Chapter 15: CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Duncan Clarke sat at Savannah’s table, wolfing down the food she had given him. She was surprised when he called an hour before his arrival and said he needed to speak with her. She assumed that he was concerned about his account. “Savannah, I must say, these are some great pancakes. There is a different flavor.”

“I use eggs in the batter.” She smiled. She’d always gotten compliments on her golden-brown pancakes.

“Eggs in the batter.” He looked as if he had just been told the secret of life. “Your mom can cook, can’t she Jake.”

“Uh huh.” Jake exclaimed excitedly. He was chewing on a piece of bacon. Nicholas managed his own salty piece.

“Well,” Duncan started as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Now that I have had some good breakfast, let’s get to a couple of things. I take it that things are going okay between you and my nephew?”

“Things have been moving along. I think we are both hypersensitive because of what happened with other people. We’re communicating more efficiently.”

“Well I saw him the other day. Smiling like a crazy man so you must have said something to make him like that.”

“I told him it was best if we took our time, which meant that I had to think some things through.” Savannah blushed. “Then we made out a little.”

Duncan leaned back a little and smiled. “I’m sure you two will figure this out. The other thing I was wondering about was your job search. Found anything yet?”

Savannah sighed. “What can I tell you? Everything is either long days or long nights. Or not enough money. I have to be home at a certain hour for my boys.”

“I agree. I was fortunate enough to have my mother there when I got home from school and because of that, she was able to make sure I stayed out of trouble.” He paused and wiped his mouth again. “What if you come to work for me?”

“What?” Savannah stopped in the middle of wiping Jake’s face and stared at Duncan. “You’re offering me a job?”

“Why not? I’ve seen the things you can do for a business. I could hire you for marketing. I believe you would do well.”

“I didn’t really go to school for that. I took some classes but didn’t get a degree in that.”

“Well, take some more classes. And I’ll make sure you have all the resources you need. Daycare, financial aid, anything. We both stand to gain here, Savannah.”

Savannah thought. It would be a great change, considering that she had been out of work for a few weeks already. Duncan was not the creep that Clarke was. And to be working in marketing had been a secret dream of hers. The trembling in her stomach stopped her.

“I would love to, but I can’t.” She sighed as she prepared to drop the bad news. “I have cancer.”

Duncan took a sip from his coffee mug without flinching. He continued to stare at her.

“Did you hear me?”

“I did. I’m waiting to hear how that’s going to prevent you from doing a great job.”

“I’ll be wasting away. Tired all the time. Having to take off because I’m sick. You need someone who can be at your beck and call. Who can give you their best.” Savannah wanted to cry.

Duncan grinned and stood up from the table. “My best buddy, who works as the head accountant for my company is dealing with cancer. He came to me a few years ago with the same speech that you’re giving me now. He just knew that it was going to kill him. And it almost did. You see, he had been saying it for so long, that he was not able to keep his mind strong enough to beat it. But the minute he decided that he wanted to live, he got better. I’m not saying it was a miracle. That’s for you to decide. But what I do know is that you have two great kids and my nephew and Izzy who adore you. At least it will take your mind off it.”

Savannah wiped the tears from her eyes. Who were these people that kept being placed in her life? What had she done to deserve such love and affection? But he was right. She always believed in the power the mind wields over the body. If she believed that she would be okay, she’d be okay. “When do I start?” She inhaled as if the weight of the words took her breath away.

“I’m excited!” He paused. “Look up some classes and we’ll get you started. In the meantime, you’ll come on board in the public relations department. As an intern kind of but with better pay. Benefits included.”

“This means a lot to me, Duncan. I can’t tell you how much.”

“No problem.”

Savannah waved goodbye to him. She wished all breakfasts were this eventful. She washed sticky hands and dressed her boys. She let them play outside in the backyard as she watered her garden. It had been something she built to take her mind off her health. Thank God for YouTube because getting started was much harder than she thought. Her intention was to drop some seeds in the ground, water them and watch them grow. She nearly had a fit at the mention of soil types.

She felt better already after talking to Duncan. Maybe all she ever needed in life was a motivational speaker. She missed out on uncles that could help her figure out how to manage herself and her relationships. She was already walking taller, and her spirits were up, and the conversation wasn’t a long one.

Jake had offered to clean the yard and she had to watch and make sure that Nicholas didn’t eat any of the things Jake gathered. What was it about leaves and sticks and gooey things that made little boys want to touch?

Even though she was enjoying this time with her boys, she did miss writing reports and presenting to current and prospective clients. She rubbed her temples and then heard her boys erupt with laughter. Believing that they had turned their attention to tearing up the yard, she looked up and locked eyes with Dwight. She saw Jake and Nicholas chasing Izzy around the yard. She stood up.

“What are you doing here?”

“Izzy wanted to say hi. We knocked on the door but no answer. Then we heard the boys.”

“Oh.” She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Pleasant surprise. Your uncle was here not too long ago. Offered me a job.”

“Really?” Dwight smiled and stuck his hands in his sweatpants. Savannah felt no regrets at the tinge she felt in her center when he wore sweatpants. She was sure that there was scientific research that showed what happened to the female brain when it saw a black man in sweatpants. Dwight had managed to pour himself into a black sweater that outlined his figure and she allowed herself some mental freedom to strip him down to his socks. Apparently, she needed to work on her poker face.

“Get control of yourself, sheesh. The kids are out here.” His smirk was contagious. “What did you say to my uncle?”

“Yea. I told him I would take it. What do you think?”

“Well, my uncle is good peoples. Always been there for me and has always looked out for everyone. Besides, what he offers you will be better than what anyone else will give you. And you’re smart as hell. I’m sure it’ll work out for the best.” He hiked his pants up and sat on the steps. He patted the space next to him and Savannah joined him.

“Any news on the tests?”

“Yea. It’s cancerous.”

Dwight’s head dropped and Savannah leaned into him. He knew that he would be there, no matter what the results were but he would have preferred if she didn’t have to deal with it. He touched her cheek and then her lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I mean, I’m freaking out right now, but my doctor is geared up for keeping me alive and so am I.” She pressed her lips into his thumb.

“I love you.” He whispered. He stroked her face. That much he knew was true. The anguish of not seeing her or talking to her for those weeks had really made it clear for him. All his life he had looked for ways to make other people happy. He was a giver. And he enjoyed it. For the most part he was satisfied, content with the happiness he was able to bestow upon others. He had dedicated his life to being an excellent father and his hard work was worth it. Isabella was growing up to be a smart, well-adjusted kid, despite the craziness that was her mother. Though he had no other family outside of Izzy and his uncle, he hadn’t considered himself lonely.

Until he felt Savannah’s breath across his face whenever he stood in the breeze. Or until he saw her face every time he closed his eyes and even when he didn’t. The ache he felt whenever she wasn’t in his arms was brutal. And totally unnecessary. Her cancer only meant that he had to make her know his love now, before it was too late. He rested his hand on her knee. “Sandra’s gone. Left this morning. Sent me a rather long email about seeking full custody of Izzy and suing me for everything. According to my attorney, she doesn’t have a leg to stand on. But he did say that she may be awarded visitation.” He lowered his head.

“Things will work out. I’m sure. Besides, I’ll be right here.”

Dwight smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Eventually they got up and played with the kids, her yard filled with chuckles and shrieks of joy. After playing they gathered for dinner. She watched Dwight as he helped her feed the kids. He even cut up some of Nicholas’ meat. She recognized the traits she prayed for and hoped that the right entity was listening and in an even more generous mood.

“I think we should go. It’s getting late.” He whispered into her hair as they rocked slowly to no music at all. The kids were sprawled out on blankets on the floor in front of the muted television. He rubbed her back and she nuzzled into his shoulder.

“Okay.” She whispered back. Neither of them loosened their grip. She listened as he inhaled her, pressing his hands into her back, pulling her closer to him. The urgency to be inside him bubbled forth. She placed her lips on the fabric of his shirt.

“This has to be my forever.” He whispered into her forehead this time. “But if we are going to stick with holding off, we definitely should go.”

“You’re right.” Her voice caught in her throat. He helped her carry her boys to their room and she waited as he picked up his daughter and walked to the front door. He turned on his heels and kissed her. She let his tongue explore her mouth and giggled when he nibbled her lip.

“Let me know you got home okay.”

He waved and she stood in her doorway until she could no longer see the taillights of his car. Locking up, she made her way to her bed and flopped down on it. There was no way she was letting him go.