Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
This morning I woke up with a heavy weight in my chest at the thought of having to leave the man I’m falling in love with, the baby I’m obsessed with and the girl I’m becoming friends with.
Now, I’m going to end the day with a new hope, a new light, a new family and a new life.
The universe really does work in mysterious ways, and it just gave me everything I could have ever asked for.
I’ll be forever grateful.
“WHAT’S WRONG, DORIS?” Eve asks, as we all sit down around the table at Wildflowers.
Delilah, Hugh and I leave tomorrow and we’re all having one last get together before we do. We’re going to start here at the café and then move to the club for Hugh’s send off. He’s going to be joining a chapter in Canada. It isn’t a direct chapter, but it’s a club that Riggs has a lot to do with and they were more than happy to patch him in. Delilah has a job at a big accounting firm, which she’s super excited about, and she has secured a house just up the road from the one I’m being provided with.
We are all growing together and it’s damned beautiful.
“It’s nothing dear, take a seat.”
I glance over at the old woman standing before our two full tables, a shawl thrown over her shoulders, her walking stick in hand, the brightness in her eyes still there, even though she looks like she’s about to tell us some really bad news. Eve stands, her face scrunched with fear, like she knows something is about to crush her.
“Eve, dear, sit down. You’re being dramatic. You know how I feel about the dramatics,” Doris scolds and Eve sits back down.
“Well, you’re scaring me. You never stand to talk to the room, you usually just turn around in your chair and interrupt without thought.”
Doris rolls her eyes. “I do not.”
“Doris...” Eve pushes.
“Fine, fine. I have something to tell you, and before I do, I’ll remind you again about the dramatics...”
“Doris!” Eve snaps.
“I have cancer,” the old woman announces and for a second, it feels like I’ve been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. Doris has become something special to all of us, and we all appreciate, love and respect her. “It’s terminal, and I’ve chosen not to get treatment. I’m old and I’ve lived my best life, I want to die in peace. I’m happy with my choice, and I’m not going to change my mind.”
Eve presses a hand to her mouth and Riggs squeezes her knee, his face somber.
“What?” Eve croaks. “I don’t understand.”
“H-h-how long?” Poppy asks.
“It could be anywhere from six months to a year, maybe less, maybe more. I don’t want you to come at me with your tears. I’m happy, I’ve had a good life. I’m okay with this. I’m going to die having lived more than most people. I’m grateful about that.”
“But...” Ramona whispers. “We love you, Doris.”
“And I love you all, which is why I’m telling you.”
“Are you sure there is nothing you can do?” Gabby asks. “Something?”
“There is plenty, dear. But it’ll only put my body through hell and give me a smidge more time. I’m set in my choice.”
“And we respect that,” I say, even though I feel like I’m going to cry at any given second. “But, you have to understand, we’re going to be a little dramatic for a second.”
Doris exhales. “Very well, go ahead. Eve, stop your blubbering. I hate blubbering. I’d much prefer a gentle sob.”
“Oh my god,” Eve laughs through her tears and rushes over, throwing her arms around Doris and squeezing her tight.
We all take our turns hugging Doris, and only when we’re done and we’ve all shed a tear, do we sit back down. Doris takes a seat between Eve and Poppy, and Eve reaches over and takes her hand. Hugh does the same to me, squeezing, letting me know he gets it. The bikers might not have as much to do with Doris, but they all love her just the same. She has become a part of our family, and we adore her.
“Now, there are a few things I’d like to say while you’re all here,” Doris announces.
Oh, good, she’s going to make us cry even more.
“First of all, you ladies, remember what I said to you all about getting all goo goo over these men. I know they’re handsome and you like the idea of being seen with them, but you’re all strong women and you need to make sure you keep that while I’m not around.”
Hugh snorts beside me and I laugh.
“Secondly, don’t let yourselves go. You can’t expect a man to want to keep you around if you get all saggy and lazy. I might come here every day, but I’m always dressed well. I take the time to make myself look presentable. If that’s all you can offer your marriage, then you give it everything you have.”