“Elizabeth, stop chasing Kelton,” Mrs. Maxwell had shouted from her spot by the pool with a laugh in her voice. “He’ll wear you out.”
Kelton and I had been throwing a football around. When he caught it I would chase him to the back side of his yard, what we had dubbed the end zone. He did run faster than me. It was always fun, though, to chase Kelton. Once one of us caught the other, we would roll around in the grass like two dogs play-fighting.
“Elizabeth.” A hand touched my shoulder.
The sunny day faded back into the soft glow of the room. Mr. Maxwell stood before me, reminding me so much of Kade. Despite the age difference, the resemblance was uncanny.
“May I take your coat?” he asked.
I swallowed again as I took off my jacket and handed it to him.
“Please have a seat.” He left the room for a mere second, returning empty-handed.
“Elizabeth.” Mrs. Maxwell patted the cushion on her left. “Please sit with me.”
I glanced at Kelton, who was mesmerized by my breasts or something on my blouse. Surely he wasn’t pulling one of his playboy stunts in the company of his parents. I brought my hand to my chest, praying my scoop neck blouse wasn’t betraying me, showing my cleavage. Then I realized my half-heart chain wasn’t tucked away. I wore it on a long necklace so it wouldn’t be visible no matter what I was wearing. Not that I was embarrassed by it. Over the years my friends had teased me for the cheesy charm. I’d always argued it wasn’t tacky, not to me. This piece of jewelry had been my rosary. I wasn’t Catholic, but my grandmother on my dad’s side was. God rest her soul. She’d carried her rosary beads with her at all times.
I inserted my necklace inside my blouse as I went to sit beside Mrs. Maxwell. Kelton had mentioned his mom had been in a mental health facility. I’d been expecting to see her distraught, not happy. It was stupid of me to stereotype.
Kelton and his dad made themselves comfortable on the sofa across from us.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I said.
“It’s so good to see you.” Mrs. Maxwell’s voice was angelic. “You’re just as beautiful as ever. More now that you’re a young woman.”
Kelton beamed with pride, as he always had when his mom complimented me. I was flattered but was reminded of my mom. I hadn’t come there to reminisce but to say my piece and, hopefully, move on.
An awkward silence grew as all eyes were on me. I wanted to say thank you. I wanted to slide closer to her. I wanted to feel what it was like to have a woman who I’d considered a second mom at one time in my life put her arms around me, hold me, and tell me everything would be okay. Instead I fidgeted, pushing my back against the armrest, my tongue stuck in place.
“Martin told me about the death of your parents and Gracie. I’m so, so sorry.” Mrs. Maxwell studied me like I was on display at the Miami Aquarium. Then tears pooled in her eyes. “My heart hurts for you.” Before I had a chance to flee, she embraced me, stroking my hair. “Can we do anything for you? Do you need a place to stay? We have plenty of room here.”
I stiffened, not sure what to do. My mind said to let go of the twisted feelings tearing me up inside. My body had different plans. I darted my gaze to Kelton, pinching my eyebrows together so hard it hurt. His eyebrows were deep into his hairline. Of all the thoughts that had run through my head about how my conversation would go, her hospitality had never been on my list. Sure, I’d envisioned her compassion for my plight, but not a warm bed or a place to call home.
She sat back.
I managed to get my tongue working. “Thank you, but I do have a place to stay.”
The fire crackled, spitting up little sparks. Or maybe it was my pulse jumping. I started to play with my earring as tears threatened.
A delicate hand covered mine. “It’s okay. Say what’s on your mind. I’m not going to get upset.” She stole a reassuring look at her husband, who watched with a careful eye, seemingly ready to put out any fires. “I’ve thought long and hard about you and your family, especially Gracie, over the years. Honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to say Gracie’s name without pain searing my heart. It wasn’t her fault, Elizabeth. What happened was never her fault.” Her head moved back and forth ever so slightly.
Kelton dropped his forearms to his knees, burying his face in his hands. Mr. Maxwell continued to watch Mrs. Maxwell and me.
“Yeah, I know. But Gracie didn’t know that. She blamed herself.” Tears stung. Damn it. I had to be strong. I gave myself a mental shake then focused on Mr. Maxwell. “Why? Why didn’t you teach Karen gun safety?”