Page 26 of Red Mountain Burning
“Yeah, I know,” Brooks admitted. “But try telling Adriana that.”
Brooks pulled a fresh paper towel off the roll and wrapped his hand again. He put the other hand on his brother’s shoulder and then walked out to the porch.
Adriana was saying her goodbyes. She’d somehow mustered a smile. “Thank you so much for having us. We need to get Zack to bed.”
“It was a pleasure,” Charles said.
Brooks questioned his father’s sincerity. Were they being nice to her just so that she’d stay and not take Brooks to Florida?
The three of them hurried through the house, but Mary caught them at the front door. “Leaving so soon?”
Another fake smile from Adriana. “Yes, it’s Zack’s bedtime. Thanks so much for having us. What a lovely meal.”
Mary hugged her. “We should do this more often.”
Brooks felt like he was drowning in an artificial world.
As Adriana and Zack walked toward the car, Brooks kissed his mother’s cheek. For a second, he wanted to chastise her, but what good would that do? Instead, he said, “We’ll see you soon, Mom.”
“Oh dear, what happened to your hand?” She took his arm.
Brooks looked down. Blood was soaking through again. “It’s okay. Accidentally broke one of the wine glasses.”
“Do you want me to bandage it up?”
He pulled his hand away. “No, thanks.” In his mind, Brooks was thinking:You’ve done enough.
Mary waved as they pulled out of the driveway.
Once they were moving, Brooks said, “A, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s nothing.”
“They’re just scared I’m going to leave, that’s all. It had nothing to do with you.”
Adriana pointed a finger to the backseat, where Zack was yawning. She whispered, “I’m not doing this right now.”
So this is what it feels like to have your family conspiring behind your back,Brooks decided.
