“You might not be ready to hear this,” he said, massaging her calf. “But there’s not a woman alive I’ve ever wanted to share my home or my life with. I loveyouand I almost feel sorry for what that means for you. Especially since you’re still dealing with what Derrick’s betrayal cost.”
“It only cost me a chunk of my ego and a temporary inability to trust myself or my perceptions. But the benefit is knowing I’m strong enough to heal after my life shatters into fragments. The benefit is you; knowing that if me being who I am istoo much, I just need to surround myself with people who feel my ‘too muchness’ is their just right.”
“I’ve made you wise.”
She smacked him. Violence truly was one of her love languages.
Looking to his left he saw three figures walking toward them. He squinted.
“Who’s that with your mother?” he asked.
Turning her head, she swung her leg over his head. “Oh hell no,” she said, standing.
She left him out on the porch alone and slammed the screen door.
“Hell fucking no!” He heard her shout, stomping up the stairs where he heard their bedroom door also slam shut.
Santiago stood up and walked off the porch ready to tell Ma Mable and the devil himself that they could not pass.
Ma Mable raised her hands in surrender.
“They just showed up—no call, no warning—just knocked on my door. I was as shocked and angry as she must be.”
He knew by the older man’s face who he was; he and Lauren had too many of the same features. Based on that it was easy to deduce the identity of the woman standing beside him.
Santi looked back at Ma Mable. “She’s not ready for this, not now. She’s still healing.”
“Son, who are you to tell me I can’t see my child?”
“You’ve crossed over onto my land. That’s my house. I’m the one who decides who will and who will not step in there. And let’s be clear, today, that will not be either of you. Lauren’sinjured. I won’t have her any more stressed out than she is right now.”
“I told them you weren’t like that no good assed Derrick.”
“Mable–”
“No, Keith Green.” She walked toward Santiago’s porch. “I’m going to check on my child. You’re free to drive back to town or stay at Lauren’s house but I have a feeling Deborah won’t have you.”
Ma Mable disappeared inside his house and Santiago stood there in nothing but a pair of jeans silently looking from one to the other of them.
“Can you tell her I’m sorry I hurt her; that I’ll do anything to have my big sister back? Tell her I love her despite my shitty actions. Tell her I understand if she never forgives me.”
Lahn was beautiful, like Lauren said, but her tears didn’t move him to the protectiveness he felt at Lauren’s angry retreat.
Unable to maintain eye contact with him she looked toward the house then turned to walk back in the direction she came.
“I’ve only ever wanted my girls to be happy. How is a father supposed to choose? Lauren’s always been the strong one.”
Santiago was sick of hearing about how her family highlighted how strong Lauren was. As if it was a superpower that gave them permission to not take into account her tender and vulnerable parts.
“Lauren’s strength doesn’t mean she can’t feel, Mr. Green. That woman feels things deeper than most of the people I know. No matter how strong she is, you don’t leave her out in the rain to weather the fucking storm alone,” he growled, then reined in his emotions and nodded once.
“When she’s ready to see you, she’ll let you know.” He turned toward his home and called out. “Word of warning: stay out of the lake. It’s not safe for visitors.”
Lauren and her mother were plastered along opposite sides of the slightly ajar French doors listening to the exchange between Lahn, Santi, and her father.
When the screen door clattered shut downstairs, they rushed to the edge of the bed and sat down, listening intently as Santi banged around. When he didn’t come upstairs, they relaxed, looking at each other with wide eyes.
“He handled that well, real calm.”
