Page 10 of Wrecked By You

Actually, I did know. He was a jerk. He was the one who’d said what he said. He was the one who hadn’t answered my calls. Forget him.

I ran an unsteady hand through my hair, wishing I had more job options. I barely had twenty dollars in my bank account after sending the deposit money, and I didn’t know what to do. I was so thankful that Wendy had stocked my fridge and that I could paint to get a break on rent.

Shame filled me. I still didn’t know if I would be able to pay rent. Maybe I could talk to her and work out something else. As mayor, she probably knew of some other jobs.

Maybe I could go work for my mother at the bar? No way. I would leave this town before I did that. Yet where would I go?

I rolled up my black pants and moved to a large rock that was a little way off in the water. It felt so good to be by the lake, hearing the waves lap on the shore. Pushing back the sleeves on my white shirt, I leaned back on the rock; it was long enough that I could fully lay back. I relished the sunlight on my skin. On a day like today, I could imagine that my life was different.

I closed my eyes and began praying. It was really all I had these days. “Dear Lord, I don’t know why I was directed to come back here. But I want to thank you again for Wendy Miller and her mother Willow Harrington. For the shelter and the food. I need help finding a job. You know about Damon. I just couldn’t do it today. I can’t face his judgment.”

Tears threatened, but I sucked in a long breath. I wouldn’t cry and let myself go to that dark mental place. I had to be able to work on this problem. I focused on gratitude.

“Thank you for this beautiful day,” I continued. “Thank you for this lake. Thank you for the sunshine. Please, God, help me figure out what to do next. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep praying on that rock, but I was completely relaxed.

Six

Damon

The day went by more slowly than usual, especially after I saw Isla. It was probably longer because I hadn’t been able to focus well. When she’d run out, my first instinct was to follow her. Yet I didn’t follow that instinct. After all, what was she doing back? And divorced, with no kid? It was a lot to process. The way she had run from me, like I would strike her down, was a lot to process too.

Mrs. Friendly had watched her go and then looked at me. I’d thought she would ask me questions, but she’d only shrugged and said, “I guess we’ll keep looking.”

After work, I drove up to my parents’ home, wishing I could take a bottle of water and pour it over my head to wash away this day. In fact, I sort of wished I didn’t have to drop by my parents’ home, but the boys were waiting for me. Deep down, I knew I had to talk to somebody.

The lights were on, and it was almost nine o’clock, but I saw that there was an unofficial party happening. That didn’t surprise me. My parents’ house was a gathering place. I saw mysiblings’ cars, and I didn’t know if I was in the mood to deal with all of them, but I had to get my boys.

I walked inside and wasn’t surprised to see most everyone gathered around the kitchen table playing cards. It was a pastime that everyone liked, including my boys.

My brother Noah said, “And our trusted sheriff is home.” He threw in a chip and started asking everyone if they were going to fold or play.

My boys got up and ran to me, throwing their arms around me. Jason said, “We don’t have to go home, right?”

Trent held on to my waist. “Yeah, because I’m not tired.” Which actually meant he was tired.

I held them both for a second and then said, “No, I think maybe all of us will stay out here tonight.”

All my siblings and my parents gave me coy looks.

My father said, “Must be something big if you’re going to stay tonight.”

I shrugged and moved toward the kitchen.

My mom hopped up. “Damon, let me heat you up some food.”

I waved her off. “Mom, I got it. You play the game.”

But she threw her cards in and followed me. “Nonsense. You go get washed up, change out of your uniform if you’re staying, and I will heat you up some food.”

Normally, I didn’t stay over, and normally, I wouldn’t let my mom fuss over me. But today was different.

McCrae let out a light whistle. “Did I miss something at work?”

McCrae had taken today off. So I was guessing that there wasn’t a gossip mill going. I hadn’t told anyone at work about being surprised to see her. Apparently, Mrs. Friendly hadn’t said anything.

I didn’t answer; instead, I opted to go up the stairs and down the hallway that led to all the bedrooms. My parents were down on the main floor, but there were rooms for the grandkids, and each of the adults still had their own room.