A Shiver of Wonder by Daniel Kelley Read Free Book Online

it!” David tried
not to sound defensive. “She wanted to explore things, let me in on
the reasons why she acted certain ways. I know I’ve gone… overboard
at times, for lack of a better adjective, but she kept bringing it
up, she kept bringing him up!”
    “And you feel that Todd was the love of her
life? And you’re the rebound-style leftovers?”
    “No! Or yes. Or maybe sometimes. They were
together for seven years. I know she lived with you for a good part
of that, but no matter what she tells me, she always clamps down on
why it ended. I know they never lived together, and may God help me
for saying this, I totally get that – even after eighteen months, I
still feel like a guest at her house! But aside from that, I sense
that while part of her despises Todd, I also sense that she hasn’t
gotten over him. That she loves him still, and that’s who
I’m competing against. This hunky, goodtime ex-football player who
exists in her mind, and never ages, or says the wrong thing, or
forgets to bring his phone with him everywhere he goes.”
    David slapped his forehead. “God, I’m sorry.
I sound like a loon.”
    She laughed again. “No. You sound like
you’re in a relationship with Genevieve MacGuffie.”
    But he couldn’t continue to make light of
it. “Seriously, Jess, I apologize. It’s the first time we’ve ever
talked, and all I can do is come across like some neurotic wimp who
can’t handle his girlfriend’s past.”
    “But if her past is alive in the present…”
She inhaled deeply. “You could certainly handle some things
differently, but I’ll be the first to admit to you that Genevieve
is no walk in the park, no matter how sweet those cakes of
hers might taste.”
    “She keeps suggesting – jokingly, I assume –
that I go out with Lydia. And there are times I almost want to.
Simpler, more laughter, less expected of me, a lot less
angst.”
    “And perhaps Lydia has a girlfriend who
could join the two of you on occasion if the fancy strikes
her?”
    At that, David couldn’t help but snicker.
“Well, the thought has crossed my mind, but if I can barely handle
one woman, what would I do with two?”
    “Bring ’em to one of those meetings. Swap
’em out for another pair if they can’t behave!”
    “Mmm. I’ve never been to one of those
meetings, though.”
    “Has she ever asked you to?”
    “Genevieve? No.”
    “Then don’t worry about it. It was at the
store the other night, wasn’t it?”
    “Yeah. She probably told you about it.”
    “Nope! All I got to hear about was David,
David, David.”
    “Oh, joy.”
    “It’s not so bad. Better than past tense,
like Todd.”
    “Ha! Do you get to hear about him, too?”
    Jess chortled in reply. “All the time, all
the time. But if you tell her I said that, I’m driving right out
there and dropping one of those Blackberry Buttermilk Cakes of hers
right on your head.”
    David smiled. “We will meet, right? Some
day?”
    A pause. And then, “Yes. I promise.
Genevieve’s promised me .”
    “Good. I…”
    “Oh, don’t start groveling again! No more
apologies. And David?”
    “Yes?”
    “You’ve got my number now, and I have yours.
Call if you want. Anytime. I’m on your side, on both of your
sides. I liked talking to you, hearing your voice. You’re honest.
And that is something dear sainted Todd was not . For a lot
of those seven years those two were together.”
    “Really?” David tried to rein in his
eagerness. “Did that have – ”
    “That’s not for me to tell you,” Jess
interjected. “When Genevieve’s ready, you’ll know.”
    “If we last that long,” he almost
moaned.
    “Courage. Fortitude. She’s one of the few
who’s worth it.”
    David nodded. “I know.” And he did.
Genevieve was a rarity, an absolute gem underneath that beautiful,
demanding exterior.
    “Tell her what we talked about. Or most of it,” she added with a giggle. “She’ll want to know,
anyway.”
    “Thank you, Jess.