Page 63 of The House on Prytania
“But you would call me if there was something important you needed to tell me, right?” He was looking at me closely and I had to resist the need to squirm in my chair.
“Of course. I’m an adult, but you’re still my dad.”
“And everything is all right with you?”
“Yes,” I said. “Of course. Why are you asking?”
He leaned back in his chair, thrumming his fingers on the armrests, his eyes narrowed. “I’m a writer, which means I’m pretty observant. I noticed how you and Beau seem to have a mutual do-not-touch zone, and not because you don’twantto touch but because you probably shouldn’t. And I’m pretty sure Sam isn’t oblivious to it.”
I started to object, but my dad kept speaking as if I hadn’t said anything. “I also find it interesting how Sunny is trying so hard to fit in. She listens closely to every conversation, and when she asks a question, it’s usually something about how she was as a child, or about Mimi and her psychometry. And what other psychic abilities have been passed down. It’s as if she’s taking a crash course in her own family history.”
“To be fair, Dad, she is. She thought she was Donna Mathieson from Edina, Minnesota, just a few months ago. I’d probably be doing the same thing.”
“Sure. I get that. But I did find it a little odd that when she was asked about her life before, she kept her answers short, making it clear it wasn’t something she liked to talk about.”
“I don’t blame her. Her adoptive parents were recently killed, so there’s a lot of sadness connected with those memories in addition to the turmoil of being thrown into a new life. I remember what it was like being plucked from one life and thrust into a completely new and unfamiliar one. It was sort of a safety mechanism not to think about my past.”
He patted my hand resting on the table, and we were silent for a moment as we both remembered the woman who’d given birth to me and saddled me with the nickname I still proudly used, and the circumstances that had brought me to Charleston.
“I understand. But from what she told you, she had a happy childhood. You didn’t, yet you brought your love of music with you to your new home, and eventually shared your memories with us—even the not-so-good ones. In retrospect, I could tell it was your way of laying it all out on the table so that if we were going to reject you, we’d do it sooner instead of later.”
I frowned. “What—so you’re a shrink now?”
“Nah. Just a writer. I get paid to analyze people. Most of them are already dead, so I have to read between the lines in their letters and historical accounts. That’s always where I find the most interesting stuff.”
I rolled my eyes, just to remind us both of old times. “What else did your eagle eyes notice?”
“You and Sarah having a dramatic moment at the bottom of the stairs.” He looked at me expectantly. When I didn’t say anything, he said, “Is there anything you need to tell me?”
“About what?”
He let out a heavy sigh. “As you keep reminding me, you’re an adult. I love you and trust you, which is why I agreed to let Sarah stay with you for the week. I’m sure you wouldn’t put her in harm’s way.”
“Why would you think I would?”
“I didn’t say you would. I’m just curious about something Mimi told me the other night at dinner.”
“Really?” I kept my voice relaxed.
“She pulled me aside to say she was grateful for your help in her ‘little project’—she didn’t elaborate, since she probably assumes you told us—and that she would make sure that you were safe.”
I leaned back in my chair with studied casualness. “Oh, that. She and Beau have decided to start a new project flipping unsellable old houses. They want me to be a part of it, sharing my expertise in historic preservation.”
He nodded slowly, his overly observant gaze making me want to squirm again. “And why would that cause her to reassure me that you would be kept safe?”
“Oh, you know. Lots of sharp tools and rotting wood. That sort of thing.”
“Uh-huh. Well, all I can say is that I’m glad Cooper is here now. Beau, too, although I think Sam keeps him occupied enough to divide his attention.”
“Are you saying that you’ve asked Cooper to report back to you? Don’t deny that you asked Beau when I first moved here. I can take care of myself.”
“I know. You’ve proven that. But I’m your father, so I’m allowed to worry. But no, I haven’t asked Cooper anything. I just feel better knowing that he’s here in case you need any muscle.”
“That’s very misogynistic of you, Dad. What about Jolene? She might be small, but she’s fierce. And resourceful. You should see what she can do with a Barbie head.”
“Yeah, I heard.” We both looked up as Cooper entered the courtyard from the open doors leading into the bar area. My dad stood and shook Cooper’s hand. “I should be going on up to pack. Hopefully I’ll get there in time, before Mellie decides to do it for me. I don’t think she brought her labeling gun, but just in case, I should hurry. Those labels are hard to get off toiletry items.”
Cooper laughed, but he quickly sobered when he saw he was the only one laughing. “You’re joking, right?”
