I enjoy spending time with her. I’m starting to live for her smiles and the sound of her chuckles and laughter.
I’m finally writing again.
Maybe I can hide who I really am from her forever?
I’ve been able to keep the information from the press, so it should be easy with Kelcie.
I’ve been lucky so far, and my fucked-up family hasn’t spoken publicly about me.
But what if I run out of luck?
Straightening up, I lift my hand and rub the back of my neck as I walk to my office. When I take a seat on the chair at my desk, I pause and stare at the bottom left drawer. Opening it, I pull out the envelope I’ve reluctantly carried around with me. It contains all my personal documents, and I haven’t looked inside since I had to apply for a visa to visit China.
Wow, that was four years ago.
Opening the envelope, I slide the documents out onto my desk. There’s an unabridged birth certificate, which I applied for when I turned eighteen. I thought I might need it at some point. It only contains Rene’s details under the section for mother. I hate to think of her as my mother because she was never one to me. The space for my father is blank.
I look at the aged marriage certificate and divorce decree, shaking my head because I was so fucking stupid to marry a woman I didn’t love.
Margo deserved so much better than me.
The last time she called to check on me, she told me she was getting married again. I was really happy for her, and it gave me some measure of peace, knowing another man would give her what I couldn’t.
Lick comes trotting into the office, drawing me out of my thoughts, and I quickly put all the documents back in the envelope. Just as I slip it into the drawer and push it shut, Kelcie appears in the doorway.
There’s an unsure expression on her face, and her voice is filled with vulnerability as she says, “Hey. Want to have dinner with me?”
I hate that she isn’t comfortable around me any longer.
Climbing to my feet, I smile to set her at ease. “Sure. What are we having?”
She lets out an awkward chuckle. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“How about ordering in? I haven’t had pizza in a while.”
Her features tighten with pain, and I take an involuntary step closer to her. “You okay?”
She glances over her shoulder at the living room. “I haven’t had pizza since ...”
“We can have something else. Tacos. Burgers and fries. You pick.”
For a long moment, she keeps staring at something, then she shakes her head. “No. Let’s have pizza. Want to play rock, paper, scissors to see who has to call and place the order?”
Laughter escapes me. “It’s okay. I’ll make the call.”
“Great.” She takes a few steps back and begins to turn away but then pauses. “I’m just going to shower. Should I come over afterward?”
“Sure.”
She doesn’t look as uncomfortable anymore, and I take it as a good sign.
When she begins to walk toward the kitchen, Lick follows her.
I move into the doorway and say, “Dress warm. The news said a cold front is hitting tonight.”
“Okay.”
Soon, the first snow will fall, and then it will be Thanksgiving. I should ask Kelcie if she’s going to spend the holiday with Jordan.
