Page 4 of His Reward
I search my memory, only recalling fading snippets.
“I was on a camping trip… and I was being chased by dogs through a forest for some reason.I jumped into a river to avoid them, but it was moving too fast, and I couldn’t swim.”
“Sounds like you’ve been dealing with a lot in your life.”
I blink, my lips parted.“You figured that out from my dream?”
“Dreams are often just our brains trying to process stuff that happened when we were awake.In your dreams, you’re struggling with and fleeing from multiple stressful situations.”
“Isdream whispereryour side-gig to your carpentry job?”
He lets out a short, amused huff.“It would be if it paid well enough.So, what’s stressing you out?”
I hesitate, glancing at the closed door to my right.We’re standing in the hallway and Daphne might hear me.I don’t want my family to know I’m struggling to make ends meet.
They’ll try to help, and I don’t want them to.I don’t deserve it after they lost everything they cherished once because of me.
“Just some stuff, but I have it under control.”I force a smile and start to edge past him.“I should go.I need to...ah...tinkle.”Tinkle?Seriously?How old are you?My face is burning.I want to die again.“See you at the party.”
He shakes his head.“I’m not sure I’ll be there.”
Before I can respond, Daphne opens her bedroom door, her lips in a pout.
“Why aren’t you coming to my party?”
See?I knew it!I knew she would be able to hear.As a matter of fact, it seems like she’s been eavesdropping.
I narrow my eyes at her.“Daph, how long have you been listening to us?”
She waves away my question with a flap of her hand.“Let him answer.”
“I don’t own any formal wear except for my dress uniform.”His expression turns remorseful.“It slipped my mind to get something more appropriate.”
Daphne purses her lips.“What about today?You might find something at the mall.”
He hesitates.“I can try, but don’t get your hopes up.I’m pretty busy today.”
“Well, if the mall doesn’t work out, you can probably borrow something from Nate or Dad.”
I barely suppress my snort.“That’s not going to work.”
My sister has got to be joking.Nate’s a bean pole and Dad’s the complete opposite.Meanwhile, Malcolm looks like the model they would use in an ad to convince new recruits to enlist.Patriotic message not necessary.The marketing copy would be simple and effective.
Want to look like this guy?Join the army.
Daphne shrugs.“Fine.If you can’t make it, you can’t make it.”
She turns and heads down the hallway to the bathroom.Dammit.She beat me to it!Worse, she’ll be in there forever.I guess I’ll have to use the one downstairs.I turn to Malcolm.He’s shaking his head, a faint smile on his lips.
“She’s something else.It took her less than thirty seconds to go from disappointed to not caring I won’t be at her party.”
“I care.I want you to come.”
His smile fades.“I’ll see how it goes.I have to head out now.Talk to you later, June.”
I frown at his back, confused by his abrupt attitude change as he quickly disappears into the guest room.
3
