Page 114 of Prodigal Son

The man fell asleep on the spot, standing awkwardly and snoring softly. Cain settled onto a small stool and stared at the screen. The clerk dropped to the dusty floor with a thud and the bell above the door chimed.

Without taking his eyes off the phone, Cain said, “Shop’s closed. Come back in an hour.”

“I don’t think so, bredder.”

Cain’s stare jerked to Adam standing at the entrance. His brother arched his neck, taking note of the clerk snoring softly with his mouth open behind the counter. “Was that necessary?”

“I wanted to be alone. Take a hint.” Ads played on the phone and he grew impatient. “Did you follow me here?”

“I was in town and saw you. What are you doing here?”

“It is none of your business. I’m not harming anyone or placing myself in any danger. Go away.” He wondered if he and Anna could no longer share dreams, if they would still share pain. That would be a welcome loss.

Rather than leave, Adam leaned into the glass door and made himself comfortable. The news program started with a serious man sitting at a desk listing various topics of the hour, and then an upbeat song played as images flashed over the small screen with people smiling gaily while doing an odd selection of random activities.

When the music stopped, the man at the desk reported on crime in the Middle East, a shooting, a line of convenience store robberies, and the upcoming traffic report. The longer he droned on, the more impatient Cain grew. All the while Adam watched him.

Another string of advertisements, and then the man was back. Finally, he said her name. “And out in the field today, we have Destiny Santos.”

Cain’s breath held as Adam’s scrutiny burned into him.

“Thanks, Mike. I’m here at the new local skate park where kids are enjoying this beautiful spring weather.” His heart hammered at the sound of her voice. He desperately needed to see her face, but the camera only showed young English children zooming up and down hills.

His grip tightened on the phone and then she was there. “This is Logan.” She gestured to a young boy with curly hair. “He’s twelve and lives about twenty minutes from here. What do you think of the new skate park, Logan?”

The boy leaned into the microphone with a wide smile. “I think it’s awesome.”

“Did your parents bring you here today for the opening?”

“Yeah. My mom’s right there.” The boy looked right at him and waved. “Hi, Mom!”

Destiny laughed, her beautiful face once more showing on the device. Cain shut his eyes, savoring the comforting melody of her voice. “As you can see, Mike, the new skate park is off to a great start. A donation was made for the park by town native and skate legend, Tanner Quick, who we interviewed last fall when they broke ground on this project.” Grinning at the camera, she seemed to look right at him as she said, “Looks like Tanner Quick may not be the only skate champion this town produces. Back to you, Mike.”

The screen switched back to the man at the desk, and Cain’s shoulders sagged. It was over in a flash, but more than he’d imagined. Seeing her again, hearing her voice, it only confirmed his fears. He hadn’t embellished her beauty or exaggerated his feelings. He was still in love with her.

Adam took the phone and set it on the counter. “Can we go now?”

Cain stared at the floor, his mood shifting from light to dark. A murderous rage crept through him, and his muscles tensed under his clothing. “Why did you come here?”

“I told you. I saw you and—”

Cain was on his feet with his brother’s shirt locked in his fist. “You came here to mock me! You can’t let me have one moment of happiness, can you?”

“Cain, that’s not it at all—”

“Then what?” He shook him roughly. “What is it you want from me? Does it prove something to you to see me at my lowest? I’m stricken. Empty. All I have is this godforsaken void in my chest since she’s gone and you have everything! Is that what you want to hear? Is it?”

“No.” He gripped Cain’s fists where they twisted his shirt.

“Then why are you here? Don’t lie to me! I know you were not in town on business.”

“Fine.” Adam flung his hands off of him. “I’ll tell you the truth. I was in the barn when you left and sensed the upheaval of your emotions. I wasn’t sure what you had planned, but I saw you going into action and I wanted to make sure you didn’t go too far.”

“I told you I wouldn’t risk hurting Anna.”

“And I’m grateful for your loyalty in that promise, but I also fear you might hurt yourself, Cain. I want my son to know his uncle.”

“Stop setting the bar so high. I’m exhausted by your expectations. The boy would do better knowing an idea of me.”

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