Page 57 of Heritage of Blood
“I’ll have the chicken salad sandwich and chips, please,” I tell the waitress, and she jots down my order. “Oh, and extra pickles, please.”
“Sure thing. I’ll put that in, and I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The young girl turns to jog back to the kitchen, and Lacy laughs.
“Still obsessed with those things, huh?”
It’s refreshing to hear Lacy’s laugh. Five days ago, I finally called her, willing to explain as much as I could. I told her about my mom, meeting her new boyfriend, and how that impacted me—not totally a lie. I also explained I was working in an office setting and getting back on track after my apartment fire.
Apartment fire—that’s what the news reported. Luka says he didn’t have anything to do with putting a spin on the real story, it’s assumed it was Antonio and his men.
A weight lifted off my chest when she picked up the phone, and we talked for a long time. We made plans for lunch at our favorite sandwich shop, and seeing her sitting across from me, like old times, makes my world right again.
“So, what is new with you? How is the boyfriend?” I ask.
She smiles and shifts her left hand on the table. A small, round-cut gem glimmers on a white gold band.
“Lacy, Oh, my goodness. Why didn’t you tell me?” I grab her hand and watch the ring dance with sparkles, my throat closing with emotion.
“He proposed a week ago. We took a weekend trip upstate to do some hiking, and he popped the question at a small, secluded lake. It wasn’t anything grand, but it was us. I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.”
She is all smiles, and I can’t help but revel in her joy. Lacy deserves all the happiness in the world.
“I’m not sure when the wedding will be. I think we are going to wait while he finishes up his masters, but that’s okay—I’m just excited to have my mom finally off my back about marrying him.”
I chuckle, remembering the day she came into work after having told her parents she moved in with her boyfriend. They weren’t overly thrilled, and pressured her about marriage often.
Eric is getting his master’s degree in journalism while working a full-time job, so they don’t get to spend a lot of time together. It was a point of contention in their relationship for a while, Lacy often coming to work and venting about their most recent argument. I’m happy it worked out for them.
A small sigh escapes my mouth and my mind drifts to Luka. It’s been over a week since we visited Dr. Smith’s clinic and I left there even more unsure than before. The tears that flowed after our visit were months of guilt and shame. When I had gotten into the car, Luka knelt outside it, his hand coming to my cheek to wipe them away.
“Malyshka…” He winced, tracing his thumb over my cheekbone. I don’t know why he calls me that. Every time I think of asking Ilena, I chicken out. The war between wanting to know and being blissfully unaware rages somewhere in my mind.
“Why the tears?” he coaxed. Something about the way Luka was consoling me made me want to open up to him—to trust him.
“It’s emotional to be here. I enjoyed volunteering but had to stop to pick up more hours and events. I’ve been saving for what feels like forever to continue with school.” I glanced up at him to see him tilt his head, listening.
“I went to two years of community college out of high school. It was all I could afford while working at a diner near my house. When I finished, the plan was to go on to a four-year school to complete a DVM program.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the money, and I needed to get a full-time job that paid significantly more. So, I moved to the city and got a job working for Emporium; the unfortunate thing being, the city is much more expensive—it left little room to save.”
Luka listened. There was no pity in his eyes, no overdramatic comforting, or grand gestures; he listened, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“It was my dad’s dream, from before I was even born,” I continued to tell him. “But he met my mom, and they had me. He never got to go back to school. He ended up working at the power plant until he died when I was eleven.” A sob had escaped, and I was sure I looked like a blubbering mess.
“But is it your dream, Kate?” Luka’s words made my breath hitch. He spoke quietly, almost as if he was whispering a secret between us. I hesitated, truly pondering the question.
“Yes. I love animals, I would love to care for them,” I pushed out. “And I think it’s also a way to honor my dad. To pick up where he left off.”
Luka nodded and gave my knee a squeeze before standing and driving us home.
“And what about you, Kate?” Lacy’s words spur me from my thoughts, and I take a sip of the water I must have missed being delivered.
“Hmm?” I ask.
“Anyone special in your life? Are you still seeing Derek?”
“No. Derek and I were never formally an item, only some mutual comfort and high school history rearing its head in the big city.” I laugh, but it tastes bitter.
Physical connection has never been the issue; it’s always been emotional. Getting to know someone’s soul and letting them see yours, that’s the uphill battle. Derek and I never got to that point, and I’m starting to wonder if I ever will. I flirt with the idea of mentioning Luka, but I don’t know what I would say.
The next hour and a half goes by way too fast. Before I’m ready, Lacy and I are parting ways with a hug, promising to keep in touch around our busy schedules. Dmitry and another guard—I can’t remember his name—are patient and waiting for me to say my goodbyes before coming out of the shadows. I didn’t want to explain who they were, so they sat at a table nearby.