It had been a week since everything went down. Everyone was over at the house, helping to get it fixed up, hopefully before Christmas. The doctors were surprised on how fast I was healing. I limped around the house trying to help Sofi and Camille cook a nice dinner in the kitchen. We had successfully boarded up any windows that were broken, right now Angel was working on replacing them. Jerry was working on trying to fill the holes in the brick and concrete left from the bullets. Bobby was busy cutting out wood for the window frames and other various damages.
Bobby had gotten home early from his temp job at the Ford factory. He had only accepted the job earlier in the week, surprising us all. I was unsure on what I wanted to do from here. I had begun looking at colleges and started getting all the documentation I needed to get to enroll. I just needed to choose which career I really wanted.
Angel asked for an extended leave through the new year. Him and Sofi announced their engagement the night we came home from the police station. Bobby teased them both as he usually did, but there was happiness behind his eyes.
"Have you set a date yet?" Camille asked Sofi as we finished up dinner and set the table.
"Not yet. We're debating doing it before he goes back." she said, a little sadness in her voice at the thought.
I limped into the dining room, I was unsure where we would all sit at the table. It felt wrong not to sit next to Angel. But that would be Sofi's spot now. It felt even more wrong for Camille to sit in Jack's seat. My heart broke at the thought of never hearing his laugh again. A small tear rolled down my cheek. Amelia and Daniela would sit on opposite sides next to Sofi and Camille. Leaving one spot for me, mom's old spot at the other end of the table.
It made me feel uncomfortable, like we should keep that seat empty in her memory. I felt another tear follow the one for Jack. How could I do this without her guiding voice helping me along.
"You've got this baby girl." I looked up at where she would be standing if she was here in the dining room with me. It was like I could see her in front of me. "You're stronger than any woman I've known. I'll be here for you. Guiding you to the right choice." She smiled at me.
Just as soon as it happened she was gone again. Her words still ringing in my ears. I faintly heard Camille and Sofi round up everyone from outside for supper. I noticed the girls, Jerry and Angel came in almost immediately. I limped passed them and noticed Bobby outside talking to the kids that were playing street hockey.
I smiled at him as he gave them the ball they were using for a puck back. I had no idea how Bobby and I would end up. Whether it be in a happy marriage, an unhappy marriage or a mutual split. We were still wrapping our brains around mom and Jack being gone. It wouldn't surprise me after all this sadness and chaos died down if we went back screaming at each other. He turned back around and his face lit up in a smile as his eyes reached mine. Maybe it wouldn't though. Maybe Ma was right in that we were destined for each other. No one able to handle the crazy that was Bobby Mercer but me, and no one able to handle the craziness that was me. He walked up the broken steps and wrapped his arms around me. His cold lips reached mine in the doorway of the house.
Just like our first kiss in the winter cold over 13 years ago.
