Stone by Ronie Kendig

Author:Ronie Kendig [Kendig, Ronie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Task Force Press

He’d so looked forward to fajitas alone with the news, but it was strange and borderline disturbing to be eating with Brighton. In his home. Sitting in his chair. All through dinner there’d been a frustrating, awkward silence that he let his mother fill with small talk and questions about Brighton.

“How’re your parents?”

Brighton wasn’t sure⁠—they hadn’t seen each other in a while, though her mom died years ago. Her dad was a megachurch pastor but she refused to watch his streaming services.

Do you have any siblings?

A younger brother, Aston.

All things he’d known about her. Things she’d shared with him in Baltimore. There had been other questions, but Stone had gotten lost in his own thoughts about how they’d gotten here, what he was supposed to do with all this. When he took the dishes from them both and loaded them in the dishwasher, Mom came to his side.

“I don’t think it’s right for me to leave.”

Stone frowned at her. “She and I need to talk.”

“She’s afraid of you,” his mom said, her eyes wide. “Why⁠—”

“It’s not me she’s afraid of⁠—it’s the truth.” He tightened his jaw. “Please. We just need time to talk.”

“Why? What do you hope to accomplish?”

He shoved a hand through his hair and huffed. “Maybe not to hate her so much.” He felt miserable saying that, but it was true.

“You don’t hate her⁠—you’re angry with her. There’s a difference.”

“Not right now.”

“It may seem⁠—”

“Mom.” He caught her shoulders. “I’m forty-three. I don’t need a lecture or instructions, not after serving in the public sector in one form or another for most of my adult life.” And she didn’t know who Brighton really was. Or⁠ ⁠… did she? Had Brooke told her?

She skewered him with a disapproving look. “I’m not sure about that lecture …” But she gave a hesitant nod. “Fine. If you or she need anything, you know where I am.”

He almost laughed. “I do. Thank you.” He walked her out and watched her slip into the private rear entrance to her apartment, then headed back inside to find Brighton struggling to her feet. “What’re you doing?”

“Leaving.” There was more defeat than defiance in her tone.

He thought about letting her do that, about reclaiming his peaceful evening, but truth was, there would be no peace till he got this out of the way. “I said we need to talk.”

“It’s pointless, Stone. You’ll still hate me, even if it’s not as much.” Her voice sounded off. “This won’t change anything, except maybe to alleviate your conscience about having tried.”

He cursed himself for not being quieter when he’d talked with Mom. “That’s unfair, but I hear you. And we won’t know what good it’ll do until we try to hear each other out.”

“Will you?” Her eyes narrowed. “Will you hear me out?”

He wanted to spit out a retort along the lines of “of course I will,” but he wouldn’t lie. So he took a second to shift his attitude. “I will.” Even if it killed him. Pointing to the chair, he moved toward the sofa.

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