All Chapters of Decisions I made : Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

The rest of the afternoon passed much more quietly than the previous two days.For the first time since she'd fallen at work, there wasn't a constant stream of doctors rushing in and out of the room.Instead, there was laughter.Conversation.The comforting sound of family.Lela had drifted in and out of sleep most of the afternoon while everyone around her talked.She woke to hear Uncle Carmen telling one of his exaggerated stories."...and then your father actually thought he could beat me in golf."Mr. Moretti looked over from the corner."I was having an off day.""You've been having an off day since 1987."The room erupted into laughter.Even Lela couldn't help smiling."I've missed this."Her mother looked over immediately."What, sweetheart?""Just..."She looked around the room."...all of us together."Mrs. Moretti reached over and squeezed her daughter's hand."We've missed it too."Another knock sounded at the door.This time it was a physical therapist pushing a walker and

The drive home was much quieter than anyone expected.Lela sat comfortably in the back seat of her father's SUV, her leg carefully elevated on pillows exactly as the discharge nurse had instructed. Jack sat beside her, making sure every bump in the road didn't jostle her knee too much."You're watching every pothole," Lela said with a tired smile.Jack looked over."I am.""I noticed.""I've never been so invested in Cleveland road maintenance."She laughed."I don't think anyone has."Mr. Moretti glanced at them through the rearview mirror."If he keeps talking like that, he can drive next time."Jack grinned."I'd be happy to."Mrs. Moretti smiled from the passenger seat."I have a feeling you're going to be here quite a bit."Jack glanced toward Lela."If she'll have me."Lela reached over and took his hand."I don't think that's even a question anymore."As they pulled into the long driveway of the Moretti home, Lela noticed something different immediately.The front porch was deco

The next few days settled into a rhythm.Every morning began the same way.Belle would wake before anyone else, trot into Lela's room, and gently rest her head on the mattress until Lela opened her eyes."You're worse than an alarm clock," Lela mumbled one morning.Belle's tail thumped happily against the floor."And somehow cuter."Downstairs, someone was always making breakfast.Her mother insisted on a proper meal before medication.Her father insisted on fresh coffee.Jack insisted on arriving with something unnecessary but thoughtful.On Tuesday, it was fresh blueberries from the farmers market.On Wednesday, it was a new mystery novel.Thursday brought a small tabletop easel and sketchbook."I don't paint," Lela said.Jack smiled."You don't have to.""I thought you might enjoy trying something new."She looked at the blank pages."When did you become so good at this?""At what?""Knowing what I need before I do."He shrugged."I'm still learning."By the end of the first week,

Saturday morning was unusually quiet.Jack had actually kept his promise.For the first time in weeks, he hadn't shown up at eight o'clock sharp.Lela glanced at the clock.8:05.She smiled to herself."I bet he's pacing around his apartment."Belle lifted her head from the rug as if she agreed.Mrs. Moretti walked in carrying a tray with breakfast."You're smiling.""I was just thinking about Jack.""Oh?""I guarantee he's trying very hard not to come over."Her mother laughed."You're probably right."As if on cue, Lela's phone buzzed.Jack: I'm following orders.She smiled.Lela: Good.A few seconds later another message appeared.Jack: It's much harder than I expected.She laughed out loud.Mrs. Moretti looked over."That him?"She nodded."He says taking a day off is difficult."Her mother smiled knowingly."He'll learn."Jack had decided to spend the morning at a small state park about forty minutes away.He hadn't realized how much he needed the quiet.The trails were shaded be

Two days after the divorce was finalized, Jack called Lela."Are you busy Friday night?"Lela smiled as she tucked the phone between her shoulder and her ear."I have physical therapy until four.""After that?""I don't think my parents have anything planned.""Good.""So..."She laughed."So?""I'd like to take you to dinner.""Somewhere nice.""And afterward..."His voice grew quieter."...I'd like to tell you something I've been waiting a long time to tell you."Lela's smile softened."I'll be ready."Friday evening arrived with clear skies and a cool breeze.Jack walked to the front door carrying a bouquet of white daisies.Mrs. Moretti answered."Oh..."She smiled."Those are beautiful.""They're for Lela."Mrs. Moretti stepped aside."I had a feeling."Lela appeared a moment later wearing a navy-blue summer dress that fell just below her knees. Her knee brace was hidden beneath the fabric, though she still leaned lightly on a single crutch.Jack forgot how to speak.She laughed.