Page 104 of From This Moment (After We Fall 4)
“With her, with her?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“That’s…interesting.” He rolled his shoulders. “How’d that happen?”
I shrugged. “When I came home, we started spending time together and it just sort of happened. At first we tried to fight it, but it was impossible. So we hid it because of what people would say.”
“Fuck people.” Jack’s tone was firm. “It’s not their business.”
I had to smile, because it was kind of hilarious to see this big, muscular guy with an angry expression say fuck people while cuddling a tiny baby. “That’s what I said too, but Hannah is sensitive.”
“She is,” agreed Pete. “Sh
e’s been quiet and kind of tense at work the last few weeks. No wonder. I was worried she didn’t like the job anymore, but Georgia told me she was just going through a rough time.”
“She loves the job,” I assured him.
“It’s hard to feel okay about moving on after your spouse dies,” Jack said.
“I know, and the fact that it’s me adds a whole other layer of challenge.” I drank from my beer bottle again. “And then my mother found out.”
“Oh, shit.” Pete’s eyes went wide. “What did she say?”
“She freaked. Said it was wrong and disgraceful and that Drew was turning in his grave.”
“It’s not true,” Jack said. “Don’t believe it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t. I have to believe Drew would have wanted us to be happy.”
“I agree.” Pete nodded. “I knew Drew a lot of fucking years, and he could be crazy and loud and obnoxious, but he was never selfish or mean. In fact, I think he would want it to be you, because he’d trust you.”
Gooseflesh broke out on my back. “Thanks, you guys. I needed to hear that.”
I hung out with Jack and Pete until around seven, when they had to get bedtime routines going for the kids. Back at home, I put away some laundry my mother had left on my bed, tackled some paperwork I’d been putting off, checked my email, and stretched out on my bed with a book. But after the three beers and three bowls of chili I’d had at Jack’s, I was drowsy and couldn’t keep my eyes open. I dozed off, and when I woke up, it was after nine. I picked up my phone and saw that I’d missed a call from Hannah. After listening to her voicemail, I called her back.
“Hello?” she said softly.
“Hey. Did I wake you?”
“No. I’m in bed but I can’t sleep.”
“I wish I was there.”
“Me too.”
A few beats of silence went by. “How’s Abby? You said she was okay today?”
“Yes. We spent the day together and I think she’s okay.” She sighed. “I mean, who knows what’s going on in her mind, but I tried my best to answer her questions and make sure she isn’t confused.”
“Good.”
“It’s hard when she wants things I can’t give her, like a dad. It makes me feel helpless and sad.”
“I know, baby. Hang in there. You’re doing things right.”
“Thanks.”
“How did it go when you picked her up?”
