Page 80 of True Honey
“Oh if you're talking about that disastrous dinner party, don’t you let those relics get to you. They have no idea how the world works anymore,” Seymour said before coughing some more. It was pretty clear he was declining in his health faster than any of them were prepared for.
“I could have handled it better,” I offered politely and handed him some more water.
“Handled, what better?” Seymour scoffed, “I’ve never seen Darby so silent after you shut him down.”
I laughed gently, “I think Mr. William needed to remember where he came from.”
“See there’s that bite!” Seymour pointed, leaning forward in his chair. “You’re good for him, he’s too soft.”
“Oh I don’t think so,” I argued gently. “I think he’s just juggling a lot right now. Taking care of too many people.”
“It’s nearly impossible to get him to stop,” Seymour cleared his throat. “It’s like he’s trying to erase all the sins of his father.”
“He is.” I nodded.
“There you two are,” Silas’s voice travelled over the lounge as he appeared from the opposite end. “Mom thought you died somewhere in the house and we were going to find a body,” he said crossing the space.
“If I’m dying in this house I’m doing it butt naked and face down in a pile of scotch Silas.” Seymour joked, and I laughed but Silas just sighed. “Maybe you can teach Silas about the power of dark humor.” He coughed again.
“I’m glad you both think this is funny.” Silas kneeled in front of his grandfather. “Have you been going to every doctor's appointment?”
“Your mother never lets me miss one,” he groaned.
“Entertain her caution.” Silas urged.
“There’s no stopping what’s coming,” he said to him and I watched Silas’s expression flicker with sadness before it hardened again. “She can’t fix this and neither can you.”
“No we can’t but it doesn’t make it any less hard on her.” Silas warned,on him, was said silently.
“Heard,” Seymour coughed. “Now, help a dying man up so he can spend the evening entertaining party guests with a pretty girl on his arm.”
The last thing I wanted to do was be paraded around again but I could see the worry that laced Silas’s features and knew that it was something I needed to do, not for Seymour. But for Silas. He needed something to be taken off his plate and if I could bear the load of his sick Grandfather for just the night, I would. For him. After some coercion from the armchair, Seymour managed to get to his feet and I offered my hand to him, tucking it into his elbow. He held his hand out for the scotch but I handed him the water instead.
“Tell them you’ve switched to vodka.” I smiled at him.
Seymour laughed wildly but took the glass from me. As we started toward the backyard I could feel Silas’s eyes on my back. I looked over my shoulder at him as we turned the corner and watched as he quietly pressed two fingers to his heart.
Thank you.
SHORE
Two weeks after Cael’s surgery, he’s slamming into the house with Clementine and August on his heels and a massive, goofy smile on his lips. “It’s raining outside,” he declared.
“It’s been raining for a week, Cody.” Josh slammed the fridge closed. “If it keeps up, they’re going to cancel our games.”
“We can have them moved to Harbor,” I interjected, “I’m sure they won’t mind and it will prevent a week of rain delays in the schedule. Everyone wants this season over, not just us.”
“You’re the only person that wants the season over,” Jensen said, sliding onto the counter and shoving a sandwich in his mouth.
“Can you blame a guy, every time I blink one of you has a new injury. Cael is barely lucid at this point,” I said and he gave me a dirty look, “these games are going to be the hardest you’ve played in a while and you're down the best shortstop in the league.”
“Awe, Gramps,” Cael’s tune changed.
My eyes focused on the glass angel, back where it belonged and the rain hitting the window outside in a rhythmic pattern that filled the momentary silence. Cael had only been home for a few days, Clementine followed him around like a guard dog making sure he wasn’t doing something stupid completely drunk on pain. They had picked August up from school because Cael begged to be let out of the house.
The thought of August in a car with either of them driving gave me heartburn but Drew had to work and I couldn’t let the kid walk home in the rain. It had been two solid weeks of bliss with her, most nights I snuck into herbed because I couldn’t find sleep without knowing she wasn’t going to run. And maybe that was stupid but I hadn’t figured out a way to stop myself from wandering in the dark to find her.
We had suffered through three more very important outings. Each time she was more beautiful than the last and she was impressing everyone constantly. It was like she floated, moving around a room, working a crowd with a smile and soft voice. Somehow giving me everything I needed without a second thought and all while still working at the stadium and finding time to spend with me without prying eyes.
