Pulling out of his grip, I waved him off. “He’s not here, so I couldn’t say. What are you doing here anyway?”
Pacing the floor, he shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, you know. Just finished work and wanted to see my girl.” Looking at me, he smiled. “Stephen’s girl. It’s just that I heard through the grapevine that you make a mean hot chocolate. Can you see it in you to spare one for little old me?”
I saw his cheeky grin and couldn’t keep my mouth from turning up at his somewhat mischievous behavior.
“I suppose I could if you sit down and behave yourself, young man.”
Shaking his head and smiling, he sat down. “I may be some things, Cassie, but young isn’t one of them. Not when you’ve lived as many years as I have.”
It was hard to imagine someone as childlike as Simeon and Stephen could be so many years old. “How old are you?”
Simeon snorted. “I don’t know. I’ve lost count.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t quite get my head around it all. Deciding it was just not worth hurting my brain over, I proceeded to the kitchen to make hot chocolate. It was hard, considering the first memory I had of Stephen and I was when he tried it for the first time ever. How on earth he lived for so long without knowing what hot chocolate tasted like, I had no idea.
Once everything was ready, I sat down and watched Simeon take his first sip. “So, what’s the verdict?”
Shrugging, he placed the mug on the table. “It’s all right, I guess.”
Feeling a little childlike myself, I picked up a cushion and hurled it at him.
“Hey,” Simeon protested. “I don’t think I deserved that.”
“No one mocks the hot chocolate,” I joked.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Would you like to stay for dinner?” It was out of my mouth before I even realized what I was saying. I really didn’t want Simeon to stay for dinner. Just looking at him brought me pain. The only problem was he was here, bringing with him this peacefulness the angels like to carry with them. Sometimes I felt like an addict. I just wanted to inhale as much of him as I possibly could, be around it as much as I possibly could.
“I would like that very much,” he smiled.
Oh, god! What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 16
The dreams were becoming a nightly ritual now. It was always the same dream, with the same door, and the same outcome. It was almost as if I’d become accustomed to it. Like I was aware it was a dream and there was nothing I could do about it. In a sense, though, I thought I would miss them if they were to suddenly disappear. Although I complained about it, I knew it meant something. The dream was telling me it meant something.
During the course of my morning, I showered, ate, and washed up with no sign of hearing from Simon. I started to worry a little about why he had gone silent. I had already checked my phone several times this morning, thinking I may have missed hearing from him. I was wondering if my dinner with Simeon had swept me away a little. Simeon was kind and gentle last night, listening attentively as I explained how much I missed both his brothers. But I confessed that I was glad I had him around to keep me company. We ended the evening with a little hug. There was no intimacy there, no romantic gestures—just two lonely friends seeking out companionship.
Sighing, I drank my coffee and checked the time. It was getting close to eleven and still no word. Getting up, I grabbed my coat. It was time for some action. I called a local taxi company and they told me one would pick me up in five minutes.
I stood outside and waited for the taxi. I was eager to get to the hospital, but not only to see Mama Caroline. I also wanted to find out what was going on with Simon. In a sudden panic, I started worrying about Sharice and the baby. Maybe something had happened and he was too tied up with her to call me. I sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case, though. I couldn’t see that it had anything to do with Mama Caroline. I had only recently touched her hand. I was sure I would have seen it otherwise.
The taxi came and I was at the hospital within twenty minutes. My heart was racing with each minute that passed, hoping and praying everyone was okay.
I raced up to the third floor and found her room. She was there when I looked through the window, but she looked sad. Oh no. Something’s wrong.
When I opened the door, Mama Caroline looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “Mama Caroline, are you okay? What’s the matter?” Because I had my gloves on, I rushed towards her and grabbed her hand.
“It’s Catherine and Molly. They’ve disappeared. Simon was here a minute ago, but he left to make some calls. He’ll be back in a few minutes.”