Chapter 34

“I don’t know. I thought for sure she’d be gone by now, but she hasn’t said anything about leaving.”

“Have you talked to her?”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. I’m afraid that if I say anything about Wayne or ask how long she’s planning to stay, she’ll get upset.”

Eric laughed. “God, your family is so genteel. No wonder you’re the way you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on, Patrick. You’re harder to read than a Chinese puzzle sometimes.”

Eric’s statement took me by surprise. Sure, I wasn’t the most emotional guy, but I didn’t think I totally suppressed my feelings either.

“I’m not hard to decipher,” I said, trying to defend myself. “I say what I mean.”

“You do…sometimes. Other times, I tie myself in knots trying to figure out how you feel about something.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was being so evasive.”