Page 96 of Second Chance

Shit.

“When were you going to tell me, Denton?”

The words it’s no big deal rest on the edge of my tongue, but that would be a lie. This photoshoot could be huge for me.

“I just wanted to make it through the funeral.”

Mati’s silence speaks volumes.

“When do you leave?” Her voice lowers even more, and I don’t want to imagine it, but I think I hear sadness in her tone. Would she want me to stay? The question sends a shiver up my spine. I can’t stay here.

“The funeral will probably be in two days with the wake tomorrow evening. I’ll leave the day after.”

Mati gasps. “What about Magnolia?”

Magnolia, I sigh. My grandmother is one of the many things Dolores and I will need to discuss.

“I’ll have to talk to Dolores.”

Mati doesn’t respond again.

“Look, I hate to go, but I need to find Dolores. We have so much to do today.”

“Of course. Yes. Sure, you should go. Go, go,” she states as if shooing a fly, or giving into the resolve—she wants me to leave.