Page 112 of Stuck With You
Somehow, everything will be ok. I have no choice but tobelieve it.
Chapter 26
SLADE
“I compared it to Mom’s medical records, and I don’t have the genetic markers.” Krissy leans over my desk, pointing to the report that might as well be written in a foreign language.
The impact gun grinds in the background. “That’s good, right?”
“Yeah, but I’ve done some research, and this other stuff doesn’t make sense.” She slides her finger over the report like I’m supposed to be able to decipher what it means. “Mom didn’t have this descent.” She stares, waiting for me to connect the dots.
“What?” I rest back in my chair, my eyes lingering over all the information again.
She plops down in the chair across from me. “It means our dad is likely a carrier.”
My gaze lifts to hers, and she lets that sit there for a moment.
She fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “I’ve. . .been thinking about seeing if I can find him.”
“Kris, I don’t—”
She holds up her hand. “I know you’ve never wanted to talk about him or know anything, but this is different. We’re talking medical history. I don’t want anything from him. I just want to know if there’s a history that we should be aware of. I mean, stuff like this can be important.”
I set the paper on the desk and stare across the space at my sister. I know she wants far more than that, but she’ll never get what she’s really searching for.
“Kris, there was a reason he wasn’t involved or around, and Mom never talked about him. Whatever this test shows, it doesn’t really matter, does it?” I need that to be true for her sake.
She shrugs one shoulder, inspecting her nails. “It might.” Her eyes lift to mine underneath her long, dark eyelashes, her hands dropping into her lap. “I just . . . Don’t you ever want to know what he looks like or what he does? I mean, he might be a drug dealer or addict, or a crime boss. What if he’s spending life in prison?” She straightens in her seat. “Some of those things can be hereditary. Wouldn’t you want to know if you’re in jeopardy of becoming a serial killer?”
I tip back in my chair. “Really?” I stare at her. “Kris, nothing good will come from you digging into something that had nothing to do with us.”
She crosses her arms and exhales, then pushes her lips to the side. I can see her frustration and disappointment. “You could do a test. At least we could see if you’re also a carrier of some of these things. It might give us a better idea of how prevalent or serious it might be.”
“Like developing serial killer tendencies?”
She shrugs both shoulders this time. “You are kind of obsessive about certain things.”
I roll my eyes. If a quick spit test keeps her from searching for our father and possibly creating a shit storm we don’t need any part of, then it’s a no-brainer. “Fine.”
She smiles. “Thank you. I’ll order one, and it’ll be here in a few days, but you have to mail it in.” Her smile fades. “Aren’t you ever curious who Mom was hiding and why? She was so beautiful and fun and full of life.” Her eyes drop to the floor. “There are so many things I wish I could ask her.”
Our mom was beautiful and smart and deserved so much better than what she got. But I learned long ago thatsometimes we won’t ever understand why even the people we love the most do the things they do or make the choices they make.
In her case, she loved someone who never loved her back. She was second choice, a long-time secret, and Kris and I were casualties.
“Truth?” I ask, and she nods. “I got tired of wondering and her non-answers.” It felt like she was protecting him, and I never understood that. “It’s one of those things we might always wonder, but she loved you. . .so much. That’s what matters.”
Her lips form a sad smile. “She loved you, too.”
The complicated wave of feelings I try to avoid stirs, and I need it to settle back down.
“Order the test, and I’ll send it in.”
She smiles and pushes out of her chair, folding up the paper and placing it back in the envelope.
I follow her out of my office and into the noisy shop.
“Boy, who showed you how to zip a tire like that? You’re gonna give Trigger a run for his money.” Carson stands next to Luke, inspecting his quick work.
