𝑱𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒔

     As soon I enter the cabin, Ella helps me slip off my overcoat and hangs it across the wall in the hallway. I carry the shopping bag with me to the kitchen, where I place it on the walnut counter. I use the sink and dry my hands with a napkin. When I turn around, Ella looks at me with a smile. She’s clad in a full-length dress and wearing a pair of rubber slippers. Her hair is tied back into a ponytail.

     I asked her to move in with me since she turned down my request to hire a househelp for her. That way I’d be able to keep track of her and the baby, now that her tummy keeps growing each day.

     I walk toward her and plant a kiss on her lips. She kisses me back and says, “I’ve missed you. If you leave me here again, I’m going to pack my things and leave this humble abode of yours.” She glances around the spacious kitchen and adds, “It’s so lonely here.”

     I had to persuade Ella before she moved in with me to the lakehouse. I can’t agree more with her. The lakehouse might feel lonely, but that’s just what I need to get over the grief. The nearest cabin is a minute’s drive from here. The occupants have been my friends since I built this place. The house is a bit far from civilization, I must admit, but I can’t say I don’t like the quietness here.

     I take her hand and stroke her hair. “I promise after little Jeff is born, we’ll move into a new house in a city of your choosing.”

     She places her hand on her tummy, soothes it, and grins. “He kicked this morning.”

     My eyes widen. “He did?”

     While she bobs her head, I bring my ear close to her tummy and concentrate on the foetus. I hear a little motion. Baby Jeff kicked! I can’t hide the excitement.

     “Wow! He’s going to join us soon,” I say happily.

     “He is.”

     We lock eyes and for one instant, I see her morph into Adrienne. I recoil and stagger backward, landing in a wooden chair. I start to hyperventilate. Ella notices my abrupt uneasiness. She rushes to my side and crouches down.

     “What’s the matter, Jeff?” she asks anxiously, ruffling my hair.

     I control my breath. “It’s nothing.”

     She retorts, “It’s not nothing. Something happened. One minute, we’re talking about our baby, and the next minute you’re running away from me.”

     I sense the worry in her voice. She’s concerned about me, but I don’t want her to worry excessively in her state. I jerk my head in her direction, pulling my hand to her face and caressing it. “You don’t have to worry. I’m fine.”

     She looks into my eyes, and I stare into hers. “If something is bothering you, you can tell me. I can handle anything.”

     I don’t doubt it. Ella is a strong woman. I knew that when she mustered courage and put an end to her toxic relationship with her Hollywood boyfriend.

     “I know,” I say, pulling back my hand. “Can I get a glass of water?”

     She rises and moves to the cabinet. I mull over what just happened. This isn’t the first time I thought I’d seen Adrienne. Two months ago, I had nearly harassed a lady with apricot hair I thought was Adrienne. I know something is wrong with me. I just don’t want to accept it. Am I losing it? No, I’m not sure. Adrienne is driving me crazy. That’s why I sold the house; to leave my past behind me, but it seems Adrienne’s shadow lurks everywhere I go.

     I don’t want to think of this as my punishment for betraying her. I made a mistake, and I was ready to ask her forgiveness if she was in the right condition to hear me. I know I need redemption, and it’s going to come from Adrienne’s forgiveness, but she’s dead. I have no choice but to live with my sin.

     Ella brings the water. I take it and sip consecutively, then put the glass down. ”Thank you.”

     She balances herself in a chair beside me. Leaning forward, she takes my hand and pats it. “Tell me what’s bothering you when you’re ready. Little Jeff will join us soon, and I’d hate for his father to get into any trouble.”

     I pass her a warm smile. “I will.”

     “A woman called today,” she tells me.

     “A woman? Who’s she?”

     “Sarah Miller.”

     I rack my brain. The name sounds very familiar. Then it clicks. “The Millers. What did she want?”

     Ella shrugs. “She said she wanted to ask a couple of questions.”

     Well, that’s odd. I’ve told them everything they need to know about the house, so I’m curious if they still have more questions. And besides, I don’t speak with his wife about the house. I speak directly to Daniel, and I’m sure he relays it to his wife. I feel in my gut this has nothing to do with the house, and I wonder what sort of questions Mrs. Miller wants answers to.

     Shifting my mind from the Millers and the house, I look at Ella, my face beaming. “Guess what?”

     She reclines in the chair and drawls, “I don’t want to guess, Jeff.”

     I notice she’s too tired to do a little thinking. I say, “I’ll be making lunch today.”

     She giggles. “Are you sure? I don’t want you burning the whole place.”

     “I’m not going to create a mess. I promise.”

     “All right. I’ll be watching.”