Page 149 of Dark Surrender

“What’s your favorite flavor?”

“I don’t think I have one. What’s yours?”

“Superman.”

“Oh. I don’t think I’ve heard of that one before.”

Lily and I sit in the back of the van, petting a kitty, talking about everything that’s on her mind. Turns out, it’s a lot. A girl at the pool was rude to her again. Kali’s been teaching her how to make tea blends. The kid’s friendly. So, I listen and add tidbits whenever needed. But I learn a lot in the process. I’ve never been around kids much, and while I never wanted any of my own, Lily and I are gonna get along just fine.

Eventually, Kali and Sunshine join us, and he climbs into the back beside his granddaughter and pulls her into his lap. They carry on about her new kitten and whatever else Lil needs to tell him. I set Sal on their lap and get out so Kali and I can talk without little ears eavesdropping.

Side by side, we walk around her quiet neighborhood.

It’s silent for a bit until I can’t take it anymore.

“You good?” I ask, hoping to take some of the weight from Kali’s shoulders. I know she isn’t taking things well.

Kali grips her crystal necklaces like a lifeline. “Honestly? I am pissed, and I don’t know how to not be so damn pissed. I want to gut them both.”

“I get it.” And I do. I understand why she feels as she does.

She side-eyes me. “How come you seem so calm? Don’t you wanna kill Dark?”

“No. Not really.” I shrug. “He’s alive. He told me everything. How sick he was. How he wanted to die. But Sunshine wouldn’t let him. It was a tough recovery, and from what he said, his dad didn’t want to bother us… in case…” He died. I leave that part out, given he’s not dead, and I already spent almost a year thinking he was. I don’t wanna relive that again. Perhaps I’m too forgiving. But listening to Dark tell his side after we reconnected, I just can’t hold a grudge. He’s here. Sunshine’s here. They’re okay. I’m in a good place with my business and my friendships. Now my heart can mend. If I look at it any other way, what does it solve besides more pain for everyone involved?

“That’s what I was told, too,” Kali explains. “But I want to be bothered. I needed to know. I needed to help. Our sons and Lily didn’t know where their dad and grandpa were. This is so fucked.”

“We can’t change it,” I state the obvious for both our sakes.

“I know.” She sighs.

“They’re back now. What does holding a grudge solve?”

Kali punches the sky. “Ugh! I know you’re right. I do… But fuck… This is a lot. I don’t usually get this worked up.”

“But you’re hurt, and instead of crying, you’re angry.” I get it. I do.

She shoves my shoulder playfully. “Get out of my head.”

I chuckle. “The sex was good, though. Wasn’t it?” From what I hear, makeup sex is the best.

“Yesss…” She hisses dreamily, then abruptly stops walking and grabs my arm. “Wait. Did…” Her mouth hangs open.

Not wanting to make this weird. I nod just once and do my best not to smile like a fool. “We did.”

“Oh! Why didn’t you tell me? How was it?... Wait… Is that weird? I shouldn’t ask that.”

“Of course, you can ask.” I chuckle. “It was good. Really good.”

Kali claps her hands together and does a little dance on the sidewalk. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. I’m so fucking happy for you!” She bumps her shoulder against mine.

I bump hers right back. “Even if I’m gonna be your kids’ stepmom? How’s that for strange?” I tease, showing her my ring. We pause to look at it, do a little oohing and awing like I’ve seen in movies, then continue our stroll.

“I’m happy for you, and I have no room to talk anyhow. I married my ex-father-in-law. As long as we’re friends, that’s all I care about… So, where’d Dark run off to?”

“To talk to Abby.”

“Ah.” Kali bobs her head. “That’ll be a rough one.”