Page 27 of The Manny

“Meaning what?”

He shrugged. “I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say.”

I figured he knew what he wanted to say, he just didn’t think I’d like what he had to say. “Do you want to know what I think?”

“Something tells me I’m about to find out whether I do or not.”

I ignored his sardonic tone. “I think you want to share the experience of seeing those photos with Mia, but I suspect it’s too soon for you.”

His gaze flickered.

“You don’t want to give that privilege to me, but you aren’t up to the task. I get it.”

I expected him to argue, but he simply said, “Seems like something I should be a part of.”

“I agree. I think it would mean more to Mia to see those photos with you, than with me. You both loved Jules. You both have memories that I don’t have.”

He gave me an irritable look. “But now you brought them up again. Now I’m stuck.”

“No.”

“Oh, really? She’s in there right now expecting me to grab those pictures because youremindedher.”

“If you think she forgot, you’re crazy.”

“Well, she hadn’t said anything about them.”

“That’s because she’s a scared little kid. She doesn’t want to do anything that might upset you.”

“So what do we do now?”

“How about I pick two photos randomly to give to Mia? That way she can have something that comforts her, but you can share all the rest of the photos with her when you’re ready?”

“This shouldn’t be such a big deal,” he said through gritted teeth. “I don’t understand all these damn emotions I’m feeling lately. I never saw Jules anyway. What does it really matter if she’s gone? She was already gone.”

“There are no rules to grieving. You feel what you feel.”

He blew out a shaky breath. “I hate this shit.”

“Yes,” I murmured. “I believe you do.”

“I knew having Mia around would ruin everything.” He clenched his jaw, looking frustrated. “That’s why I didn’t want her here in the first place.”

There was movement out of the corner of my eye, and I looked over to find Mia standing there. My stomach dropped at the stricken expression on her face. It was obvious she’d heard what Jack had just said.

Awww shit.

Jack looked over quickly too and stiffened when he saw Mia hovering in the doorway. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Mia started to cry. “I want to go home. I want my mommy.”

We’d been making such good progress, and now she was back to the terrified little girl from the first day. Maybe Jack had simply been blowing off steam, but his words had been like knives, shredding Mia’s already shaky sense of security. I gave Jack a reproving look and moved toward the sobbing child. “It’s okay, Mia. Uncle Jack is just having a bad day. He didn’t mean what he said.”

Jack stood mute.

“Isn’t that right, Uncle Jack?” I asked pointedly.

He watched Mia, shame rippling over his features. But instead of coming over to comfort the child, he strode past us out of the room.

---