Page 19 of Unbearable

“Auntie Dotty!” Gracie clung to my leg. “I missed you. What’s your favorite animal?” Gracie asked in her sweet as sin little voice.

I gave her a big hug and stepped back to look at her. “Oh, that is a tough one, but I am going to have to go with an elephant. They are just so cute and can spray water out of their trunks. What about you?”

It somehow was always easier to let go of all my reservations and cynicism to simply be myself around Gracie.Perks of being around a wildly carefree five-year-old, I guess.

“Mine is a unicorn. They are so magical,” she said.

Dorian walked into the room and laughed. “Unicorns aren’t real, baby girl.”

“Daddy, you can’t say they aren’t real. Just because you haven’t ever seen one doesn’t mean they aren’t real. Like Santa and the tooth fairy, right?” Gracie looked at me. I forgot how much I missed the sweet innocence that was childhood.

“I believe you are correct, Gracie girl.” I said, not hiding my smile.

“See, Daddy? I told you. Auntie Dotty went to college. She knows things.” I held back my laugh.

“Yeah, what do I know? I only went to veterinary school after all.” He rubbed his temples. “It’s time for homework. Go start and call out if you need help.” She gave me a big hug before running off.

Dorian dedicated years to going to veterinary school in a town thirty minutes outside of Woodstone Falls. He had just completed his undergrad degree when he found out about Gracie and made the decision to stay nearby rather than attending a school further away. He finally took over the practice from Dr. Smith three years ago.

As Dorian and I settled onto the couch, he leaned back, taking a deep breath. “What happened? I see your brain ticking,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Ugh, sometimes this twin bond thing is annoying,” I groaned.

While we didn’t actually share a twin bond, we enjoyed teasing others by claiming we did. I couldn’t sense his pain or read his thoughts, but we did have a strong ability to understand and read each other. Through thetone of his voice or the expression on his face, I could often tell what was on his mind, and vice versa.

“I received another note today,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly, despite my efforts to remain composed.

“Fuck. Again? In Woodstone?” Dorian said, running a hand down his clean-shaven face.

“Yup,” I said, popping thepsound. “Unfortunately, taking a month's hiatus from Seattle does not, in fact, stop this guy.”

“Did you report it?” He let his head fall back on the couch, letting out a breath.

“Yeah, already called Colt on the way over here. Trent was the one who answered the door too, so now he knows.” I shook my head.

“You know, I don’t know what happened between you guys, but I do know Trent. He cares about you, even if he may not go about it the right way. What happened to make you hate him so much?” he asked, his dark eyes softening.

“Nothing happened. I went to college in Seattle. He left for the army. We both went our separate ways. He has always annoyed me.” I twisted my necklace, looking for something to ground me. “Can we not talk about Trent?”

“All I’m saying is you both left and never were the same.” He looked over at me, concern in his features. “You were always fire, Dotty. Since we were kids, you had this unique spark about you but somewhere along the way, that fire turned to stone,” he sighed, turning toward where I sat next to him on the couch. “At some point, your reservations turned to restraint. Your need for stability turned to an unwillingness to change your routine. You still areyou, but I see that there’s a real, authentic piece of you that you hide in an attempt to avoid whatever it is you are afraid of.”

“Damn, tell me how you really feel,” I said, attempting not to think too deeply about his words because I was afraid if I did, I wouldn’t be able to stop. “I came over here to see my niece, not to get a lecture about how I’m a shell of a human.” I stood from the couch, needing to move my body.

“Whenever you are ready to talk about it, I got tequila just for the occasion,” he said, his mood lightening.

“You have trauma dumping tequila ready for me? How sweet.” I rolled my eyes.

“You still deflect with humor, so I guess some things never change,” he teased. I was grateful for the change in subject.

Gracie strolled in right on cue to save me from the conversation. “Ta-da! My homework is all done. Can Aunt Dotty come play with me?” she asked.

“I would love to, sweet girl.” She took my hand and led me into her room.

We spent hours reading books, playing with dolls, and discussing Ellie Miles who was Gracie’s favorite singer. Spending time with Gracie was undoubtedly the highlight of being back in Woodstone. Seeing her in person was far more gratifying than watching her grow up from a distance. My heart ached knowing how much time I had missed by being too afraid to return here.

Gracie’s small hand gently cupped my face. “I love you, Aunt Dotty. You’re the best auntie ever.”

“Well, I am your only auntie, but thank you. You are my favorite niece ever.”

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