Page 84 of The Scars I Bare
Our moment of connection was broken when we heard Lizzie shout, “Pappy, can I have your phone? I want to know what these two chickens are doing over here.”
My eyes traveled over to where she was standing and saw a very large rooster about to mount a chicken as a curious Lizzie looked on.
“Oh God!” Cora cursed, running toward her father as he stood there, looking perplexed, holding his phone in his hand, probably wondering what the hell he was supposed to do.
After redirecting Lizzie’s attention, we all headed inside.
“Abe,” Cora’s father said. “I don’t think we were ever properly introduced aside from being known as ‘Pappy’.” He stuck his hand out to meet mine. His right hand.
Although it hadn’t been mentioned at dinner or anytime after, I was sure the Carpenters had noticed my disability. Why he would greet me with a handshake like this, I had no idea.
Unless it was some sort of test.
Before I had a chance to react, Cora came between us. “Sorry,” she apologized. “I’m going to go unpack, so I can get this kid to sleep.” She raised her eyebrows at me as she passed. “And then I’m going to take Dean to The Hole.”
“The what?”
No one answered me.
Abe just chuckled under his breath until his gaze settled on my arm once more. “How’d it happen?” he asked.
Swallowing hard, I answered, “I was on a ferryboat. The engine exploded or so we think. Piece of debris severed my arm nearly clean off.”
I could see the empathy and pain in his eyes. “I know I come off as a kind of quirky guy. A chemistry professor who loves sci-fi—how much more cliché could I get? But I do know a thing or two when it comes to character. Iron Man, Captain America, Harry Potter. We identify with these fictional characters—or at least, I do—because we recognize traits in them that we see in ourselves. And, if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that the best heroes are made in the face of tragedy. If you are half the man my daughter claims you are, then I’m grateful to have you watching over the two of them.”
I met his gaze and lifted my chin. “If you know anything about your daughter, you know she doesn’t need anyone to watch over her. She’s perfectly capable of doing it herself.”
I waited for the shouting to begin. No doubt, he’d kick me out after that.
Way to go, Dean. I hope there’s a suitable hotel nearby.
But, instead of shouting, there was laughter. Just a roaring laugh and a hefty pat on my back.
“Good man,” he said. “I was hoping you’d say that. Now, you can go to The Hole with my daughter.”
I looked down the hall to where Cora was leaning against the doorframe to the guest bedroom, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face.
This was the weirdest family I’d ever met.
“Should I be worried that you’re taking me out into the middle of nowhere, at night, to a place called The Hole?” I asked before adding, “Or be concerned that you didn’t even bring a flashlight?”
She laughed as we passed by the small barn and walked into the open field just past the house.
“No,” she replied, not seeming concerned in the least. “I know the way like the back of my hand. And, besides, a flashlight would mess up our night vision.”
I looked around, my eyes beginning to adjust slightly to the pitch-black surroundings. “Okay. But you still haven’t explained what The Hole is.”
“And I’m not going to,” she said. “You’ll just have to wait until we get there.”
I focused on following her steps but not before I said, “You’re different in Texas.”
“Different good?” she asked as the house started to fade behind us.
“Just different.” I shrugged. “Less burdened, I think. More laid-back.”
“Is that good? Or bad?” she asked again.
I could already sense the worry in her voice. Tugging on her hand, I got her to stop for a brief moment. In the darkness, I could barely make out the gentle curves of her face as I cupped my hand around it.
