Darius didn’t want to wait. He wanted to walk through the door, return to his cubicle, and lose himself in work. He was thirty-four years old. He didn’t want to be the rope in his parents’ tug-of-war anymore.
“What is it?” He spoke over his shoulder.
“I want to be on the committee, too.”
Darius briefly closed his eyes, praying for patience. “Why?”
“Your father’s on it. It’s not fair to exclude me.”
Darius faced her. “This committee is not the place for you and Dad to work out your marital problems.”
“You care more about your father than you do about me. You’re not even thinking about me.”
Darius rubbed his eyes. “Guilt has never worked on me.”
“Please, Darius. I need to do something. I’m going crazy in that house by myself.”
Peyton had been right—and he’d never been more unhappy. “All right. But the first time you and Dad argue during a meeting, you’re both out.”
Ethel’s features brightened. Her eyes shone. Darius blinked at her transformation. He wasn’t used to seeing her happy.
“Just make sure you tell your father that.” She rose from her chair and crossed to him. His mother put a hand on his shoulder. Beneath her palm, his muscles bunched.
Still surprised by her smile and her touch, Darius couldn’t form a response. In silence, he followed his mother from the room. He once again ignored his coworkers’ curiosity as he escorted Ethel down the hall.
“When is the committee meeting?” Ethel buttoned her coat and tugged on her hat.
“We haven’t scheduled one yet. I’ll contact you when we have the information.” Darius stopped in front of his cubicle.
“All right. Good luck with your deadline.” Ethel patted his shoulder again, then disappeared.
What had just happened? Darius sat at his desk. Ms. Helen had advised him to help his parents find a way to forgive each other. Maybe having them serve on the committee was his Trinity Falls miracle. Was it possible this fundraiser for t
he community center would help his family? But at what cost?
CHAPTER 16
Darius found himself knocking on Peyton’s door Monday evening. It wasn’t a conscious decision to come here. His car had just pointed itself in this direction and taken him to Peyton’s apartment.
“What’s wrong?” She opened the door, stepping back to let him in.
She’d freed her hair from its constricting bun. The thick, curly waves vibrated around her heart-shaped face. Her blue-and-white Heritage High School sweatshirt was baggy on her small frame in contrast to her navy yoga pants.
“Why do you think something’s wrong?” Darius watched as Peyton closed and locked her front door.
“Well, first, you’re here.” Her eyes sparkled at him as she reached for his coat.
Darius stripped off his black topcoat and handed it to her. “Thank you.”
“Make yourself comfortable.” She gestured toward her furniture as she disappeared through a door off the living room.
Darius’s wandering gaze found a small Christmas tree on a circular table beside her entertainment center. He nodded toward it when she returned without his coat. “When did you put that up?”
“Sunday night.”
“Why did you get it?”
Peyton looked up in surprise. “It’s Christmas.” She gestured for him to sit on the sofa.