Page 28

Leah

Leah was sweeping up the glass when her mom came rushing into the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I’ll buy you another one,” she said, looking down at the pieces of the mason jar she’d used for water.

Martha flicked her wrist at Leah. “Don’t worry about that. I’m more worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” Leah said, bending down to sweep the pieces onto the dustpan.

“Yes, I can tell.” Martha put her hand on her hip and stood next to Leah.

When Leah rose, Martha put her free hand on Leah’s arm. “You’re shaking. You’ve got to get it together. Your sister already thinks we’re hiding something from her,” Martha whispered close to Leah’s ear.

Leah leaned back. “What? Why does she think that?”

“Because she said she sees us talking and then stopping when she comes around. She’s not blind, you know.

She can feel that we’re not telling her something, and I think it’s time that all of us unburden ourselves from this secret,” Martha said, practically using the exact same words Leah had been using every time she thought about the secret they were keeping from Nova.

It had indeed become a burden. A bigger one than Leah imagined and one she was tired of holding.

“I know. I’m going to talk with Quinton tomorrow.

We wanted to wait until she started her sessions with Dr. Yvonne, but it looks like we’ll need to go ahead and do it before she hears it from someone else.

It’s already been a risk with Lance coming around.

Not that I think he’d say anything on purpose, but things can slip out. ”

“Is the party in here now?” Nova asked, coming into the kitchen.

“No, I was just cleaning up my mess.” Leah looked around. “Where’s Skye?”

“She ran upstairs to look in my box for some of the old tapes Quinton made for me.” Nova glanced over at Mama. “Do you know if they’re still in there?”

Mama hunched her shoulders. “Chile, I don’t know what’s in that box.

I hadn’t looked at it in years. But Nova, I do want you to be careful what you’re sharing with Skye.

She’s a teenager, and I don’t want her to get caught up in what her parents did and think it’s okay for her to do it too.

” Mom lifted her brows. “You understand what I’m saying, right? ”

Leah agreed with her mom but didn’t feel it was her place to say anything.

In any other situation, she’d have no problem telling someone what they should or shouldn’t share with Skye, but Nova wasn’t just any someone, and Leah had to remind herself of that.

As much as she wished Skye was her biological child, that wasn’t her reality.

“Of course, Ma. All I’m trying to do is bond with my daughter, and this is the most she’s talked to me since we’ve reunited.

And if you’re worried about the marijuana, then you can relax.

I didn’t tell her that part, and I don’t plan to.

Even though she’s around the same age as I was when I first tried it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already tried it too. ”

Mom’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. “Don’t say that. Skye’s a good girl.”

“And I wasn’t?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just ... Just be careful, okay?”

“I know I may not know much about being a parent, but I do think I can figure out what’s appropriate and not appropriate to share. Why can’t you just be happy that we’re getting closer?”

“I am happy about that. You have no idea how happy that makes me. I just don’t want you to overshare, that’s all.”

“I hear you,” Nova said, sounding more frustrated than before.

Leah’s head ping-ponged between her mom and her sister.

She was glad they didn’t try to pull her into their conversation and get her to side with one of them.

She used to hate that. Even if she agreed with Nova, she couldn’t go against her mom.

So, Leah endured Nova’s silent treatment when she decided that Leah was the enemy for not agreeing with her.

The silence never lasted long, though. It hurt Nova more than Leah.

There were times when Leah purposefully upset Nova so she could be quiet for a little while.

“How about we watch a movie? It’s late, and we’re all tired,” Leah intervened.

“You girls go ahead. I think I’ll call it a night.” Mom kissed Leah, then Nova.

“Good night,” Nova and Leah both said.

“So.” Nova leaned over the island. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you alone.”

“Oh yeah? About what?”

“Quinton.”

Leah clutched her hands together, hoping Nova wouldn’t notice how badly they were shaking. Her mom was right. She had to get herself together and fast. “What about him?” she managed to say without the words coming out a jumbled mess.

“He was over earlier today, and I know you’re going to say leave it alone because he’s married, and I get that, but I feel like there could be something still there between us.

” Nova held up both hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not interested in anything romantic.

Nowhere near ready for that, but I think Quinton and I should spend more time together. You know ... just to see.”

“See what? Like you said, he’s married.”

“I know, but . . .”

Leah’s chest tightened. “Nova. You don’t want to put yourself through that.

Let’s focus on what’s important right now like filing the necessary paperwork that shows you’re alive and getting your driver’s license and seeing what career path you want to take.

There are so many other things you should think about right now.

” The words flew from Leah’s mouth so fast that half of them were unexpected.

She just needed to say whatever was necessary to put Nova’s mind off the idea of a Nova–Quinton rekindling.

“Don’t you think I’m focusing on that too?

Quinton was my husband, Leah. He wasn’t just some guy I was seeing.

We didn’t end our relationship. It was snatched away from us, and you weren’t here earlier.

You didn’t see what I saw or felt what I felt.

Quinton still loves me, and I believe a part of me still loves him, too, but we won’t know if we don’t at least spend time together. ”

The room was thick with tension, each word hanging heavier than the last. Leah felt her heart race, her palms sweaty as she listened to Nova pour out her feelings about Quinton—her Quinton.

“And what about his wife?” Leah asked.

“The wife that he’s too ashamed to bring around? That wife?”

“I don’t think he’s ashamed.”

It’s not personal. She doesn’t know it’s you. Leah recited those words like it was an annoying song that she just couldn’t get out of her head.

“Then explain why he hasn’t brought her around. Every time I ask about her it’s another excuse. Sounds like he’s ashamed to me.”

Leah’s mind raced, thoughts colliding painfully into each other. How could she get through to Nova without telling everything? What could she say that would get her to see that a life between her and Quinton could never happen?

“Okay, Nova,” Leah’s voice cracked, frustration and anxiety knotted in her chest as the conversation spiraled. She needed to steer this away, to protect Nova’s heart from the hurt she was sure to follow.

“Why are you getting upset? Is she your friend or something?”

“No. I mean ... it has nothing to do with friendship or anything else. I just think it’s wrong to go after a married man. That’s all.”

“Why do you even care so much? And please don’t tell me you’re still holding some kind of grudge against him like he’s holding against Lance. At some point, both of you are going to have to let the past go and move on.”

“It’s not like that either.”

“Then what is it like? Stop telling me what it’s not like and tell me what it’s like. Tell me what you’re trying to say.”

Leah took a deep breath, her entire body tensed, her voice barely a whisper as she confessed the truth that would change everything. “I’m married to Quinton. I’m his wife.”