Page 25 of Snow Good to Lose
I held the other half of the empanada out for Caden. He shook his head and rested it on the back of the couch.
“What is wrong?” I wiped my mouth and sat back. “You should eat something.”
A loud bang echoed through the house. We both jumped. I laughed.
Caden’s eyes narrowed. He stared at the door as if expecting someone to come barreling through to do us harm.
“Caden?”
“I’m fine.” He grabbed a fork and shuffled rice and beans in his mouth. He stabbed a few pieces of steak, brought it to his mouth, and swallowed it whole.
“Slow down, you're going to make yourself sick.”
He grunted and continued eating. I ate one piece at a time while watching him. I read his moods. He was anxious and exhausted. Yet, I couldn’t read his mind.
“Are you having second thoughts about this?” I asked.
“No.” He shook his head.
“Then what is it?” I grabbed his arm on its way to his mouth. “Caden, talk to me. Tell me what is going on in your head.”
“Jesus, Mari, lay off, okay?” He yanked his arm away from me. The food on his fork went flying. “Fuck, we’ve been on the road forever. Give me a goddamn second to relax.”
“Are you fuckin kidding me?” I stood up and pointed in his face. “I’m so sorry. It’s such a shame you had to leave your home and everything you’ve known and run and fight and worry and stay on edge for the second time in two years.” I stomped my foot. “Oh, wait a minute, that’s not you, that’s me.” I screamed and stomped my foot again.
Caden leaned his head back and covered his face with his arm.
I nudged him in the calf. He barely flinched.
I screamed again, stomped into the bathroom, and slammed the door behind me.
