Love Comes in Darkness (12 page)

“Yes. She’s just fine,” Lizzy said quietly. “And she’s a constant reminder of what Shane and I had.” He felt her shift on the sofa. “The lesson is to make the most of whatever time you have with the people in your life. And don’t worry about what will happen, otherwise you can’t enjoy what you have.”

The back door opened, and Howard braced as he heard Sophia run through the house. She stopped and then touched his leg. Howard leaned forward and found her, then lifted her onto his lap. “Did you have fun with Token?”

“Yeah,” Sophia answered.

“Where is he?” Howard asked. “Token, come!” he called but heard nothing. “Where is he?”

“I’ll go check,” Lizzy said and she got up. She returned a few seconds later, and Howard heard Token hurry up to him. “He was sitting outside the door, waiting to be let in.” Howard patted the cushion, and Token jumped up and settled next to him.

“He’s licking me,” Sophia said, giggling.

“That means he likes you.” Howard petted Token lightly and felt him lower his head. Sophia had probably worn him out.

“He’s a really nice doggie,” Sophia told him, and Howard hugged her.

“Come on, squirt,” Lizzy said, and Sophia was lifted off Howard’s lap. “We need to unload the car and get you settled for some quiet time.”

“Mom, I’m not a baby,” Sophia protested.

“Well, you don’t have to nap or anything, but you need to rest for a while after you help me in the car,” Lizzy said.

The front door opened and closed multiple times as Lizzy and Sophia made several trips in and out. “Where do you want us?”

“Gordy helped me make up the guest room for both of you, if that’s okay,” Howard said.

“Of course it is,” Lizzy said, sounding tired. Howard heard more activity, and then Lizzy returned and sat down with a sigh. “Who did you get to fix up that room?”

“Gordy helped me. Why? Is it bad or something?” Howard asked.

“No, it’s nice.” She leaned over and kissed him. “It’s perfect. The pale walls are soothing, and the bedspread coordinates beautifully. Not to be mean, but you had to have had help.”

“I left it up to Gordy. I told him you and Sophia were coming for a visit, and he insisted that the room wasn’t good enough, so he took Token and me shopping.”

“I can’t wait to meet him,” Lizzy said, and then Howard heard her yawn. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to lie down for a little bit. Sophia will be with me, so you can have things to yourself for a little while.” Lizzy paused. “I’m hoping I can get her to lie down for a while. She’s just getting over a summer cold, and I want to make sure she’s really over it,” she added in a stage whisper. “I promise we’ll talk a little bit later.”

“It’s no problem,” Howard told her, listening as Lizzy went toward the hall. Then he stood up and heard Token jump off the sofa. He followed Howard to his little office and settled at Howard’s feet once he sat at his desk. If his guests were going to relax, he figured he might as well get some work done.

L
IZZY
and Sophia were quiet for a few hours, and Howard managed to get a lot done. He checked his watch and let Token out to do his business. “Do you want to go for a walk?” Howard asked, getting Token into his harness.

“Are you going out?” Lizzy asked, startling him a bit.

“He needs to go for a walk, and I could use some time outside. Gordy should be getting off work in an hour, and he’ll be here just after that.” Howard was both nervous and excited about them meeting. He really hoped both Lizzy and Sophia liked Gordy. “Do you want to come along?”

“I’ll get Sophia,” Lizzy said, and Howard finished harnessing Token, then made sure it wasn’t too tight. By the time he was ready to go, Sophia was practically dancing with excitement. “You need a sweater,” Lizzy said.

“Mom,” Sophia whined, and Howard heard her stomp off and then return. Everything must have been okay because there were no more protests, and Howard headed to the front door. He let Lizzy and Sophia go first and locked the door behind them. Then he let Token guide him down the steps and toward the sidewalk.

“Token’s really smart, Mom,” Sophia said as they walked. “He’s Uncle Howie’s eyes.”

“Yes, he is, honey,” Lizzy said, and they continued down the sidewalk.

“There’s a man watching us from that house. He’s creepy-looking,” Sophia stage-whispered, and she took Howard’s hand.

“It’s Cedric,” Lizzy said, and they kept walking. Howard could feel his ex’s gaze, but he paid no attention to it and continued walking.

“Are we going anywhere special?” Sophia asked.

“There’s a park a few blocks to the left, and I thought we’d walk there. You can play for a while, if you want.”

“Yay!” Sophia cried and jumped while continuing to hold his hand. They continued walking, and the happy screams and cries of children told him they were getting close. Sophia dropped his hand.

“Be careful,” Lizzy called.

“I will,” Sophia answered.

“There’s a picnic table in the shade we can sit at,” Lizzy told him, taking Howard’s arm and guiding him over. He found a place and sat down. Token sat near him, and Howard stroked down his back.

“He really is amazing,” Lizzy said.

“He’s quite something, and the best company.”

“Does he sleep in your bed?” Lizzy asked.

“No. He has one of his own and he sleeps there. I’ve thought about having him join me in bed a few times, but it wouldn’t be fair. Token needs a routine the same as I do, and he wouldn’t exactly be welcome when Gordy comes for a visit.” Howard snickered. “There wouldn’t be room.”

“Does Gordy visit often?” Lizzy asked with amusement in her voice. “Whenever you say his name, you smile whether you mean to or not. It’s so cute.”

“I don’t remember you ever being this annoying before. It’s not like Gordy is the first of my boyfriends you’ve met.”

“I haven’t actually met him yet. But still, he’s the first one that’s ever had you this flustered or turned you so red when I asked about the two of you. It doesn’t matter to me that you spend time with Gordy or what the two of you do. And I certainly don’t want to know. What I am glad to see is how happy he obviously makes you.”

“He’s a sweet man,” Howard said, pressing the button on his watch and listening for the time. “Gordy should be here anytime. We should head back in fifteen minutes or so.”

“That’s fine,” Lizzy said.

“So is there anyone special in your life?” Howard asked, and Lizzy laughed.

“Come on. I’ve dated a few guys, but as soon as they find out about Sophia, they’re gone in a flash.” Lizzy scoffed lightly. “She’s like loser repellant. If a guy’s a loser, he scoots away as soon as he finds out about her. And that’s fine, because I only want a guy in my life who can love both me and Sophia. I had a great love once in my life, and he gave me her. I don’t want anything else.”

Howard reached out and found her hand, then took it in his. “We make quite a pair.”

“Yeah, but it seems it’s your turn to get lucky this time.” She squeezed his hand. “And you deserve it. Ten minutes, Sophia,” Lizzy called, and Howard jumped, not expecting the yelling. “Sorry,” Lizzy said much more softly.

“It’s okay,” Howard said.

“Uncle Howie, can you and Token come play with us?”

“Sophia, honey, just go and play. We have to get back soon,” Lizzy said.

“Okay, but why can’t Uncle Howie come swing with me?” Sophia whined slightly.

“Because it makes me sick,” Howard answered, clasping his stomach in what he hoped was a dramatic way. He must have done it well because Sophia laughed.

“Go on and play,” Lizzy said gently, “and I’ll come swing with you.” She got up, and Howard sat with Token, listening to the children calling and yelling, laughter, and the occasional cry that quickly turned to a sniffle and then back to laughter.

He checked his watch again and stood up. Sophia rushed over. He heard her coming and braced himself for the enthusiastic hug. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes. Can we come back?”

“Of course, anytime you want,” Howard said.

“Sweetie, let your uncle walk,” Lizzy said, and they headed back the way they came.

“M
OMMY
, there’s a giant standing outside Uncle Howie’s house,” Sophia said just after they made the final turn toward home. Howard felt her tighten her grip on his hand. Sophia had insisted on holding the hand Howard wasn’t using to hold Token’s harness. “I’m scared.”

Howard stopped, and the others did as well. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Is that Gordy?” Lizzy asked. “You said he was a big guy, but that’s huge.”

Howard laughed softly. “Hi, sweetheart,” Gordy said, and Howard felt Sophia hide behind him. Gordy kissed Howard gently. “Is this your sister?”

“Yes, Gordy, this is Lizzy, and the one hiding behind me is Sophia. She thinks you’re a giant,” Howard told him, and Gordy chuckled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lizzy. Howard has told me so much about you,” Gordy said excitedly. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Your uncle has told me so much about you.” Gordy was obviously speaking to Sophia, but she pressed tighter to the back of Howard’s legs. “You’re a real little princess, aren’t you?”

“Sophia, it’s Gordy. He’s Uncle Howard’s boyfriend, and you’re being rude,” Lizzy said firmly. Howard felt Sophia let go of his legs.

“Sorry,” Sophia whispered.

“It’s okay,” Gordy said softly. “I know I’m really big, but I’m really nice too. Just ask your uncle.” Things went pretty quiet, and Howard waited for her to say something. He heard her move farther away, and Howard instructed Token to move forward. Lizzy and Gordy talked a bit while he made his way down the sidewalk. Sophia was silent the entire time, and Howard wondered what was going through her mind. But he was a little too preoccupied with Gordy being so close.

“Be careful,” Gordy whispered to him as they moved. “Part of the sidewalk is broken about two steps ahead of you. It wasn’t the other day.”

“Thanks,” Howard said and carefully made his way around the obstacle, the concrete moving a bit under his feet. They walked the rest of the way back, and Howard got inside, where he settled on the sofa with Gordy on one side and Token on the other.

“I feel like this is the inquisition,” Gordy whispered.

“What’s she doing?” Howard asked.

“Just sitting in the other chair with Sophia on her lap,” Gordy whispered.

“Okay, Lizzy, cut the crap,” Howard said, and he heard his sister laugh. “She used to do the same thing to my friends when we were kids.” Howard moved closer to Gordy, and Gordy placed an arm around him.

“Are they going to kiss? Ewww, no kissing,” Sophia said, and all of them burst into laughter. “You really aren’t a giant?” Sophia asked once the chuckles subsided.

“No, I’m not,” Gordy answered. “And you’re a very pretty little girl. You look a lot like your mother, and I understand that I know a friend of yours—Hanna. She’s a friend of mine too.”

“She is?” Sophia asked.

“Yes, and she’s looking forward to seeing you, according to her daddies.”

“Mom, can we go see Hanna now?” Sophia asked.

“Actually, Hanna is coming over tomorrow to see you. Gordy is helping me with a cookout, and the two of you can play all afternoon,” Howard told her, and Sophia jumped into his arms. He oofed and reminded himself he needed to be ready for anything while she was here. Howard hugged her tight. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Uncle Howie,” she said and hugged him around the neck. Howard returned the hug. She felt so small and fragile in his arms.

“You’re my best girl,” Howard told her. God, he was so glad they were here. It was nice to be with family.

“Can I play with Token?” Sophia asked.

“Why don’t we all go out back?” Gordy suggested.

“Is there any place to sit? The last time we were here, the backyard had a single chair that had seen better days,” Lizzy said.

“A lot has changed,” Howard said, standing up. Token stayed where he was, and Howard removed his harness. As soon as he was done, Token took off, with Sophia running with him toward the back door. Gordy took Howard’s arm and walked the familiar stretch to the back door.

“Gordy helped me get the outdoor furniture just last week,” Howard said, and Lizzy whistled. He wasn’t very familiar with where everything was yet, so Gordy guided him to a lounge chair.

“Mom, come play with us,” Sophia yelled.

“Go on,” Howard said. “I’ll be fine.”

“You’re sure?” Lizzy asked.

“Go on. You too,” he added to Gordy. “I’ll just sit here and listen.” Howard settled in the chair and heard Lizzy and Sophia playing. Then he heard growls followed by a scream that quickly turned to giggles. “Token, come,” Howard said and held out his hand. Within seconds he felt Token brushing under his hand, and he stroked his back. Then he sat back and patted the cushion near his legs. Token jumped up and settled next to him. Howard stroked his back for a while as Sophia’s laughter continued, joined occasionally by Lizzy’s and Gordy’s. A few times he felt Token stiffen and get ready to jump, but he stayed still. “Go on,” Howard told him, and Token jumped down, joining the play with happy barks.

“Come play with us,” Sophia said, bumping into the lounge. She took his hand and tugged him up, guiding him out in the lawn.

“I’m not very good with games,” Howard told her. He’d never been much for playing, even when he was a kid. Most games weren’t designed for people who can’t see.

“I told Sophia about how you played ball with the kids at Hanna’s, and she didn’t believe me,” Gordy said. Howard remembered and he sat on the ground.

“Is everyone in place?” Howard asked as Gordy handed him the ball, their hands brushing before Gordy released it. Howard propelled it toward Sophia, listening as the ball rolled across the grass. He heard Lizzy laughing and knew where she was, and he knew where Gordy was. He caught the ball as it rolled to him and rolled it to Gordy.

“How can you do that?” Sophia asked.

“The ball makes noise as it rolls. Most things make sounds if you know what to listen for,” Howard said, and then he called Token over. He sat down next to Howard, who hugged him around the neck. He was happy. Thoroughly happy. Lizzy, Gordy, Sophia, Token—everyone he cared about was right here with him. “Go get your toy,” Howard said, and Token rushed off. When he returned, he dropped his Kong on Howard’s leg. Howard instantly recognized the toy by its distinctive shape and threw it. He heard Token take off after it. “Token found it,” Howard said, “and now he’s on his way back.” He held out his hand, and Token placed the toy in it.