Page 12 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“I understand,” Brian muttered, on his way through the doorway into the attached garage. “Yes. Let’s talk tomorrow. I haven’t been able to wrap my head around the situation yet today.”

Dad sighed. “I hear you. Tomorrow will be soon enough.”

When he heard Brian rev up the truck’s engine, Rick walked into the kitchen to let Dad know that they were home.

“Hey, Dad,” Rick murmured. “Eric and Anya will probably be here shortly.”

When Dad’s eyes met his, Rick couldn’t help noticing how bloodshot they were.

“Did you enjoy your afternoon?” he asked.

“We did,” Rick replied. “Dad, you should take something tonight to get some sleep. You look exhausted.”

Dad grimaced. “Hopefully, Anya hasn’t noticed. I’ve been pretty upset.”

“She probably has. I have a feeling she might be drilling Eric right now,” Rick admitted.

“Well, I guess we can come up with a few excuses. I can say that we’re getting new furniture and we’re doing some decluttering while your mom is off on a business trip.”

Rick nodded. “Even if she doesn’t believe it, she probably won’t question anything you say.”

“I was glad to have all of you out of the house this afternoon, so I could talk freely on the phone. Maybe we should order something for dinner?” Dad suggested.

“How about pizza?”

“Brian said he wouldn’t be gone for long, so we might just as well order,” Dad said.

Eric and Anya walked into the kitchen a few minutes later. Anya was definitely taken aback as she glanced around the room. Dad had stacked a bunch of boxes near the back door.

“What do you guys want on your pizza?” Rick asked, trying to distract her when he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

Everyone pitched in with their favorites, and soon Rick was ordering four large pizzas with combinations of sausage and pepperoni along with green peppers, onions and mushrooms, having them add some extra cheese on a couple of the pizzas while he was at it.

“I’m painting my office,” Dad said to Anya when he saw her staring at the boxes. “I thought I’d order some new furniture and reorganize while I was at it.”

Hesitant, she nodded her understanding.

She probably didn’t believe Dad, Rick decided, judging by the look on her face.

Eric took it from there, turning to Anya. “Let’s go downstairs and take it easy for a while. Maybe we can watch a movie.”

“Sure,” she replied. “But I don’t mind if you guys want to watch a ball game instead.”

They headed downstairs to the basement together.

“How long will it be before the pizzas arrive?” Dad asked. “I should probably clear the table.”

“I think they said forty-five minutes,” Rick replied. “I’ll help you for a while so Eric and Anya can be alone.”

“I hate this situation,” Dad said grimly.

“Me, too, Dad. But it’s not your fault,” Rick said reassuringly. “We’ve gotta do what we’ve gotta do.”

Chapter Five

Two hours later, Brian still hadn’t returned home or called to say he’d be late, which really wasn’t like him, Rick realized. They’d finished their pizza an hour ago, and Eric and Anya had returned downstairs to the family room to watch TV while Rick sat in the kitchen with Dad, keeping him company.

“I wonder what’s taking Brian so long?” Rick asked.

---