Page 96 of A Bossy Roommate
“Because you like to see me sweat,” I tell her.
She laughs immediately. “True.”
“And,” I continue, “because that’s the way things were done when you were my age.”
“Where did you get that nonsense from?”
“Fromyou. You’ve outright said it to me. More than once.”
She chuckles and slips her arm around mine. “Smart advice. You should listen. But no, jokes aside, the honest to God reason why I wanted you to get married is that, when I am gone, I do not want you to be in this world alone.”
Her words hit me like a bus. The raw truth is almost too much to handle, and I have to breathe for a moment and process what she just said. With everything she’s had going on, all her health issues and scares, my aunt has never once mentioned her death. She’s implied it with the usual offhanded, “I’m not going to be around forever you know!”
This is different.
“Well, that’s not happening any time soon, so you don’t have to worry about it,” I tell her firmly, wrapping her in a large hug.
She chuckles and pats my back. “I know, I know, it’s not. But let’s not kid ourselves, Cartie. I’m in my late sixties. Who knows how much longer I have on this earth? But at least now I can rest easy knowing my little one is going to be taken care of.”
“I’m hardly little anymore, Auntie.”
She pinches my cheek. “You’ll always be my little one. I also know you don’t need Eden to take care of you, not in the physical or traditional sense. Emotionally, however, you have always been a lonely boy. Even when surrounded by friends.”
“I like the solitude.”
“I know you do. But I have seen how you are with Eden. I have seen how you light up when she enters a room, and how she lights up when you enter a room…how you two are naturally drawn together. I’m happy, Cartie. So happy that you have found someone who makesyouhappy. It is important to have people by your side who will be there for you when you make the toughdecisions, and who will help even when you don’t think you need it. I don’t think you realize how much that girl loves you, and how special it is to find someone who is so perfect for you.”
I open my mouth to respond, yet for once, I find myself at a loss for words.
Eden had seamlessly fitted into my life overnight. Our connection is so strong that it’s easy to forget that we were practically strangers just a short while ago.
“Carter.” My aunt squeezes my hand. “You treasure that woman and do not let her go, even if it gets tough.”
I smile and give her another hug. “Love you, Auntie.”
“Love you too. Now, let us finish packing up my things.”
For my aunt’s last night in New York, she has dinner with me and Eden at my place. We invited Hattie, but Hattie excused herself, stating she had commitments elsewhere. “I must apologize, but it appears that young Myrtle is feeling rather lonely today. Whenever I’m not around to keep an eye on her, she tends to get into a bit of mischief, I’m afraid.” But I can tell in her eyes that she wants to give us the time with my aunt.
From across the table, I watch Eden and Auntie, pleased at how close the two have become during my aunt’s visit. I’m not sure what they’re talking about—I’m too lost in my own head.
I keep looking over into the living room, seeing the Bancroft family sign on the mantel. We’re a family, albeit an unexpected one.
Somehow, Eden has become part of my family.
Sunday
The next morning, I wake up early. Aunt Eleanor’s flight leaves at an ungodly hour, which means we have to get up at4:00 a.m. in order to get ready and make it there on time. Eden starts to dress. I didn’t ask her to come with us, didn’t even expect it from her. Once my aunt is on the plane, our whole arrangement will be over. She does it anyway, without a moment’s delay.
In the quiet of the early morning, the three of us load up my car with all of Aunt Eleanor’s things. We drive to the airport in silence.
After we’ve unloaded her ridiculous amount of luggage onto a nearby cart, checked her in, and accompanied her as far as we’re allowed, she pulls both of us into a tight hug. It’s emotional.
While I’m happy she’ll be going back home where she’s surrounded by her friends, loved ones, and doctors, my stomach is in knots. Eden’s hand comes to rest on my back, and I wrap my arms around her and my aunt’s shoulders to pull them close.
Both Eden and my aunt cry, and I almost crack.
I want to take Aunt Eleanor and those damn bags back to my apartment, insisting that she stay forever. I can’t. The lie will come out. I would break her heart, and that’s something I can’t do, no matter how much mine hurts.