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“Hey, what are you doing out on a night like this?” a male voice called out.
I knew who it was the minute I heard his voice. Ryan. “Jesus! Why would he be here?”
“Ryan’s my stepson. His father is my late husband, Jack. Didn’t you know that?”
“Ah, no! No one said a word.”
I could have been knocked over with a feather, I was so shocked. No wonder my father was so enamored of Ryan. He was practically a member of the family, as much as I was.
She called out to Ryan, “Of course I’m out! Why are you out?”
“Lisa asked me to run up for flour. We’re baking.”
When he reached us and saw it was me, he began to stammer We were standing in a small circle, while Ryan looked at me the entire time, mumbling something about making cookies with the kids.
“If you’re done with your walk, I’ll go up with you,” he said, staring at me.
I kept my mouth shut while my mind worked overtime. Ryan would be Lisa’s half-brother. The conversation between Ryan and Pam was intimate and loving, like a mother and son. In a quandary, I wondered why Randy hadn’t said a word to me about it. I was such a good friend.
Any why hadn’t my father said a word about it? Ryan was his sort-of stepson. And not a hint!
“So, what brings you here to the boondocks?” Ryan asked when we reached the house.
“Long Island isn’t exactly the boondocks,” Pam said, laughing over her shoulder. She bent down to unleash the dogs.
“My father lives here, in case you forgot,” I answered.
“Right. Sorry. Hey, I heard about the baby,” Ryan said.
I felt like he was purposely bringing it up to make me feel like shit. “And how did you hear?” I asked, seething.
“It’s all over the news. Lisa had her eyes glued to the TV. She tried calling you this afternoon.”
“Tell her I’m sorry. I shut my phone off right after CPS took the baby.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, Ryan, whatever.”
His phony empathy made my skin crawl. But he grabbed my arm.
“Laura, I mean it. I’m sorry about everything at work. I’m not sure what went wrong. I tried to be authentic, but it seemed like every negative thing came to a head after you arrived. That thing with Sandra Benson? One hundred percent consensual.”
“Oh, God. I don’t want to hear about that, okay?”
“I know you were shocked when I was arrested.”
I took a deep breath. “Ryan, you don’t know anything about me, okay? I’m not as unsophisticated as you think.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he replied.
“Well, quit while you’re ahead. Isn’t Lisa waiting for flour?”
“Right. I’d better get the damn flour. Can I see you tonight?” He whispered this to me, trying to keep it from Pam.
“Why? It’s a waste of time. We’re just friends.” Not even.
“I’ve never lied to you about anything, Laura. I know Jennifer is my mouthpiece these days, but she’ll tell you that what you see with me is what you get. And if I tell you I’m not going to see anyone else, I won’t see anyone else.”
