Page 20 of Mountain Bean Dream
Jeremy slowly turned around, his jaw dropping wider with each heartbeat.
“He was the one I was going to give those flowers to”—I pointed to the vase on the table beside him— “But we broke up before I could.”
“Well, that explains the weird look he gave you when Isaid we were a couple.” He set the knife on the edge of the plate. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was him.”
“It’s all good.”
“He won’t beat me up, will he?”
“I truly hope not. He gave up on me first.” Which was the truth.
Jeremy pulled the Tupperware out of the microwave and poured it into two bowls. “It’s tomato, is that okay?”
“That’s great, thanks. One of my favourites.”
He set a plate with the bagel and a bowl of tomato soup onto a cookie sheet, setting it on my lap.
“It smells great. Did you make the soup?”
“I did. I make a huge batch and freeze it. Once a week, on Sundays, I take a container to my grandma at the nursing home.”
That was tomorrow. “Is this hers?”
“Don’t worry, I popped another container into the fridge when I ran upstairs. It’ll be thawed in time.”
“Okay, whew. I can’t handle guilt.” All my life I’d been guilted into doing one thing or another, because it was for the benefit of this, or it helped the family if I took on this other role.
“You’re all good. I hate receiving guilt trips, so I’m sure as day not going to give them out.” He set a mug of tea on the bedside table and then walked his midnight snack over to the little table by his chair. “So, you and the ER doctor were an item, eh?”
“We were, but apparently he says I’m not the kind of person someone wants to spend a long time with. He was just passing the time with me.” I shrugged.
“He said that?”
“He did, but in the end, I guess it’s okay. I do appreciate the honesty.”
“There’s honesty and there’s tact.” He dug into the soupand followed it with a bite of bagel.
I did the same, savouring the rich flavour of the tomato soup and melting into the comfort of it all. “This is good. Real good.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you are enjoying it.”
The food was so tasty, we dined in silence. Afterward, Jeremy insisted I stay in bed while he cleaned the kitchen. Yawns came hard and fast, and I found myself slipping further under the blanket. Dimming the under the cabinet lighting, he left the bathroom light on.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but grateful. Thank you for being here tonight. I appreciate it and you.”
“My pleasure.”
Suddenly, my eyes felt heavy and my blinks were getting longer, as were the pauses between his words.
“Get some sleep. I’ll just be over there”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure if I’d actually have a solid sleep or not, but right now I wasn’t going to fight Mr. Sandman. He was sprinkling his magic dust like raindrops.
Jeremy flopped down into the chair and opened his crossword app. “Tobias character in Divergent. Two words. Nine letters.”
Chapter Eight