I take a deep breath and open the screen door. I knock twice and close the screen. It clatters against the frame as it slips out of my hand. I cringe at the loud noise until I realize that no one is here to hear it but me. I peek into the front window to make sure that he's not inside. I don't see movement inside the house so I put plan B into motion. I open the screen door back up and this time I close it slowly, trapping the envelope in the frame. It'll be the first thing he sees when he comes home.
Now it's a waiting game.
I make my way back to the hotel and sit in my room staring at my phone. I watch as the time passes by. The seconds feel like minutes. The minutes like hours. After two hours, I can't take the waiting any longer. I pick up my phone and dial his number. It goes straight to voicemail. Shit!
I didn't make a plan C. I didn't think I would need it. I didn't think beyond him either being home or not being home. He has to come home eventually, right? Maybe surprising him wasn't such a good idea.
I change my clothes and put on my running shoes. I need air. I need to get out of this hotel room and clear my mind. There's a park down the block. I'll run there and back. I stretch my arms and legs in the elevator on the way down.
The cooling night air hits my face and I smile. Yes, this is exactly what I need. I set off in the direction of the park. I passed it on my way back from Luke's house. I see it coming into view and let my mind start to wonder.
If he's not home, where is he? Maybe he went out. It is Saturday night. Maybe he had a date?
No. His final letter to me basically said that he would be here waiting for me. Well, I'm here. If he's waiting for me, I'd like to know where he's waiting. It doesn't matter. I'm not leaving without seeing him. He needs to know I'm here. He needs to read my letter. I won't give up just because he's not home. I waited ten years for him the first time. I can wait a little longer.
I turn into the park and keep going. It's beautiful. The trees are tall and in full bloom. In a few months, the leaves will start to change colors and eventually fall. I'm sure it's beautiful here when that happens. There's a water fountain up headed. Two mermaids standing tall, water flowing from their mouths. Just past that there looks like a small pond. I see geese roaming the lawn.
I take a left when the path split and head farther away from the hotel. The park is much bigger than it looked when I drove past. There's a playground coming into view now. The swings sit empty, moving slightly from the breeze. The glare of the setting sun bounces off the metal of the slide and temporarily blinds me. The parents have all taken their children home for the night. It has to be getting close to eight by now. I'm sure some of those children are laying their heads on their pillows right now and closing their eyes as sweet dreams invade their heads.
Felicity will be dealing with all of this soon. I'll be there to help her. We'll take it to the park. It. I can't keep calling her unborn child it. It feels weird. She finds out in a few weeks if she's having a boy or a girl. At least then I'll be able to say he or she. I wonder what Felicity will name it.
The Evans will be there to help too. They were more than excited to hear that Elliot's left behind a legacy. "His spirit will live on in his child," they said according to Felicity. Mrs. Evans was going to take Felicity shopping today for nursery furniture. By the time I get home, our spare bedroom will be completely transformed.
I take another left and head back to the main road. The temperature has dropped slightly, but the humidity is still hanging around. Sweat is dripping from parts of my body that I didn't even know produced sweat. My hair looks as if I've just jumped out of the shower. That's what I need right now. A shower. A very cold shower.
Walking through the lobby of the hotel people stare. I don't really care. I'm not here to impress them. Plus, I'd like to see what they look like after a long run in that stifling humidity. I'm sure they wouldn't look any better. I do feel horrible for the man in the elevator with me. I can't smell good.
The spray of the shower rinses away the sweat and grime. I feel like a new woman as I turn the water off and step out. I wrap one towel around my hair and another around my body. After brushing my teeth, I head to get dressed and check my phone. If Luke hasn't called me yet I'm going to call him.
I have three missed calls, none of them are from Luke.
Hey, girly. I hope you made it there safe. Call me if you need me. I'm going to hanging out at the house tonight looking at paint samples. How do you feel about a soft green? Is that a neutral color or should I wait until I know what I'm having. I'm sure it's a boy, but you never know. Call me later.
She sounds happy. Happier than she has in months. I know that these have been the most trying months of her life. She's dealt with things one day at a time, the best that she can. To hear the joy in her voice again, to watch as her smile lights up the room, makes me smile too.
Reagan, its James. Give me a call when you get a second.
He tries to sound nonchalant, but I can hear the panic in his voice. I wonder what's going on. I'll have to call him back first.
Reagan, it's James again. Call me back. I need to talk to you.
Now he's not trying to hide the panic. I quickly dial his number and listen as it rings and rings. I hope everything is alright. My thoughts immediately go to Felicity and the baby. Her voicemail was from an hour ago. She must have called right after I left for my run. James left me two messages while I was in the shower, the last one from only ten minutes ago. Why is he not answering? When his voicemail picks up I hang up and dial again.
I leave him a voicemail this time and call Felicity. She picks up on the second ring.
"Hey!" She sounds ecstatic to hear from me.
"What's going on? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" I cut to the chase. I'm talking a mile a minute but I can't help it. Something is wrong and I need to make sure that she's okay, that everyone I love is safe.
"Yeah. We're good. Uncle James is here to visit right now. He brought me food."
"James is there? Can I talk to him?"
"Sure. Hold on." I hear muffled voices and then James is on the other end of the line.
"What the hell? You had me freaked out. Is everyone okay?"
"We're all fine. You should bail on the rest of your business trip and come home. We miss you." All? Business trip? Where is he going with this? He knows where I am. It's almost as if he's speaking in code. Why would he be speaking in code unless...
"He's there?"
"Yeah. So we'll see you tomorrow then?" I smile even though I know James can't see me, no one can see me.
"Maybe sooner. Love you little brother."
"Love you too sis. See you soon."
I pack my bags and check out on my way to the car. I head to the airport but not before making a pit stop at Luke's to grab my letter. The nice lady behind the airline counter finds a way to get me home as quick as possible. I have to change planes a few times, but it beats waiting for the earliest flight tomorrow morning.
THERE'S AN UNFAMILIAR car parked in my spot when I pull into the driveway. As quietly as possible I let myself in the house and head to my room. I drop my bag on the floor and stare at a sleeping Luke in my bed. I have the sudden urge to jump in and cuddle up to him. Instead, I drop my letter on the pillow next to his head and head to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. I slept a few hours on and off, but I'm exhausted.