Page 73 of Landing Love

When she finished the melody, she put Junior down with a sigh and grabbed a pen and paper.

Dearest Bill,

I’ve decided to write you a letter every day and, in each one, tell you something new about me that you didn’t already know. I hope you find my letters entertaining.

Today’s confession is that I don’t know how to swim. Despite growing up within walking distance of the water, I never learned. Perhaps you can teach me when you get better.

Love and kisses,

Ann

The next day, Mrs. O’Donnell gave her a note saying he loved the letters and to please keep sending them.

On Monday, she told him how much she loved to play checkers.

On Tuesday, she admitted she didn’t like chocolate, even though everyone seemed to think it was marvelous.

On Wednesday, she told him a story about sneaking into her parents’ closet when she was seven to get an early peek at her Christmas presents and then getting caught. Oh, she was in so much trouble!

Thursday, she confessed that the first time she tried to bake a cake as a little girl, she confused salt and sugar, and the results were completely inedible.

Friday, she agonized over what to write, wracking her brain, and finally decided to tell him about the time she won a school-wide spelling competition when she was ten.

When Saturday came around, she wrote about how much she was looking forward to Sunday when she would be able to leave the apartment once again and join Mrs. O’Donnell on her visits to the hospital.

Sunday came at last, and she was free. Her first visit was to the O’Donnells.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all you’ve done for me these last two weeks,” she said to Mrs. O’Donnell who was chasing Connor and Adelaide away from the cake frosting she just made. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to escape that tiny apartment.”

“It’s barely fit for a bachelor and far too small for three people,” Shannon agreed. “You need a proper house as soon as possible.”

“Bill has his eye on the Millington house, but I think it’s too big for us and needs too much work inside.”

Shannon waved her hand dismissively. “Bill’s handy, as you well know, and he’s got the savings to hire contractors to get the work done quick.”

Ann nodded slowly. “When Bill gets out, I think I’ll tell him to buy it.” Her head fell. If Bill gets out…

After several days of improvement, his cough had suddenly worsened, according to Shannon’s updates. Ann could hardly sleep at night for worrying about him.

“That’s the spirit, my dear. Our Bill is going to get through this, and you’ll have him back soon enough.”

Ann could see the fear, as well as the fierce love, in Shannon’s eyes as she said it. “I’m sorry. He’ll be fine. I know he will.” She didn’t, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice her doubts to his mother. Shannon was a bulwark against all the chaotic fears that buffeted Ann. Her calm and warmth meant the world in this difficult time.

“There. I’ve finished frosting the cake.” Shannon put down the butter knife she was using to smooth out the last bits. “Who wants to eat it?”

Connor and Adelaide came running, yelling, “Me, me, me.”

At that moment, Mary came in the door. “I see I’ve arrived just in time to see how you’re spoiling their lunch, Mum. No wonder they never want to eat after visiting Grandma.” Turning to Ann, she said, “How are you holding up? These last two weeks must have been a terrible strain.”

“The best thing I can say about them is that they are finished.” Ann gratefully accepted the cake that Mrs. O’Donnell pushed into her hand.

“Once you’re done with your cake, you and Mum should go visit the hospital. I have to take these two little hellions home anyway.”

Ann nodded with a mouth full of cake. Between Bill and Shannon, she was going to be plump as a Christmas goose before long, not that she’d managed to eat very well during her quarantine. Perhaps she could get away with today’s indulgence, but she really did need to stop eating cake all the time.

Soon, Shannon was ready to go. They said their goodbyes to Mary and headed out to Nassau Hospital.

Ann’s heart pounded loudly in her chest as they walked up the familiar wooden steps and past the porticos to enter. Bill was here, even if she couldn’t see him. They were as close as they’d been for two weeks.