Chapters (38)
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- epilogue
He glanced toward her and grinned, revealing a dimple in his left cheek deep enough to dive into and swim. He held his arms wide and Violet walked straight into them, allowed herself to be enclosed, breathing deeply just behind his right ear. She felt something she’d never felt in her adult life.
Home. She felt home.
She pulled herself away, which was hard to do. It was as if he were gravity itself.
“You work for,” she read the patch on his shirt, “Superior Electric?”
“I own it. We’re about to open a second location in Gasdsen.”
“I am so proud of you, Chet. That’s wonderful.”
“Found something I like to do, and people pay me for it.” he said with a shrug. “I’ve been lucky, and I have a great mentor, old Mr. Harris. Bought the business from him when he retired two years ago.” Chet looked at the floor. “He’s like the father I never had.”
“You have a father, Chet.”
“I’m sorry. I know that sounds awful. My dad was never there for me, Violet. He was physically present sometimes, but so broken by my mother I don’t think he could stand to look at me. She died last year, you know.”
“I’m sorry, Chet.”
“Don’t be. My aunt raised me, and she’s the only mother I need. I’m just glad CeeCee got grown before Betty’s overworked liver finally blew up.”
“How is CeeCee?”
“She’s going to college. Can you believe it?” He grinned down at her, the proud brother.
“No, actually.” Violet tried to imagine a CeeCee beyond the tiny, dirt-smeared urchin she’d known. “What about you, Chet? Is there anyone special in your life?”
He looked out the kitchen window and nodded. “I’m married. My wife’s maiden name is Harris. I guess you can figure out the rest.” He nudged the floor with the toe of his shoe, embarrassed.
Violet placed a hand on his arm. “I’m very happy for you.”
“Well, I’m not real proud of the way it all happened,” Chet continued, “but I have a son who means the world to me. Loretta and I get along pretty well most of the time.” He produced a wallet and showed Violet a studio portrait of a grinning, drooling toddler boy clutching a ball. “That’s Eric. He’ll be two next month.” He flipped to the next photo. “This is Loretta.”
Violet said, “Oh, she’s lovely,” though she had to work to sound sincere. Loretta was a mouse of a girl with a tiny, clenched mouth and sharp nose. Violet tried to imagine her with a smile and failed.
Chet said, “And what about you? Are you still hurting from the accident?” He ran his thumb gently across her cheek, and Violet shivered. “You’re bruised pretty bad, Vi. I bet the car was nearly totaled.”