Page 62 of Always a Roommate
“Where’s Shane going?” Mr. Kelly asked, oblivious as always.
Mrs. Kelly was my savior. “I gave him some disturbing news tonight. I’m sure he’s just processing. You know how that boy is.”
We all did. Shane was sullen, contemplative. He thought and thought and thought. About everything. All the time. So much that, by the time he chose to speak, the conversation had moved on to something else. Others considered him quiet, but I knew the truth. He was lost in his own head.
“He’ll be fine.” Mrs. Kelly gave us all a weak smile as she crossed the room to my side. “And you, dear? I assume he told you about Trevor’s family. I know you’ve become invested in the kid.”
I wasn’t sure how she could know that, but she seemed to know everything. “I’m fine, Momma.”
She looped her arm through mine and led me to the dining room.
Dinner was a more subdued affair than normal. Mariana and Cole were at an event at the elementary school. Knox was out of town for work, and Finley had gone with him. Leaving my dad, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, and the two younger Kelly boys.
Tanner only picked at his food, and Johnny seemed to internalize the mood, barely looking up.
I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, but the thought of going back to a house I shared with Shane also held little appeal.
I was unlocking my car when my dad walked up. “I feel like I’ve barely seen you, Rae.”
“I’m sorry.” I smiled. “I’ve been swamped with this wedding. It’s next week, and there’s been so much to do.”
“Well, is there something to do right now?” he asked.
“Nothing more than crawling in bed with a warm cup of tea and too much chocolate.”
“How does a milkshake sound?”
I laughed. How could anyone not be full after Mrs. Kelly’s meatballs? “Sure, Dad. Meet you at the diner.”
When we got there, the place was quiet with only a few cars in the parking lot. During the slow times, there was no hostess, so we seated ourselves.
Dad started to say something when Callie walked up. “Evening, Rae, David.”
“Ms. Daniels.” Dad had always called her that, and she only shook her head fondly. “Can we have two chocolate milkshakes on the rocks?”
“You’ve got it. I’ll have those out quickly.”
I rolled my eyes. “On the rocks, really, Dad?”
He winked. “Callie understands me. On the rocks means plenty of cherries.”
I loved my dad, but sometimes he was such a weirdo. Yet, it didn’t escape my notice he’d ordered a shake when his drink of choice at night was a decaf mocha. Unless I was there.
How many allowances for me did the people I loved make in their lives?
My mind kept wandering back to the fight with Shane, no matter how hard I tried to shake it. He had accused me of keeping things from him, and I had.
I probably should have told him about Trevor, and I’d planned to. Or at least, I’d planned to convince Trevor to confide in his teacher. It was important to me to keep someone’s trust once I’d earned it.
I’d gotten the feeling Trevor very much needed someone to trust.
And Tanner… that wasn’t my secret. If he refused to ask his family for help, what business was that of mine?
“You look a little lost,” Dad said.
“What?” How did he know how lost I felt?
“In thought. You look lost in thought.”
