Page 31 of Tied Over

I grunted.

“You were. You kept me safe after Mom left until Aunt Roz showed up.”

And I had. There were scars on my body from my father to prove it.

“You’re the only one who—who knows all the stories.”

I swallowed hard, looking out the window so Bodhi couldn’t see me tear up.

Before our mother left, my father had knocked her around, and when I could, I put myself between them. After she abandoned us, his alcoholic rages focused on me. Occasionally, he had looked to Lisa, but I made certain, by whatever means necessary, that his attention refocused on me. She was my baby sister; I could not let her get hurt.

“You’re the one person on the planet who never asks questions when I can’t do certain things. You know all my triggers, so just…take it easy, all right?” She yelled the last part.

“I will do my best.”

“And Christmas, yeah?”

“I promise to be there.”

“I’m doing a rustic theme this year. So much burlap, you’re gonna be impressed.”

“Or vomit,” I teased her.

“Lots of rusted stars and fairy lights.”

“Oh God,” I muttered, just imagining the horror.

From her laughter, I could only assume she found my reticence hysterical.

“I love you, Lise.”

“I love you back,” she said with a sigh. “And listen to Bodhi, will you?”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.”

“Well, try. And bring him for Christmas if you can.”

“He’s gettin’ married in September. He ain’t got time for us.”

She just hmphed like she didn’t believe me.

“Give everyone a squeeze for me,” I told her.

“Even Reid?”

I groaned, she cackled, said again she loved me, and hung up.

“What’s wrong with Reid?” Bodhi asked me after several minutes of silence.

I squinted at him. “You’ve met Reid. He’s annoying as shit.”

“He’s just very political, is all.”

“Oh yeah, that’s it.”

He laughed and made the turn into the long-term airport parking.

“You know—”