It had been a few days since I was released from the hospital and already I was sick of the cast. It itched and not being able to walk without those stupid crutches was a big pain in the ass. Thank god Bonnie was staying with me too or else Marshall would have to help me shower and go to the bathroom and no one wanted that. We had enough trauma in our family, we didn't need to add that to the list. I was just counting down the days till I could get this stupid thing removed and I could go back to work again. I was going stir crazy being locked up in this house all the time.
Bonnie and I picked up where we left off and that four month period where we were separated just felt like a bad dream. Being with her again just reaffirmed what I already thought; Bonnie and I were meant to be together and I was never going to leave her ever again. I was half tempted to propose to her but I wanted to wait till I had a ring and was able to get down on one knee. The thought definitely crossed my mind a few times though. I even secretly started looking at her wedding Pinterest board to get ideas for rings. I'd never felt that way about anyone before so I knew this was the real deal with her.
"Hey, Marci have you talked to Dad?" Marshall asked from the kitchen.
Bonnie and I were seated on my couch and I shook my head. I hadn't spoken to him since I was in the hospital. Frankly, him being around so much felt weird. He hadn't been that involved in my life in a very long time.
"No, not today. Not really since I've left the hospital. Why?" I asked.
"How would you feel about inviting him over for dinner? He's wondering how you're doing and I think it would be good for all of us if he came over."
I was conflicted. My dad and I had gotten along while I was in the hospital but I was still a little apprehensive about reconnecting. But a part of me wanted to. I guess almost dying really made you sentimental.
"Yeah, let's invite him over. Why not?" I replied.
Bonnie smiled and kissed my cheek. "I'm proud of you."
"We're gonna have to clear off the table and the counter if we wanna have dinner." Marshall laughed.
I'd gotten so many flowers from coworkers, regulars, friends, distant relatives and even Bonnie's family that they covered my entire kitchen. Bonnie's mom even had Neil bring over some precooked meals. I would have enough food to last me a lifetime.
"Just put them in my room. We'll move them out later."
My phone dinged and Bonnie grabbed my phone off the coffee table. Her eyes scanned the message and she frowned.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's Lilly."
"What?" I sat up quickly and grabbed my phone from her.
Sure enough, I had a Facebook message from Lilly on my screen. I felt like my entire world stopped. I hadn't talked to her in years. I always assumed she'd hated me after I just walked out on her that night. What could she possibly want now? I could sense Bonnie's irritation and I looked up at her. She was staring at me intently with her eyebrows raised.
"Are you gonna open it?" she asked.
I nodded and shakily clicked into the message.
Lilly:
Hey Marci, I heard about what happened to you and I just wanted to say I hope you're ok and I hope you're not too banged up. If you need anything let me know.
I felt like I couldn't breathe. Bonnie looked so upset I almost didn't want to reply but I felt like I had to. She deserved an answer from me since I couldn't give her one all those years ago.
Me:
Thanks. I'm doing ok. How've you been?
"What'd you say?" Bonnie asked.
I closed my phone and slid it in my pocket.
"I just said thanks and asked her how she's been."
"Hmmm,"
I grabbed Bonnie's hand and kissed it. "Hey, I'm with you. I dated her like 4 years ago. I don't want to be with her, I want to be with you."
Bonnie sighed and gave me a half smile. "I know it's just not exactly something I want to think about. From what you told me it seemed like you really loved her and I just got a little jealous. That's all."
"Hey which lasagna should we have for dinner? We have like 5 in here!" Marshall called from the kitchen.
Bonnie and I chuckled and she rolled her eyes.
"I'll go help him so he doesn't burn the house down."
She gave me a quick kiss before going to help Marshall. My phone dinged again and I pulled it out quickly. Lilly responded.
L:
Hey I'm glad! You gotta fill me in on what happened, I've just seen a bunch of articles about it and it was on the news the night the crash happened. I've been good. Just working really lol
Me:
It's a long sad story lol. Where are you working now?
L:
Im a child psychiatrist. I teach yoga on the side a little bit too. what about you?
Me:
Still working at the bean, I manage it now. even though I'm not doing much now with a broken leg and broken ribs.
L:
Well, I'd love to see you. Could I come visit sometime? I'm free tomorrow.
The thought of seeing her again made me extremely nervous. Plus, Bonnie wouldn't be too happy. I wanted to see her though. It had been so long and maybe I could give her some closure. A knock came at the door and Bonnie rushed to answer it. My dad was standing on the front porch holding a bottle of wine and more flowers.
"Hi Hunson! It's so nice of you to come! Dinner is still cooking so if you wanna just hang out with Marci while we cook that would be great."
"Oh yes of course. I'm sure you're sick of seeing flowers by now but I thought I'd add some more to the collection." He said, handing her the roses.
Bonnie beamed. "Of course, thank you."
He walked into the house and smiled at me. "Hello Marci, how are you feeling today?"
"Still sore but that's nothing new." I replied.
Dad came and sat next to me on the couch and Cake jumped up into his lap. He chuckled and rubbed behind her ears.
"Cute cat."
"Thanks."
We settled into an uncomfortable silence and my dad pulled his phone out and started typing away. It was odd seeing him around so much lately especially because of how I acted before the accident. I still hadn't apologized for that. My phone lit up and I glanced down at it. Lilly messaged me again.
L:
I'm sorry if that was too forward…It's just been a while and I'd really like to see you.
Me:
Of course you can come over tomorrow. My brother and my girlfriend are staying with me right now and helping me while I'm out of commission so it'll be a full house.
L:
Oh, you have a girlfriend?
I couldn't help but feel like she was slightly disappointed to hear that. But then again maybe I was just reading into it because of our history. Surely by now Lilly would be with someone…right?
Me:
Yeah, she's great. I'm sure she'll be grateful to have some company other than Marshall and I.
Now I just had to tell Bonnie that she was coming over and hopefully she'd be able to understand. I didn't want this to cause any problems between us when we'd been doing so well.
"Dinners ready!" Marshall yelled.
"Dad, can you help me?" I asked.
He seemed shocked I didn't call Bonnie or Marshall but he smiled and nodded.
"Of course dear, I'd love to."
Dad went and got my crutches from my room and placed them next to the couch. I grabbed his arm and lifted myself up and grabbed my crutches. I hobbled into the kitchen with him trailing behind me.
"Sit down, Marci. I'll grab you a plate." He said.
"Thanks, Dad."
I took a seat at the table and my heart melted watching everyone interact. Marshall and my dad were smiling and chatting while Bonnie, being the great hostess, grabbed plates and glasses for everyone. It was nice to see her and my dad get along. She seemed so at ease here, like she was already a part of my family.
"Does anyone want wine?" Bonnie asked.
We all agreed and she placed the glasses on the table and filled them up. Everyone joined me at the table and Bonnie took her seat next to me, placing a hand on my leg.
"Dig in! I think this is from Finn and Fiona…honestly, I'm not even sure anymore. We have so much food from so many people the fridge is overflowing." Marshall laughed.
We all started eating and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness. It seemed like my life was finally getting on track.
"So, dad, how's work?" I asked, in between bites.
"Good! It's pretty nonstop but I love it. Thank you for asking." He replied.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Marshall asked.
My dad chuckled nervously and wouldn't look any of us in the eye.
"I was kinda joking but that reaction tells me all I need to know." Marshall said, smirking.
"Tell us who she is. I wanna know." I replied.
My dad coughed and shook his head. "Well, her name is Annabel. We've been seeing each other for a few months now. Things are going well."
"When are we meeting her?" Marshall asked.
"Soon, I promise."
It was so weird to think of my dad with anyone other than my mom. He hadn't dated anyone after she died for as long as I was living at home but then again drinking took up all of his time. I felt oddly…happy for my dad. Losing my mom shattered his entire world. They were high school sweet hearts and he used to tell us he'd never loved anyone until he met our mom. It was nice to hear him finally moving on. We finished dinner and played a few rounds of cards against humanity, which was a card game I never wanted to play with my father, and then he left.
Marshall was cleaning up the kitchen and Bonnie helped me change into pajamas and got me into my bed. I watched her start to get ready for bed and I knew it was now or never to tell her about Lilly.
"Hey Bonnie, Lilly wants to come over tomorrow. I told her she could but if you're not comfortable with it then I'll cancel." I said.
She came out of the bathroom and raised an eyebrow. "She wants to come here?"
"Yeah she said she wanted to see me. I told her you and Marshall were staying here with me while I'm broken."
Bonnie went back in the bathroom, turned off the light and crawled into bed with me.
"You told her about me?"
I grabbed her chin and lifted her face up to mine. "Of course I did. You're my girlfriend."
She bit her lip and sighed. "Yeah I guess it's ok if she comes over. As long as she doesn't try anything funny I'm sure it'll be ok."
"Oh, someone's getting a little jealous, huh?" I chuckled.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and smirked. "Maybe a little bit."
I kissed her on the mouth gently, then her forehead then her nose. She giggled and her face flushed.
"You're my girlfriend. I love you. She can try all she wants but nothings gonna happen."
"I love you too."