Page 134 of Take This Heart
“If I spot you around here with a gasoline can, I’m throwing you off the property, no questions asked,” Grandma Nancy says.
Her tone is a lot less indignant than it was before this conversation.
Ava smiles. “Understood.” She holds up her hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t be going near any gasoline cans again.”
Goldie looks wrung out. And she’s not the only one. Everett sits down hard when Ava leaves, scrubbing both hands over his face.
“That went better than I thought it would,” he finally says.
“I thought so too,” Goldie says.
She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, and her fingers tremble.
I nudge her gently. “You need food.”
“I’m not sure I could eat.”
“How about we try?” I stand and stretch. “Dinner’s on me. All of us. The Hungry Walleye. What do you say?”
“I wouldn’t mind some fried fish,” Grandma Nancy says.
“Excellent.”
We pile into my Range Rover, the mood somber. Once we’re at the restaurant, we perk up a little, and the noise in the place keeps us from being forced into conversation. I think everyone needs to mentally decompress and the distraction of the noisy restaurant seems to help.
“Thank you, Milo. That was delicious,” Grandma Nancy says.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
The air is cool when we step outside. It’s a beautiful night—until we hear raised voices.
Bruce and Ava stand under the streetlight.
“I’m not the bad guy here,” Bruce snaps. “I’m yourfather. Why would you believe them over me?”
“Why do I have to choose?” Ava argues, her voice shaky. “Why can’t everyone get along?”
Bruce scoffs. “You’re naive to think they want anything to do with you.”
“You haven’t even introduced me to the rest of your family! I’ve asked to meet Dahlia for months! Does she even know about me yet? And even Milo’s mom! I’d love to get to know the rest of my family.” Ava holds her hand up and takes a deep breath.
“I wanted to give Dahlia…and everyone…time to adjust.” He shakes his head. “But you just couldn’t wait to jump in the Whitmans’ camp. I’m so disappointed in you.”
Everett mutters something under his breath.
Goldie walks toward Bruce and Ava and I follow, notwanting her to do this alone. Bruce turns. His jaw clenches when he sees all of us.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Goldie’s voice is sharp, yet calm.
“Excuse me?” Bruce snaps.
“How dare you talk to her that way! You’re disappointed in her?Please.She’s your daughter and you’ve treated her like leverage in your ridiculous obsession with getting back at my family.”
Bruce straightens, huffing a bitter laugh. “Don’t you dare come over here and?—”
I step between him and Goldie. “I’d watch the way you speak to my girlfriend if I were you.”
“Oh, this is rich,” Bruce says. “This is none of your business. It’s between Ava and me.”
