Everything Looked Normal - Chapter 7
The next morning they woke to their usual routine, sharing a shower before heading downstairs for breakfast.
As Brian reached for the refrigerator, he stopped and looked at Crystal.
“I need to run to the hardware store today. I noticed a couple of loose boards and part of the screen on the deck needs to be repaired.”
He smiled.
“How about we go out for breakfast first? Then I’ll drag you to the hardware store.”
Crystal laughed, slipped her arms around his waist, and looked up at him.
“You can’t drag me if I’m willing to go.”
Brian grinned.
“True. But at least it gets me out of kitchen duty.”
Crystal laughed.
“Oh, so you had a private agenda all along.”
“Absolutely.” He pulled her a little closer. “But I also love showing you off to the world.”
They went to one of the diners in town, a favorite among the locals as well as Crystal and Brian themselves. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, they headed to the hardware store.
Crystal actually enjoyed wandering through the aisles. There was always something interesting to look at—plants, tools, or odd little gadgets she never knew she needed. While Brian gathered the bolts and screen repair supplies for the deck, Crystal browsed nearby until he returned.
After paying the cashier, they loaded everything into the car.
Brian smiled as he started the engine.
“Since we’re already out, why don’t we stop by the grocery store and figure out what we’re having for dinner tonight?”
“Sounds good,” Crystal replied.
A few minutes later they pulled into the grocery store parking lot.
Crystal had barely stepped out of the car when the world around her began to shimmer.
The buildings wavered.
The parked cars rippled like reflections on moving water.
“No...” she whispered.
She grabbed the edge of the car door to steady herself.
“Oh, please... no.”
Brian was beside her in an instant.
“Crystal?”
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?”
She kept her eyes closed for a moment before slowly opening them.
“I...” She swallowed. “I think so... I’m just not sure.”
Brian studied her face, his expression filled with concern.
“You’re pale.”
He rested a reassuring hand against the small of her back.
“It’s been a busy weekend.” He offered her a gentle smile. “Let’s skip the grocery store. I’m sure we have plenty at home that I can throw together for dinner.”
Crystal looked at him, grateful that he wasn’t pressing for answers.
She nodded.
“I’d like that.”
Brian opened the passenger door for her and waited until she was seated before quietly closing it.
As he walked around to the driver’s side, Crystal looked back at the grocery store.
Everything appeared perfectly normal again.
Which somehow frightened her even more.
After getting Crystal home, Brian helped her into the house and over to the living room.
He gently settled her into her favorite chair.
Crystal smiled.
“I’m okay, really.”
Brian smiled back.
“I know you are. But it’ll give me a little peace of mind.”
“Would you like some water or anything?”
Crystal started to stand.
“I can get it.”
Brian gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
“Please sit.” He smiled. “Just tell me what flavor you want.”
She laughed softly.
“Grape, please.”
He picked up the blanket from the couch, wrapped it around her shoulders, then reached over and handed her the book she’d been reading from the end table.
“There,” he said. “Doctor’s orders.”
Crystal smiled.
“Since when are you a doctor?”
He grinned.
“Since my favorite patient scared me half to death.”
She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“I’m sorry.”
He leaned down, kissed the top of her head, and smiled.
“No apologies. Just relax, read your book, and let me go fix the deck.”
“Yes, dear.”
Crystal hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep while reading until the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches drifted into the living room.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Brian was just coming in carrying a tray with grilled cheese sandwiches, a glass of milk, and a small plate holding several of the Christmas desserts she’d made.
He smiled.
“Ah... I see Sleeping Beauty is awake.”
Crystal smiled back.
“I think my stomach decided it was time to wake up.”
Brian chuckled.
“I thought we could find a good Sunday movie to watch while we have lunch.”
He nodded toward the plate of desserts.
“And I brought some of those desserts you made... because, unlike Chad, I happen to love nuts.”
Crystal laughed.
“I noticed.”
Brian set the tray down in front of her.
“It’s good to see you smiling again.”
He studied her face for a moment.
“Are you feeling better?”
“I am.”
She looked toward the couch.
“But I’d feel even better if I could sit next to you while we watch the movie.”
Brian smiled.
He already knew there wasn’t much point arguing with that request.
Truthfully...
...he liked the idea just as much as she did.
“Okay.”
He picked up the tray again.
“Give me a minute to move everything over by the couch, and then I’ll help you.”
Crystal laughed softly.
“Brian... really. I can walk. I just had a spell, that’s all.”
“I know.”
He looked at her with that same gentle expression she’d come to know so well.
“But please... let me take care of you.”
He reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You show me so many ways that you love me.”
He smiled.
“Please let me do the same.”
Crystal’s heart melted.
“Okay.”
She smiled.
“I understand.”
Once everything was arranged, Brian helped her to the couch. After settling in together beneath a blanket, they searched through the channels until they found an old murder mystery.
Neither of them realized...
...how much they both needed an ordinary afternoon.
During a commercial, Brian gathered their plates and carried them into the kitchen. Since there were only a couple, he decided they could wait until after dinner.
When the movie ended, he wandered into the kitchen and looked through the refrigerator.
A moment later he returned to the living room.
“We never did have the lasagna,” he said. “Would you like me to make it for dinner tonight?”
Crystal smiled.
“That sounds really good.”
“Lasagna it is.”
Brian filled a large pot with water and set it on the stove for the noodles while Crystal flipped through the television channels. She stopped when she found a Christmas movie.
“This looks good,” she called. “Want to watch it?”
Brian smiled from the kitchen.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Before long, the lasagna was assembled and tucked into the oven.
Brian returned carrying two glasses of wine.
He handed one to Crystal with a grin.
“The doctor prescribed one glass.”
“Oh?”
“Just enough to make sure the nerves stay calm.”
Crystal smiled mischievously.
“Are you sure you’re not trying to seduce me?”
Brian’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh, mon chéri...”
He leaned down and kissed her softly.
“I don’t need wine to seduce you.”
Crystal laughed.
“I walked right into that one.”
They settled back onto the couch together, sipping their wine while the Christmas movie played.
When the kitchen timer chimed, Brian disappeared into the kitchen, removed the lasagna from the oven, and let it rest while they watched through the next commercial break.
When it was ready, he served generous portions onto two plates, added slices of garlic bread, and carried dinner into the living room.
“Room service,” he announced with a smile.
Crystal laughed.
“Five stars.”
After dinner, they left the empty plates on the trays. Neither of them felt much like moving. They were warm, full, and perfectly content just sitting together beneath the blanket.
When the movie ended, the evening news came on. They watched long enough to catch the weather forecast before Brian reached for the remote and switched off the television.
Together they carried the trays into the kitchen.
Brian washed while Crystal dried, the two of them talking quietly as they finished the dishes. When the kitchen was clean, they turned out the lights, checked that the doors were locked, and headed upstairs for bed.
I liked how the unsettling moment at the grocery store is followed by such ordinary tenderness. Brian’s care never feels theatrical; it shows up in a blanket, grilled cheese, a movie, and the quiet permission to rest. That contrast makes Crystal’s fear feel even more real.