I really, really want to.
17
TALON
UNKNOWN: It’s Cora. Where are you?
TALON: How did you get this number?
UNKNOWN: I have my ways
UNKNOWN: Where are you?
Cursing my brother—undoubtedly the traitor—I save her contact information and type out a reply.
TALON: Busy
CORA: I need to pay you for the truck
TALON: It’s taken care of
CORA: And I appreciate it. Truly. But I still need to pay you.
TALON: Bring the guys at the shop lunch and we’ll call it even
CORA: I liked it better when I was mad at you
Sighing,I look up and watch Navy chase the teacup pig around the yard, both squealing like it’s the best day of their lives.
And maybe it is.
TALON: I’m not mad at you
My phone ringsin my hand, and I grimace as I look down as her name flashes across the screen, then hit accept.
“Now I might be mad,” I say in lieu of a proper greeting.
“You’re exhausting via text.”
“It’s part of my charm,” I deadpan and she tsks.
“Didn’t know you had any.”
“That’s just untrue…”
“Do you think we’ll ever be nice to each other?”
“I thought I was rather nice when I had you pressed against the wall last night.”
“I’m being serious,” she huffs, and I can just imagine her hand landing on her hip to go along with the aggravated expression I love so much.
“I happen to like our little back-and-forth, Firecracker. We’ve been playing this game for what seems like a lifetime, but afterfeeling the way you fall apart for me, I can’t go back.” I lower my voice even though my niece can’t hear me. “I don’t want to.”
Silence hangs between us, but they’re the realest words I’ve ever spoken to her.
“I can’t give you all my truths”—her voice cracks a little and my eyelids flutter shut—“but I can give you some.”
“Don’t shut me out,” I say, gruffer than I intend. Softening my tone, I add, “Please.”
