Chapter 25

My heart was racing again. I felt more exposed than I had bare-ass naked. I had never revealed anything about my past love life to my sister and Rip. The bruises were most often hidden. I wore long pants and long sleeves when it was hot and refused to remove my pirate eye patch one Halloween. The soreness that resulted from Tom lashing out I would blame on exercise or a small accident. As far as my family knew, I was the one who ruined the relationship, by never wanting to go out, by always being depressed. “Can we talk about something else?” I asked. “Tell me about your oak tree, the one you and Calvin planted.”

Are you certain you’ve said all you wish to?

“Absolutely. Yes.”

Then I shall go on. If you wish to interrupt, please do. You and your thoughts and words already matter to me, Goose.

I was nearly overcome. “Thank you. Tell me about your tree. Please.”