Page 9 of Silver Player

“Theresa was in an accident. She was hit by a car.”

“Car accident?” I parrot until Roxanne corrects me.

“Motorcycle.”

Motorcycle. Trixie rode a motorcycle? My brother James owns one and belongs to the local MC, Rebel’s Edge. While the idea of looking for adventure and riding down the highway sounds liberating, I’ve heard so many horror stories about bikes getting clipped by cars, and I shudder with the thought of such a horrific death.

“She was wearing a helmet, but she was thrown off the bike. We were told she didn’t suffer.”

Didn’t suffer? Jesus. Then another word stands out.

“We?”

“Sadie and me.” Her eyes drift up to me. “She’s here to live with me.” There’s a hesitation in Roxanne’s voice.

“Is there anyone else? Her husband or what about your parents?” I don’t remember the fine details of the comings and goings in the community. Trixie—Theresa—McAllister was my age, but I didn’t remember her having a younger sister.

“Trixie never married. My mom died when I was fifteen.” Roxanne swallows. “And my dad passed a few years ago.”

“What about other siblings?”

“Sadie’s an only child.” That isn’t what I was asking, and it takes Roxanne a moment to understand. “It was only Theresa and me. She was specific; she wanted Sadie with me.” The fire returns to Roxanne’s eyes, flaming brighter than before.

I nod although I don’t know why.

“But if I’m her father, she belongs with me.” I swallow back the weight of those words while Roxanne spears me with another glare.

“She belongs with me. I’m the only family she has.”

“That might not be true,” I defend. She might be a Harrington. She’d have an aunt and tons of uncles, cousins, and a set of grandparents. My father will be so disappointed, but my mother will be elated.

“Well, I guess we won’t know.” Roxie blinks and then lowers her eyes to her foot, which kicks at nothing on the hardwood floor.

“Why not?”

Her head pops up, and another trace of caution laces her voice. “Did you decide to take a test?”

“I did.” Although I hadn’t until this moment, standing before Roxie in her store, with a book down my pants, and her challenging glare on me.

“She’s suffered a lot of loss, Billy. If it isn’t you…” The use of my name in a soft but serious tone makes my heart stammer. I admit, it sounds like Sadie has lost a lot. Her mother. Her grandparents. Moving here means she left behind her friends and her home.

“What do you mean if it isn’t me? You two are the ones hell-bent on saying I’m the father.” I pause as I exhale in frustration. “I can man up to my responsibilities, Roxie.”

“Don’t act like you’re doing us any favors,” she snarks. “Sadie doesn’t need you.” Her eyes widen with the words, and there’s a hint of untruth to her statement.

“I’m not doing anybody any favors,” I snap.

“Of course not,” Roxanne argues.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” We’re back to square one where all we do is throw jabs. Roxanne sighs and shakes her head again, ignoring my inquiry.

“So you’re taking a test.” There’s still a question in the statement, but I nod in the affirmative. “You’ll need Sadie, I think. You’ll need something from her to match your DNA.”

It’s all so clinical, and suddenly, that sick feeling swells in my belly again. The last thing I need to do is puke in front of Auntie Roxie, though. She’ll be seeing enough specimens from me soon.

5

The prophet doesn’t profess to know everything