Page 37 of When The Rain Falls

Everything will be ok? I can't remember the last time someone told me that. And I realize that’s what I’ve been needing to hear. For days. For months. Maybe even for years. Who’d have thought that this much needed assurance would come from the maniacal temptress across the street?

Aimee walks away, leaving me standing alone in the kitchen even more confused than when I entered. I rub my hands across my face and turn and stare at the burnt mess on the counter.

"Yeah, I'm doing real great," I mumble to myself. "Everything's perfect," I say. "Dinner is burnt and my daughter's halfway to a hooker."

I take a couple moments to collect myself. When I walk back into the living room, Ruby and Julie have retreated upstairs. I'll have to sort out my thoughts on that later.

Vivian bounds up to me, holding the cat. "Isn't he cute, Dad?" She rubs it against her cheek. The thing probably has fleas. And now Vivian probably has fleas. I’m sure my whole house is infested. I’m going to have to steam the carpets and clean the couch cushions.

"Sure," I say, eyeing it suspiciously. My throat is starting to feel thick and my eyes are starting to water. But I can't figure out why.

"Want to pet him?" Vivian asks.

"I'm good." I sneeze. My eyes itch now.

"He's so soft."

"Pet him, Finn," Aimee coos. "So soft." She bites her lip and stifles a laugh. I know there's a dirty joke rolling around in her head.

"Enough from you."

The sounds of a revving motorcycle filters into the living room. The sound sends Chase leaping from Vivian's arms onto the couch. It skitters across all the cushions, then leaps onto the ottoman, then onto the mantle, and onto the curtains.

"Catch it," I bark at Vivian.

My nose begins to flare and tickle. I breathe in a lungful of air and stop a second sneeze. But then it erupts violently from my face.

"Finn?" Aimee eyes me. "Are you allergic to..." Aimee draws out her sentence with a wicked grin. I know exactly what word she's not saying.

"Don't!" I yell at Aimee sternly and sneeze again.

The motorcycle revving grows louder. Aimee's eyes light up. "Oh! Jack."

"Who's Jack?" I sneeze again.

"A guy," she says. "I met him at the mall today." Aimee grabs the cat by the scruff and carries it outside.

I follow her out. I follow her out because I need to fill my nose with fresh air. Not because I want to size up this guy Aimee met. A motorcycle pulls up in front of Alicia's house. The rider is wearing black jeans and a black helmet. He twists his wrists to rev the engine.

I roll my eyes. "Do women really fall for that?"

"Yeah," she says, calling back to me. "It's kind of hot."

"You're not going to ride on that, are you?"

"Since when do you care what I ride?" she retorts. Unfortunately, I care. Against my better judgment, I fucking care.

"I don't," I protest, probably too strongly. "It's your ass if you get hurt."

Aimee walks toward the motorcycle, but gives me one more glance over her shoulder. She tosses me a smug, arrogant smile.

I want to roll my eyes, but I sneeze into my elbow instead. Great, Finn. Sneezing uncontrollably over a tiny fur ball.Real badass, I think as I watch Aimee and whats-his-face over the top of my shiny, aluminum-colored minivan. I can't compete with a motorcycle. Forget leagues, I'm not even playing the same sport.

12GOIN’ FISHING

AIMEE

"So, what's up in suburbia?"Tate asks.

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