The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [113]
The note was simple:
I’m sorry for the way I acted. I just need a couple days to think things through. Can you give me that?
Part of her wanted to throw the flowers away, another part wanted to keep them. Part of her wanted to end the relationship right now, another part wanted to plead for another chance. So what else is new? she thought to herself.
Outside her window, the storm had returned. The sky was gray and cold, rain sheeting itself against the windows, strong winds bending the trees almost double.
She lifted the receiver and called Rhonda, then turned her attention to the classified ads. This weekend she’d buy herself a car.
Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so trapped.
On Saturday Kyle celebrated his birthday. Melissa, Mitch and their four boys, and Judy were the only ones in attendance. When asked about Taylor, Denise explained that Taylor was coming by later to take Kyle to a baseball game, which was why he wasn’t here now.
“Kyle’s been looking forward to it all week,” she said, downplaying any problem.
It was only because of Kyle that she didn’t worry. Despite everything, Taylor hadn’t changed at all when it concerned her son. He would come, she knew. There was no way on earth that he wouldn’t.
He’d be here around five, he’d take Kyle to the game.
The hours ticked by, more slowly than usual.
At twenty past five, Denise was playing catch with Kyle in the yard, a pit in her stomach and on the verge of crying.
Kyle looked adorable dressed in jeans and a baseball hat. With his mitt—a new one, courtesy of Melissa—he caught Denise’s latest toss. Gripping the ball, he held it out in front of him, looking at Denise.
“Taylor’s coming,” he said. (Tayer’s cummeen)
Denise glanced at her watch for the hundredth time, then swallowed hard, feeling nauseated. She’d called three times; he wasn’t home. Nor, it seemed, was he on his way.
“I don’t think so, honey.”
“Taylor’s coming,” he repeated.
That one brought tears to her eyes. Denise approached him and squatted to be at eye level.
“Taylor is busy. I don’t think he’s going to take you to the game. You can come with Mommy to work, okay?”
Saying the words hurt more than it seemed possible.
Kyle looked up at her, the words slowly sinking in.
“Tayer’s gone,” he finally said.
Denise reached out for him. “Yes, he is,” she said sadly.
Kyle dropped the ball and walked past her, toward the house, looking as dejected as she’d ever seen him.
Denise lowered her face into her hands.
Taylor came by the following morning, a wrapped gift under his arm. Before Denise could get to the door, Kyle was outside, reaching for the package, the fact that he hadn’t shown up yesterday already forgotten. If children had one advantage over their elders, Denise reflected, it was their ability to forgive quickly.
But she wasn’t a child. She stepped outside, her arms crossed, obviously upset. Kyle had taken the gift and was already unwrapping it, ripping off the paper in an excited frenzy. Deciding not to say anything until he was done, Denise watched as Kyle’s eyes grew wider.
“Legos!” he cried joyfully, holding up the box for Denise to see. (Weggoes)
“It sure is,” she said, agreeing with him. Without looking at Taylor, she brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes. “Kyle, say, ‘Thank you.’ ”
“Kenk you,” he said, staring at the box.
“Here,” Taylor said, removing a small pocketknife from his pants and squatting, “let me open that for you.”
He cut the tape on the box and removed the cover. Kyle reached in and pulled out a set of wheels for one of the model cars.
Denise cleared her throat. “Kyle? Why don’t you take that inside. Mommy’s got to talk to Taylor.”
She held open the screen door, and Kyle dutifully did as she’d asked. Setting the box on the coffee table, he was immediately engrossed in the pieces.
Taylor stood, not making a move toward her.
“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “There’s really no excuse. I just forgot about the game. Was he upset?”
“You could say that.”
Taylor’s expression was pained.