Family Secrets by Mlyn Hurn

Author:Mlyn Hurn
Format: epub

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Cari sat in the car next to Jake, waiting quietly for her father to appear for his book club meeting. She knew he never missed a session, and often stayed quite late discussing the books with friends from the club over coffee. One of the times she had suggested she go with him, but he had told her no, she would be way too bored. She had accepted what he said because he was her father.

Cari decided she would call out to him when she saw him although she had no clear idea of what she wanted to say to him. But she felt the need to see him, and to have him hold her, even if it was only for a moment or two. Maybe she could find that safe place again, once her father hugged her close. She clenched her hands into fists, where they rested on her thighs.

She hadn't said a word to Jake, other than giving him directions. She wanted to say something to him, but all of her thoughts and emotions were so cluttered inside of her, that she couldn't seem to form any words. She felt such chaos, and loss of control, inside of her, that she wasn't even sure what was real anymore.

Jake had been watching Cari ever since he had stopped the car. She had been clenching and unclenching her fists constantly. At every noise, she would jump and turn to look in the direction of the sound. Finally, he could stand it no more. He reached out and covered her hand with his. He didn't move when she jumped in surprise at his gentle touch. And when she turned to look at him, he held her eyes, even though at first her gaze was so obviously unfocused. He gently squeezed her hand until he could see her returning from her million mile away journey of thoughts.

Cari flushed as Jake watched her, touching her hand. She mumbled an apology.

Jake worked her hand slowly, rubbing it gently, easing her fingers to relax, until her hand finally lay flat on her thigh. He leaned closer to her. "You need to relax honey. You are so nervous and jumpy. I keep thinking you are going to hop right through the roof of the car each time there is any kind of loud noise."

Cari's lips curved in a semblance of a smile. "Jake?"

"What, honey?"

Cari took a deep breath. "I know that I owe you an explanation…"

Jake pressed his fingers to her soft mouth, stopping her words. "Cari, I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything. I want you to tell me freely, through your own rational choice, whatever, or however much you want me to know. But there is no way that you 'owe' me anything, sweetheart."

Cari flushed brightly. "I didn't mean it like that, Jake…" She paused, obviously having trouble expressing herself. “I want to tell you. In fact, you are probably the only person I know who will understand.

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