Greyson was enjoying crawling into bed with me every night now. He said it's like living together except he never sees me. Just holds me. He has been so tired that he comes in takes a shower and passed out. One night without even showering. I didn't want to wake him. He looked so peaceful. I made him breakfast every morning and I sent him something to eat while at his dads. I know he feeds him but he always says he doesn't eat much.
On the last night of working, Greyson called me and told me to meet him at the shop. He wanted me to go there right after work and not go home. I was staying away because one he told me to, second I wanted to be surprised with the finished product. I finished up work at six and walked to the shop. I saw the lights on and people inside. I walk in the door and I see his dad and Patrick. They are cleaning up the last few tools they had left.
The walls were painted a tangerine orange at the bottom and it faded to a pastel yellow ot the top. It had driftwood and glass shelves on the walls. The tables Grayson made were drift wood in so many shades of color and shapes, All cut to the same height with glass tops the chairs here are cottage style painted shades from the wall. The huge counter to order at was pieces of driftwood all put together and lights were behind it to brighten it up. He made a wood top that he sanded for days stained and polyurethaned. He had a menu board up and what looked like a t-shirt beside it. The lights were even made of driftwood. The tile floors turned out beautiful. They were a sand color at the door and as you moved to the counter it turned white then three shades of blue. It really looks like ocean. He even said they took out a small tile or two and replaced it with a shell Greyson had encapsulated in resin so you can see the shell but it's a tile. Even the signs were beautiful black and white in an amazing font.
"Wow Grey this is amazing." i said
"Thanks, we did a really great job. I'm really proud of us all '' he said pointing to the guys. "I do have one more thing to show you though. Come with me.'' He led me outside and told me to close my eyes. I stood outside waiting until he moved my hands from my face. I saw the window lit up and it said Brooks Lemonade. I was studying. I really had no idea what to say. " Well, do you like it? If you don't like it, tell me and I can change it, but I love it."
"It's the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me." I am trying to catch my words.
"Well I want you to know how much I love you and appreciate you. I put you through a lot the last weeks and you stood by me and helped me any way you could.'' I say standing behind me wrapping his arms around me. He kisses my cheek. " I love you Brooks and now everyone else will too."
I was stund, speechless. I don't deserve this. I didn't do anything for the shop other than show up twice. I guess I was there for him but I feel like he was more there for me. Is that what a relationship is really about? Is this what boyfriends are supposed to do? I really was stunned by it all.
"Besides you told me to name it something really good and this is the best name I could think of '' he said pointing to the window. We go back inside and Patrick takes the t-shirt off the sign over the counter. "We didn't want to wreck the surprise."
We talked and celebrated for hours. Laughing about things that happened. Who came up with the idea? Vick showed up with wine and beer and everyone was comfortable enough to stay awhile. I think it made for a nice ending to the chaos that was the shop. Now I get him back for life. I missed his conversations. He always made a topic seem so phycological. He would ask me a question as simple as what is your favorite color and when I say green. He would ask why? I would say I just like it. He would say do you like the way it smells? How does it feel? Tastes maybe? Then when I ask what he is talking about he would say for example my favorite color is yellow. I like how it feels on my skin when the sun hits me. I like the way It tastes in the morning in my smoothies. I also like the way it smells from pineapples. It's fascinating how he can make things so simple. I loved him for that.
I felt my phone vibrate and I looked at it. It was a strange phone number. I declined it and set it back down continuing talking about the menu and what day the grand opening is. I hear it vibrate again andI look again. It's the same number. I answer it by walking away from the table.
"Is this Mrs. Brooklyn Miller?" some lady asks on the other end.
"Yes, I'm Brooklyn Miller." i reply
"I say that you're his emergency contact. I have to tell you some news about your husband Zachary." she states
"Is he okay?" i ask
"Well your husband was checked into rehab weeks ago. When he went in he had tests done. Zachary has a bad liver. Do you understand?" she says
"No i dont. What are you telling me?" I asked her close to crying.
"Your husband is dying of liver disease. He needs a transplant or he will die. Now he's on the list but his case is very bad. He's refusing to get in touch with anyone. Sometimes family is a good donor. They would need to be tested but it's something to think about." she explains
"So what you're saying is Zachary Miller my husband is dying?" I try to understand
"Yes ma'am he is." she says
"Where is he?" i ask
" St. Peter's hospital in Delaware. You are welcome to see him." she offers
"Well to be honest he's my soon to be ex husband. I -I didn't think it was that bad?" I said almost to myself. I hang up the phone and stare at the ground. I turn around and look at the loving people in my life and feel a tear fall from my cheek.
"What's wrong?" Patrick asks
"That was the hospital in Delaware.'' I take a breath and feel another tear. "Zachary has been drinking so heavy for so long that at age twenty four he is dying unless he gets a liver transplant." I explain sitting down. I can feel everyone's eyes on me and I can feel the heat coming to my ears. I knew I was about to fall apart. "I have to go!"
I run out of the shop and start to run home. I got to the door and almost broke the key trying to unlock it. I get inside and grab my bag and I start packing. I grab everything I could need while I'm gone. I think about what I will need and think I already closed on two places so that is enough for now. I'll have to start up again when I get back. Whenever that is. I grab a piece of paper and write a note for Vick about Peanut and put it in the fridge. I grab my bag and purse and head for the door. As I get out the door I hear Greyson yelling.
"What are you doing?" he asks, looking at what feels like everything I own.
"I'm going to Zach." I say "He needs me."
"Brooks, I get that but I need you too." he says "Don't go to him. Please give it a night to think it over."
"No, I'm going. He's my husband. I need to be there. I don't know why it's taken this long for me to know. I should have known what was going on with him." I am now yelling and crying.
"You may be his wife but you're my girlfriend. Remember? We just went weeks separated still seeing each other but not much and were miserable. How do you think ill be knowing your with him in another state?" he's now angry, I can tell. His vein is popping from his forehead.
"I have to go Greyson.'' I say through my tears. I understand what he's saying but my mind is thinking how fast can I get there?
"If you leave are we done?" he asks
"No" I say , dropping my bags. To hold him.
"If you go there and see his that bad what are you going to do?" he asks
"I don't know, I just know I need to be there. I know no one is there." i explain
"Brooklyn? Do you love me?" he asks as I take a deep breath and look at him. "I need to hear it. You said you're falling in love with me. You said you think you love me but do you? Do you love me? Like I love you?"
"I love you Greyson Sullivan." I say now not touching him at all. "But I love him too. I have to be there."
"Then go." he says with tears falling down his beard. I grab my bags slowly and start walking to my jeep. When I reach my jeep and throw everything in and sit at the wheel hating myself. I just hurt him. I know I did. He's going to hate me. I really do love him but I also love Zachary no matter how much crap he has put me through I am still his wife. I start up Penny and take off down the road. I can see Greyson still standing on the boardwalk in my rearview mirror. I watched as he was no longer able to be seen. Then there I was driving off to a man who treated me so horribly that I hated him and told him to get out of my life forever. Leaving the only man who has ever truly loved me body and soul. Why was I suc an ashole myself? Why was I doing this to myself?