Healing Touch (9 page)

“Tracy Campbell and I are dating.”

I turned beat red and gave the crowd a
sheepish grin. I would have backed out the door but my sister had
hold of my shirt.

Mrs. Larson looked astonished. I’m sure she
had high hopes for Dr. Nelson and Tanya Beckford. A genuine smile
crossed my face when I realized I foiled her plans.

A little voice rose above the murmurs.
“Wait.” Cody held Jeremy’s face in his little hands. “Do you like
my mommy?”

The town folks of Cherryville laughed and
sent out another round of “Awws.”

“Yes, Cody. I like your mommy, a lot.”

The little guy was so excited he screamed
across the room, “Mommy, Jerewee likes you!”

I joined the two guys staring at me and
added, “I like Jeremy too honey.” The doctor smiled at me knowing
he accomplished what he set out to. People were talking and
murmuring all around us. The news would spread like wildfire
through the town and hopefully die down just as fast.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jeremy
gave me a squeeze and Cody wrapped me in a head locking hug of his
own. For once I didn’t care who saw us.

“It was absolutely horrible.”

He chuckled. “I like getting my way. I could
get used to this.” He led the two of us to the booth Leah, Zach and
Rachel just sat down at. “In fact, I think we need to bring up the
subject of that biopsy again. I know a local doctor who is
available.”

****

The snow fell lightly that Christmas Eve.
Cody and I played in the front yard and watched as Jeremy pulled up
in the moving van.

“Time to unload your stuff, big guy.” Jeremy
scooped up some snow and tossed it in our direction.

“Don’t start that,” I laughed brushing snow
off of me. “You’ll never get him to help.”

Only a few months had passed since we started
dating, probably too soon to be moving in together. Some things you
just know, so why fight it. My old house held too many memories
with my ex so we decided to start fresh in a new house. This one
had a big back yard with its own swing set.

“Jeremy, which box has my bear in it? Bear
Bear can’t sleep without me.”

The back of the truck was opened and a small
box of toys were handed over to Cody.

“Here you go kiddo. Bear Bear and a few other
things.”

I waited my turn for a box. “Randy and Buzz
will be here soon. Mrs. Larson has already been by with a
cake.”

“A cake? Aren’t the neighbors supposed to
bring treats by as an introduction?” He handed me a couple
lamps.

“Oh, she just came over because she wanted a
tour of the place. I don’t think the Johnsons ever invited her to
any of their dinner parties.”

“Wow, that must have really irritated her.
What did she think of the place?”

I laughed and said, “I don’t know, I didn’t
invite her in.”

“You’re evil.”

“Yeah, well, she’s a busy body.”

Cody had made it about half way up the
sidewalk. The box slipped and crashed to the ground. “Fucking
hell!”

“Cody James Camp−”

“Don’t you dare yell at him, Tracy. He got
that from you.” Jeremy turned to the little guy. “Here, buddy, let
me help you.” He popped the box open and handed the ragged bear to
Cody. “Cody, you can’t use those words. In fact, your mommy can’t
use those words anymore either. Ok? Got it?”

“Got it. Sorry, Jeremy.” He gave his bear a
big squeeze and grabbed Jeremy’s hand.

We all walked into the house together. The
guys came over and helped us unload the truck. Chuck and the ladies
showed up later with a small but fully decorated Christmas tree as
a house warming gift.

Later that night, after Cody had opened his
presents and got thoroughly tucked into bed, Jeremy gave me a
necklace as my gift. The length fell perfectly to hide the small
scar on my throat. Seems he was right all along. It turned out to
be nothing. One easy surgery removed it all.

The second gift made me cry. A full box of
painting supplies. Oils, canvases, brushes, an easel. I loved it
all. He hadn’t forgotten

The third gift ….

I tried not to swear as I opened the small
velvet box. Really, I did. But some emotions are hard to hold
back.

The end