Page 74 of Shadow and Skulls

He rests his arm on the back of the bench, winking at my grandmother. She blushes prettily, turning away from him. He chuckles.

“You two flirting isn’t making this any easier,” I joke.

He rubs his hand over my back. “Have you talked to your dad about this?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“He said no, and you know there’s no arguing with him once he’s made up his mind.”

“And you think he’s magically going to wake up one day and say hey, you know that guy I chased away? You can start seeing him again.”

I pull my foot up to the bench, hugging my knee. “I guess not, but what am I supposed to do?”

“Fucking tell him how you feel. Don’t hold back because you think it will make him uncomfortable or angry. You have a right to your feelings. You should never hide them for the sake of anyone … not even my son.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Maybe hold up a mirror. He’s crazy in love with your mother. Show him what you see. Let him know that’s what you’re looking for, and you think you’ve found it. Now, I’m not saying this guy is the one, but if you think for a moment he might be, then you gotta speak up.”

“He’s older than me, you know.”

This makes him laugh. “Your dad doesn’t fucking care, and I think you already know that. He’s just not sure you’re ready for a relationship. He’s worried about this thing.” He places his hand over my heart. “He’s concerned there may still be fractures there. You’ve got to find a way to show him it’s mended enough to sustain a potential heartache.”

The twins jog up to us. “Hey, Gramps, want to come down and help us pick out the pumpkins?”

My grandfather stands and ruffles my hair. “Come on, honey. We can’t leave it up to the boys, or we’ll be hauling the biggest pumpkins they can find back home.”

“That’s okay. You guys go on. I think I’m going to watch the sun set.”

Cole grabs Grandma’s wheelchair and spins her around. It makes her laugh which in turn makes my grandpa smile.

“Okay, sweetheart. Just don’t talk to any strangers.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

After they leave, my eyes fall closed, enjoying the last bit of the sun’s warmth for the day. I imagine his eyes on me, and I shiver. We’re hours from home; there’s no way Tank is here. I’m dreaming.

My dad coughs lightly before lowering himself beside me. “So, I hear you’re letting the boys pick out your pumpkin this year. You sure you can count on them to get just the right one?”

I smile, keeping my eyes closed. “They know what I like.”

“You’re pretty trusting.”

Slowly, I open my eyes, marveling at the colors painting the sky above the sunflower fields. “Thanks to you.”

He clasps his hands, leaning forward.

“It’s true. I didn’t trust anyone after my mother betrayed me. Not until I met you.”

We people watch as the day comes to a close. “Tell me the story about the sunflowers,” I say as the sun dips into the field in front of us.

“Are you sure you want to hear it again?”

“The festival wouldn’t be complete without it.”

He laughs but proceeds to tell me the story about the sunflowers and how they always face the sun. Unless it is cloudy, then they face each other.

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