Kelton jerked up, caution blanching his face.
Mr. Maxwell scratched the back of his head. “I’ve been asking myself that question for the last seven years.” He gazed at the fire then back to me. “I wish I could change the past. Unfortunately I can’t. I take full responsibility for what happened that day.” Pain and suffering washed over his features and doused his tone. He stood and padded over to the fireplace. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. For that day. For Gracie. For your parents.” His voice shook.
A tear ran down my cheek. I wished I could change the past too.
Mrs. Maxwell rose gracefully. “It’s okay, Martin.” She reached up with dainty fingers to touch his unshaven jaw.
He angled his chin down from his six-foot height, gazing at her like she was his everything. No doubt she was. Then he wrapped his arms around her. “I love you.” He said those three words as though he hadn’t said them in years.
More tears poured out as I witnessed so much love between them. I was envious. I hated that I couldn’t see my parents embracing each other ever again. I wanted what Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell had—love, a family, someone who would love me back.
In a flash, Kelton was on his feet, skirting the glass coffee table before taking his mom’s spot. Then he wiped a tear from my cheek with the tips of his fingers.
I glanced up into cloudy blue eyes. We didn’t need to speak. We both hurt. His parents hurt. I didn’t want to feel the pain of death anymore. I just didn’t know how to make the suffering stop.
“Can I have a minute alone with Elizabeth?” Mr. Maxwell asked.
“I should get the table set,” Mrs. Maxwell said. “Kelton, can you help me?”
“I won’t be far.” He kissed my head before following his mom.
The fire danced, the shadows playing across Mr. Maxwell’s drawn features.
“Thank you for saying all that,” I whispered. “I’ve been so angry with you.”
He scraped a hand along his chin as he came to sit down next to me. “There are so many things I replay in my head about Karen. She always wanted to be like the boys. I know you won’t understand this until you have children, but she was my little princess. I couldn’t bring myself to see her with a gun. I know it doesn’t make up for anyone’s loss.” He grasped my hands. “We want to help you in any way we can. Mrs. Maxwell and I always adored you and Gracie. We considered you family. We still do.” Immense pain weaved through his tone.
I lowered my gaze to our joined hands, my anger slowly dissipating. A tear dropped, splashing on his fingers. “It was an accident.” Even if he had taught Karen gun safety, Gracie still might have shot Karen. “Mrs. Maxwell seems to be taking the news of Gracie’s death and that of my parents well.” I’d expected her to react a bit differently considering everything she’d been through.
“She surprised me too when I broke the news to her. Again, I’m sorry.” He scooted closer and hugged me. I sucked up the strength in his arms much like I had with my father when I’d needed a shoulder to cry on. At that thought, I wept. I missed my mom, dad, and Gracie. I tried not to feel sorry for myself. I tried to think of all the good times, but death had a way of overshadowing all that was good in my life. I cried harder when he tightened his hold. Hopefully Dillon was right. Maybe now I could see a future that included the black-haired, blue-eyed cockroach. Provided Kelton wanted me.
17
Kelton