Page 11 of Fragile hearts

“Did you sleep well, Sunshine?”

She nods, cocking her head as Colton jumps on me. I barely feel it, probably from the lack of sleep. “Yeah, you?” She stares at me intensely.

“Can’t complain.” It’s a lie, and from the way she frowns, she knows it too.

“Hello, Ms. Sunshine,” Colton chirps from above me. I chuckle at the use of my nickname for Alexis.

She must think I call her Sunshine because I found her stranded on the side of the street standing in the blazing sun. But that’s not the reason. I call her that because she’s a literal ray of sunshine. She has been through something horrendous and still smiles and acts kindly. I felt safe with her. The time in the car was the first time where I didn’t think about my insecurities. She didn’t stare at me weirdly or comment on me not talking much.

She offered me a lollipop and looked so excited to give it to me that I couldn’t refuse. I have never talked to a woman outside of work or someone who’s not a family member. I had never been interested in it. I would always stutter and embarrass myself, but she’s the only one I have had a full conversation with without freaking out.

“Hello, there, young man,” Alexis greets, grinning as she leans on the wooden fence, her long blonde hair hanging over her shoulder in a braid. “What is your name?”

Colton jumps, kneeing me in my back. “I Colton, and I two.” He holds up three fingers, gazing at Alexis proudly.

“One finger less, buddy,” I whisper. He lowers one, then holds up his hand again. Alexis smiles over at me. The sunburn on her arms has lessened. The skin is now a pinkish color instead of the burning red it was at first. “Are you using your dad as a horse?” she asks playfully. I open my mouth to correct her, but Colton beats me to it.

“No, Ms. Sunshine, He uncle Cars.”

“Oh, my apologies.” She holds out her hands, making eye contact with me. She has a look in her eyes I can’t describe.

Colton flops down on the grass, his feet inches away from my face.

“I ice cream, please?” he asks, jutting his bottom lip. I tickle the soles of his feet.

“I’m sorry, buddy. I don’t have ice cream.” My nephew lowers his head sadly.

“I have some,” Alexis says. Colton looks up, eyes shining bright with hope.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I have many different kinds.” She taps the wood with her knuckles, glancing over at me. “You can have one if it’s okay with your uncle?” Colton stands up quickly.

“Please, Uncle Cars, please?” His lips form an adorable pout.

“Of course, buddy.” He jumps in excitement.

“Is it okay if I take him inside? So he can choose which one he would like?”

“Of course. He doesn’t have any allergies, so he can have what he likes.”

“Okay, we’ll be right back. I promise.” I grab Colton by the waist and lift him into Alexis’s garden. He runs towards her house. Alexis smiles at me, then turns around. “Sunshine!” I call when she’s nearing the back door. “Thanks.”

Her smile brightens as she steps into her house, then stops. “Do you want one?”

I shake my head. “I’m okay, thank you.” She shrugs. “More for me then.”

I lower my head on the grass when I lose sight of them. They return a few minutes later, both of them holding a different kind of ice cream. Colton has one in the shape of a watermelon, while Alexis has one that is white and has all kinds of colorful swirls on it. I push myself off the grass to lift Colton over the fence. He sits down on the grass, staring intensely at his ice cream. “You want to sit with us?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think them through, but I would like for her to be here.

She must be so lonely in that house. I want her to feel welcome here, and maybe I’ll get to know her better. Alexis looks over at me, then at my garden. “Sure.” She holds out her ice cream. “Can you hold this for me? So I can climb over?”

I grab it, as she tries to climb over the fence, she’s almost down when her hand slips, she shrieks, nearly face-planting in the grass. I throw the ice cream in the grass, grabbing her by the waist before she hits the ground. I lower her gently our chests press together. A strand of hair covers her eyes, without thinking, I tuck it behind her ear. She’s breathing heavily, her cheeks colored red. “Thanks.”

I nod breathlessly, taking a step back. She clears her throat, staring at the now grass-covered ice cream. “Well, that’s a shame,”

I chuckle. She swallows hard, pointing over her shoulder. “I will be right back.”

“Okay.” My heart is stuttering in my chest. My fingers tremble. I lie down on the grass, staring up at the sky. “Holy shit,” I whisper to myself. Alexis returns a minute later with a brand new ice cream in her hand. She climbs the fence again, successfully this time. Then she wraps the old ice cream in her wrapper and sits down next to Colton. Talking to him about an animation figure he loves.