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Annie was going to be great. She fought for what she wanted in life. So
much wasted talent.
“Sometimes I wish it was me instead, too.” I look up, seeing him still
asleep.
He’d said that to me one night when we’d gotten in each other’s face,
and I’d been hurt, despite how I acted like I wasn’t. I knew he didn’t mean
it, but I do know he’d be happier still having the one child of his he had a
good relationship with.
With me, what does he have?
But I can’t let him go. Annie is in him, she’s in this house, and we’re
her family. We have to stay that way.
“We’re never going to have a relationship like you and she had, but I’m
here.”
I stand up and quietly start clearing off the cluttered table, heading to
the kitchen to do the dishes.
“Hey,” Dane calls, and I look up, seeing him walk back out of the gate at
the Cove and head toward me.
“I’ve been texting you,” he says.
“Yeah, I saw.” I slam the truck door and reach into the bed of the truck,
taking out some boxes.
After cleaning the kitchen at home, I’d opened some windows to air the
house out while I threw in a load of laundry, sorted through the mail, took
out the garbage, and cleaned up my bedroom. Which is pretty impressive,
because I never do that.
I’d covered my dad with a blanket, and hopefully, when I bring
groceries home tomorrow, he will be okay with me being back.