Page 115 of These Family Ties

"Good girl," I purr, leaning down and kissing her softly.

She pulls away from me and lies down, curling up again.

"We can wash that skirt when I get back," I say. "Maybe you can have a bath."

"A bath would be nice," she comments.

I walk out and grab my keys and wallet. I climb into my truck and start the engine, trundling along and leaving the motel behind me.

I drive along to town, careful to ensure no one sees me leaving the forest. I doubt they'd care if they did see me. They'd probably think I was some nature enthusiast. There's no fishing or hunting allowed in our parts, not that there's anyone here to catch me doing it.

I stop at the jewelry store first. The rings catch my eye, especially the engagement rings, and I imagine proposing to Brodie. But not now, for now, I'll get her a necklace.

I smile at Jarryd, the man behind the counter. "Any white gold necklaces, maybe something with a heart charm."

"I've got three," he says, bringing them out for me to see. "Now, who are you buying this for, Eitan?"

"A friend," I say with a smile. "From college."

"That's mighty sweet of you. If she likes petite things, I would go with this one." He hands me a white gold necklace with a slanted heart charm. I smile and hand it back.

"I'll take it. Please wrap it up for me."

I pay with my card before I go to the only hardware store in town. I walk down the aisle toward the batteries, and as I round the corner, I nearly crash my cart into someone else's. "Sorry."

It's my ‘mother’.

I give her a small smile. "Mom."

"What are you doing here?" she asks curiously.

"Need some supplies for a project for college," I say. She still believes I'm studying to be an engineer. If only she knew I'd graduated two semesters ago.

"Brodie still hasn't come home," she frets. "Do you think she's in trouble? With a boy? It's probably drugs. The child has probably run off doing drugs." She reaches for my hand and pats it. "You were always such a good boy. Why do you come back here for supplies? Why don't you go somewhere closer to college."

I give her a small smile and lean over, kissing her head. "It's good to see you, Mom."

"I'll pray for you," she says as I walk off.

I wait until I'm sure she's left the store before I get the solar panel and batteries. No one else questions my motives or asks me about Brodie.

I get the groceries, and then I drive back toward the motel. On the way there, I think about my mother and how controlling she was of Brodie. Really, she pushed Brodie away.

She was almost onto me. I'm going to have to come up with better lies if I'm going to bump into her. Maybe I can buy a cabin somewhere and pretend that's where I live, off the grid.

She would never come to visit me. Hell, I'm surprised she was in the hardware store. She never goes anywhere except for work and church. She didn't even come to school if the principal called her. No, she left me to my own devices and she sent me to look after Brodie. Brodie never liked that. She didn't want me to be protective of her. I'm glad she's coming around now to see things the way I see them, to see us the way I see us.

I'm sure she's going to love the necklace I bought her.

Chapter Ten

Brodie

I hear the engine coming closer, and for just a moment, I allow myself to imagine it's someone else, someone looking for me. Someone coming to save me from the warped world my brother has created.

But I recognize the engine. I recognize his hunk of junk truck.

I'm surprised when he doesn't come into my room straight away, and the window isn't facing in a direction where I can see where he parks, so I'm not entirely sure what he's doing.

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