Written for the 'another chapter' (sequel) challenge. Sequel to Redundant.
Title: Indispensable
Laura forced herself to stay where she was, relaxed into a porch swing, when his car pulled into the drive.
She resisted craning her neck to check how much he'd changed in six months, listening instead to the car door creaking open and closed, and the sharp beep as he locked it.
The crunch of his shoes over the pebbled path grew louder until it came to an abrupt halt. She held her breath, but continued to gently rock forward and back, enjoying the easterly view of the valley below.
Eventually, he slowly clumped up the steps. A paper grocery bag crinkled as he swapped it to his other arm, and a set of keys jangled before the front glass door behind her slid open.
Inside, several kitchen doors were open and shut until his steady footfall on the timber floorboards signalled his return.
The swing wobbled and groaned, but held firm under their combined weight.
He silently passed her a tall glass and she took a long drink.
"Real lemonade," she murmured.
"Yeah. My grandmother's recipe."
She hummed and took another sip of the refreshingly bitter liquid.
She pushed with her feet so that the swing began to slowly move again.
"Looks like you're shifting house," he commented.
She turned towards her three bags sitting near the door. "The company pays for my apartment's lease. When I resigned, I thought it best to vacate."
She lifted the heavy weight of her hair off of the nape of her neck, hoping to ease the effect of the sticky heat and his proximity.
"Dick mustn't be too pleased."
A rumble of thunder echoed in the near distance.
"Better go in before it starts to rain," she suggested.
His hand came out and gripped hers. "Come on, I'll show you our room."