Page 94 of Shadow and Skulls

This makes me laugh. “So I've been told.”

“Well, stop.”

“Can’t. It’s who I am.”

His eyes soften, and he gives in. “She was the type of mom who was always there. Every day when I’d get home from school, she’d have a big bowl of cereal waiting for me.”

“What kind?”

He laughs. “Cheerios.”

“My favorite!”

He laughs again. “She put more sugar on it than either her or I would admit.” He shakes his head. “I loved watching that woman in the kitchen. It’s where she was happiest.”

“I loved watching my mom read.”

“Is that where she was the happiest?”

I uncurl my legs, dropping my butt back to the seat. “Yeah. It was her escape.”

“Is that why you read?”

“I guess. Not always, but a lot of the time.”

He raps a tune with his knuckles on the table. “We all have one. An escape that is. Mine is tattooing. When I’m working on a piece, my mind stays focused, and all my problems disappear until I put the gun down.”

“Maybe that’s why Grandma cooked so much.”

He nods in agreement.

We eat quietly for a few more minutes.

“I went to see Tank while you and Mom were gone.”

His spoon falls into his dish, and he pushes it away from him. “Not here. Not now,” he says quietly but sternly.

“Oh, we’re doing this here. I understand you have concerns, but you’re not even giving him a chance to show you they’re not valid.”

He points a finger at me. “Every concern I have when it comes to him is very much valid. He lied to the club for months, Kelsie. Not to mention he’s been stalking you.”

I roll my eyes. “Maybe you recognize he’s a stalker because you are one yourself.”

His head pulls back, and he glowers at me.

I open my eyes wide, mocking him. “I know about the cameras at Mom’s shop.”

“Not the same.”

“Well, I like that he stalks me,” I admit.

His eyebrows almost fly off his face at my words, and I laugh.

“I feel safe with him, Dad. He’s held my hand in the shallow waters, reminding me I haven’t forgotten how to swim. Now all I want is to dive into the deepest parts of the ocean with him.”

His face turns red and not out of anger. He understands what I’m alluding to.

“This is me, Dad. I’m not a scared little girl anymore. And even if I can’t be with him physically, he’s always here with me.” I tap my temple. “Please. Please give him a chance … give us a chance.”

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