“The day Meghan was hurt was the worst day of my life, Annie. The day I had to go to court like I was a fucking criminal was the second worst. So no, I don’t want to reconnect with Dr. Fiorina. Bad memories, you know?” He hammered another floorboard.

Annie certainly knew about bad memories. “I’m sorry, Kevin.”

“No problem. You didn’t know.”

“Does Mom know the details?”

He nodded again. “She was there. In court. She wanted me to ask Gina out for a drink. Or dinner. Or probably to marry me.”

Annie stifled a laugh. “Are you kidding?”

“Nope. Mom doesn’t want me to be alone. You’re lucky you have John or she’d be trying to hook you up with someone, too. So I’m sorry, but I can’t be your hummingbird. My little drop of whatever won’t be coming to Chappy.”

“Well, maybe the real birds are overrated. They’re cute and fun to watch, but they eat bugs and rotten bananas. Terrible diet, if you ask me.” Annie stood up. “Now, I have to take a shower. You are free to return to laboring.” She bent down and planted a kiss on the top of his head. Then she went upstairs, her heart swollen with sorrow.

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Standing under the pelting hot shower, Annie mulled over Kevin’s history with Gina. She was glad he had explained it; she understood why he didn’t want to get in touch with her. There simply were some memories that no one needed to revisit. Did Larry Hendricks fit into that category?

How she wished Murphy were really there to share a bottle of wine and a long conversation. Among so many things, Annie missed how they’d had each other’s backs, how she’d always felt safe telling Murphy everything. Murphy would have helped her decide if she should call Larry. Annie supposed she could have talked to Kevin, but there were some things a woman could only talk about with another woman, a best friend.

Winnie. The name popped into Annie’s head as if Murphy had dropped it there. If Annie could talk to Winnie, maybe she could unburden her angst about the skull and its far-reaching consequences, about Donna’s situation, and maybe, just maybe, about her reluctance to contact Larry Hendricks when Annie knew damn well he could help. Not that he would.

She quickly finished her shower, then dried and dressed. It was after ten-thirty when she left her room; it had already been a long morning, but Annie knew she needed to keep moving.

Half-hopping down the stairs she called out to Kevin, “Stop hammering!”

He stopped. Because though he was trying his damnedest to sort out his demons, he still was a good brother.