Chapter 21

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review. I look forward to hearing from you all. Please keep your thoughts coming. To all those who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

The days turned into weeks, and even though Sue had come out of her shelter some, she was still hesitant about going out into crowds. She'd gone to lunch with her mom once, and had coffee with Tara at the coffee shop near the office. Jack had tried to convince her to go to dinner with him, or out shopping, but she still claimed she wasn't ready yet.

Carla was sitting at the table enjoying a cup of tea when Sue walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning Sweetheart." She said. "Do you want some tea? Something to eat?"

"Tea would be nice, but I'll make it." She said. "Mom?" Sue started.

Carla looked up.

"You know how much I really appreciate you coming all the way out here to stay with me while I get through this?" Sue asked. Carla looked at her, an eyebrow arched. "I love you, Mom."

"But?" Carla pushed.

"I think it's time you go home." She said, barely audible.

"Uhh…" Carla gasped, the hurt obvious on her face.

"I love you Mom. And, I have loved having you here, I really have. You've been such a huge help to me, and Lucy, but… I think that's part of the problem." Sue said. Carla closed her mouth and listened. "I need to do for me. I'm physically able to do most of the stuff that needs to be done around here, and what I can't, Lucy can."

"Sue, are you sure?" She asked.

Sue nodded. "I think if I'm going to get on with my life, I'm going to be forced to do so. You're making it too easy for me." Tears were falling on Sue's cheeks, Carla's too.

"Honey, if you're sure this is what you want, and you're sure you two can handle what needs doing… I'll call your father." She hugged Sue as tight as she dared. Pulling back so Sue could read her lips, "I'm just a phone call away. If you need me, you'd better call me."

"I will, thanks Mom." She said as she hugged her around the neck again.

Lucy walked into the kitchen and witnessed the scene. "Whoa, who died?" She asked.

"I'm headed home Lucy." Carla said wiping her tears.

"You're wh- you're what?" She stuttered. "Are you sure?"

"Yes dear, it's time." Carla assured her. "I'll call Bill and see when I can get a flight back."

Lucy hugged Carla, and with that, Carla packed her bags and headed back to Ohio.

Lucy and Sue drove her to the airport and dropped her off. There were hugs and tears as they parted ways. On the way back Lucy turned to Sue.

"So, what prompted your mom to decide to go home all of a sudden?" Lucy asked.

"I told her to." Sue replied. Lucy looked at her best friend shocked.

"You what?" She asked.

"It's time Luce. If she stays I will never learn to live on my own again." Sue explained.

"I guess that's a good sign. You want to get better…" Lucy smiled. They walked for a minute before she stopped.

"What's wrong?" Sue asked.

"I forgot! I have a date with Tony tonight." Lucy said. Sue squealed with delight. Lucy looked very serious.

"Wait, is that a bad thing?" Sue asked confused.

"With your mom gone, who's going to be with you?" Lucy asked, then shook her head. "I'll just reschedule my date, that's all." She decided.

"No!" Sue exclaimed. "You can't. You've been trying to get him interested in you for too long… keep your date, I'm a big girl, I can stay alone for a few hours." Sue insisted.

XOXOXOX

Lucy twirled around, showing off a brand new calf length black dress. It had thick double pleated straps that sparkled. The shine followed the neck line that swooped just enough. It fit all the right curves, in all the right places.

"Wow… you look wonderful!" Sue gushed of her best friend.

"Thanks." She said. The bell rang. "Sue are you sure you'll be ok?" She asked. Lucy answered the door, to a handsome, slender man about six feet tall. He had a stylish suit and a dark blue tie. He handed Lucy a bouquet of flowers.

"These are beautiful." Lucy gushed. "Let me put them in water." Before she could, Sue took them from her.

"I'll take care of them." She paused. "I'll be fine. Go!" Sue insisted.

"OK, but I have my phone on me if you need me… call me." Lucy said.

"Yeah, yeah. Go already will you!" Sue said with a giggle.

Lucy gave her a wave as she was swept off her feet for the evening. Sue was determined not to need to call Lucy for anything tonight. Lucy had been there by her side from the beginning and deserved a night out.

Sue took the flowers, cut them and arranged them in a vase, placing them on the dinner table. She settled on the couch and began reading a book that someone had lent her. She'd long finished the book that Anne had given her. She turned the pages, enjoying the book when her phone buzzed. Levi nudged her then her phone. Sue picked it up, excited to see who it was.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hi Sue. How are you? This is Angie. I was wondering how you're doing. I'm sorry I hadn't returned your call before now, but my family has been keeping me quite busy." Came the message.

"Angie! It's good to hear from you." Sue answered. "I'm great. How are you doing?"

"Hanging in there. The doc said he got it all this time… I don't really believe him, but hey, what am I going to do right?" She said with a laugh. "I'm sorry Sweetie, did I interrupt you? You must have a date, or at least be getting ready for one… it being a Saturday night." Angie said.

"Nope, nothing. I was just reading. Do you have visitors tonight?" Sue asked.

"No. I asked them to all give me a night off, I wanted to catch up with a couple of friends. They won't be back until Monday!" She laughed. "Don't get me wrong, I love my family, and I love spending time with them, but I love my friends too, and want to catch up on their lives, and their gossip!"

"I know what you mean. I just sent my mom home and my best friend out on a date. I needed some alone time." Sue said. "I felt like I was being smothered."

"I know the feeling. I know my kids and grandkids love me, but I know too that they're spending so much time with me because of the cancer." She sounded a little melancholy, thankful that Sue couldn't hear the inflection in her voice.

"Yeah, I understand that, but I can understand where they're coming from. I lost my grandmother to cancer when I was younger, and I remember spending every minute I could because I knew she wouldn't be here forever and I wanted to have as many memories as I could." Sue admitted.

"Well, before this turns into a complete tear fest, what are you up to tonight, besides reading?" Angie asked.

"Nothing really. Just hanging out with Levi and reading." Sue answered. Angie shook her head showing her disapproval.

"Unacceptable." Angie said. "I'm half way there. Get yourself ready, we're going to go do something." And with that, she hung up the phone. Sue looked at the phone, realizing that Angie had really hung up on her and laughed.

There was a knock at the door and Levi energetically bolted to it pawing. Sue opened the door to find Angie standing there all smiled.

"Hi!" They said in unison. Sue gave her a tight hug, Angie returned it.

"Come in." Sue said. "Can I get you a drink?"

"No, thanks. You look great." She said.

"Thanks. You too!" Sue answered.

"OK then, we'll go do something!" She said enthusiastically. What do you feel like doing? Volleyball? Oooo, how about badminton? Tennis?" Angie asked with a hearty laugh.

"Umm, not quite up to that yet!" Sue exclaimed.

"Where's your adventurous side? What happened to that bucket list?" Angie teased.

"What I mean to say is, I'm not quite healed enough for something so vigorous. And, somehow, I don't think you are either!" Sue teased. "How about dinner? Have you eaten yet?" Sue asked.

"Nope. Where to? I hear there's a cool new club down town…" To which Sue scrunched her nose.

"I don't do well in a club situation. It's too dark and usually too many people for me to be able to concentrate on one conversation." Sue said, sounding as convincing as possible. Even though it was the truth, it wasn't her main reason for not wanting to go out.

"Then how about that pizza place down the road here, any good?" Angie asked.

"Very." Sue said smiling. "Let me get my jacket."

As they walked toward the car, Angie suggested a movie which Sue honestly thought would be a nice idea.

When they arrived, they ordered a medium pizza and soda. Sue smiled at her friend.

"God sent you to me, and I am so thankful. You've been incredible for me." Sue said.

"And you, me." Angie replied. They ate in virtual silence. Once both had their fill, Angie began to speak. "So, what happened to that bucket list you were working on? Have you crossed anything off it yet?" She asked, picking at the cheese on the pizza on her plate.

"No." Sue answered.

"Have you added anything to it?" Angie quizzed.

"No." Sue blushed lightly and began to laugh.

"Come on now… what are you waiting for? Haven't you learned anything?" Angie scolded. "Have you and Jack spent any more time together?"

"Not really. I mean, he's been there nearly every day, helping when he can, but that's it." Sue explained.

"He's been there, through all of this… that says something kiddo." She pointed out. Sue again blushed, and smiled. "Don't wait Sue. Don't let the love of your life slip through your hands just because you're scared, or shy, or inexperienced. Don't live with regrets honey." She said.

"Do you have any regrets?" Sue asked, trying desperately to change the subject.

"Some. Some I can't change." She admitted. "Where do you think I'm getting my advice from?" She teased.

"Why can't you change them?" Sue asked.

"They're gone. The people who were involved have passed. I've made my peace with it, prayed for guidance and asked for help to forgive myself for it, but I will forever have the regret." Angie explained.

"I'm sorry." Sue said putting her hands over her new friend's.

"Me too." She paused. "But… we weren't talking about my regrets…" She smiled letting Sue know she knew what she was trying to do. "What's the issue with that handsome man?"

"Work-rules, more to the point." Sue explained.

"So you've said. You can't find a way around the rules?" Angie asked.

"Honestly? I haven't really tried." She paused. "Jack and I are… content being just friends." She said lamely.

"Oh, horse pucky! You're not happy with that, and neither is he! What are you so afraid of?" Angie asked.

"I don't know. Everything." Sue said.

"Well, finally an honest answer." Angie teased. "Let me ask you something. When you look at Jack, how do you feel?"

"Comfortable, happy." Sue answered.

"When Jack smiles at you, what does that do to you?" She asked.

"Makes me nervous inside…my stomach fills with butterflies and does summersaults." She answered.

"And…" Angie waited for an answer, but Sue didn't budge, waiting for the question. "When he touches you?"

"I melt." Sue admitted, blushing deep. "He's it for me Angie. He's my all in." Sue said, her cheeks on fire.

"Tell HIM that!" Angie instructed.

"I can't. I don't know how. I don't what I would say." Sue stumbled over the words being mushed together.

"Tell him exactly what you've just told me. He'll understand." She said.

"It's not that easy for me." Sue explained.

"You're making it more difficult than it has to be." Angie said accusingly. "Don't over think it."

"I can't just say to Jack when he stops over…'hey, how are the kittens? By the way, I'm in love with you, want some coffee?" Sue mocked.

"Well, no, but I bet, if you got close enough to Jack and allowed yourself to act on your feelings by kissing him that would get his attention. And if it was a hot, wet, passionate kiss you'd have to have pepper spray to get him off you." Angie teased causing Sue to blush a deep crimson.

"You must have been something when you were my age!" Sue teased.

"What do you mean when I was your age? I'm still hot stuff!" She joked. Both women broke into a fit of laughter. Sue snatched the bill when the waitress placed it on the table and the friends headed to the movies.