Page 73 of The Love Dose

He turns at the next corner. “May I speak freely, Mrs. Page?”

“By all means.”

We arrive at another courthouse and he cuts the engine, pausing as if trying to fit the right words together. It’s strange having a conversation where you can only see the other person’s eyes in the rearview mirror but I suspect Paul prefers things this way.

“I would like to continue driving you where you need to go, paid or not. I’ll keep my promise.”

The car feels like a confessional. Which would make me the priest. I don’t tell him that I already know what happened with Josh. “The promise to Bernard?”

He nods.

Paul has mentioned the infamous promise several times since Bernard’s passing but I sense he has more to share. He’s been acting out-of-character since collecting me this morning.

“The day before you married, Bernard and I had a couple of beers at a pub we frequented.”

“The one in Bensonhurst?”

“That’s right.”

Paul turns his head to the side, looking off into the distance and I see his hard-scrabble profile. “I never saw him happier. As you know, his previous marriage was loveless. Contentious at times.”

I’m riveted. Bernard spoke little about his ex. He simply referred to her as ‘the previous administration.’

Paul says, “He made me swear to look after you, in case something should ever happen to him.”

I feel a warmth in my gut and a tear spring to my eye. I blink it away. “You’ve been keeping that promise since the day he died and I can’t thank you enough. You were a great friend to him. He loved you like a brother.”

The ensuing silence tells me Paul is fighting to contain himself. I know how much the two men meant to each other.

He clears his throat. “The promise is not yet fulfilled.”

I have a feeling I know what he’s about to say. My heart is in my throat.

“You love him,” Paul says, softly.

He is speaking in the present tense. This is no longer about Bernard. He means Calvin.

Paul has never involved himself in my personal life. Yet, in one morning, he’s scored a better settlement for me, dissed Bernard’s son, and is discussing my love life. I'm okay with all of it.

“At first, I was wary of your new beau. But the more I think about it, I’m certain Bernard would like him . . . for you.”

I sigh. “Calvin and my lives are too different now.”

“Maybe not as much as you think.”

I look out the window at the gray stone building. “Why are we here, Paul?”

“Room 105.”

I feel a prickle of nerves. I can guess what is happening inside the building. “Okay.”

I step out, my suspicions confirmed by the plaque in the lobby.

Room 105 is listed as Family Court. In small letters I find the words that bring a flutter to my belly. I take a deep breath and hurry down the hallway.

To adoption services.

Chapter Fifty