Some Doubt About It: A Novel by Marion McNabb

Author:Marion McNabb [McNabb, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2024-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CAROLINE

The cold, hard breeze off the ocean rolled in like a boulder as she exited Devorah’s house. She felt cozy from the bourbon. She rubbed her hands together, blowing on them, as she stepped into the driveway.

Danny looked up as she approached, then quickly turned away.

“Hi,” she said, hoping her voice sounded friendly. “Going somewhere?”

“Gotta drop something off at the fire station out in Harwich,” Danny said with his back to her. He clicked the unlock button, opened the door of his truck, and placed an envelope on the seat inside. “Then stopping by a friend’s.”

“Oh, okay, sounds busy,” Caroline said, and when he didn’t respond, she continued. “Just finished up for the day with Devorah. She’s pretty blasted.” And then, when he still didn’t say anything, she added, “Well, I won’t hold you up, then.”

“Sure, see you around,” Danny said and, grabbing hold of the door, pulled himself up into the truck.

His eyes never ventured over to find her. He faced forward as he started up the engine. Caroline felt stuck in her spot, watching Danny purposely not watching her. What was going on? She thought maybe they’d had a moment the other day.

Danny idled in the truck, organizing his papers and checking something on his phone. Caroline turned to walk toward her car, but she didn’t take a step. She didn’t want to go home. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to do something. She wanted to go for a ride with Danny like she used to.

She turned back around and knocked on the window of the truck. Danny slowly rolled down the window and said nothing.

“Hi,” Caroline said. She cleared her throat. “I was just wondering if maybe I could ride with you?”

“What?”

“Look, I just, was thinking maybe . . . well, first of all, thank you so much for being so nice to me the other day. I know you must hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, Caroline. I don’t anything you.”

“Right. I get it. I understand that. I don’t blame you. I’ve been thinking a lot about this all lately. And I just wanted to apologize to you for the way everything happened back then. I know you moved on and everything, but I thought I should address it. And I am so very sorry. Being back here and seeing you, I realize that I was selfish, and I have a lot of regrets about that, and I’m sorry. I was running away from so many things, from my parents and my fear I’d end up like them, I guess. I guess we just got caught up in that part.”

“It was a long time ago, Caroline. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Well, okay. I just wanted to say that to you, because I never did.”

“Okay, well . . . you said it.” Danny smiled. “We were kids. We weren’t ready for marriage and all of that. You took off. One-way ticket to California. Took me a minute, but I get it. So, anyway, thanks, I guess, if that’s even what you say.

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