Page 40 of A Boy Called Lovesong

“That’s one cute dog you got there, sir. My name’s Lovesong. Lovesong Valentin. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Without taking a step forward, Lovesong held his hand out for me to shake.

I laughed, my anger beginning to bubble inside, and before I could stop myself, I said, “Oh nice. Not only do you refuse to look me in the eye, you can’t even be bothered to come up and shake my hand. You wantmeto come toyou?”

My initial interaction with Lovesong may have been blunt, but I was there to find myself a villain.

I was there to crucify the man responsible for my lover’s death.

I didn’t care if the people of Clara’s Crossing thought the sun shone out of this man’s ass, I was determined to prove them wrong.

I felt Maybelle tense up beside me, perhaps bracing herself for the harsh truth I was about to unravel.

I watched as Lovesong squared off his shoulders, perhaps ready to admit his arrogant ways.

I smirked as he took one step, then two steps toward me, his hand still in front of him, ready to be shaken.

He took a third step, and I saw him veer a little to the left.

I was now convinced he’d returned from the cotton fields drunk.

He took a fourth step and was now headed toward Maybelle.

He took a fifth step and stopped in front of her.

That’s when I noticed his icy blue eyes weren’t looking at her.

They were lookingthroughher.

They were lookingbeyondher.

Suddenly my anger shrank into a ball of shame. “Oh shit,” I breathed.

Maybelle simply reached forward, took hold of Lovesong’s arm and turned him to face me. “Lovesong, please meet Mr. Noah Van Owen. Noah Van Owen, please meet Lovesong Valentin.” With that, she guided Lovesong’s hand to mine.

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry,” I blathered, feeling my face burn with embarrassment. “I didn’t realize you were…”

“Such a nice guy?” Lovesong finished for me, his smile returning. “That’s okay. I didn’t realize you were such an asshole.”

Maybelle laughed loudly. “Didn’t I tell you, Mr. Van Owen? Lovesong sees things exactly how they are.” She limped toward the door, calling over her shoulder, “I hope we’ll see you at church at seven, Mr. Van Owen. A little humility would do you good. After that, supper will be served. And after that, I’ll introduce you to Moonshine Maybelle.”

“There’s another Maybelle in town?” I was flustered… confused… still embarrassed… my hand still in a handshake with Lovesong.

Maybelle stopped in the doorway. “No, there’s only one of me. I got facets is all, just like a diamond. Ain’t you got facets, Mr. Van Owen?”

Yes, I had facets.

Grief.

Denial.

Anger.

Despair.

Rage.

Misery.

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