Page 42 of Living for Truth
Morgan
On Saturday morning, I take Aly to breakfast at our favorite bakery before heading over to my sister Alice’s house so they can go shopping for summer clothes for my not-so-little girl. Aly said she wanted to go with someone with “fashion sense,” and I pretended like it didn’t hurt my feelings.
It gives me the perfect opportunity to spend the day with Hannah.
Alice and Cooper live fifteen minutes away from us in a subdivision similar to ours with their four dogs. They foster kids from time to time, but that’s the closest they’ll get to being parents. Alice loves her job as a teacher, and Coop works as a civil engineer for the military and has to leave on temporary duty a few months out of the year. They decided fostering and helping kids who need temporary homes was fulfilling enough for them.
Alice answers the door wearing bright orange overalls with a white tank top underneath. Her brown, chinlength hair is up in two messy buns, and she’s got paint on one side of her face.
“Aly! I’m so excited to go shopping with you today.” Alice leans in close and stage whispers, “Good thing your dad isn't coming. He wouldn’t know fashion if it bit him on the arm.”
Aly laughs, and even though it’s at my expense, it warms my heart. She doesn’t laugh much, so I think this time with her aunt will be good for her.
“You’re right, Aunt Al. He wears the same things every day.”
“Hey!” I protest. “I do not.”
Alice and Aly both cross their arms and pop their hips, giving me a “get real” look that must be hereditary.
“Button-up shirts with floral patterns and chino pants. And when you’re not wearing those, you’re wearing basketball shorts and t-shirts.” Aly ticks them off on her fingers, and yeah, she’s not wrong.
I like what I like, and it’s hard for me to find clothes that fit and look good with my body type.
“Alright, alright. Should I wear bright overalls like your aunt, Aly?”
Aly scrunches her nose and then pretends to throw up, making Alice snort.
“I thought so. I’ll be back by dinner, but text me if you need me, and I’ll be here as soon as I can.”
Aly nods. “I’ll be okay, Dad. I promise. Have fun with your girlfriend.”
I rear back, and Alice looks at me. We say at the same time, “Girlfriend?”
Aly rolls her eyes. “You’ve been going out a lot recently, and I saw ‘Hannah’ texting you one day. But I didn’tread your messages! I’m okay if you have a girlfriend, Dad.”
Fuck, she’s going to make me cry. I thought she’d hate that I had a girlfriend—fake or not—and be upset I didn’t tell her immediately.
“I’ll talk to her today to see if she wants to come over for dinner sometime.” My throat is clogged from the emotions rolling through me. “I love you, Bub.” I pull her in for a hug, and she mumbles a “love you too” into my stomach.
Alice gives me a sharp look that means I’m in trouble for not telling her about Hannah. I just told her I was going out with a friend. “We will be talking about this later,”she mouths.
I have no doubt we will, and it will turn into a family affair because my sister can’t keep secrets to save her life.
“Have fun, Morgy,” Alice sings as she and Aly head inside.
Anticipation and excitement sizzle through my veins, like they always do when I’m about to see Hannah. I hope she likes what I have planned for today. I told her to dress casually, but with good shoes since we’ll be doing some walking. It feels like it’s been years since I’ve seen her, rather than just three days.
Get a hold of yourself, man.
I park in the driveway next to her car and practically bounce to the front door. Shelly answers, giving me a scathing look, but I plaster on a smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Layton. I’m here for Hannah.”
She keeps her eyes on me as she calls out, “Hannah! Yourfriendis here.” The way she emphasizes “friend” makes me want to growl at the woman.
I briefly wonder if she knows we’re faking it, but there’s no way Hannah would tell her, and I think I’ve been pretty convincing thus far. Guess I just have to kick it up a notch for her mom.
Shelly steps aside, and Hannah comes out the door, nearly stealing the breath from my lungs. She’s wearing another dress, but this one is a soft rose color with a gathered front, showing thetiniestbit of cleavage. It cinches at her waist and flows out over her wide hips. The material looks soft and flowy, and it takes all my reserve not to reach out and touch her. She has on white sandals that look like they’re made of a foamy material so her feet won’t kill her by the end of the day. Her hair is curled softly around her face, and her makeup is subtle, highlighting her plump lips and beautiful eyes.
