Filed to story: Rebecca Perry and Vance Bradford Romance Book PDF Free
“Yeah! Vance is busy, so I came by myself, ” Rebecca lied, linking arms as they entered. ” Grandma, I’m starving. Got anything to eat?”
“What would you like? ” Josette chuckled. ” Your pasta with meat sauce, ” she replied. In her twenty – something years, only with Josette could she speak so freely. ” Coming right up. ” Josette bustled to the kitchen happily. Rebecca spotted some photos on the TV cabinet – four in total. One was a portrait of her grandparents, her parents, and her brother. Another captured her childhood dance award. A third honored her late aunt.
The last one featured her, Vance, and Josette. This photo dated back four years. The town head had called about Josette’s fall, and she had rushed over with cash. Vance had accompanied her, helping transport Josette to the hospital. That experience had solidified her resolve to make the marriage work, despite Vance’s detachment. Later, she learned the town head had first contacted Soren, who dismissed it at a poker game, suggesting a local clinic.
Vance could have delegated or wired funds, but he personally joined her in the countryside, even carrying Josette. Post – discharge, Rebecca snapped this selfie, sending it to Josette, who framed it lovingly. ” All done. Come eat your pasta! ” Josette beamed, setting down the food. ” Still craving the same as when you were little. ” Rebecca inhaled the savory aroma and devoured it ravenously. She was famished, having barely eaten at her parents ‘ . In moments, the plate was empty. Only then did Josette ask gently, ” Had a fight with him?”
Rebecca smiled wryly. From someone who truly cared, nothing stayed hidden. ” Grandma. ” Rebecca linked arms with Josette, leaning on her shoulder. ” I want to go back to school. What do you think? ” Josette was her only confidante now. ” That’s wonderful! I’ve saved some money, so don’t worry, ” Josette exclaimed. Rebecca’s eyes misted as she hugged Josette’s waist. ” I have money now, Grandma. ” Only Josette offered such unwavering support. ” Your money’s yours, and I’ve saved some for you, ” Josette said, stroking her hair tenderly. ” Grandma…” Rebecca basked in the affection, though worry gnawed at her. ” But if I go, it could be years. What if I miss you terribly?”
“Silly girl, video call whenever you miss me, ” Josette reassured her. ” I’m young at heart – staying right here. I’ll wait for you to finish and return. If you settle abroad, I’ll join you, as long as I’m not a burden.”
“Never,” Rebecca said quickly. ” I’ll take you everywhere. We’ll travel the world together.”
“Sounds perfect. ” Josette held her close, patting her back like in childhood.
“I’ll be waiting for that adventure.” They shared the bed, rain pattering midway through the night. Rebecca suddenly understood why she always slept so soundly to the rhythm of rain. Childhood rainy nights meant sharing with Josette, who patted her gently while weaving tales. The rain’s rhythm, blended with Josette’s soothing voice, always lulled her. Josette asked no more about Vance or their quarrels, but Rebecca sensed she understood implicitly. She slumbered peacefully until late morning, undisturbed by alarms. Her phone, uncharged overnight, had been out of power.
Yet she felt no urgency to revive it. This disconnection from the world was blissfully freeing. Post – rain, the sky was clear. The air carried a moist, earthy freshness unique to the countryside. Josette was absent, likely fetching breakfast. Rebecca got out of bed, stepped into the yard, and inhaled deeply. The sunroom stood empty, except for the barre. It was her old practice spot, untouched for five years, and she presumed it housed clutter now. No longer shunning memories, she approached and opened the door, only to freeze.
Spotless and bare, the place mirrored its state from five years ago. Touching the barre yielded no dust, meaning Josette had cleaned it daily. The glass enclosure, with its high ceiling for flips, had been custom – built for her training. Irresistibly, she drew back the curtains, inviting sunlight to flood in. At the barre, muscle memory surged like a tidal wave. Finally, she hoisted her injured leg onto it. A profound, soul – deep resonance vibrated through her. Tears brimming, she pressed downward.
Some pursuits, once abandoned, proved impossible to reclaim. Rebecca lost count of her tumbles, unable to recapture her former spins and leaps. Another fall brought excruciating pain ; she collapsed, sweat and tears mingling on her face. She surrendered, knowing it was futile. The doctors had declared dancing impossible five years ago. Now her body was as rigid as bamboo, making revival a distant dream. Sensing a presence outside, she looked up. Josette stood beyond the glass with a man who seemed to be Desmond. How had they connected?And had he witnessed her pathetic display? Panic surged, and the mocking laughter of Vance’s friends echoed in her mind. ” She used to dance, but now she’s crippled. What’s the difference from being useless?”
“What can she do for you? Can’t socialize ; might spill tea at home? Vance, water… Like that, right?”
“Vance, water. Ah, I fell. Hold me. ” Terrified, she scrambled to the window, yanking curtains shut in desperation. Huddled behind them, she clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling sobs. “Becky? ” Josette called from the door. ” No! Grandma!
Don’t come in, please! ” She strained to steady her voice, concealing the tremor. Tears cascaded regardless. She couldn’t bear Josette seeing her vulnerability, nor an outsider witnessing her degradation. But the door creaked open anyway. Sunlight silhouetted the intruder, stretching their shadow long across the floor. Sitting crumpled, Rebecca shook her head through tears. ” Don’t come closer! You need to leave – just go! ” Desmond ignored her warning, striding forward. Placing his phone on the floor, he extended a hand. ” What are you doing? Get out!” She curled defensively, arms shielding her body. Without a word, he lifted her gently. Music emanated from his phone: Butterfly Lovers. Instinct took over. Supported by his strength, her body unfurled naturally, her arms and legs fluttering like wings. Butterfly Lovers was a duet she had once performed at school and won an award for. Though her leg faltered, the choreography was etched eternally in her muscles. With his steadying presence, she navigated the dance clumsily to its end – her first completion in five years.
As the melody faded, she stood centered in the room, dazed as if dreaming. ” Dancing is a state of mind. As long as you want to dance, you can take flight, ” Desmond said, his eyes shining brightly. ” Sounds familiar? ” It clicked that he was her junior partner in that duet, the one who’d struggled with lifts, dropping her repeatedly. Beneath a tree, in his despair, she’d offered those exact words.
To Rebecca’s astonishment, Desmond was Josette’s student. He’d arrived for a volunteer performance at the local elementary school and bumped into Josette post- arrival, chatting as they walked home. He’d witnessed her attempted dance. The boy who’d once wept in frustration under a tree now lifted her effortlessly and echoed her own encouragement back at her. With another show that afternoon, he stayed briefly for water before departing, promising to return for dinner. Rebecca’s rekindled dance passion kept her restless in the sunroom all afternoon.
She tackled basic routines, but fatigue set in quickly, forcing her to rest on the floor repeatedly. This cycle consumed the hours until Desmond returned, finding her breathless and sweaty after another session. He entered briskly, greeting her and sitting cross – legged opposite her. ” Performance a hit? You look thrilled,” she noted, his eyes outshining the sunset. He grinned. ” Yes, but that’s not the reason.” Sensing his direction, she quietly waited for him to continue. ” I felt life stirring anew.” His eyes sparkled. She blinked, confused by his words.
He spread his arms and danced lightly. ” The sound of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.” He meant her return to dance. But did her flailing qualify? Even a moth would have moved with more grace. ” Don’t be hard on yourself, ” he encouraged. ” Five years without practice, you were amazing today. It was beautiful. Don’t believe me? I’ll send you the video. ” He pulled out his phone and shared it in their chat. It turned out to be a recording of their duet. She shrugged. ” My phone is not here. ” He handed it over. ” Watch mine then.” Viewing the footage, she smiled bitterly. How had the once – celebrated Swallow devolved into this travesty? ” It was beautiful. You’re forever the most graceful butterfly. Flaws aside, emergence brings new wings, ” he encouraged. His words, though not fully absolving her self – critique, aligned with her resolve. She would grow new wings ; her life didn’t have to hinge solely on dance. She sat by the window, the setting sun casting a golden hue over her face and illuminating her smile. Vance entered then, captivated by her luminous expression.
Noting their heads bent together over the phone, amid the glass room’s dance relics and her practice attire, he tightened his jaw. In five years of marriage, he’d never entered this space. It had remained closed, and he had thought it was storage. Now, as he surveyed the barre and mirrors, his mood soured further. Rebecca sensed an oppressive shift, glancing up. Vance stood backlit, still in yesterday’s clothes. That meant he hadn’t returned home all night. His shirt hadn’t even been changed. Perhaps he had been too busy taking care of Catherine.
His face bore signs of fatigue and irritation, and his hair was a bit messy. As he approached, the sunset blazed behind him, mirroring the fury igniting in his eyes. His voice simmered with restrained anger. ” I’ve called you all day. Is your phone off? ” She couldn’t fathom his ire. Hadn’t he been occupied? Why expect her availability? She’d overlooked his time with Catherine, so what made him think he could snap at her? ” Oh, I didn’t think you’d call,” she replied coolly, fixating on the sunset. She couldn’t tell what was burning her eyes.
The glare or the lipstick stains on his collar and neck.
