“You’re lying.”
She turns on me, her eyes filled with tears. “How does it feel?”
“It was an omission.”
“It’s lying! You didn’t tell me he was sick!”
“The tremor’s gotten worse since I saw him a few weeks ago.”
“So what? You didn’t think I’d notice? Doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t tell me!”
“The last thing that man wants is your pity. Trust me.”
“You should have told me.” She’s on the verge of bursting and I can feel the crack inside her. “Harper, I don’t understand. Are you angry I didn’t tell you or that you have to look at him?”
“Are you kidding me right now?” She practically shouts, but I don’t flinch. We’re too far from the table for anyone to hear.
“I’m dying inside just watching him.” Tears fill her eyes and quickly soak her face. “That poor man.” She points past my shoulder. “Is it early-onset Parkinson’s?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“And this is why the ranch is in trouble?”
“Yes. I mean we’ve always been hand to mouth but, yeah, it’s gotten dire since his symptoms have worsened. We can’t afford help or the medical bills. It takes him three times as long to do the work now. Trevor helps, but he’s only fourteen, and well, he’s Trevor.”
“Jesus,” she sniffs. “You could have told me, prepared me.”
“I didn’t realize you would care so much.”
“Care? I’m in love with them already from what you’ve told me and now being here,” she says, her face falling so far I feel it in my bones. I move to gather her to me, but she shakes her head. “Don’t, I’ve already ruined my makeup, if you touch me, I’ll lose it.” Her eyes burn with more tears. “I’m sorry. I’ve embarrassed myself. They probably know something’s wrong by now. You should have told me. I don’t want your dad to know I’m upset.” She furiously wipes away her tears as I stand there feeling like the shit I am. I should’ve told her. There’s no excuse.
“I’ll be right back.”
“What? No!”
“Trust me.”
Her glossy eyes find mine. “Do I have a choice?”
“No.” I make my way back to the table. Mom is fully aware when our eyes meet, but the rest of the family is clueless. “She’s, uh, got an upset stomach, so let’s give her a minute.”
“Got some Pepto in the cabinet, son,” my mother says, passing me a message, sympathy pooling in her expression.
“On it.”
I make my way back to Harper and see her eyes water over again. “I told them you had a stomach ache.”
“Great, now everyone thinks I have the shits.”
I burst out laughing, and she slaps my chest. “God, you are in so much trouble.” She pulls me to her and cries in my neck. “I hate you so much right now.”
“Harper, I’m getting whiplash.”
She sniffs, bringing her face to mine, her cheeks splotched. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t happening to me. It’s you. Your dad, your family, I just…”
“Well, you’re a drama queen.”
She musters a smile. “Exactly.” Her face falls, and I chuckle when she starts blubbering again.