by Kaci Rose
"You can't lie in the middle of the bed we have to share," I say to her and pat the side.
She seems to understand and moves over to let me get in. No sooner than my head hits the pillow does my phone beep. It's on the nightstand next to me, so I reach over and find a text from Paisley.
Paisley: I really think we need to talk to my brother.
I guess things did move to the next level today. I've been thinking about Leeland too, and Paisley might be right. He's going to find out eventually, and at least doing it now, there might be a chance to save that relationship.
Me: Okay, tell him I'm here. Though, I'd like to speak to him face-to-face, before we tell him about our relationship. I should really be the one to tell him.
Paisley: I don't know. I was just going to tell him over dinner tomorrow.
That's right Paisley has family dinner tomorrow night. She has been debating on going, because she really doesn't want to be around Leeland's girlfriend. Though, this would be a good time to talk to him, I really want to do it in person.
Me: Please, let me be the one to tell him. I want to fix what is between us, and it will make things easier all the way around if I do.
I don't get a reply back right away. Ten minutes later and still nothing. I'm about to text her back, when one comes in.
Paisley: Okay. I’ll tell him you’re at Oakside and have him visit.
Me: Thank you, sunshine. Goodnight.
Later that night, I think back to the last time I saw Leeland. It was a few days after graduation, and we were at the beach, sitting in the sand. I had told him a few weeks before I had enlisted.
He tried to talk me out of it, but I didn't have the options for school that he did, and he understood that and still tried to find another way. I had to reassure him many times that this was the right decision for me.
I wanted to get out of town, and I wanted to travel, go to college, and be able to send money back to help my mom. It was time I helped take care of her.
We sat on the beach and talked about boot camp and school. He promised me he'd be at my boot camp graduation, and he was, but couldn't stay after, because he had to get back to school, so we didn't get to talk.
We exchanged emails and letters for a bit, but when communication got hard on my first deployment, it tapered off, then my mom moved, and he transferred schools, and we just lost contact with each other.
Part of me wonders how different things would be now, if we hadn't lost contact. Would Paisley and I still have gotten this chance? My guess is no. Leeland probably wouldn't even want her at Oakside, knowing I was here.
Things happen for a reason is what my mom always said, and for the first time, I'm finally starting to believe it.
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Paisley
I have been avoiding any family dinners, when my brother has been bringing Barbie. Which unfortunately, is all of them. Mom and Dad know what I'm doing, because suddenly instead of having Sunday family dinners, I'm over on Friday or Monday.
Regrettably tonight, I’m in the same room, and I have to bite the bullet and talk to my brother about Easton.
Of course, knowing I'd be joining them, Mom decided to make a roast and have a slightly later than normal dinner and didn't tell any of us, until we were already here. I know she planned this. Everyone knows she planned this, but we don't call her out on it.
"The food smells really good, Mrs. Sutton," Barbie says, and Molly starts growling.
"Why can’t I give a compliment without the mutt getting mad?" Barbie says.
"Well, the last person she growled and snarled at was the kitchen boy, who attacked me and was wanted for rape and murder. So, I won't ever doubt her again." I say, glaring at my brother, who at least looks away, knowing he won't win this one.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, so I pull out my phone.
Me: I can't take it. No one is talking, and when Barbie does, Molly growls. It's like I'm not wanted here anymore.
Easton: You’ve been avoiding them, and they probably got used to you not being around. They don't know what to say.
Me: I really wish someone would step up and say something about her. This is getting ridiculous.
Easton: If you do, then you’ll be seen as the bad guy.
"Honey, no phone. It's family time," Mom says softly.
"Yes, because I'm missing the riveting silent conversation that's going on here." I roll my eyes. "I'm taking Molly for a walk."
I don't give anyone the chance to say anything before I'm up and out of the door.
Me: I just had to use the excuse of taking Molly for a walk to get out of there. Maybe, we don't say anything.
Easton: I think it's time we talked about this. If anyone should be nervous, it’s me.
Me: Fine, but if Mom doesn't serve dinner soon, I'm going to say something and bow out, before they even serve the food.
Easton: I’ll be waiting with dinner if that happens.
Me: I'm going to hold you to that.
As I head back towards the house, my dad is sitting on the front porch, waiting for me.
"Come join me, sweet pea." He says, patting the bench next to him.
I sit down and wait for whatever it is he has to say.
"What’s going on?"
"Molly was trying to warn me about that kitchen boy for weeks, and I ignored her. After I was attacked, I promised I wouldn't ignore her again. She doesn't like Barbie, and if she doesn't, then it's for good reason. I'm family, and I'm treated like the unwelcome guest in there, because of her." I say, as my eyes water.
Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I’ll talk to your mother. I'm sorry you feel like that. Is that why you’ve been coming to dinner on different days?"
I just nod my head.
"Then, why are you here today?"
"Easton wants me to tell Leeland he's at Oakside. He wants him to visit, so they can talk."
"About you.”
"That's the plan."
"Okay, well let's get in there and get this over with," Dad says, and I follow him inside.
"There you are. Where did you go, Dad?" Leeland asks.
"I went to check on your sister to make sure she was okay. Something you should be more concerned with." My dad says coldly, and Leeland's eyes jump to me. I turn and leave the room and head into the kitchen.
I find Barbie helping mom.
"What can I do to help?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing we got this. Go sit down," Mom says and waves me off.
I stand there a minute in shock. I always help Mom with dinner, and now, I've been replaced.
Sitting down in the living room, I cross my arms over my chest and stare out of the window. Molly climbs up in my lap and rests her head on the armrest of the chair. I have to be overreacting, right? I haven't been replaced, and they just developed their own routines without me here each week, by my own choice.
It doesn't help, and I still feel replaced. But my dad standing up for me gives me hope. I haven't heard that cold tone from him, since I lived here.
A touch on my arm makes me jump.
"You okay?" Dad asks.
I realize I've been staring out of the window and zoned everything else out. I guess I get how Easton does it now.
"Yeah, just thinking.”
"Dinner is ready," Dad says softly. We head to the table and take our seats.
Barbie and Leeland start talking and I zone out again and slip Molly some food. About halfway through my food, my dad nudges my foot under the table. I look up and he smiles.
"What's new at Oakside?" My dad asks.
I know he's giving me an opening. I give him a small smile of thanks and turn towards Leeland.
"Actually, you’ll never guess who I ran into at Oakside.”
Leeland doesn't even look at me, but my mom keeps the conversation going.
"Who?" Mom asks.
"Easton," I say, and Leeland drops his fork.
"Why is he the
re?" Leeland asks finally looking at me.
"He's a patient.”
"What happened? Is he okay? How long has he been there? I can go see him. What can I do to help him?" He rapid fires questions at me.
"Calm down. He's doing much better. Though, he's been there awhile, he asked me not to say anything, until he was ready. He'd like to see you. I can't tell you much other than physically he's okay. His story is for him to tell you. He actually has Allie. He just took her full-time, and they’re getting along great together."
"I can get down there tomorrow," Leeland says.
"Oh, I'm excited to meet him. I've been wanting to check out this Oakside and find a way to help out," Barbie says.
More like find a way to attach yourself to a free military ride. I think, and then mentally curse myself. I need to stop putting her down so much.
"Actually, that's not a good idea. Easton doesn't do well with strangers. He only started letting a few people in his space. It should be you and only you, Leeland."
"But we are a team." Barbie whines.
"But Easton doesn't know you. He doesn't want to talk to you." I snap.
"I think this is something Lee needs to do on his own." My dad says in a stern tone.
I give him a small thank you smile.
"I think this first time I should go and talk to him alone. We have stuff to work out," Leeland says.
"I’ll let him know you’ll be there tomorrow. Surprises aren't a good thing. You’ll see what I mean."
"How long have you known he's been there?"
"A little while. He wanted to get better before he reached out. Let him explain, before you judge him on it, okay?" I plead.
"Okay."
I continue eating and tune out Barbie's harsh whispers of why she can’t go, and he knows Easton, and why he shouldn't listen to me.
"Enough." My brother says so loudly the room goes silent. "I'm going alone, and that’s final. Depending on how the meeting goes, I’ll decide if and when I introduce you. I trust Paisley's decisions. She works with these guys, so let’s drop the subject." Leeland’s voice is commanding and reminds me of Dad's ‘do as I say or else’ voice.
At first, I'm almost in shock. This is a side of my brother I haven't seen, since I was in school, and he was defending me from some creep, trying to ask me out.
I bite back a smile and look over at my dad, who gives me a wink and tries to hold back a smile as well. Mom's face is blank, but I swear there’s a twinkle in her eye.
The rest of dinner is pretty tense between Barbie and my brother. My parents and I try to act like nothing is wrong, and that it didn't happen, but the tension settles over us. As soon as dinner is over, I use Molly as an excuse and bail.
On my way home, I call Easton.
"Hey, how did it go?"
"Well, after I texted you, we sat down to eat, and telling Lee about you went okay. He's going to come to visit tomorrow by the way. But then, the bimbo girlfriend tried to push her way into the visit. I put my foot down, and she threw a first-rate temper tantrum that led to my brother snapping at her, and the second half of dinner was very tense. I just left. I'm going to be at Lexi's tomorrow if you need me. I don't want to be in the way, but if the girlfriend shows up or anything goes wrong, I’ll only be a minute away."
"I'd have you here with me if I could, but this is something we need to do ourselves."
"I know. Will you call me and let me know how it goes?"
"Of course. In fact, you can come over, and we can watch some TV after. Let Allie and Molly play some."
"I'd like that."
We talk a bit more on the way home, but I can't shake the feeling that tomorrow isn't going to go as well as we all hope it will.
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Easton
I’m honestly nervous about this meeting with Leeland, and I have no idea how it will go. I spoke with Noah about it this morning, and he said Lexi was out working on the vegetable garden and suggested I go help her, instead of sitting here thinking about it.
So, that's how I found myself, kneeling in the dirt, planting some tomato plants with Allie by my side, watching my back. I like working with Lexi. She doesn't talk much, and just lets me zone out and work, and for that, I'm grateful.
It's getting close to lunchtime, when Allie starts barking, letting me know someone is walking up behind me. I glance over my shoulder and find Leeland. An older version than I remember, but it's definitely him.
I stand and brush the dirt off my hands and pet Allie, thanking her for letting me know he was here. Then, I turn to face him, and we both stare each other down. Neither of us quite knowing what to say.
"Maybe, we should do this inside. It's almost lunchtime." I say.
"Sounds good.”
"I’ll have them send an extra plate to your room," Lexi says, as she stands up and holds a hand out to Leeland. "Hi, I'm Lexi. My husband and I run the place."
Leeland nods. "I met Noah, and he told me where to find Easton."
"Club sandwich and chips okay for lunch?" Lexi asks him.
"Perfect," he says.
I start walking back inside with Allie at my side. Leeland’s walking behind us, and I stop.
"Don't walk behind me, please," I say, trying to be polite. He doesn't know what he's doing wrong.
"Sorry." He moves over to my side.
As we walk through Oakside, he takes it all in.
"I can't believe this is my first time here. Paisley has been trying to get me to come, since it opened, but I just haven’t made it."
I don't add that if he had, I'd have been here. I know it would have affected any relationship Paisley and I have, so I'm glad things worked out the way they did.
No sooner do I sit down from washing up, Kaitlyn brings in our food.
"Little birdy told me you had company, so I thought I'd bring your lunch early," she says. "You need anything just call."
I nod, and she closes the door behind her. Allie lies down at my feet, as we start eating.
"How long you been here?" Leeland asks.
"Since they opened.”
"Paisley told me you were here, but not why."
"She only knows the short version. I was held as a prisoner of war for a year.”
He sets his sandwich down and just looks at me.
"Why didn't she tell me? I'd have been here sooner."
"Because I told her not, too. She does work here, so she couldn't say anything." I remind him, trying to keep Paisley out of trouble.
"Why did you tell her not, too?"
This is a fair question, but I don't know how to explain to him that the last time he saw me, I was a different person. But the biggest reason is Paisley. I wanted more time with her. The moment we’re friends again, then the don't date my younger sister rule goes back into effect. But I know I can't stay away from her now, so this is going to cause problems.
"When I first got here, I was spaced out. I sat in the chair there by the window and just enjoyed the sun on my face. I didn't let anyone in my room, and I couldn't stand to be touched. To have people in here and touching me is still hard for me to tolerate, but thanks to Paisley and Allie here it's getting easier." I say, petting Allie and slipping her a piece of bread.
"It was you who saved Paisley from that kitchen guy, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it was the first time I didn't care that I was touching anyone, when I laid into him. Walking in and seeing her pinned to the wall? Something shifted. When I wrapped her in my arms, making sure she was okay, and she hugged me back? My skin didn't crawl. Ever since that day, I've been able to tolerate my nurses and doctors more easily. I've been able to go outside. Even more so, since she brought me Allie." I stop, worried I might have said too much.
For a guy who didn't talk at anyone a few months ago, when it comes to Paisley, I can't seem to stop singing her praises.
"Thank you for having her back," he says.
"Always."
"So,
your time as a POW?"
"I don't talk about it.”
"To Paisley?"
"To anyone."
"Not even your doctor?"
I just shake my head.
He sighs, "I'm not an expert, but even I know it's not good to hold it in."
"I know, and I'm working on it."
"So, you were working outside in long sleeves and pants?"
I look at him, because he hasn't put the pieces together. I clench my teeth, pulling up my sleeve. He looks at it a moment, and then looks back at me.
"You know scars are nothing to hide."
"Says the guy whose only scars are from doing stupid shit as a kid.”
He growls, "Your scars have been hard earned. They show you survived, and you’re here today, because you were stronger than them. Be proud of those scars."
"Easier said than done."
"Always is."
"So, fill me in on your college time," I say, trying to change the subject.
"I joined a fraternity."
"I can't picture you as a frat boy. You’re not pretty enough."
"Fuck you, man. I did rush week and everything."
"What did you have to do to pledge?"
"I was designated driver for a month, which was easy, because I was underage and couldn’t drink."
"Like it would have stopped you."
He smirks, "I also had to clean the frat house after each party for a few months and wear a dress to all my classes for a week."
"You got off easy," I say.
"I got lucky my fraternity didn't believe in hazing. They had a guy die from it back in 2001, so they stopped it after that. It's one of the reasons I choose them."
"You’re still happy you joined?"
"Yeah. I'm still friends with the guys."
Then, the pool party flashes to my mind, and what his friends did to Paisley.
"These the same guys you let harass Paisley at the pool party?"
