AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But not to you?” Phin said with a sad smile.
“No, not me. Maybe because I’d already met her, but... that hurt. Not gonna lie.”
“I’d rather have a root canal without novocaine than spend five minutes having my twin sister look like she was disappointed in me.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I wasn’t the same when I got back from Iraq and I didn’t spend much time with my family, either. Even before I went to New Mexico, I kept to myself.”
“You’re wondering if he thought you’d closed the door between you, so he didn’t come to you for help with his drug problem?”
That was exactly it. “Bingo.”
“Still not your fault. Everyone’s life is like a spinning top. We just have to keep our own top spinning. It’s not fair to expect someone else to give us a spin or to be expected to do the same. Occasionally, yes. But not all the time. Did your brother know why you were distant?”
“Yes. He was the only one I told.”
“There you go. He knew you trusted him. He knew he could trust you. If he didn’t, it was his choice.”
That was true. Completely true. That Van hadn’t come to her... Not my fault.
She smiled at him, feeling a sliver of peace. “Thank you, Phin. You helped.”
He shifted where he sat, uncomfortable with her praise. “What’s your plan today?”
“To see Sandra at the jail, then see my sister at her flower shop.”
“You’ll be careful?”
“Always. I should be getting ready to go. Burke will be here any minute to take over guard duty. How long before the safe room is done?”
“If Kaj’s okay with me working into the evening, I can have it sanded and painted by eight o’clock tonight. Then the paint just has to dry. I’ll be back in the morning to show them how everything works. Elijah will be safe in there.”
“Thank you, Phin. It means a lot to Kaj. And to me.”
“Elijah’s a nice kid. Would be hard not to get attached.”
“Guilty as charged. Thanks again. Has anyone else ever heard you talk this much?”
He laughed. “No. And I don’t plan to make it a habit.”
She hesitated. “Do you think you’ll go home? Ever?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking about going after the holidays. And I haven’t told anyone else that.”
“Should I nag you about it?”
He looked grateful, she thought. “Yes. Thank you.”
She couldn’t bring Van back, but maybe she could repair her relationship with Sylvi. And if she could help Phin reunite with his family?
That would be icing on the cake.
Lake Cataouatche, Louisiana
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 12:45 P.M.
“Fuck,” Bobby whispered as he stared at his phone. “That bitch.”
Corey turned from the table to the ratty futon where Bobby sat. His friend’s whispered curse was more alarming than a shouted one. “What?” Corey demanded.
