Page 54 of Risks

If she and Dad stay together, I’llconsider it.

I brace forward and start the car. “I’lllet you know about Jesiah.”

“Thank you. Um, Varen?”

“Yeah?” I delay pulling out of theparking lot.

“Did you get her to smile?” she askssadly.

I recall the moments before Toyadisappeared in the passage to board the plane. She’d angled her head and drankme in, so full of affection as she uttered the three words before kissing me.

“Yes. She smiled.” My lips start tocurl as I replay the moment again.

Lisa breathes an air of relief. “That’sgood. I’m happy that Toya has you. Talk to you later.”

She disconnects.

I drive out of the parking lot,waiting until I reach the apartment to call Jesiah.

He answers on the second ring.“Varen, hey. Toya went back all right?”

“Yeah.” I delay a moment, working upto it. “Uh, I just spoke to Lisa. She’s hoping you’ll meet her.”

The dreadful quiet that follows hasme checking to make sure he’s still on the phone. “Jesiah?”

He grunts. “Let me think about itand get back to you.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks, Varen.” He ends the callbefore I respond.

Something tells me he might not wantto meet Lisa at all. He’s probably not ready for that and may never be.

26

“Are you truly okay with him cominghere?” Lisa confirms with Dad for the hundredth time.

It surprised me when Jesiah calledback, saying he was open to meeting with Lisa. Even more unexpected is when Dadsaid he didn’t mind him coming to the house instead of going to a diner as Lisasuggested.

“The doctor said you shouldn’t movearound too much,” he reminds her. “It’s only been a little over a week sinceyour fall. It’s better if he comes here.”

Lisa frowns. “I’m sorry, Dan.”

“For what? If it’s the fall, thenthat’s ridiculous. If it’s for lying...I don’t want to hear it.” He walks outof the living room. I hear his office door shutting soon after.

Lisa hunches her shoulders, coughinga tad. She groans from the discomfort.

“Are you all right?” I ask.

She looks at me with pitiful eyesand nods. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

The sound of the doorbell echoesthrough the quiet house, causing her to wince. Nervousness instantly falls overher appearance, and she shakily pushes up from the sofa, grinding her teethfrom apparent discomfort.

“I’ll get it.” I walk into the foyerto answer the door.

Jesiah instantly straightens and nodsat me. “Varen.” He looks uncertain, shifting in the spot.

“Come in.” I step aside for him toenter.

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