“Yeah, he was. And now he’s gone.” Liv’s tone is touchy. “What is it that you want, Damon?”
“Just to say I’m sorry. And see if you’re all right.”
“Since when do you care if I’m all right?” she bites.
“Why wouldn’t I care? You just lost your father,” I argue. “I know what that feels like.”
Liv finally looks over at me. Her hazel eyes are dusty with tears. “I heard about that. I’m sorry about Griller.”
“Me, too. You didn’t come to his funeral.”
“I was in New York. I sent flowers.” She speaks straightforward, her arms still crossed over her chest.
“We got them. They were pretty.”
Liv nods. “Good.”
There’s a steady silence as a soft breeze blows. The smell of fresh-cut grass and some kind of fragrant flower kicking up with the wind.
I just stand next to Liv, unsure of what to say. She looks so sad. So heartbroken. Her bottom lip plump and pouty. I just want to wrap my arms around her. Comfort her somehow, someway. But I’m afraid if I touch her, she might try and knee me in the balls.
“Do you remember when the Bowman used to spring you from Jesus school?” I ask.
Liv looks over at me with a tiny smile. “Yes. And it wasn’t called Jesus school.”
“Well, whatever it was called, those were some of the best times. Sneaking you out. I felt like such a badass,” I reminisce.
“We were eight.” Liv actually laughs.
“I know, but still. It was so much fun. He made it sound like we were doing something so bad.”
“You were.”
“Yeah, ice cream and pizza. We were real lawbreakers.”
“My mom made me take those classes so I could make my communion. I almost didn’t because I missed so many of them.” She shakes her head. “I think my dad bribed the priest so we wouldn’t get in trouble.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” We both begin to laugh now, remembering the good ol’ days. Only, after a few seconds, Liv’s laughter morphs into tears.
“Sorry.” She covers her face. “I’m sorry. I just can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Shit.” I take a chance and put my arm around her. To my wonderful surprise, she doesn’t push me away.
I know exactly what she’s going through. She has a long, emotional road ahead of her. “It’s going to be okay. Eventually, it will all be okay.” I try to share some words of wisdom.
“People keep telling me that.” She turns into me and presses her forehead to my chest. Given this window of vulnerability, I wrap my arms around her selfishly and breathe her in, remembering that night at the prom. That dance, the last time we were this close. There is a pounding in my chest I can’t control. An echoing gong vibrating through my whole body as I hug her tightly.
She smells so good, like a bed of roses. And fits so perfectly. A naïve man would believe she’s a woman fashioned specifically for him.
“Liv!”Her name is called from the distance. We both look up to see Sable, the tall brunette, waving her over.
“Shit,” Liv curses but doesn’t break free from my arms.
“What is it? Is she going to give you trouble?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. My sisters and I have come pretty far. They’re actually nice to me now, if you can believe it.”
“I can’t,” I admit.
