Seeing Things by Sonora Taylor

Author:Sonora Taylor
Format: epub

Chapter 10

“You’re pretty quiet tonight, Skipper.”

Abby looked up from stirring her pasta. Uncle Keith had brought back something special, as promised: meatballs from an Italian butcher close to the mainland, where he and Aunt Sandra used to buy meat when she’d visit them. Abby had only managed a small smile when Uncle Keith presented them.

Making matters worse was the small flash of hurt in Uncle Keith’s eyes when Abby was less than enthusiastic about the meatballs. “Well, maybe they’ll be more exciting once they’re cooked,” he’d said.

“I’m sure they’ll be great,” Abby said as Uncle Keith walked into the kitchen. “Thanks.” Guilt swam through her veins, and she considered just asking Uncle Keith about the article, and even what she’d overheard on the wharf. Then she pictured him getting upset that she didn’t trust him—or worse still, confirming that things with Claire weren’t as innocent as Chloe had said.

Left unchallenged though, her suspicions took the chance to manifest. Max’s accusations, along with the Keroppi panties in Uncle Keith’s room, swirled in a storm that conjured up Uncle Keith having dinner with a teenage student, casting jealous looks at her boyfriend and refusing to talk to the paper about his involvement or lack thereof. Then she felt guilty for ever thinking those things about Uncle Keith, and think that maybe she should ask him to calm her fears. Then it would start all over again, a cycle that left her frightened, angry, and sad—not to mention mute.

“Are you okay?” Uncle Keith asked as he speared a meatball.

Abby nodded, and hoped her sadness, at least, stayed in her throat along with her meal.

“Did you have fun at the house today?” Uncle Keith paused to chew and swallow. “Did you do any work? Maybe paint that bathroom?”

“No,” Abby muttered. “Why would I do that alone?”

Uncle Keith lost his smile. “I only asked because you said you might do some work alone this afternoon. I don’t expect you to.”

“I didn’t get a chance.”

“Well, you will tomorrow. I have tomorrow off—I made sure of it. Maybe we can tackle the upstairs.”

Yes, upstairs, away from the basement and all of Uncle Keith’s secrets—except for the one in his room. Abby speared her last meatball with a bit of extra force.

“Are you sure you’re—”

“Yes. I’m fine.” Abby couldn’t stay at the table, not while her mind was going in all sorts of directions. “Thank you for dinner,” she said as she stood up. “The meatballs were very good.” They’d tasted like any old meatballs, but Abby didn’t want to leave without acknowledging his act of kindness. Even knowing what he might’ve done, she still wanted to be kind to him. Why? What was wrong with her?

“Thanks,” Uncle Keith said. “If you feel better later, come downstairs and we’ll watch a movie.”

“Okay.”

“And we’re spending the day together tomorrow. I promise.”

Did you promise Claire she’d be able to get away? Did she break a promise to you?

“See you,” Abby said. She darted out of the kitchen and went upstairs.

Abby stayed in her room for the rest of the evening.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.