Page 29 of Reaper
I survived on take-out after my divorce, so I’m out, and Viking was alive when cooking was done over an open fire. That leaves Grump or Kyra, although something tells me she’d rather stay in the dining area where the customers are.
“We’ll handle it,” I tell him.
Barry nods. “Okay. Kyra, what do you think about putting me down as a contact at the school, so I don’t have to go through the third degree any time I pick them up? They’ve got that place buttoned up like Fort Knox.”
“I can do that. I’ll go call them now.”
Thirty minutes later, Barry strolls in with Heidi and Hunter. They remind me so much of my Paul and Erica, bouncing off the walls with more energy than sense. Although Hunter's exuberance dies down quickly.
“Reaper!” Heidi exclaims, running toward me with her arms stretched wide and leaving me with no option but to catch her when she jumps. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to help your mom,” I explain. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah.” She scrambles to her feet and steps back. “I made you a picture at school, but I wasn’t sure if I’d see you again.”
“You did?”
Heidi and I talk for a few more minutes, and I’m keenly aware of Kyra standing to the side and watching me like a hawk. If she’s looking for a reason to send me packing, she won’t find one.
“Can you help me with my homework?” Heidi finally asks. “Me and Hunter have to work on our numbers.”
I glance at Hunter, who’s been quiet this whole time. “You need help too, bud?”
“Yeah.”
“How about this? You two go sit in that booth over there,” I say, pointing to the one closest to the hallway. “I’ll get you some milkshakes and a snack and then come help you both.”
They both look to Kyra. “It’s okay with me,” she tells them. “But don’t spoil your dinner.”
Heidi runs to the booth while Hunter follows at a slower pace. Worry creeps in because he’s acting differently than he was last night, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of me.
“You don’t have to do this,” Kyra says as I make my way to the milkshake machine.
“I know. I’ve missed this, though.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I want to reach out and snatch them from the air.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
I guess there’s no turning back now. Not exactly something I can lie my way out of.
“I had two kids,” I admit quietly. “Paul and Erica. And please don’t ask me about them,” I rush to add. “It’s too hard to talk about.”
Kyra’s expression softens, and there’s sympathy in her eyes. I don’t want her sympathy though. I know she’s probably thinking something bad happened to them, and I can’t explain that they’re just fine as far as I know. Because to do that would be a violation of the Warrior Code of Conduct.
Besides, how do you even begin to tell someone that you died years ago and were sent back to the human world by Odin, a god whom most humans believe is a myth?
16
Kyra
TWO WEEKS LATER…
“Order up!”
The bell dings, punctuating Barry’s shout. It’s a Thursday which means Night and Day isn’t dead, but we’re not slammed either. That being said, business has picked up since Reaper and his brothers have been helping out, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s that Barry’s cooking has improved or the change of scenery.
Those bikers sure are easy on the eyes.
