The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [133]
She simply nodded and took his hand.
For the next few hours they talked with a new openness. Taylor filled her in on the last few weeks: his conversations with Melissa and what his mother had said; the argument he’d had with Mitch the night he’d died. He spoke about how Mitch’s death had resurrected the memories of his father’s death and—despite everything—his lingering guilt about both deaths.
He talked steadily as Denise listened, offering support as he needed it, occasionally asking questions. It was nearly four in the morning when he rose to leave; Denise walked him to the door and watched him drive away.
While putting on her pajamas, she reflected that she still didn’t know where their relationship would go from here—talking about things didn’t always translate into actions, she cautioned herself. It might mean nothing, it might mean everything. But she knew it wasn’t simply up to her to give him another chance. As it had been from the beginning, it was—she thought as her eyelids drooped shut—still up to Taylor.
The following afternoon he called to ask if it would be all right for him to stop by.
“I’d like to apologize to Kyle, too,” he said. “And besides, I have something to show him.”
Still exhausted from the night before, she wanted time to mull things over. She needed that. So did he. But in the end she reluctantly consented, more for Kyle’s sake than her own. She knew that Kyle would be overjoyed to see him.
As she hung up the phone, however, she wondered if she’d done the right thing. Outside, the day was blustery; cool autumn weather had arrived in full force. The leaves were dazzling in their color: reds, oranges, and yellows exploding on the branches, preparing for their final descent to the dew-covered grass. Soon the yard would be covered with faded remnants of the summer.
An hour later Taylor arrived. Though Kyle was in the yard out front, she could hear his excited screams over the sound of the faucet.
“Money! Tayer’s here!”
Setting her dishrag aside—she’d just finished washing the morning dishes—she went to the front door, still feeling a little uneasy. Opening it, she saw Kyle charging Taylor’s truck; as soon as Taylor stepped out, Kyle jumped into his arms as if Taylor had never stayed away, his face beaming. Taylor hugged him for a long time, putting him down just as Denise walked up.
“Hey there,” he said quietly.
She crossed her arms. “Hi, Taylor.”
“Tayer’s here!” Kyle said jubilantly, latching on to Taylor’s leg. “Tayer’s here!”
Denise smiled thinly. “He sure is, sweetie.”
Taylor cleared his throat, sensing her unease, and motioned over his shoulder.
“I grabbed a few things from the store on my way over here. If it’s okay to stay awhile.”
Kyle laughed aloud, completely enamored by Taylor’s presence. “Tayer’s here,” he said again.
“I don’t think I have much of a choice,” she answered honestly.
Taylor grabbed a grocery bag from the cab of the truck and carried it inside. The bag contained the makings for stew: beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. They spoke for a couple of minutes, but he seemed to sense her ambivalence about his presence and finally went outside with Kyle, who refused to leave his side. Denise started preparing the meal, thankful to be left alone. She browned the meat and peeled the potatoes, cut the carrots, celery, and onions, throwing everything into a big pot with water and spices. The monotony of the work was soothing, calming her roiling emotions.
As she stood over the sink, however, she glanced outside occasionally, watching Taylor and Kyle play in the dirt pile, where they each pushed Tonka trucks back and forth, building imaginary roads. Yet despite how well they seemed to be getting along, she was struck once more with a paralyzing sense of uncertainty about Taylor; the memories of the pain he had caused her and Kyle surfaced with new clarity. Could she trust him? Would he change? Could he change?
As she watched, Kyle climbed on to Taylor’s squatting figure, covering him with dirt. She could hear Kyle laughing; she could hear Taylor laughing