“I know it’s painful Lizzy.” He handed her the plate of food. “But you don’t have to go through it alone.”
She popped a cube of cheese and grinned at him. “So, you’ll stay with me tonight?”
Chapter 41
MATT
It had been nine days since she left. Knowing Liz was safe and Megan was checking in on her daily, was the only thing that kept him from running to her. Marcus had texted him too—all of twice—to let him know about Liz’s slow but sure recovery. Finally, he decided enough was enough.
Matt walked a few houses down and glanced once again at Megan’s text; fifty-six. The cookie cutter townhouses were painted blue and white. They all had the same concrete steps that pulled up to a single large door. Matt finally reached the house number that matched the one on his screen. His chest tightened. He took a breath, lifted the round bronze latch, and knocked. With his heart pounding, he waited. Not knowing what her reaction would be. If she would remember him. All of him. Every part of who they are. Were. Would she still be angry at him for lying to her? With or without her memories? He wondered if he should turn around, give her more time. It comforted him to know she was safe. But it also didn’t. She still wasn’t with him.
He knocked again.
Nothing.
He let out another breath, disappointed and dropped his head. He stared at the blue doormat for a moment.
He frowned and stepped off it, then bent down to lift the heavy mat. A few inches in, he spotted it; a shiny silver key. He reached for it and stood, smiling to himself and shaking his head. He slipped the key in and turned the knob, letting himself in.
Lavender and vanilla scents filled his nostrils. The apartment was furnished in pale blues, sea greens and off whites. But there were a few artifacts that looked out of place. And familiar. Matt stepped further in. The place was quiet.
“Liz?”
But he knew the place was empty. She’d gone out.
Where would she go? He could call her, but what would he say?
The house was relatively close, and similar to Ben and Megan’s, so he knew the back door would lead straight to the beach. Stepping out the back door, he followed a narrow fenced in walkway and made his way down the short steps to the beach. His eyes searched for her familiar figure. It was barely ten in the morning. The sun was strong, but not unbearably hot. Lawn chairs and umbrellas were starting to unfold.
Matt strolled past the busy boardwalk. Past the gift shops, restaurants, and ice cream carts. The crowd that typically piles up around lunchtime, was starting earlier that Saturday. Liz loved strolling past the boardwalk, so that’s what he would do. She could have been in the complete opposite direction, for all he knew, but he’d look for her until he found her.
Somewhere past the busier part of the beach, the boardwalk ended and an unflattering and untamed field started. Matt jumped down to the patchy grass area surrounding the land. He crossed a deserted narrow bike lane and spotted a peaceful, serene pier further along the beach. He could see past the fence and didn’t see a single soul. He stopped and let out another disappointment breath. He was sure this was where Liz would have gone.
Before he turned around, he spotted an opening in the fence, also surrounded by bushes and small trees. It was elevated, so there had to be steps going down to the beach. But that wasn’t what caught his attention. It was the fabric of a pale colored dress that stood out. He neared and something dropped to his stomach. At the same time, relief washed through him as he saw the back of his wife’s seated body. Everything surrounding her was now hazy and it was as if he couldn’t get to her fast enough. He paused, aware that his shadow might frighten her, and opened his mouth to call to her but she turned at the sound of his footsteps.
A mix of surprise and fear in her eyes. She also appeared as if she wanted to say something. Maybe his name? Or ask why he was here. But instead, she smiled with relief. It may also have been the sheer exhaustion he knew she was feeling. Her limbs looked weak and her eyes dark and drained. She was still beautiful, and he wanted more than anything to tell her that. But there was something else in her eyes. He noticed it immediately.
They were familiar and gazed up at him in a familiar way. It was Lizzy. He was sure of it. He remembered Megan’s hopeful words.She’s been in and out.
“Okay if I sit?”
She nodded and looked down at the empty space next to her. He sat beside her, inches away.
Her eyes narrowed. “How did you find me here?”
“Did you doubt that I could?”
She turned to the horizon and watched it intently. She was visibly nervous by his presence, and it shouldn’t have been that way.
“Lizzy?” He knew his voice sounded hopeful and prayed that he wouldn’t be hurting her if it wasn’t.
She nodded and batted her eyes in the playful way he always knew. “It’s me.”
Unable to hold back anymore, he reached out a hand and gently placed it on the side of her face.
He searched her eyes as if it weren’t enough that she’d merely confirmed it was her. All of her.
LIZ
