Page 40 of Love is Blind

“You showing your face have anything to do with Bianca ringing my bell at the crack of dawn?”

I set the groceries down on the little wooden table next to him and turn my back to him. Gripping the railing, I stare aimlessly at the overgrown grass. He’s right, if Bianca hadn’t resurfaced, I would’ve sent one of the prospects here like I usually do, but curiosity got the best of me and so here I am.

“She say anything to you?” I ask.

“I answered the door pointing a shotgun to her face. Didn’t give her chance to say much. She asked where you were, that’s it.”

My fingers curl around the warped wood and I bow my head. We might not have the best relationship, but he felt Abigail’s death too. Part of me thinks he blames himself too. If he wouldn’t have left the house to buy a bottle of booze, then maybe he could’ve prevented what happened. I don’t think he would’ve given Bianca shit about shooting up, but he would’ve seen to it that she got nowhere near Abigail.

“She says she’s clean.”

“People can say whatever they want, doesn’t mean it’s true,” he grunts.

I turn to face him and nod my head.

“So we’re on the same page,” I return. Then I push off the railing and stare at him for a beat. “You had a lot of matter. Me…Abigail…it wasn’t enough, though, was it?”

He narrows his eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“After Linda died the hole never got smaller for you.”

I try not to compare my old man to Leftie, but sometimes it’s hard. It’s like I’m torn between the man who gave me life and the one who gave me purpose. I’m not sure which legacy I’m living for.

Sighing, I shake my head.

“Don’t answer that.” I tip my chin toward the groceries. “That should hold you through the week. If you need anything else, you’ve got my number.”

He won’t use it, though.

Never has and never will.

With that, I turn around and head down the steps.

“Reed.”

I glance over my shoulder at him.

“Yeah?”

“Just because it didn’t get smaller for me, doesn’t mean it can’t for you. Pain and suffering can’t be all the McCall’s know.”

Chapter Ten

Birdie

“Areyou sure you don’t want to come to Sally’s with me?”

I hold the pizza still at my lips and lift my head.

“And give up all this?” I retort, waving a hand in front of me. Ten minutes ago Domino’s delivered me a feast, one I’ve yet to sink my teeth into because my cousin is a relentless overbearing nag. “Before you go, can you put the movie on for me? I’m still working on memorizing the channels and the buttons on the remote.”

“Which movie?”

I take a big bite of my pizza.

“Ghost,” I reply with my mouth full. If I’m lucky she’ll harp on my lack of manners and won’t ask any questions about my movie selection.

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