Page 92 of Dare You to Run

With a deep breath I tell her, “Well, I wanted to spend the weekend on the ranch, show Hendrix around if that’s okay.”

“Of course it is.” Mom meets us halfway into the hallway and wraps me in a hug and places a kiss on my cheek.

“And I,” Hendrix clears his throat. “Wewant to talk with you and Dad. Is he here?”

“He is,” she draws out with a curious eye. “Let me text him and we’ll talk.”

She knits her eyebrows and turns to walk back into the den.

“Where’s AJ?” I ask.

“Nap. There’s some banana bread on the island that I made this morning.” She points to the platter with freshly sliced bread that I usually love.

Right now, the thought of eating makes me a little queasy.

Mom pulls her phone from her pocket to text Dad, and Hendrix leans in and whispers, “I better have a slice of that as it may be my last meal.”

I smack his stomach with the back of my hand and he laughs. I get a napkin, place a slice of bread on it, and slide it over to him.

“So Hendrix,” Mom calls out. “Did you drive into Waco?”

“No ma’am. I flew into Dallas yesterday and Dagen picked me up.” He quickly shoves a chunk of bread in his mouth and moans.

“I know,” I agree “It’s the best.”

“Are you not having any, sweetheart?” Mom looks at me with a piercing stare that makes me squirm.

“I, uh, had a big breakfast. I’ll be sure to have some later.” I pat Hendrix on the arm and walk to the fridge, opening it and getting water for the two of us.

I quickly crack mine open, and take a few chugs to quench my parched mouth. It feels like I’ve been sucking on balls of cotton, it’s so dry. Mom continues to talk to Hendrix and I play over the words I’ve rehearsed a hundred times since last night. I just know that the minute the first one leaves my mouth, I’m going to choke and cry.

I zone out and only come to when I hear my name being called. “Dagen?”

I blink and look around the kitchen to see Hendrix, Mom and now Dad all staring at me.

“Sorry. I was just…I zoned out for a minute.” I give my head a little shake. “Hi Daddy.”

“Hey baby bird.” He holds his arms wide and I slide into them.

His hug is warm and comforting, and he smells offresh air and sunshine. I can’t help the tears that begin to fall.

“What’s wrong, Day?” The concern in his voice is evident.

I sniff and lie, “I just missed you.”

He folds his arms around me and places his hand behind my head. “I missed you too.”

We stand like that for another minute. “Want to sit down?” Mom asks.

I shake my head and Dad holds my hand as we walk over to the couch. I release his hand and grab Hendrix’s, sitting us down on the leather sofa. I scoot close, gripping his hand with a white knuckle hold, and blink away my tears.

Mom and Dad sit on the chair facing us, Dad sitting with Mom resting on the arm of her chair and placing her hand on his shoulder.

“What’s going on, Dagen? Is everything okay?” Dad wonders.

“Yeah. Things are, well I–they–” I look at Hendrix and he gives me a small nod, encouraging me to go on. “So, you know how when I left here after finding out about…her,” I refuse tospeak that woman’s name ever again. “I didn’t really take much with me. Thank god I already had my phone and my driver’s license in my pocket or I would have really been in trouble.”

Dad looks at me and rolls his hand, telling me to move it along.