new beginnings

Advice

The rest of our afternoon together was a blur. We didn't do much at all except talk and eat dinner. We slept together in the bed, her curled up beside me. We woke up at about the same time, got dressed, then went downstairs.

Sarah was down there, nursing Ava at the table. That was the first time I'd seen the baby in a while, even though we were there the whole afternoon yesterday. She had gotten bigger. Jordan got flustered quickly and said sorry to Sarah.

"No, it's okay. You're fine," Sarah smiled at Jordan and she smiled back. 

"There's some apples for you guys, if you want any," Sarah said and nodded toward a bowl on the kitchen counter. Jordan walked over before I even moved and got us each one. She got a knife and cut them in half so they would be easier to eat. I leaned my crutches on the side of the table and eased myself into a chair. Jordan brought the apples over, handed two halves to me, and took a seat beside me.

"Well, it's kind of like applesauce, but solid. I'm happy for something different," I chuckled.

"Me too," Jordan said and took a bite.

I finished a half when Sarah spoke up.

"So, how have you been lately? I barely see you! I've been missing you, Carl. You're like my son," she joked, cradling Ava.

"I've been good. It's getting easier to walk, and I'm adjusting to seeing with one eye," I said and took another bite.

"Carl, this just came to my mind, but, Rick never told me her name," Sarah nodded at Jordan and laughed a little bit.

"Of course he didn't," I scoffed. "Well, her name's Jordan."

"Nice to meet you," Jordan giggled a little and shook Sarah's hand softly, even if she was across the table from her.

Sarah put Ava on her chest and started patting her back. "How's Ron doing? He barely talks to me anymore now that he moved in with you," she explained.

"He's doing good, I think, at least," I said and took another bite.

"That's good. What are your plans today?" She asked us.

"Hmm... not much, I guess. It's not like I'm able to do much, anyway," I shrugged.

"Well, there's always something to do, you know? Walking around is always fun for me," she suggested.

"That was fun for me," I tried not to say rudely.

"Oh, sorry," she quickly apologized and her cheeks became red.

"No, no, it's okay," I said. It really was.

Jordan and I finished our breakfast shortly after and walked out the door. It was a cloudy, cool day. Fall was coming, and the trees showed it. A few leaves littered the ground.

"Let's go on a walk," I said, since Sarah's idea stuck. Jordan looked at me, surprised.

"Are you sure? I don't want you hurting later on," she explained, like I already didn't know that.

"I'm sure," I smiled a little and we started walking from the porch. The only sounds heard for a few minutes was the wind passing though and Jordan's boots hitting against the pavement.

"Carl, I think I'm going to take those pregnancy tests," she stopped and turned to me.

I looked down to my boots as if they had a response written on them.

"It's been long enough. I'm getting really concerned," she filled the air with words so I wouldn't have to.

"Okay," I awkwardly said. What else could I say?