The Strait of Anian by Rhonda Waterfall

Author:Rhonda Waterfall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Now or Never Publishing
Published: 2022-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

NORTH WEST

After picking up groceries and medication for Bruce, Dannie turns into the driveway to find an unfamiliar car. With two plastic grocery bags, she heads to the kitchen door and as she turns the doorknob she sees through the glass window two people sitting at the kitchen table. She pushes the door open and finds Bruce, coffee in hand, and her brother Adam.

“Adam,” she cries out and drops the groceries on the kitchen counter before squeezing him tight. “What the hell?”

“Surprise,” he says. “What happened to your face?”

“It was stupid, I went off the road. I’m fine, it just looks bad. So, did they all send you on a reconnaissance mission?”

“Of course; we want to know what’s happening here. I wanted to see you in the flesh and meet Bruce.”

“Your brother has got some smarts,” Bruce says. “He was telling me about his work with Gulf War veterans.”

Dannie punches Adam in the arm. “He’s a real Einstein.”

“You’re so jealous,” he says and rubs his arm in mock pain.

“How long can you stay?” she asks.

“Just the one night. I got a room downtown but I wanted to take you out for dinner and catch up.”

Dannie takes a quick glance at Bruce.

“Don’t look at me,” he says. “Go have dinner with your brother.”

They take separate vehicles into town and meet at a restaurant on the waterfront where they are seated at a table with a view of the harbour.

As soon as the waitress leaves them with the menus, Adam leans in toward Dannie. “Okay, Dannie. You have to tell me: Do you think this guy’s your father?”

“I don’t know,” she says and rubs her face. “The only way to know is with a paternity test.”

“Do you want him to be your father?”

She glances out the window at the water and the sky in the distance, turned mauve. “Sure. It would be like finding a piece of the puzzle. I wouldn’t have to always wonder who my birth father might be,” she says. “But I’m just having a hard time pushing through with the test.”

“I get it,” he says. “But what if he isn’t your dad?”

“I don’t know,” she says again and flips the menu open. She looks up at her brother. “Maybe it doesn’t change anything.”

Adam shakes his head. “Dannie, if he’s not your dad, then you shouldn’t be here. If he’s not your dad it changes everything.” He leans in a little closer. “Everything,” he repeats.

“So, what if he’s not? And I decide to stay.”

“That makes you a nurse and you should get paid. You have to get the test. See how you feel when you get the results.”

She places her elbows on the table and rubs her palms into her forehead. “But I want him to be.”

“I know,” he says. “And we all get that. Has he said anything about your mother?”

The waitress is suddenly beside them and they order their food plus a bottle of wine.

Dannie waits until she is out of earshot and turns her attention back to Adam.

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