AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart flips over. She used to call me that back when we were friends. My habit for taking charge colliding with her own and sparking the cheeky little phrase. I ache over the memory, ache over what we’ve lost...
‘For what it’s worth, Edward, I am deeply sorry. And believe it or not I am grateful to Katherine. Not for the inheritance,’ she’s quick to clarify. ‘I know I don’t deserve that.’
I exhale softly. No, she doesn’t. Only...
Summer’s worldly goods dance before my eyes. Her life is so very temporary, and the pang in my chest is undeniable. All those years ago she acted like she was happy being a lone wolf, desperate to get out into the big, bad world. But I was convinced otherwise.
And didn’t Gran’s letter suggest she’d believed the same. That deep down what Summer truly wanted was a home...somewhere to feel safe, secure...loved.
‘I’m grateful to her because she brought us back together, Edward, and no matter what happens I’m glad to see you again.’
The pang in my chest deepens exponentially, my defences pitiful in the face of her honesty. Because she means it—I know she does. And I hurry to release the wine glass before the thing shatters in my grasp.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not expecting you to feel the same way,’ she says, racing to fill the silence. ‘I just had to tell you before I could even contemplate enjoying this.’
Finally, finally she lifts her cutlery, signalling the end of her confession, but I can’t move past the chaos she’s kicked up inside.
I should say something. Anything. She’s apologised, told me she’s glad to see me again, but what can I say?
There’s no response capable of summing up how I feel.
I’m not even sure how I feel.
I try to follow her lead and eat, but I can’t taste anything. I focus on what I do know—Gran’s intention to give Summer a home after so many years of traveling.
Not just Summer, my mind intrudes.
Gran saw it in me too. All the travelling, all the work, never putting down roots. But I tested the waters once, knowing in my gut that it wasn’t what I wanted, and I had a lucky escape. Now...
What do I want? What does she want?
Do our lives really need fixing? Is Gran right on some level?
‘Where have you been the last twenty years?’ I ask.
She shrugs as she swallows down her food. ‘Where haven’t I been might be the easier question to answer.’
‘Always on the move?’
‘Always.’
‘So, where do you consider home to be? If you had to choose...?’
She cocks her head to one side. ‘Home?’
‘Before now, obviously...’ Because we’re home now—our home—until my lawyers determine otherwise, and I can’t forget that.
‘What’s that song? “Wherever I Lay my Hat, That’s my Home”?’
A smile teases at my lips. ‘Good old Marvin Gaye. It was one of Gran’s favourites.’
She smiles with me, her eyes misting over and making the blue depths shine ever brighter. ‘It was, wasn’t it? I guess it kind of stuck with me.’
I imagine her on trek after trek, adventure after adventure, her eyes alive with the wonder of the world, no responsibilities, the world her oyster...it doesn’t sound so bad.
‘I assume it makes you happy, living that way...?’
Another shrug. ‘I don’t like to put down roots. I get angsty if I’m one place for too long.’
