myself. She seemed really happy that I stopped by with him, and seeing that tugged hard at my chest.
We've texted every day, too. Sometimes they've been silly jokes, or flirty teasing that gets me antsy to see him and put my hands all over him. Other times we've chatted about deeper things like our fears, our hopes, our dreams. He’s learned about my arachnophobia, and I’ve learned that he is absolutely terrified of clowns because his brother put the movie It on for them when he was way too young (thanks, Pennywise and Seth). It's the conversationwe had not long after the hospital that has me nervous. He told me about the fight with his brother, and that they worked it out. Seth, Sienna, and their kids are coming in for a long weekend, and Carlo's family is hosting all of the Malloys at their house to get everyone together. It's practically going to be a holiday. He invited me, but was very clear that it's no problem at all if it's too much too soon. I want to meet all of these people that he loves the most in this world, so I said of course I'll come. It doesn't mean that I'm not nervous and anxious as anything about it. Meeting Evelyn wasn't intimidating, I do so much better one on one with people. This is a whole huge group of people, all of whom are going to be sizing me up as a partner for Taran.
I shove the anxiety aside because Gina and her daughter Ava are coming over after work for a girls night, while Wayne takes their son Braden to a father/son dinner and karate class. Ava is my heart and soul, I love that little girl as much as my blood nieces and nephews. We've always had a bond since I used to help out a lot with her when she was a baby, and Wayne had to go away on business. She's completely brilliant, sweet, and is truly a born performer. My love for dancing and theater has definitely rubbed off on her. When work finally ends, I quickly get things ready for them before letting Brody out. I'm bringing him back in when I hear Gina's spare key in the door, and Ava comes bursting through.
“Lyraaaa!!!!” she sings out as she comes running in to hug me
“Whoa whoa whoa, honey, shoes off and calm yourself,” Gina lightly chides her, taking her hand to stop her and have her listen. Ava pouts a little, takes off her shoes like she was told, and then throws herself at me.
“Hi, Schmoopy!!” I squeeze her tight before giving Gina a big hug
“She's been bouncing off the walls about having girls night since she woke up today.” Gina ruffles her daughter's hair while Ava nods emphatically. “It's going to be the BEST NIGHT EVER.” She practically screeches it before Brody comes running over to lavish her in kisses while she collapses into giggles.
“It sure is!! Pizza is on the way. Wait, you don’t like pizza at all do you?” I ask her teasingly.
“Auntie Lyra you know it’s my FAVORITE, silly goose. I hope it has sausage, peppers, and mushrooms on it!” She’s jumping up and down at this point.
“Of course it does! It’s the Schmoopy Special.”
Her giggle rings out like lovely bells as I get out the dessert surprise from the refrigerator.
“What do you say we quickly get this chocolate chip cookie dough I have here sliced and onto the sheet tray while we wait? That’ll be some yummy dessert after the pizza, huh?” She squeezes me around my waist as I plant a kiss on the top of her head.
“COOKIES!” She says it in her best imitation of Cookie Monster and pretends to scarf the dough, making Gina and I guffaw.