Page 12 of Conail

"For leaving." Putting the bottle down, she drew up her knees and wrapped her hands around them. "For abandoning you and our parents when help was needed."

"You were following your dreams."

"That's no excuse." She sighed a little. "He looks old."

"Who? Dad?"

She nodded, tears wetting her eyes. "I saw him sitting on the edge of his bed and it struck me that he's not young anymore." A wistful smile touched her lips. "I remember when he used to take us fishing and for joy rides on the tractor. He taught us to ride and swim. I always thought he was the strongest man in the world."

"He always said you were a quick learner."

"Mama used to hate when he had us riding the tractor along with him. She feared we would fall off and hurt ourselves." Her expression turned sober. "Is he really recovering?"

"Time changes everything," he replied softly, his voice barely a whisper. He felt a pang of guilt mixed with a deep sense of melancholy. The memories of their father, once a pillar of strength, now seemed like distant echoes.

"He's still strong in many ways," he added, trying to comfort her. "But we all have to face the reality that we're getting older."

She nodded, wiping away a tear. "I just wish I could make it up to him, be there for him now."

"You're here now," he said, his tone softening. "It's never too late to reconnect."

They sat in silence, the night enveloping them in its serene embrace, both lost in thoughts of the past and the uncertain future. The bond between them, despite the distance and time, felt unbroken, a silent promise of familial love and understanding.

They remained silent for a few more minutes, each settled in their own thoughts. Somewhere an owl hooted and the sounds of squirrels scampering up the trees added to the mystery of the night.

"What the hell happened to your hair?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Laughing softly, she passed a hand over the tightly coiled curls. "I wanted a change. Mama was quite horrified."

He recalled pigtails and braids when they were growing up and how he had enjoyed pulling them whenever she was close. Turning his head to stare at her, he decided grudgingly that the style suited her. They both had similar bone structures, but her face was rounded while his was narrow -- the bones well-defined. Her skin was a smooth and flawless cocoa brown, eyes large, with surprisingly long lashes.

"Was it because of that spineless asshole you were seeing?"

She shrugged a little uncomfortably. "Partly." She touched the back of her bare neck. She was still trying to get accustomed to not having her hair swinging to her shoulders. "I wanted a change."

He merely grunted and went back to drinking his beer.

"Maddy called while I was leaving the house." She said it casually, hoping to get a reaction and was disappointed when all he did was look disinterested.

"Wanted to know if she could swing by and see me tomorrow. To welcome me home."

"It's your house too."

"She's hurting, Colin."

This time he turned to give her a cool look. "Stay the hell out of it."

"She's my friend and you're my brother." She sniffed. "There's no way that's going to happen."

"Then do so at your own peril," he warned.

"Is it so difficult for you to forgive her?"

"She tore my heart out when she left, so that would be a yes."

"She made a mistake."

"Did she?" His lips curled into a cynical smile. "Was that what she told you? I begged her to stay, went down on my knees and pleaded with her not to go. I asked her to wait until things were sorted out here. I reminded her that I could not just leave. Ihad to stay with them, to make sure they were okay and could manage on their own. She left anyway."

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