Page 64 of The Impossible
I ended up spilling the beans, telling her everything that had been going on from the day of the wedding to TJ trying to kill me at the hospital and Hondo telling me what Otto had found out about our family. It was a lot, and funny enough, she didn’t seem shocked.
“Not only is that a lot, but I told you something was up. I told you,” she repeated.
“Well, it was confirmed. I just hate that when I talked to dad he seemed so oblivious that it was believable.” I nodded.
“You probably don’t remember, but the first time Mom took us off the compound, she was crying. That night I stayed up late because Aunty Luna’s mattresses were hard to sleep on. I overheard her telling Dad that she didn’t trust Shamus. It was right after Grandma died. She knew something wasn’t right about him and she put her fears and trust into her husband’s hands, who ultimately let her down. Even he couldn’t protect her from his father. He isn’t oblivious, he just acts like he doesn’t know shit.”
I nodded because she put it all into perspective.
“So what is Hondo going to do with them? Because they deserve to be punished for all of this.”
“That, I don’t know, and I honestly don’t care. I asked myself how I’d feel in a world without them, and if I’d have some sort of anger toward my husband, and the truth is, I wouldn’t. From the moment everything started happening, he’s been ten toes down, handling every situation and ensuring my safety, as well as yours for me. He has to do what he has to do and it won’t make me love him any less.” I shrugged.
“Damn, that’s some deep ass love. When I grow up, I want it just like that, no chaser.” She laughed.
“You’re a mess.”
“That I am, but hopefully being back here and not having to look over my shoulder every minute of the day will help me sort through that. I gotta find myself again, and what better place to look than home?”
“And you take all the time you need.”
“I definitely will. Maybe that brother-in-law of mine can introduce me to an oil tycoon or something and I could live in a palace and be loved on just like you.”
“Oh, so we’re back on men?”
She laughed, falling back against the bed. “Never left them. Sexuality is fluid, and honestly, I feel like women don’t set out to hurt you while men live in their hoe phase.”
I nodded, deciding not to ask her to explain any deeper. “Everybody has a hoe phase, but I get it. I’m really glad you’re here.”
“I am too. Thank you for being you, seriously Pat.”
“Stop thanking me, Paige. You’re my sister and I’m here for you. Especially since it seems like I’ma have a lil live-in auntie situation.”
“Bitch, you’re gonna have a nanny. Calm down.”
“Oh no. I don’t want a bitch in my house who may wanna do more than care for my child. I watch too much Lifetime Movie Network.”
She busted up laughing. “You know what, I feel you.”
She and I talked for a while longer before I was due for a nap. I could tell by the random yawning and desire to lay down.
My eyes were closed for all of what felt like ten minutes when I heard my phone ringing. I lifted it to my face, looking at the screen.
It was a FaceTime request from Otto, which I found to be strange, but I answered immediately. He called to check in these days, but never requested to FaceTime.
“Sis, I was just driving up the road and found a cage with four fucking dogs in it. They don’t look dead, but they don’t look too good,” he explained, right before he flipped the camera.
He aimed it at a black iron cage sitting on the side of the road in the grass.
I sat up immediately. “Otto, where are you?”
“’Bout three blocks from the house. I was on my way to meet Hon when I saw it.”
“Oh dang. Are you gonna take them t—” I started to speak but he interrupted me, hype as hell.
“Yeah, I didn’t know what to do so I called the only other animal lover I know. I’m on the way over there. I’ma scoop them up and sit them in the basket in my trunk,” he said with the straightest face I had ever seen.
“Otto. I’m not a vet.”
