Dear Lord, thank you for my woman and if you wouldn’t mind, keep her safe. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I can’t do it all on my own.
After more praying, more blessing, and one more song, I head for the back door but she takes my hand and leads me down the stairs.
“Sugar, please. I done what you asked. I’m plumb exhausted and so are you.”
“It’s only for a second.” Smiling widely, she introduces me to a priest from the Dominican Republic and we all chit chat.
“It was real nice meeting you.” Stifling another yawn, with my firm hand on her lower back, I push her toward the exit but the priest shoots out his hand.
“I’m looking forward to your Pre-Cana weekend. I’m so glad you’re joining us.”
My mouth drops open and I turn to Sam who’s looking like a kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar. Not wanting to cause a scene, I wait until we get outside to blow a gasket.
“I thought you said a couple of classes not a whole fucking weekend.” I glare at her in the empty parking lot while the tops of her cheeks redden.
“I was going to tell you. Let’s be honest, we haven’t had a whole lot of time to talk recently.”
“C’mon now sugar. You must understand I’m not okay with this.”
She frowns. “I thought you’d want to get it over with.”
“You need to ask me about shit like this.” I walk her home in silence, trying to understand why she’d think a man like me could spend a whole weekend with a bunch of holy rollers.
I’m still pondering at home as my phone rings. Shit. The caller ID says it’s my stepmother. This day keeps getting better and better.
“Hello Sue.” Being how it’s Sunday, I brace for her monthly have-you-been-saved speech.
“Hello Sebastian. Your dad is going to be fine but you should come home. He had a small heart attack and is asking for you.”
Chapter 21
Sam
Sebastian’s face pales as he drops into the chair next to me. “Yeah… I will. Uh-huh. I’ll text you when I get a flight.”
He hangs up, closes his eyes, then lifts them. “My father had a heart attack. I need to go home for a bit.”
I hug him. “I’m so sorry. I’ll come too.”
“No, don’t. It’s only for family.” He stares blankly, as if he didn’t slap me in the face with his words.
“Right.” Lips pursed, I stand and my tone goes as dead as I feel.
Before I can escape, he pulls me into his lap. “Now, don’t go puttin’ on your frowny face. I didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”
“Hey, sure. I understand.” First, he doesn’t want to get married and now this.
Tears welling, I jump up, grab my coat, and rush to the door. Hopefully I can find someplace to sob. Alone. Outside, I zip up my coat and count the days to my period.
Nope. I am not PMS-ing.
“What the fuck, Sam?” His voice startles me and I turn.
“It’s nothing. I’m tired, that’s all.” A tear escapes and I wipe it away while he stares, brows creased.
He’s either angry or confused, perhaps both. “Come inside and we’ll pack, okay? I didn’t know it meant so much to you.”
However, he doesn’t apologize for excluding me from family. How clueless can he be? Pulling out of his grasp, I kick the snow with a boot, and dig my palms into my eyes, willing them to stop with the waterworks.
