When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I found Ashton’s reaction rather bizarre and asked, “Why go to the hospital? It’s not that big of a deal.”

Ashton sauntered over to my side and looked fondly down at me. “Everyone should go for an annual medical checkup. I think it’s been about a year since you last went for one.”

I nodded absently, then lay back down on the bed. Since Ashton had left the bed to me, I sprawled happily across its entire width while sighing in satisfaction and comfort.

It was the beginning of winter, and the temperature in K City had plummeted sharply. Ashton was insistent on sending me to the hospital and was up and about early in the morning. I’d been disturbed from my sleep by his bustling about and sat in the living room still yawning, half-awake.

That morning, Ashton had poured out some cereal for both of us. “Would you like some chopped nuts?” he asked, popping his head out of the kitchen.

I nodded, my eyes teary from the multiple yawns I’d just unleashed. “Sure.”

It was a cold, misty morning. I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of stepping out into the frigid air and made a mental note to myself to don a few more layers before leaving.

Ashton emerged from the kitchen with the two bowls of cereal in hand. He placed them on the table, then added, “Would you like some pancakes as well?”

I sneezed, then sniffed at Ashton, “No need. I’ll just have the cereal. Since we’re going to the hospital, why don’t we drop by my Mom’s place and bring Summer along? We can get her checked out at the same time.”

agreed. “Let’s eat,

another word, I slurped the cereal noisily. Ashton gave me a look, then chided, “Can’t you eat

humbled, like a child who had just received a

was back in K City, so I reminded Ashton. “Nora’s back in K City. We should bring her out for a meal

then replied, “All right. Ask her over to stay, then, or arrange for her to stay in a hotel. It isn’t safe anyway for a

incident at the warehouse, my opinion of Armond had been totally turned on its head. I was

his bowl of cereal over to me. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? Eat up!”

felt a sense of warmth within me. Actually, I wasn’t that hungry, but I ate the

wanted to probe more into the matter, but Ashton

firmly believed we should be focused on gaining nutrients rather than information during meals between the

that, I nodded docilely, then finished the rest of the cereal

all the way to the door, putting on my shoes slowly in the hallway. Ashton had gone ahead to start the car. Just then, my phone rang shrilly in my bag. I fished it out only to see Mrs. Brooks’ name flashing across the screen.

wanted to be buried with her mother. I brought her back to K City with me today. I don’t have any close friends or family, and

Ashton had already driven the car out to the front. However, I remained in

leaped out of the car and ran up to me,

voice drifted over the line, fearfully asking, “Mrs. Fuller,