Page 24 of The Darkest Knight

Her throat felt like it had been filled with cotton balls. She had no reason to be ashamed, and yet, she couldn’t quite shake it. “Okay, you want to know. He came home early without telling me and I reacted strongly—a gun aimed at his head strong. The look on his face, well, I knew he’d never see me the same again. I couldn’t risk that I’d hurt him. He’s a great guy, but I’m not the one for him.”

“Sticking a gun in someone’s face will certainly end a relationship. I’ll make sure I knock before I enter your cabin.”

She brought her chin around, narrowing her gaze. He finally cracked a smile. “That might be a good choice.”

“We’re here at the drug store.” He pointed at the brick building with colorful graffiti covering the side.

“How close is the grocery store from here?”

He twisted in the seat and jutted his chin. “Across the street.”

“Can you give me a half hour?”

“I’ll take care of my business and meet you back here in thirty.” He switched back on the engine.

Reese slid out of the truck. “Come on, Abby.” The dog stood, wagged her tail, and jumped out, happily looking around at her new surroundings.

CHAPTER SIX

Seth waited and watched until Reese and her dog turned the corner and were out of sight. He had an urge to join her by making up some crazy idea that he needed something from the drug store, but she might think he was crowding her. Hell, he’d think he’d lost his mind.

He backed out of the parking lot, headed out onto Main Street and turned down a side road that took him to a small house set among other similar houses. Kids were playing in the yards, except for the one he parked in front of. Shutting off the engine, he lingered, squeezing and unclenching the steering wheel until his knuckles ached. These were visits he hated, but it was something that wasn’t by choice.

As he made his way up the narrow walkway that was lined with pink flowers and toys, he stepped onto the porch and the door flung open immediately. The oldest Johnson boy stood in the doorway, his face pale and his eyes missing the youthful appearance of a thirteen-year-old. He should be out playing basketball, riding a bike, and getting into mischief, but instead, losing his father took away his innocence. Seth removed his cap and twisted it in his hands. “Your mom home?”

The boy nodded, letting the door slam shut with a loud bang. Seth waited. A few minutes later Josie Johnson appeared at the door. She too had lost the glow in her lovely blue eyes. They were red rimmed and moist as she stepped out onto the porch. “Hi, Seth.”

“I’m sorry, Josie. I just heard the news.” His heart skipped a beat.

The woman, in her early thirties and yet turning seventy quickly, sat down in the wicker chair, gazing out onto the street, but Seth doubted she saw anything. “He’d been sick for a while. You know that.”

Taking the chair next to her, Seth skimmed over the small glass table and saw his buddy’s glasses. His chest tightened. “He’d been struggling for some time.”

“He was, for so long. I should have seen this coming.” She reached inside of her front pocket and used a crumbled tissue to wipe her eyes. “I knew he wasn’t himself. Hadn’t been since he came back from the hospital. I wanted to believe that this was only a phase, but he couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Seth laid his hand on her shoulder, feeling her tremble under him as more tears found their way down her cheeks. She didn’t bother to wipe them. “I’m really sorry. I wish I had the right words. How are the kids?”

“Stunned. Shocked. Only the oldest understands. The other three keep asking when their daddy is coming home.” She sniffed loudly. “What do I say?”

“I don’t know. Johnson was a hero. Don’t let them forget that. Do you need anything? Can I help in anyway?”

A glimpse of a smile swept across her lips. “He liked you a lot, Seth. He was always talking about how you helped him whenever he needed it. You’ve paid our rent more times than I can count, and for that I’m grateful. The kids and I are leaving this evening to go to my sister’s in Texas. We need to be surrounded by family at a time like this. Barry didn’t want a funeral. I guess he knew we couldn’t afford the expense.” She stood, a little shaky, and sighed. “Thank you, Seth.” She patted his shoulder and disappeared inside of the house. The door closed slowly.

Standing and smashing his hat on his head, he headed down the sidewalk faster this time, filled with an array of emotions. Anger, disappointment, sadness, and confusion. Johnson had left behind a loving wife and kids. What demons lurked inside of him that he couldn’t fight?

Once he was settled back into the driver’s seat, it struck Seth that he had his demons too. Every time he thought he was moving forward, allowing someone to get close, he’d put up a steel wall. Talking to Reese had been the most conversation he’d had in a long time. He’d experienced enough loss to last a lifetime, and with each one came a new lock.

A man made his choices for himself and they weren’t always the right ones. Seth had definitely created his own bubble. He had a strong urge to speak to his sister. Angelina always knew the right words, always had the answers. And she too was gone.

He took out his cell and pulled up a number from his contacts. He started to hit ‘call’, but then hesitated. He hadn’t spoken with Quentin outside of email messages in several months. What would he say to his brother if he made the call? “Hey, bro, I’m having an emotional day. Can you help fix it?” No, that wasn’t in Seth’s nature. None of the Knight brothers had learned the art of communication and his own softer side was as narrow as a spaghetti noodle.

By the time he made it back to the drug store, Reese and Abby were waiting with a few plastic bags. He quickly helped her load them into the back, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, he felt a certain easing in his muscles. Maybe he wasn’t the loner he labeled himself as because he was starting to like her company. In fact, that was why he asked the question, “You hungry? The diner makes the best burgers and pancakes I’ve ever had, and I’ve been around the world a few times.”

Her stomach growled loudly and they laughed. “I guess that’s my answer. A cheeseburger sounds great.” The wind wafted in and picked up tendrils of hair from her flushed cheeks. She pushed them behind her ear and he admired how slender her hands were. Her nails were short and unpolished. She wore the same wide, silver band on her forefinger that he’d noticed a few times. It glinted in the sunlight. “The ring has sentimental value?”

With his question, she dropped her hand and rolled the band around her finger several times. “My dad gave this to me when I enlisted. Inside it’s inscribed, “God has your back.”

Satisfied, he drove them to the diner where a lunch crowd was starting to gather.

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