The Push: A Sequel to The Pull by Sara V. Zook Page B

again. She probably thought this guy was as big of a wacko as I did. At least I hoped she did. He pressed his lips together in another smile and turned to wave at her.
    I glanced at Livvy on my way out of the room as I hurried to open the front door for him and didn’t say a word as I closed it behind him. I wiped my hands off on my jeans and shook my head.
    What the fuck was that?
    I went back to the kitchen. Livvy was just staring at the floor. “Who was that?”
    “A neighbor.”
    “I got that much. Do you know him?”
    She shook her head. “The night Darin had his heart attack, he came over and offered to take me to the hospital. He stayed with me for a while in the waiting room that night. He’s…nice.”
    “Creepy is more like it,” I stated.
    Livvy let out a little chuckle. “He is a little creepy, isn’t he?”
    “Yeah, for sure.”
    She ran her fingers through the wet strands of her hair which already were starting to dry. “I think he’s just lonely.”
    “And looking for some loving,” I added.
    Livvy’s eyes shot up to mine in surprise.
    “Hey,” I said, putting both hands in the air. “Just calling it like I see it. He’s a strange bird, that Sean guy. Trying to take advantage of a situation.”
    “Shane,” she chastised.
    “It’s probably true, Liv.”
    “Well, I don’t think so.”
    “Do you actually want to eat that pie, or should I just toss it in the trash now?”
    Livvy rolled her eyes.
    I walked over to it and peered down as if inspecting its contents. “Probably laced with something to make you pass out as he watches through the window, then comes in to take advantage of you while you’re unconscious.”
    “Shane!” Livvy stood up. “You’re ridiculous.” But I noticed she gave the pie a leery glance before turning to go back toward her bedroom. “I’m going to get dressed.”
    “I did make breakfast for you,” I called out after her, “but it got a little too crispy.”
    “You’re lucky the fire alarm didn’t go off,” she hollered back from the room. “And make sure you shut that window.”
    So she had noticed after all.
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    Livvy
     
    I ran a comb through my hair as I stared at myself in the mirror. I was a widow now. I was alone. I would have to get through the rest of my life without my husband. I’d have to lie in that bed without the love of my life by my side.
    My thoughts drifted to the bed and how comforted I’d felt with Shane’s arms wrapped around me last night. It was sick and twisted, but I’d somehow tried to imagine it was Darin. A pang of guilt ripped through me. I was ashamed at myself for thinking that way. I’d fallen asleep in the arms of my brother-in-law and woken with him still there. I loved Shane, he was a great guy, but if anyone was taking advantage of someone, it was me with Shane. I knew he wanted to comfort me, give me some sort of peace, and Darin would approve of that, loving us both, but I didn’t want Shane to look at me and feel so sorry for me that he thought I’d wither away to nothing if he didn’t watch over me. It wasn’t right to make someone feel like that, and I couldn’t do that to Shane. I’d have to suck it up and take this one day at a time. The sadness was overwhelming, though. It extended to every part of my body, mind, and spirit. I could only hope that with time it would fade or become numb. The baby stirred within me as I felt the tender kicks. He was still so little. The movements would only increase over the next few months. I had to be strong for my son. It was a nice thought, wanting to be this indestructible person, but could I really do that, or would I become an empty shell of a human being? Tears stung my lids again. I quickly wiped them away and searched for my hair dryer. I didn’t know everything I was doing today, but I was getting ready nevertheless.