Page 2 of Return By Fire

“What was?” Maris wonders.

“It was the night she met Brad. All the more so, it was what she did with Brad,” Meadow mentions Rainey’s husband and high school sweetheart.

Maris coos. “Aww. How sweet.”

Rainey rolls her eyes, trying to play the part of being unaffected, but her cheeks tell another story. They’re fiery red.

I lift my phone and take a quick photo.

Rainey growls. “What was that for?”

Calmly, I explain, “When I get home, I want to compare it to the picture I have of Jed sunburned on the beach. I’m pretty certain you two could be twins.”

Even as Rainey groans, I hear a rustle of leaves. My head whips around at the possibility Dean could bound up the steps leading to the porch. Why is it that I still feel crushed when he doesn’t?

I feel enveloped by love every day—from my husband to my children to these women with our shared history to my brother. Especially Dean’s love. We’ve been each other’s emotional touchpoint as far back as I can remember. So, if he can’t be here physically, there’s only one right answer.

Bring Dean here emotionally.

Breaking into the chatter about Rainey and Brad’s high school romance, I cut in, “Did you ever hear the story about how Dean met Jed?”

Maris immediately begins hooting. “Oh, this is going to be good. Promise you’ll let me tell the snake part.”

“No. You’ll make fun of your brother.” Still, I giggle. I can’t help it. Jed passing out was hysterical. At least we think that now, I think fondly.

Meadow is stricken. Rainey screeches, “There were snakes involved? Were there spells and witchcraft too?”

Maris’s eyes dance as they meet mine. Her voice reveals no humor when she replies, “There was fire. Lots of it.”

“What?” Meadow and Rainey shout.

I can’t help it. I burst into laughter before easing our friend’s minds. “Don’t listen to Maris.”

“Were there really snakes involved?” Rainey demands.

“Well, yes,” I admit.

“And fire?” Meadow questions.

“Dean was a fireman when he met Jed,” Maris reminds them.

Rainey hops off her hammock and drops onto Meadow’s lounger. “Now we have to hear it. Start talking, Kara.”

My eyes meet Maris’s. There are no secrets between the two of us now. Still, “Actually they ‘met’”—I air quote—“years before they ever saw each other in person. I had Dean call Maris the night I was in labor with Kevin.”

Maris nudges me. “Go back further.”

“How far? Birth?” I demand.

“How about the night your bitch of a mother kicked him out?” Maris suggests.

“You’re right. If it wasn’t for that, I’m not so certain I’d be sitting here with all of you today.” I reach deep into my memory and pluck out the true beginning of my brother’s love story.

The acknowledgment he deserved it.

CHAPTER TWO

Twenty-four years ago

---