Page 18 of Property of Raider
“Oh, in that case, let's just eat some grown-up Lunchablesand wine.”Auntie Lynn smiles a truly happy smile.
“That sounds perfect.I’ll get out the food and you get the wine,” I tell her.
I have the best time reminiscing with my auntie and planning for our future.Like the updates and changes we want to make to the house.We talk about what my working for the cleaning company looks like.Before I know it, we’re tipsy and giggling together, and my heart has lightened a little.
Auntie Lynn and I are sitting on the couch laughing about something I did as a little girl when noise in the hallway catches my attention.Looking up, I gasp.Standing there, looking more like his father did at his age every day is Rusher.My breath seizes in my chest as the fight to breathe becomes impossible.He stands there watching us with a soft smile.
“Are you going to stand in the shadows or are you going to join us?”Auntie Lynn calls out to him.
“I wouldn’t want to intrude on you ladies,” he says, a smirk stretched across his face.
“Oh, sweet boy, you have never and will never be an intruder,” I smile up at him, waving him over.
He sits beside me on the couch, and I lean my head on his shoulder.“Did you have fun at your friend’s house?”
“It was awesome.Can I ask you a question?”Rusher murmurs quietly.
I nod against his shoulder.“You know you can ask me anything, and I will always do my best to answer you.”
“I know, Ma.Did you go to school here or just visit Auntie Lynn?”His question sobers me up.I’ve never lied to Rusher about anything, but in this I must tread lightly.
“I went to the high school.Why do you ask?”I counter him.
“I don’t know.People just keep looking at me like they’ve seen a ghost.Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy here, and the team is awesome.I don’t know.Did my dad grow up here too?”His question is honest and pure.I just don’t know how to answer him without it stirring up questions I am not ready to answer.
“Your father did too, yes,” I answer cautiously.
“Do you know where he is or what he is doing now?”Rusher is looking at his hands, refusing to meet my eyes as he speaks.
I look up at Auntie Lynn, searching for a way to answer her question.Her eyes show nothing but sadness.I take a deep breath trying to buy myself some time before I answer him.Rusher finally looks up at me, his two-tone eyes acting as a stab to my heart that is beyond raw from having seen Watson just this morning.
I finally find the only words that I can give him.“What I can tell you is that I do not currently know what he is doing.”
Fear like I haven’t seen since the last time Shea blew into town causing mayhem shines bright with his next words.“Do you think Shea would know anything about him?”
Knowing that I must think quickly here, I give him the best truthful answer I can.“How about this?The next time she is here, we'll try to ask her what she knows.”
Disappointment fills his eyes, and he sags back on the couch.“Yeah, I guess you’re right.I get the heebie-jeebies when she’s here anyway.”
Reaching over, I pull him into a hug.“I know you want answers, baby.There are so many questions that I want to know the answers to.Right now though, we have each other, and as long as we’re honest and good to each other, then it’ll all be fine.”
“I know, Ma.I just wish I knew something about him,” he whispers.
I decide right now that I can give him a little bit about his father.“You can ask me two questions about him.”
Rusher sits up, smiling wide.“I can ask you anything about him?”
“You can ask with the understanding that I reserve the right not to answer,” my tone firm.
“Right, right.”He nods, then stands and paces the floor.
“I’m going to go on to bed.I love you both,” Auntie Lynn cuts in.
“I love you, Auntie Lynn,” Rusher goes over to her, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the top of her head.
“Love you, Auntie Lynn,” I blow kisses from my place on the couch, not trusting myself not to run away from the situation if I get up.
Auntie turns, shuffling out of the room and down the hall towards her room.Rusher turns back to me, face full of hope and questions.Groaning, I flop back on the couch like a damn teenager.
