Page 83 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

Still, the run isn’t quite as satisfying as it usually is, and I feel it turn into a jog and then slow down even further to a walk.

Lucy seems confused, but happy regardless, as she slows and takes her time smelling various spots that I can’t see being unique in any sense, but which she finds fascinating in her own little doggy way.

Seeing Hannah and her mother reminds me of my father and the relationship we never got to have.

The memory of his arrest still haunts me. I looked out the window from the second floor of our home and I saw them encircle his wrists with handcuffs.

I saw him look up and see me, at which point I fell to the floor of my room hoping he hadn’t seen me standing there, but knowing I wasn’t quick enough.

I found out later that he had laundered money. A lot of money. He had filed fraudulent tax returns, and my family was fractured beyond repair from that point forward.

We visited him once a month in the prison, and my father would tell me to keep my eyes on him while my mother would shield my eyes with two hands when inappropriate things would happen around us.

Those memories were the main reason I initially went to see Hannah and get her advice.

I want to do everythingng right with my business. I don’t want a single thing to go wrong. Hannah found more than I bargained for with my business and finances, and it terrifies me.

What if it had been discovered during a tax audit and the government thought I embezzled from the business to evade taxes? My God, I could conceivably go to prison myself!

I’m still afraid to make a move. I’m afraid if I tell someone about what Sarah’s done that I’ll end up in the same situation and be blamed for everythingng.

I kick a rock absentmindedly and pick up the phone to call Tyler, my mind made up that I don’t have anything if I don’t have my relationships.

Tyler picks up after only a few rings and answers happily. I often think that if Tyler were a dog, I would be able to hear his tail wagging.

“Hey, Bud, you’re calling me first? I feel honored.”

I kick the rock further down the sidewalk, and Lucy jumps at it as though it were a live playmate, her tail wagging behind her as her bark explodes towards it.

“I sure am. What are you doing today?”

“Oh, you know, I have work. Don’t you have to work today?”

I shrug even though he can’t see me and try to encourage Lucy to walk ahead of me wherever she wants to go. She struggles to lead, looking back with her wet, moony eyes even as I shake my hand at her.

“I don’t know what I have going on anymore.”

“What do you mean? You okay?” Tyler’s concern emanates through the phone.

“Yeah, I’ll be okay. I got another client on Friday, but I’m laying low until then. The thing is, Hannah figured out someone was stealing from me, and it turned out to be Sarah, and honestly, dude? It’s kind of messed with me in a big way. I trusted her, you know?”

“For sure, man, that’s rough.”

“It’s got me thinking like, what if I get in trouble, too?”Like what happened to my dad.The thought goes unsaid, as always.

“Have you told Hannah about your concerns? She’s a good CPA, Chris, she can help you.”

I hang my head back and look at the endlessly blue sky above me.

Of course I haven’t told Hannah. There were a few moments that I almost did, and then it wasn’t the time and eventually it felt strange to even try.

“Not yet. I guess I should.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t get in trouble for it since you had nothing to do with it. Okay, Chris? Don’t worry about it. But I’m sorry that happened to you. Well, hey, do you wanna grab a drink when I get off later? We can talk about what your plan is next.”

A twinge of guilt tugs at my heart. I know I need to tell him about Hannah. His unwavering support has gotten me through so much of life, and I haven’t returned any of the kindness he’s offered me. Not that he’s aware of that yet.

“You sure you can’t come meet me for lunch?”

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