jaw tightened. “I didn’t know.”
She knew something was wrong, but she was afraid to ask. He seemed close to losing it, and the Greg she knew rarely lost his temper.
Instead, Charlotte played it safe. “I’ll go get dressed. I would like to go to the cemetery today. You don’t have to come if you…” she trailed off as the expression on his face changed. His jaw softened and his eyes were lighter again.
“Of course I’m coming with you.” He cleared his throat and blinked, obviously fighting back emotion. “I miss him too.”
That surprised her. He always seemed to enjoy the baby, but Charlotte thought that it was more of an obligatory affection rather than true pleasure.
“Okay. I’m going to make some coffee before I finish getting ready. Do you want a cup?” she asked.
“I’ll make us both a cup. You go get dressed.” He paused. “You haven’t eaten have you?”
Charlotte sighed. If she didn’t know better, she would think Brandy dressed in Greg’s clothes and came over in his stead.
“I’ll eat some toast or something.” When Greg started to argue, she just shook her head vehemently. “I won’t be able to handle anything heavier.”
His face tightened slightly. “Okay, but have a banana or yogurt with it.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “I’ll go get ready.”
Greg started toward the kitchen. “I’ll bring your coffee when it’s ready.”
She nodded and headed up the stairs to her room. Charlotte put on underwear and a pair of faded skinny jeans. She topped them with a huge University of Texas sweatshirt that she had stolen from Greg during their college years. It was soft from years of washing and wear. She topped the jeans with a pair of warm knee-high suede boots that were lined with faux fur.
Charlotte was drying her hair when Greg appeared in the bathroom door with a steaming mug in his hand. She gave him a nod of thanks when he set it on the counter in front of her. He disappeared through the door as she took a sip of the coffee. Light and sweet, just as she liked it.
It was crazy, after ten years together, eight of them as a married couple, Derek never managed to make her coffee the way she took it. He tried, but half the time he forgot the sugar, and she always put at least a teaspoon in each cup. Charlotte shook off the peculiar thought and finished drying her hair. Quickly, she twisted it in a braid that hung down her back. She didn’t bother with make-up.
When she bounded down the stairs, Greg smiled slightly when he saw the shirt she was wearing but he didn’t say anything. He seemed to sense that her mood was fragile and that a storm brewed just under the surface of her skin.
He made her whole grain toast and spread Nutella on it. Charlotte managed to choke down one piece and a banana but couldn’t manage another slice of toast. Surprisingly, Greg didn’t give her a hard time. Instead, he threw away the last piece of toast and washed the plates and mugs they had used.
“Go grab your coat and hat, okay? It’s pretty chilly out today,” he said.
Charlotte didn’t argue. She was still indoors and she already felt cold inside. The day was grey and overcast. She put a slouchy white hat on her head and threw on an old army coat that once belonged to her father. She understood then that she was shrouding her body in things that gave her comfort: Greg’s college sweatshirt, her father’s old coat, a pair of warm faux fur boots.
“Ready?” Greg asked.
Charlotte nodded and followed him out to his truck. The ride to the cemetery was quiet, neither of them speaking. Greg didn’t even turn on the radio as he was prone to do. She suddenly remembered that she needed to get Adam flowers. Once a week she replaced them on his grave and had already done so, but this day was different that the others. He deserved something special.
They were driving past a little group of shops when Charlotte spotted a florist’s sign.
“Greg, can you please turn around and go