Page 47 of Jaime
He shook his head.
“No. All pictures have been burned, I’m sorry.”
Ethan tugged me toward a gelato shop, and I buzzed happily. It was one of the first properly nice days we’d had yet and it was a Saturday, so the shop was full. But Evie was being good, falling asleep and waking up to look around periodically. She seemed to like looking at bright colors, so I stood next to the pink and green menu, pointing it out to her while she stared in amazement.
“Everything is so exciting when you’re a baby,” I mused. “Even basic colors.”
Ethan grinned and put an arm around my shoulders. My stomach erupted with butterflies.
Oh god, I hoped this was more than just a fling for him.
I swallowed and leaned against him, relishing the feeling of being next to him.
When we finally got our ice cream, Ethan released me, taking my hand instead while we began to stroll the downtown, looking in the windows we passed.
“So, your father left you money,” Ethan said, steering back to business again. “It’s obviously enough that you don’t have to worry for now, but is it enough to get you through college and all that?”
I appreciated that he didn’t ask how much it was. To him, he probably wouldn’t think I had much at all. For me, it was more money than I would have dreamed of getting all in one go.
I licked my chocolate ice cream, considering.
“No. I’ll need a job. Soon probably, so that I don’t just spend everything I have.”
He hummed thoughtfully.
“Maybe you should see a financial planner.”
I shrugged. I hadn’t thought about anything like that, but it did make sense.
“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Ethan asked.
He hadn’t hesitated to ask me anything yet, so I slowed, wondering what could be so serious.
“Sure, what is it?”
“Why are you not into driving? Are you afraid?”
Even just the mention of me driving sent a cold chill through me. It often did if I wasn’t prepared to talk about it.
For a moment, I wondered how to even phrase it. Then I realized that the only way he, or anyone, would understand would be to hear the whole story.
“Uh...” I struggled for words. “Because of my mom...”
My voice betrayed me with an unsteady wobble. The moment it came out, Ethan stopped walking and placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.
Seventeen years later, but it didn’t matter. It still seemed unfair.
“The driver wasn’t even drunk or anything, just looking the wrong direction at a right-hand turn. Didn’t realize it was her turn to cross and that was it. Our entire family was completely destroyed.”
Ethan swallowed, watching me, his blue eyes filled with compassion.
“You seem to be doing okay now,” he tried to argue, but I shook my head, years of painful memories rushing me.
“I’m trying, but...”
He took my free hand, pulling me toward a bench to sit down. I did, feeling silly for wanting to cry over something so old. It wasn’t just that though.
“My dad—” I cleared my throat, then forced myself to speak. “He didn’t handle it well. Her dyingorbeing a single parent. He started drinking a lot. To be completely honest, we were neglected. Liz tried her best. She would make my lunches, but she was only nine and I usually went to school in dirty clothes. By the time she was fifteen, she was hooked on a couple different things.”
