All Things Lost by Josh Aterovis Read Free Book Online Page A

   “I dunno ,” I mumbled, “I've been like this all day. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just tired. I think I'll go to bed early tonight.”
         “Good idea. I hope you get up on the right side of the bed tomorrow.”
     
    * * *
         I did feel better the next morning. I woke up to a bright sunshine and I found myself in a better frame of mind. I was eager to see Will and the baby again. He called mid-morning and said the doctor had given them the go-ahead and they'd be released at
noon
. By the time Asher and I parked in the hospital loading zone though, the sky had turned into a forbidding dark gray and huge storm clouds held a promise of rain. Great weather to take a baby home in.
         Will was waiting for us when we got inside. He had a small mountain of supplies the hospital had given him and Darin lie sleeping in a carrier that would clip into the car seat. Asher took the car seat down to strap into the car while I helped Will gather everything together.
         “Can we make one stop before we go home?” he asked me.
         “Sure. Where at?”
         “The cemetery/”
         “What?” I said thinking I had misheard.
          “The cemetery, where my dad and Joey are buried.”
         “It's, uh, looking kind of stormy out there, Will. Maybe that should wait…”
         “I won't be long. It's something I need to do. Please?”
         “Ok,” I agreed reluctantly.
         The expression on Asher's face when I told him we were stopping at a graveyard was worth framing. He didn't argue though, I guess he knew Will better than I did.
         We drove to the cemetery following Will's directions and I parked on the narrow drive that would its way through the rows of headstones, crypts and monuments. Will lifted the sleeping baby out of his seat and climbed carefully out of the car. Will handled Darin like he was made of spun glass, situating him gently in his arms, then started out across the grass.
         “Don't you think this is just the slightest bit odd?” I asked Asher, “A little morbid maybe?”
         “Why? I think it's healthy. He's saying goodbye to his dad and Joey with Darin there. It's a way of letting go of the past and looking to the future.”
         “Thank you, Dr. Asher, but who he really needs to say goodbye to is Aidan.”
         “You don't think he has?”
         “No, I don't.”
         “Well, maybe this will help him do that too.”
         “I hope so.” I watched as Will moved away from one stone and started back across the cemetery to another.
         “It's starting to rain,” Asher said as the first few drops hit the windshield.
         “Another brilliant observation from the eminent Dr. Asher,” I teased.
         “Bite me,” he said good-naturedly.
         “When and where?” I shot back.
         “Right now and anywhere you want.”
         I leaned over and playfully bit him lightly on the arm. He tried to bite me back and we ended up in a short wrestling match that ended with a kiss. We jumped apart when the back door swung open.
         “I can't leave you too alone for one minute,” Will joked as he ducked inside. “Do you think you can knock it off in front of my kid?”
         “His baby seat faces backwards,” I said in mock seriousness, “He can't see anything.”
         “But I can,” Will said.
         “Are you ok?” Asher asked.
         “Yeah I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?”
         Asher motioned towards the graveyard.
         “Oh that. I'm fine, really. Let's go, Darin's getting fussy. It's time for his feeding.”
         I started the car and we left the cemetery behind. After we got Will and Darin settled in at home, Asher and I left.
         “Hey, can we go check a few more apartment buildings?” he asked as I pulled out onto the street.
         “I thought we'd found one we liked.”
         “We did but we haven't seen all