Page 50 of Townshipped
“I saw …” I start to say, still sorting the images and trying to make sense of them.
Aiden gently strokes my arm.
“I saw my dad. He has a Shelby. It’s Acapulco blue. Same year as yours,” I say to Duke through a few tears I only now feel trailing down my face.
Laura suggests we move into the living room. Aiden doesn’t take his arm from around my shoulders. He leads me to the couch and sits right next to me.
I look at Aiden. “He called me Mal. My dad. He called me Mal.”
I shake my head, trying to reconcile the name Mal with Em. They both feel true.
I inhale deeply and let the air rush out my nose as my chest rises and falls. My head falls onto Aiden’s shoulder. He’s got a grip on me like he won’t let go, strong and secure but also tender.
The dog comes and sits at my feet, resting his head in my lap. I rub my hand between his ears and feel calmer with each stroke.
Laura and Duke have lost the playful edge they had when they got here. The whole room feels as heavy as a funeral parlor the evening of a wake.
“Sometimes memories return, and it feels like she’s gaining back a piece of herself,” Aiden says to Duke and Laura. “Other times, remembering something knocks the wind out of her.”
He’s speaking about me in third person and I’m not sure if I like it. Am I his project, or even worse, a burden?
“I can speak, MacIntyre,” I tell him.
I straighten myself and put some distance between us.
“Sassy, beautiful, and loves cars,” Duke chuckles. “Marry me, Red.”
Aiden stiffens. Duke ignores him.
“If you’re too wiped out, you could come to girls’ night next time instead,” Laura offers.
“I’d actually love to come,” I say.
Besides, Aiden could use some solitude. He’s had no time to himself since I got here. Maybe we both need a little space.
18
“EM”
“You sure you’re okay to go?” Aiden asks again.
He follows me and Laura out the front door and across the driveway.
“She’ll be fine, Dad,” Laura teases. “I’ve got her. You look like you could use a night to relax. Stay home. Put your feet up. Eat leftovers. Name the dog before he ends up being called something like Sir Walter Wilhelm the Third. And keep Duke out of trouble.”
“That’s quite a list,” I tell Laura.
“He likes lists. Helps him feel important.”
Aiden steps closer to me and puts his hand on my forearm. “Call me if you need anything. You can borrow one of their phones. I don’t know why I didn’t get you a replacement cell yet. We’ll do that soon.”
I look up at him. “You’ve done plenty. More than enough. Laura’s right. Go rest. Name the dog. Keep Duke out of trouble.”
“Well, two out of three won’t hurt,” Aiden says. “No one’s keeping Duke out of trouble. That’s a job for a committee. Usually, it took at least me and our friend Chris to manage Duke, and Chris is off serving his country. I’ll rest as long as you’re okay. I’ll wait for you to be here to name the dog.”
“Granger isn’t bad,” I tell him.
“It means farmer. I thought maybe since we found him on the farm …”
