Page 125 of The Lies I've Told
I was glad she was taking it even if I might not be part of the picture.
“And what about me?” I asked hopefully.
“You work on this stone bird,” she said. “Relearn your craft. Take up a new one. Hell, I don’t care, but figure out how this new Aiden fits into the world, because I will not allow the love of my life to wither and die under the weight of his disability.”
“You want me to learn how to carve blind?”
She reached into the pocket of her dress, something I didn’t even know she had, and pulled out familiar-looking candy. Dropping a few peanut M&M’s on the counter next to my stone bird, she said, “I saw a singer on TV who was deaf. She used the vibrations to differentiate each note. Anything is possible, Aiden, with a little prayer and patience. At least, that is what my father used to say and I believe you know already know a thing or two about patience.”
“I’m the love of your life?” I breathed out.
She smiled, pressing her lips to mine. Reaching for her, I palmed her cheek, wanting the kiss to last forever, but she pulled back far too quickly.
“I guess that’s up to you,” she said. “You know where to find me.”
And then, before I could argue, she was gone, leaving me alone in my apartment with a handful of M&M’s, an ugly stone bird, and a life to rebuild.
I guessed I’d better get started.
“Molly, remind me why I thought it was a good idea to open this place in March?” I shouted from the stockroom.
“Because,” my sister shouted back, “it’s a good time for a soft opening. Remember, spring break?”
I took a deep breath. “Right, spring break.”
God, what was I thinking?
Open a store, I’d thought.
What a great idea, I’d thought.
It would be easy.
It wasn’t.
I’d drained every dime I had and then some, selling my apartment in Florida and half of my closet to stock the store with pretty things that people would hopefully want to buy, and for what? A small influx of spring breakers?
The island wouldn’t be jam-packed with people for another three months.
I could be sitting on this inventory for three months.
Thank God Molly was still allowing me to stay at the inn, free of charge. No one had complained about the weird family member lurking about who stole bagels and scones in the morning and drank all the coffee.
So, at least my living situation was good—in the event that I went bankrupt.
“You look panicked. Are you panicking?” Molly asked after finding me stuffed in the corner of the stockroom, rocking back and forth.
“What? Who? Me?”
“Yeah, you’re definitely panicking. I’m going to go get you ice cream from across the street.”
“No. I’m fine,” I said before adding, “Get me cookie dough. And chocolate. With sprinkles. Oh, and maybe some strawberry?”
She rolled her eyes before slipping out of the stockroom.
I should probably do the same.
There were still a few more things I needed to do before our official opening tomorrow.
