“I love you, baby,” he whispered and I felt his lips at the top of my head. His arms were around me, holding me tightly against him. I was so comfortable that I knew I could easily fall asleep that way. “I only want you to be happy.”
“I am.” My heart was full. There was no room in it for sadness or anger. I felt happy and loved. Even when I was arguing with him, I felt unconditional love.
It was in that moment that I decided to do something with the money my grandparents left me. I love the place that I now called home. And I wanted to do something that would benefit others. Something to share the love that I felt and hopefully give someone else a piece of that love and happiness. I knew that there were people who lived in the area that were struggling. I also knew they took donations each year for community projects and child outreach programs. I needed to find things to fill my time with. The spring and summer months were his busy seasons. The days were longer, the weather was nicer, and I knew Asher would be working extra hours. He and his team just won the bid on a new development, so they were all excited about that and the amount of money it would bring in. So I needed to keep myself occupied.
The pounding started to get louder, taking me out of my head and bringing me back to reality.
“I'm coming! I'm coming! Hold your horses!” I shout while running to the front door. I push Beast out of the way so I can get to the peep hole. When I look out, I see a young guy holding flowers. “What the heck?” I mutter to myself. I open the door and the man standing there smiles and holds out a bouquet of roses.
“Hi,” I say, my eyebrows coming together in question. Asher has given me flowers in the past, but he has never given me roses. He has always brought them home to me. I’ve never received a delivery.
“This is a delivery for November,” the guy says, looking up at me from where his head was bent down, reading the paper in his hand.
“That’s me,” I say, and before I can get anything else out, he shoves a clipboard into my hand.
“You need to sign where the Xs are.”
I quickly sign by the two Xs. He then smiles and takes the clipboard, putting it under his arm. He hands me the flowers and then walks off. I set the flowers on the island and look for a card but can’t find one. I know the flowers are from Asher because he is the only person who would send them. I walk back to the bedroom to find my phone.
Once I have my cell phone, I send Asher a quick text.
Me: Thanks for the flowers.
There is no reply right away, so I set the phone down and jump in the shower. I am blow drying my hair and drinking coffee with I hear my phone signal a message.
Asher: Didn’t send anything ;-(
Me: Oh. Maybe my dad sent them.
“Hey, baby girl,” Dad answers on the first ring.
“Hi Dad, um, I was wondering if you sent me flowers?”
“No. Why?”
“I got a delivery of roses this morning and Asher didn’t send them.”
“I didn’t send anything.”
My breathing starts to pick up and I know my dad can hear it through the phone.
“I'm sure they are from someone you know,” he says quietly. I'm not as sure as he is. I feel paranoid, but after the roses that someone left me at my dad’s house, there is always a nagging in the back of my head telling me that something bad is going to happen to me again.
“I can tell you’re scared but don’t worry so much. Nothing has happened since the break-in.”
“You’re right. I'm acting crazy,” I tell him. Flowers are not a big deal.
“If you feel unsafe, just tell me and I will be over there.”
“No, Dad. You’re right. I'm fine.”
“Okay, baby girl. I'm going to go to sleep. My phone is on if you need me.”
“Thanks, Dad. Love you,” I whisper, feeling like an idiot.
“Love you too, baby girl.” He hangs up and I call everyone else I know who might have sent the flowers. No one did.
Asher: Was it your dad???
Me: He said no. I called around and no one else sent them.
Less than a second later, I get a response.
Asher: I'm calling Dad now.
Me: I don’t think that’s necessary.
Asher: Dad will be there in 5. I'm on my way. Stay inside and lock the door.
Me: I'm fine. Stop worrying. It’s making me freak.
Asher: Rather you be paranoid.
I hear the car pull up and I jump off the couch from where Beast and I are cuddling, and run to the front door. I look out the peephole just as Asher’s dad is getting out of the police cruiser. I open the front door and step out onto the porch, and hear the crinkle of paper under my bare foot. I bend down to pick it up. It is a plain card-size envelope. I can feel the weight of the card inside. I start to open it when it is snatched out of my hand.