Page 5 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“Nope. What happened?”

I tell her everything, including the job offer. The guys wander inside, and I lean against the side of the pickup. “It’s been a crazy day.”

“Climb in, honey,” she says in a soft voice.

I take the passenger seat and relax in the rich leather.

“What’s troubling you? You saved a man’s life today. He offered you a job, but you look down in the dumps.”

“You think I can do it, Ma?”

“The job?” she asks.

I nod and stare out the windshield.

Her hand settles on my thigh. “Baby, you can do anything you set your mind to.” She’s quiet for a long moment. “Are you still having trouble concentrating?”

“It’s not like it was, but yeah, sometimes.”

“Still having headaches?”

I shrug. “Once in a while. They’re not as bad as they were.”

“You won’t know what you can do until you give it a try, honey.”

“Yeah.” I stare at the clubhouse door. “Kyle still treats me like I need a fucking babysitter.”

“He probably always will. He’s looked out for you since you were kids like he was the older brother.”

“Older by three minutes,” I bite out.

She grins. “True. But he’s the steady, serious one. You’re the fearless one, ready to jump off the swing or climb to the top of the tree.”

“I suppose.” I won’t tell her I have no memory of ever climbing to the top of a tree. Some memories are just gone, like holes in Swiss cheese.

She shrugs. “It doesn’t work out; it doesn’t work out. You can always work for your brother at his restaurant. He’s told you that.”

“I know, but it’s the last thing I want to do.”

“Work at a restaurant?”

“Work for my brother.” I give her a grin.

She stares at the steering wheel, lost in thought, and I frown, realizing something’s bothering her, too.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh?” She pastes on a smile. “Nothing.”

“Yeah, there is. Spill.”

“It’s your sister.”

“Which one? Fiona or Ella?”

“Fiona. You know she held off going to college after high school, and last year she started at San Jose State.”

“Yeah, I know. What about it?”

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