Page 184 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

I pull my hand away and grip the wheel. “Two hands on the wheel, two ears listening.”

He laughs, and me? I drive.

***

I have the radio on as I’m cleaning up from breakfast, and “When I Look Into Your Eyes” comes on. I love it, and I also hate that I was so anxious I may have come off as being bitchy when I let go of his hand right after he asked me, “Are you listening, Jade?”

I know it came off as snippy and cold, but I also know he knew I was anxious. And I know that someday I’m going to have to have the conversation about why, but God, I just can’t get over how happy it makes me that he doesn’t look at me like I am broken.

I like this little bubble we’ve created—well, he’s created— and I get to be inside of it.

Someday soon. I promise. Someday soon.

The kitchen door opens, and I look up. I’m shocked when I see Tommy walking in behind Dad.

Dad sits at the table with a cup of coffee, leans back, and says, “Look who showed up this morning.”

“Hey, Tommy.” I smile, and he glances at the radio. I feel my face heat up, and I don’t know why it would embarrass me. The song, his favorite from last week, the one he wants me to listen to, is playing.

Yet still...

I notice mischief twinkling in my father’s eyes and follow his line of vision. Tommy’s wearing new boots. They’re so clean they almost look wrong.

I kick Dad in the shin.

He looks at me, and I shake my head.

I give him the don’t-you-dare glare, and his mouth twitches, but he doesn’t say anything.

I smile at Tommy and nod to the camera.

He holds it up and asks, “You ready?”

“For what?” I ask, curious.

“That assignment for my photography class,” he chuckles.

“You mean the freshman photography class you’re taking?” Dad chuckles.

“Oh my God, Dad, really?” I gasp.

Tommy grins and, without missing a beat, continues what he was saying.

“Yeah. I couldn’t think of anyone better to show me something beautiful than you.”

“You better get your boots, baby girl. Looks like you’re going hiking today.” Dad pushes up out of his chair and walks over, then kisses my forehead. “Just so you know, there’s poison ivy everywhere. I wouldn’t get comfortable hanging out in one area for too long.”

Then he leaves.

Smooth Dad, real smooth.

I run upstairs and throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, then grab a pair of cabin socks. It might not be cabin-sock weather yet, but it never feels right wearing hiking boots without them.

Tommy is standing exactly where I left him, looking around and smiling. “It’s warm here.”

“It gets warmer in the winter.” I laugh. “That fireplace heats it nicely, and the wood stove in the basement runs all the time.” I walk around him and grab my boots, then bend down to put one on. “We have to open the windows, so it doesn’t get too hot.”

Tommy bends down. “Let me.”