AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We both laugh, but the conversation lags as Emma slips deep into her thoughts and stares at the view outside the window. I stare at my menu again, not wanting to think about her heartache.
My mind leads me back to Andrei again as my gaze lands on a pair of young parents in a booth diagonal from ours. The father has dark hair like Andrei, and the mother is a honey-blonde. The father holds their adorable baby—dressed in yellow—as the little girl fusses and reaches for her mom.
They look so happy and normal, and I don’t want to think about my decisions.
There was a time I wanted a different life from the one I had. I wanted money so I wouldn’t have to grind away just to keep my family barely getting by.
And now that I have money, all my heart wants is to return to my normal life and all its burdens.
The bell on the door rings, and cousin Kenney steps into the diner. He stands motionless for a moment. I’m uncertain if he’s checking the place out or letting the diners check him out.
I’m not the only one who has changed. His off-the-rack suit jacket has been replaced with better-quality threads. Not as costly as Andrei’s suits, but definitely not from a strip mall. The jeans are still Levi’s, and the aviators on his nose are Ray-Bans. I sigh, staring hard at Kenney until he lowers his shades and looks back at me.
Emma leaps up when he reaches our booth and gives him a smothering bear hug. They sway against each other before letting go. Emma doesn’t remember Kenney the way I do. She didn’t go to high school with him like I did. Kenney looks at me, his warm smile slowly disappearing into a tight grin. I offer him my cheek, which he pecks before sitting beside me.
“So, what do you have planned for today?” I ask Kenney casually.
Kenney lightly drums his fingers on the table as he speaks. “We’ll stop by the apartment, then head over to the old neighborhood. See old friends.”
“Good, I need some things from the house.” Emma’s eagerness is quickly doused when she looks at me. “I mean, do you want anything from the house, Paige?”
I deny any interest with a shake of my head. “Are you sure going to the apartment is the right move, Kenney?” We don’t mention Mom’s name, and I’m thankful Mom isn’t discussed in front of Emma.
Kenney shrugs nonchalantly, addressing the unintended slight. “I’ll be with her, Paige. She’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I didn’t mean any … never mind,” I hastily add. “Of course. Thanks for dealing with the apartment.”
“Not a problem,” he replies. “I’ll keep going over there until you can clean it out.”
Kenney flags down the waitress, who takes our orders. I ask for coffee. Emma wants a short stack of pancakes, and Kenney orders toast with his coffee. My appetite was shaky when we arrived, and now it’s completely gone.
Emma starts the conversation again. “It feels like a waste to toss everything in the house, Paige. We can go through Dad’s things and get rid of whatever is junk instead of waiting.”
“No!” My nerves are showing, and my loud voice cuts off conversations as people turn to look.
I clear my throat and look down at the table, waiting for people to mind their own business again.
I can’t tell them we can’t get rid of anything until I search that house.
I can’t let either of them know Dad’s secrets. Or Mom’s.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I just can’t think about it right now.”
The ambient noises start again as the waitress serves us in silence. Kenney decides to charm the woman with corny small talk, making her smile. But I sit there, not daring to look out the window, hoping Kenney won’t notice the Rover.
Emma starts and stares at the door, and I hope it’s nothing. She jumps up from her seat and runs over to a group of kids her age. She hugs a girl dressed in a pink tank top and matching shorts. The boy hangs back and then touches Emma’s back, giving her a slight hug. She motions toward us and then walks to an empty booth with them.
“She hasn’t seen her friends in a while.” Kenney’s expression is shrewd, as if his mind is keeping a detailed list. “Where has she been staying, Paige?”
“With me, Kenney.” I press my lips together, not offering any more.
“And is there anything you want to tell me?” he asks softly.
For a moment, I wonder if I should. Kenney might be my best chance. But my best chance to do what? As long as I’ve known Kenney, he’s never done anything to be kind or nice. There’s always a motive, even if it’s just to feel superior over everyone else. I shake my head.
And then I remember what Dad said.Why did you go to your nephew? Why did you have to tell him anything?
I won’t repeat Mom’s mistake.
