Maybe he knew his offer would catch me off guard and prevent me from hanging up on him, changing my cellphone number once again. “Okay. I’ll give you a post office box where you can send it. If you’re really serious.” Which I doubted. What I hated was that the money would come in handy.
I’d likely given him twenty thousand dollars over time. My brother had been into various dubious activities for years. He’d also fought addictions since he was a teenager, the four stints in rehab barely scratching the surface of whatever had been bothering him. He’d been a troubled kid all his life. While we both had reasons to be uncertain of life as a whole, I’d fought my way through the system whereas he’d been caught in acts of self-pity.
At least his voice was firm, not struggling with words like the last time we’d talked.
“Look, I need to talk to you. That’s it.”
I wanted nothing more than to believe him, but Danny’s constant lies and promises, his acts of violence and his hatred of the entire world, including me, prevented me from opening my arms.
Or my heart.
Chilled to the bone, I moved closer to the side of the building, huddling with one arm wrapped around the other. My conditionhad little to do with the dampness in the air or the snow on the ground. Violence and bloodshed followed my brother wherever he went like a coiled noose. One day, he’d be forced to surrender to the path he’d chosen.
I wanted no part of it.
“I’m not falling for your games any longer, Danny. I wish you well and I truly hope you can make something of your life, but I’m not interested in being your crutch any longer.”
“That’s not it. I just need to see you. Somewhere private.”
“What the fuck did you do?”
I could envision him wincing as he always did when I yelled at him, which was often when we were kids. Even though I tried to look out for him, he never listened to me.
Also, as he did as a kid, he shrank into his shell. “Danny. What is going on?”
“Fine. I understand. Nothing I can’t handle. I’m sorry to bother you.” He ended the call, which was so like him anytime we had an argument. He’d either walk out of the room or end the phone call. Nothing ever changed. Except today I felt even guiltier than the last time, when I’d had a legitimate reason to be furious with him. While groaning, I redialed the number, expecting to get a voicemail.
When the call when nowhere, no clicking sounds, the ring ceasing completely, I reminded myself why I’d cut ties. Loaning him money I never expected to see again wasn’t the real reason.
My sweet brother, the kid who’d fought his demons with laughter and cuddles when we were younger had turned into the big bad wolf we’d both been afraid of.
A soldier for a crime syndicate.
“I’m glad you love it, Marge. That is my favorite suncatcher. When the piece came in, I knew you’d love it.” There was nothing like having regular customers.
“I have a perfect spot for this one. Right over my kitchen sink. It’ll catch the early morning sunlight.” She twirled the creation of art, her eyes misting over. “The puppy looks just like Jesse.”
I gripped her arm, squeezing for comfort. “Maybe this will give you some comfort and let you know your fur baby is looking down on you, waiting to see you again. Let me wrap that up for you.” Gently easing the suncatcher from her hand, I caught sight of Ashley’s smile. Business had increased after she’d introduced me to a friend of hers who crafted nothing but fur baby suncatchers.
The artistry was amazing. Even on a snowy day, the store was filled with customers. Every Friday I introduced a new artist or product.
Another chime over the door meant another customer.
“Let me take this one,” Ashley said with a slight shake of her head. She knew how I adored greeting every customer myself.
“You’re so sweet, Fleur. I’ll never forget the first time you ran into Jesse.” Marge wiped her eyes. I couldn’t imagine losing a pet.
Laughing, I headed around the counter, grabbing tissue paper and a box. “I think you mean when Jesse ran into me.”
She nodded, her smile waning, her grip on the edge of the counter firm, yet I could tell she was trembling. She’d loved the golden retriever with her entire heart and soul. If only I could find a way to love a creature as much as she had with Jesse. “That’s right. He knocked you into the snow.”
“And I loved every second of it.” I gingerly packed the item, folding the tissue paper just so. After sliding the printed box into the logoed bag I’d spent way too much money on, I placed the package across the counter.
“What do I owe you, dear?”
“Not a penny. That’s my gift to you.”
Her eyes lit up as if I’d brought Jesse back into her life if only for a few hours. A single tear slipped down her cheek. “You are such a dear, Fleur. You remind me of my daughter.”
