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I nuzzled into her hair and held onto her with every inch of my being. “I’m sorry, too,” I said, but she pulled back and looked at me with tear-soaked eyes.
“How are you? Are you okay?” Callie asked. She was looking me right in my eyes—right into my soul.
I thought it was a strange question, but I went along with it. “I’m great now you’re here and in my arms,” I said nuzzling into her again.
She stiffened then pulled away. I let her go and looked at her in confusion.
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?” I creased my eyebrows
“Oh, Mike, it’s so terrible. I don’t know how to tell you.”
“Tell me what, Callie?”
“Mike, your Father’s woodshop caught fire this morning, and everything is gone.”
My veins turned ice cold, my body going numb. I was in shock.
My father had worked so hard on that woodshop, he’d be devastated.
“I better get home and see if Dad’s okay.”
Callie took hold of my arm, stopping me, and she looked me directly in the eyes. “No, Mike, everything is gone, every… one is gone.”
It was like a million knives stabbing into my entire body at once.
I couldn’t breathe.
I stumbled.
“I’m so sorry, Mike.”
I leaned on the car, motionless.
My parents were—
Dead?
The only two people in this world who cared about me were gone. My head was spinning, and I couldn’t see straight. I felt like I wanted to be sick. Or maybe punch something. Or crawl into a ball and cry. But I couldn’t do any of those things. I just stood there, gazing at the O’Connell mansion right in front of me.
Then it hit me.
If I hadn’t left home early that morning, I would’ve probably been dead too.
My knees fell out from under me, and I slid down the side of the car to the ground where I sat leaning against it.
Callie sat beside me. “What can I do?”
I couldn’t talk.
Couldn’t think.
I was a shell of a man.
I saw Patty walk out, but I couldn’t get into work mode if I tried. I didn’t fucking care. He’d have to sort his damn self out today.
Patty walked over and squatted in front of me. “Mike, this is a terrible situation, I’m so sorry, son. Do you want me to drive you home?”
