“I know a bit about your dad, but not much, only what Donovan’s told me, but… he doesn’t like to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I get that,” he says, “I don’t like to either, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“If you do want to talk about it, I’ll listen, I’m here, if you want to.”
“Not today, another time maybe. Tell me about your folks, what are they like?” he asks, a smile forming on his face, and I realize he doesn’t know.
Chapter 12
Diablo
“Ifyoudowantto talk about it, I’ll listen, I’m here, if you want to,” Elizabeth says, and I know she means it.
She would sit here and listen to me talk about what an asshole Frank is, and she wouldn’t judge me, or think less of me. But I don’t want to burden her with that, she doesn’t need to be tainted with my fucked-up family history.
“Not today, another time maybe. Tell me about your folks, what are they like?” I ask.
Her face drops, her expression becoming anxious and worried.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I wasn’t sure if Donovan had told you or not, I’m guessing not…” she says, “my parents passed away, a few years ago.”
“Shit, Elizabeth, I’m sorry. I had no idea, I wouldn’t have said anything—”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. How would you have known?”
“Donovan never mentioned it,” I say.
Why didn’t he say anything? I’d always assumed her parents were alive, and rich, and that she had this perfect family. I cringe when I think of the things I said to her that night in thesupply closet, about her living in a perfect little world, with her perfect little life… fuck.
“It wasn’t a secret,” she says, “but, he had no reason to tell you. It’s not like it’s something you needed to know.”
“No, I guess not. I wish I’d known though, I’d have never said any of that stuff to you. I’ve been so wrong about you all this time.”
“I guess it makes more sense now,” she says, “why I live in Midtown Apartments and not Radbury Heights, or ‘the rich side of town’ as you call it.”
“Actually no, not really. You don’t have to talk about it, but, Midtown Apartments, shit, that’s a rough area, even for me.”
“Hmm… I want to tell you; Donovan knows all about it, but I don’t want to ruin our day.”
Even though we’re talking about difficult stuff, I can’t help but focus on the fact that she doesn’t want to ruin our day, which in fact means that she’s enjoying spending time with me like this, and that thought makes something flutter in my chest.
“Alright,” I say, “how about this. I tell you mine if you tell me yours. What’s said on the pier, stays on the pier, and when we get back on the bike, it’s done.”
Her smile softens as she looks at me.
“Shit,” I say, “that was too corny wasn’t it.”
“Not at all,” she says, leaning in to kiss me. “I like getting to know you like this.”
“Me too. Alright, who’s gonna go first?”
“You go, if that’s okay?” she asks.
“Sure,” I take a breath; I’ve never really talked about this before. “Frank is a piece of shit, always has been, always will be.” I look at her and she nods, letting me know it’s okayto continue. “He used to beat my mom, for as long as I can remember, probably started before I was even born.”
“I’m so sorry,” she says, taking my hand.
