Page 66 of A Whole New Trick

Unlike Dallas, many citizens of Minneapolis are hockey fans. The fact I’m from the snowy state makes me even more recognizable. The one thing I have going for me to maintain my anonymity is that the Ranchers are in the middle of playoffs. No one expects me to be here when game two is tomorrow.

Eli presses the button for our mom’s floor and rolls back his shoulders as the elevator doors open.

I wait for the doors to close before looking at him and saying, “It’s going to be okay.”

Eli keeps his gaze forward, but I see how his lips quiver. “I’ve been avoiding Mom’s calls,” he admits. “I was so pissed she didn’t stand up to Dad. I haven’t spoken to her since I moved to Dallas.”

I suspected as much, but knowing how touchy the subject of our parents is, I never mentioned them to Eli.

“No one who knows the story would blame you for that.”

“They should. I was a coward. I could have kept a relationship with Mom while ignoring Dad. I was an idiot.”

I shake my head. “That’s not true.”

The elevator slows to a stop, and the doors open. Eli walks out before I can say anything else, not that it would make much difference.

Eli’s battle with my parents is one I can’t imagine enduring. He does a good job not letting it deter him from being himself and holding to what he wants out of life, but moments like this remind me just how painful their estrangement is for my younger brother.

Protective instincts cover my body like a suit of armor. We’re here to check on Mom, but I won’t hesitate to intervene if Dad tries to go after Eli. Odin Larson has never once laid a finger on me or Eli, but his disapproval hits as hard as a punch to the gut.

We follow the signs hanging from the ceiling to Mom’s room.

The door is open, and I hear The Price is Right playing on the TV.

Eli and I share a smile. Mom watched that show every morning while we were growing up. She’d avoid running any errands until the episode ended. She got a kick out of playing the games alongside the contestants. Some things never changed.

Eli takes a deep breath, pastes on his characteristic, easy-going smile, and taps the door frame. “Knock knock.”

“Cammy!” Mom gasps.

“Hey, Mom.” Eli enters.

I step inside the doorframe and watch Eli walk to her bedside and bend down for a hug. Mom’s thin arms come around his neck.

“What are you doing here?”

He draws back but keeps hold of one of Mom’s hands. “We came to make sure you’re all right.”

“We?” Mom’s eyes land on me. “Dane!”

“Hi, Mom.” I step farther into the room. “How are you feeling?”

“You shouldn’t be here,” she sputters. “You’re in the playoffs!”

“My thoughts, exactly.” Dad rises from the vinyl recliner in the corner. His six-foot-five frame dominates the space. My blood boils when his eyes slide over Eli before landing on me. “I told you that your mom was fine.”

“I needed to see that for myself. Besides.” I smile at my mom. “It’s been too long since I’ve been back home.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Odin,” Mom admonishes. “Not now.”

It happened faster than either of us expected, but Eli and I are prepared for this argument. We’re here to see Mom, and we know facing our dad is part of the deal. But we aren’t kids anymore. I’ll always have a healthy respect and fear of the man who raised me, but I won’t let him bully me or Eli.

Fortunately, my resolve isn’t put to the test.

Mom’s words take effect, and Dad’s expression softens as he looks at his wife. He may not be the most affectionate father, but he’s a devoted husband. He loves Mom fiercely. He always has, and her illness has taken its toll on him. His hair is grayer than the last time I saw him, and the lines around his eyes are deeper.

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