Time to make a change. Extend the verbal hand of compromise. “I’m sorry if this embarrassed you.”
“Embarrassed?” His audible frustration that sent her running in the past, swept over her like a tidal wave. “I wasn’t embarrassed. I just wanted to see if you were okay.”
“You did?” She didn’t like hearing her tone resemble that of a little child, uncertain and begging for confirmation from the man who was supposed to love her.
His silence in response sounded as deafening as a rumble of thunder in one of Atlanta’s many late afternoon storms. She waited, holding her breath for him to finally make the effort to be her father.
She heard him rummaging around and then he cleared his throat. “I have an emergency page. I have to go.”
He ended the call, and she turned toward the door like a wooden soldier. She’d tried to open her heart and let him in, but what did she get?
The same treatment. Maybe she was so unlovable that she was destined to be alone. Maybe God really did want it that way.
If Ryan was right about how God operated, He would have His way, and she had no say in the matter. None at all.
26
Mia entered the trailer where Chuck and Eddie leaned over a table at the far end of the space. She might have struck out again with her father and might even end up alone in life, but Eddie didn’t have to suffer the same outcome. She would make certain of that.
Her life was far from what she hoped it might be, but it cheered her to see Eddie bonding with another person. She’d accomplished the best goal of all in coming back to Shadow Lake—getting Eddie involved in something with the hope that he might finally want to talk about his problems and work toward healing.
She paused just inside the door. “Looks like you’re both having a good time.”
Eddie’s head popped up. They made eye contact. He groaned and returned his attention to his work.Message received.She was intruding. Still, she wouldn’t leave. She had a duty of care to remain with Eddie while he was in the program and working with a non-staff member.
She would try to join in later, but for now she sat at a table by the door to watch, wait for a better time, and hopefully pick up cues on how to better engage him.
The guys continued to work silently. Seated on opposite sides of a workbench, their heads pressed together over the camera. Eddie held the camera body and Chuck a small tool. She enjoyed seeing the contrast of their hair coloring. Eddie’s, blond and long, Chuck’s, dark and buzzed.
“Now, where were we?” Chuck asked.
Eddie shot a quick glance at her. “Not with her here.”
“No sweat,” Chuck said. “You don’t have to talk about it anymore if you don’t want to.”
“I just don’t need the stuffshealways gives me about opening up and sharing myfeelings.”
“Like I said. No need.”
“Nah, man. I mean, I like talking to you. You’re cool.” Eddie slipped needle-nose pliers around a small part Chuck held out. “It’s just, you know, all these counselors hassling me gets to be too much.”
Chuck looked up. “Maybe you should listen to them. Tell them the same things you told me.”
“Why?” Eddie’s voice held a challenge.
“Because they’re trained to help you. I’m just a guy who likes cameras, and they thought working with me would help you feel more comfortable around them.”
Eddie dropped the tool on the bench and stared at Chuck until he looked up. “You’re saying you’re only doing this with me because they made you do it?”
Chuck cast Mia a wary look.
“Don’t look at her,” Eddie said. “This is between you and me.”
Chuck ran a hand around the back of his neck. “Look, man. It doesn’t matter. You got the chance to work on the camera instead of doing those sissy group things. Just let it go at that.”
Eddie shoved his stool back, toppling it to the floor with a loud crash. “No way. You tell me why you’re doing this, or I’m outta here. Right now. For good.”
Chuck planted his palms on the bench. “Fine. I wanted to work on the camera alone, but Ryan convinced me to let you help. All right?”
