Accidental Shield

My lip tucks into my teeth. My heart splinters, caving in a few more pieces.

“I can’t imagine. This world is full of all kinds,” I say, fighting the urge to ask him if he’d loved her.

None of my business, clearly, but I’m curious.

“It’s hell sometimes,” he says. “But there are plenty of good people around too. I’ve always done my damnedest to make sure my boy turns out to be one more of them.”

That warms my heart.

Especially when I turn and see Bryce back on shore, running toward us, with Savanny close behind on his heels. “Hey, Dad, I’m getting hungry. Is there anything for a snack?”

“Sure.” Flint stands up and then turns to me. “Sandwiches okay with you?”

I shrug, and then grin. “I’m hardly in a position to have much input on anything. Wow me, chef.”

“If you don’t like sandwiches, I’ll make you something else.” He holds out his hand to me.

I grasp it and use his grip to help me get on my feet. “I like sandwiches just fine.”

He releases my hand and picks up the towel.

“Good. So does Bryce.” Smiling at his son, he shakes the stray sand out of the towel before rolling it up.

“She’ll like ’em. Your sandwiches are the best, Dad.” Wrinkling his nose, Bryce adds, “Grandma’s, not so much. Her bread has those weird seeds in it.”

Both Flint and I laugh.

“Seriously,” Bryce says. “Real seeds. Big ones. Not the little kind on hamburger buns. It’s hard to even eat without a bird trying to steal it right out of my hand.”

“We believe you,” Flint says as we walk to the house.

Carrying his board, Bryce runs past. “Don’t ever buy that bread!”

“Already in the cupboard with your name on it, little man!” Flint shouts in his wake. “Those seeds are good fiber.”

He winks at me. I laugh at both of them, and giggle again when I see Savanny running after Bryce, kicking up the sand with his hind legs. At least one of us is happy today.

The cat stays with Bryce while I help Flint chop up meat and veggies. He makes these big classic club-type sandwiches on steroids with sides of fresh fruit.

We’re just sitting down to eat when Cash arrives out of the blue.

He walks in and hands Flint a package, asking Bryce about his stay at the resort before he turns to me.

“How are things today?” he asks, his green eyes serious.

“Just fine,” I say, glancing at Flint. He’d probably called Cash and told him I found out the marriage was a lie.

“Any pain or new issues I should know about?”

I shake my head.

He looks at Flint, who also shakes his head.

“All righty, then, I’m heading back to my office.” He grabs one of the sandwiches still on the platter in the center of the table. “Thanks for lunch.”

“Thanks for the delivery,” Flint says.

Taking a huge bite off his sandwich, he leaves with a shrug, chewing loudly.

We eat the rest in peace. Bryce steers most of the conversation, telling us about the scavenger hunt he and his grandmother ‘aced’ at the resort. After we’re done eating and the kitchen gets cleaned up, Bryce asks if he can play a video game.

Flint gives him permission. As soon as he’s left the room, Flint picks up the package Cash left behind.

“Special delivery. This is yours, Val.”

“What is it?”

“A new phone. A guy that used to work for me set it up for you. He was able to rig up the encryption and some kind of mobile VPN to keep your shit private. He went through and dredged up your usernames and passwords on a couple of your old social media sites. The only numbers on it are mine and Cash’s. We’re the only ones who have your number, too.”

“Seriously?” I open the envelope and pull out the phone, then look up at him, not sure what to say. I’m not sure how I feel about it, either, knowing someone hacked my entire online footprint so easily.

He shrugs. “Thought it might help you remember. Just be careful.”

“Thanks.” A part of me wants to dive right into my accounts, see if anything helps jog my memory, while another part of me isn’t so sure.

Maybe a little mystery right now is the safest bet.

“You’re welcome.” He walks around the center island. “I’ll be with Bryce if you need anything.”

I nod, watching him walk into the living room, and then hear him head upstairs to the second floor. Carrying the phone, I go back outside and sit on one of the lounge chairs.

My mind goes a million places.

He’s giving me free rein, trusting me with a key to my past.

Taking a deep breath, I click on the blue Facebook icon. Scrolling through my newsfeed, it seems to be nothing but copied and pasted videos and memes. Then I click on the profile pics of a few people, but nothing really clicks in my mind.