fading to you

Trevor thought for sure it was over with Fergie on Halloween night, but she was home fifteen minutes after he got home from work. She'd been to her folk's house.

"They didn't have many trick or treaters." She said as if she went there to hand out candy. Of course, he reminded her who took her there. Simon.

"What about Simon?" He wanted answers. Real answers.

"Oh, he didn't want to dress up this year." And that was that. She didn't want to talk about her mother. Hardly said anything about her Dad. But she seemed different somehow. As if maybe they might be on the same page with the very same problem.

"You, think it would be OK if I got a job at the grocery store?" That was the last question he thought he'd hear from her. So he got her an application the next day. Now she worked at the deli. Mainly, with salads, but she'd be learning to bake soon. There seemed to be a need for pies this season.

He hardly ever saw her at work. She was off in the kitchen, mixing, chopping. She watched cake decorating.

Finally, she found him on the dog food isle and brought him to the break room.

"You have to try this."

There was a small plate of cookie sandwiches from shortbread squares. There was something tart between the cookies, but it was amazing.

"What is this?" He wanted to know after one savory bite.

"Lemon curd." She smiled. "My Dad's recipe."

"But you made it?" He could hardly believe it.

She nodded.

He smiled, and she kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you," she whispered in his ear. "You really do make me happy. You, just being you."