Hope’s opening and closing cabinets in the kitchen. “She has coffee, but there isn’t any food here. Besides the cookies.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I slide it out. “GA made breakfast. Let’s go.”
She looks around. “I guess I don’t have anything. Let’s go.”
“Where’s your dad now?” Scout rips off a piece of toast and sticks it in his mouth.
“Shady Rest.” Hope leans closer to him, and I push against the irritation.
My brother likes hearing people’s stories and asking questions. Of course, she’s drawn to him. Not that it matters.
He scowls, talking with his mouth full. “Is that a funeral home?”
Shaking her head, Hope takes a sip of coffee. “It’s a short-term nursing home facility. He had to have his knees worked on, and we thought February would be a good time. I had no idea he’d end up trapped there. They won’t even let me visit!”
Gran places a hand on her chest. “My goodness! That’s terrible.”
“Yeah, but I call him all the time. He’s in good spirits.” She finishes the last of her oatmeal. “Dad’s a Buddhist, so he believes everything works together towards the greater good.”
“That’s not just a Buddhist philosophy.” GA nods, standing and collecting plates.
“Let me help you!” Hope jumps out of her seat, taking the plates from my grandmother.
“You sit right back down. You’re company.” Scout and I both stand at the same time, and she looks at us. “Look at my boys. They’re going to help.”
She hands each of us the dirty dishes and takes Hope’s arm, leading her into the living room. “Tell me more about your family.”
“There’s not much to tell…”
Scout and I look at each other, and he exhales a laugh. “I guess we’re doing the dishes.”
“Too bad she never bought a dishwasher. I’m drying.”
“Jerk.” He snatches up the rag and switches on the hot water.
It doesn’t take long to wash the few dishes we used. I dry the plates and stack them on the counter.
“Good night?” He cocks an eyebrow at me, and I shake my head.
“Not going there.”
He frowns. “But you slept with her, right? Or should I say slept with her again?”
“I’m not talking about her to you.”
He’s quiet a minute, rinsing the soap off the last plate. “Are you going to ask her to stay?”
“No.”
“Dammit, why not?” He tosses the dish cloth on the counter. “She’s perfect for you.”
Is she? Things are pretty great, but in my experience, perfect can go bad fast.
“Bad timing.”
My stomach is tight. I don’t want to have this conversation with him. It was hard enough having it with GA then asking her to loan me money. She was cool about it, saying she had plenty, but if that were true, why is she still living in this matchbox sized house?
“Look, I get it. Becky is a bitch, and finding out about her and Dad is enough to make anybody give up on love, but you’ve got to look at what’s right in front of you.”
I turn my back to the counter; I can’t help wondering how this happened. How have I gotten to the point where I have no control over my life? So many things I want, I can’t have.
Exhaling deeply, it’s time to level with him. “I’m getting on a plane for San Francisco in five hours.”
“What?” His voice is hushed. “Why?”
“I violated my parole coming here. I got that car, hoping I could make it back before I have to check in with my parole officer on Friday. If I don’t… If they catch me, I’ll go back to prison for the rest of my sentence. Possibly longer, depending on the judge.”
His eyes widen, as his lips part. “That’s why you freaked at the roadblock… That’s why you backed down when Becky threatened to call the sheriff—”
“I can’t take any chances. I’m going to see Dad, then I have to get back to California. Fast.”
“Jesus… Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Worry, hell. You’re risking everything coming here. Why?”
Scrubbing my fingers against my forehead, I think of all the reasons. “I couldn’t sit in that dead city and wait. I had to see Jesse. I had to come here and confront Dad. I had to find out why he did it and make him fix it.”
“What made you think you could do it without getting caught?”
I look out the window at the sunny neighborhood street.
It’s completely empty.
“I read this article about the Cannonball Run. Some guys set a new record last month… Twenty-seven hours.”
“That’s the race from New York to LA?”
“Yeah.” I remember reading the story, and the plan unfolding in my brain. “They talked about the empty highways, no state troopers… I thought, if you could help me drive, I could do this.”
“We did make pretty good time.” He turns to lean beside me against the counter. “But now you’re flying back? Isn’t that just as dangerous? What if you pop up on a watch list?”
“I don’t think they’ll be looking for me flying into California. Anyway, it’s more risky to drive, possibly get held up.”
His lips tighten and he exhales deeply. “How can I help?”
Gratitude swells in my chest. I expected him to be shocked. I expected skepticism, possibly disappointment, but he’s only supportive.
I pull him in for a brief hug. “Thanks.”
“It’s the least I can do.” His voice is quiet. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you when it all went down.”
“Hey, you were dealing with your own shit. I know.”
“I guess I thought Dad would take care of it.”
I can’t answer that. I know he knows what I’m thinking. We both expected too much of our dad. We always have.
Which brings me to this, the part that’s going to hurt me the most. “You can do something for me. If it’s not too much to ask.”
“Ask away.”
“Stay here with Jesse. Until I’m out of the woods. I don’t want him to worry, and I think you’ll help him.”
“I can do that.” He nods. “Hell, I’m going to be freaking out until I know you’re okay.”
“Join the club.”
“Well, I think that’s just wonderful.” GA walks slowly into the kitchen with Hope right beside her. “I hope it works out for you.”
“I hope so, too.” Hope lifts her crossed fingers.
I don’t know what they’re talking about, but she’s adorable. Then she turns to me, and her expression warms. She’s still smiling, but her pretty eyes are so full of questions.
A bitter ache twists in my chest, and I know as much as it hurts, I’ve got to let her go now, too.
“Can we talk for a minute?” I feel Scout stiffen at my side.
“Sure.” Her voice is soft, and I step forward to catch her hand.