Another stupid tear slipped from the corner of my eye. Quickly wiping it away, I forced a smile.
“Goodbye, Thano.”
The trooper started for his truck as I followed.
By the time I got to the car, I lost all control of my emotions and began crying. When the trooper opened the door to the back seat, he lightly took a hold of my arm. “Are you sure everything is okay?”
I nodded. “The only thing that’s wrong is I was foolish enough to open my heart up again. He didn’t do anything to hurt me, I swear.”
He didn’t say a word. Just a small head nod as he held the door open for me to slip in.
The trip down the mountain was nerve wracking and probably the longest drive of my life. By the time I got home, a small amount of snow covered the streets. With the streets empty and the lights shining on it, it almost looked magical.
“Are you okay, Kilyn?”
During our drive, I made friends with Trooper Joe. He was married, with three boys, all under five. His wife was his best friend and they had been high school sweethearts.
“I am. Thank you so much, Joe. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
He walked me up to the door and flashed me an adorable smile. “Nonsense. It’s my job to help people.”
My phone vibrated in my hand, but I didn’t dare look at it.
Joe nodded and turned to leave as I unlocked the main door to my apartment building.
“Hey, Kilyn?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I asked, “Yes?”
“Give him a chance to explain. He looked like his whole world collapsed when you walked out of his house.”
I doubt it.
With a forced smile, I nodded. “I will. Night, Joe.”
“Good night, Kilyn. Good luck with everything.”
I watched as he walked back to his Chevy Tahoe. “Be careful!” I called out. Not really caring that it was almost five thirty in the morning and I was yelling out.
When my phone vibrated again, I lifted it to see Thano’s number. My finger hovered over the answer button. When it stopped ringing, I slipped it into my back pocket and made my way into the building.
I STARED OUT the window while my mother went on and on about someone coming over for dinner. It had been almost a week since I’d talked to Kilyn. She had emailed me the plans she drew up for the cabin. When I called her office, Kasey told me Kilyn had taken a few days off and wouldn’t be in until next week. If I needed anything, Claire should be able to help.
“You’re a million miles away, Athanasios.”
Lifting my head up, I smiled at the sight of my grandmother. “Yiayia, look how beautiful you look.”
She made a spat sound three times on herself before reaching her arms out for me. “When am I going to get some great-grandchildren? I’ll be dead soon, I’d like to meet them, you know.”
I held back a smile and kissed her on the forehead.
“You see, Mama, I told you. He is stubborn. He wants to see me suffer.”
Rolling my eyes, I glanced outside to see Thad walking up with a group of people. “Who is that with Thad?”
My mother clapped her hands and cried out, “They’re here! Quickly, Athanasios, walk your Yiayia into the dining room and help her get seated.”
My grandmother pulled her arm from mine and shot my mother a dirty look. “I’m not dead yet. I can walk myself to the food.”
Turning to me, she asked, “Have you been eating? You look too thin. Come to me tomorrow, I’ll make you a good old-fashioned Greek dinner.” Leaning in closer, she whispered, “Your Mitera doesn’t cook as well as I do.”
Peeking over to my mother, she hadn’t heard her mother dissing her. Deciding to go along with her, I nodded. “Sounds good, Yiayia.”
We both walked into the dining room as everyone else was piling in. Thad caught my eye and I swear he looked like someone had kicked him in the balls.
He walked up to me and said, “Mom’s friends. From Greece. I just picked them up at the airport. Heads up, the one in red . . . she’s your betrothed.”
My head jerked back. “What the fuck?”
Everyone turned and looked at me. I swear, if my mother was able to shoot daggers from her eyes, I’d be dead right now.
“Athanasios, your mouth. Do I need to wash it out with soap?”
The girl in red looked at me and smiled. She was pretty. Very pretty, but I wasn’t the least bit interested in her.
“Sit, sit! Let’s eat!” my mother called out as the group didn’t even have a chance to be introduced.
By the time the food was served, I was introduced to my mother’s best friend’s family. Seeing as this was the first time I’d ever heard of this best friend, needless to say, I was a bit surprised to learn that her youngest daughter, Karen, and I used to play endlessly when we were younger.