Page 78 of Together Again

“I agree. With calling the hospital, I mean. As for the long day, why don’t you come back to bed? We’ll sort the clothes out in the morning before she’s up.” He put his arms around my waist and reached up for a kiss.

“Hmm, sounds like a great idea,” I said, melting into his mouth.

“Nuh huh, none of that. You will get back to your duties as my big spoon, and we’re going to sleep.”

“If we must.”

When I woke again, daylight was streaming from a small gap in the curtains, but I didn’t need the light to know I was alone in bed. My phone told me it was nine-thirty. When did I ever sleep until so late?

I got dressed and left the room to find Isaac. I could smell freshly brewed coffee, so I knew he would be in the kitchen. Lucy came out from her room at the same time as me. She was still wearing the bathrobe.

“Morning,” I said and was happy to see a small smile.

We walked to the kitchen together. Isaac must have gone out before we were up because there was a full continental breakfast on the table together with fresh bread.

He smiled wide when he saw me and Lucy by the archway and then gave me the sexiest wink.

“Lucy, here are your clothes. They’re all clean. Is this all you have?”

“No, I have a suitcase in a locker at the train station.”

“Right, well get dressed then.”

She took the clothes and disappeared toward the spare room. She was back less than two minutes later. Her rucksack in hand.

“Do you drink coffee, Lucy?” Isaac asked, not noticing she seemed ready to leave.

Lucy paused but then nodded and placed the rucksack by the stool she sat on.

I put a coffee in front of her and she took it, adding sugar and cream.

“You Americans are weird,” Isaac said, “adding cream to coffee.” He shook his head and shuddered like it was the most horrendous thing ever.

“Where are you from?” Lucy asked.

“I’m from Portugal.”

“My mom’s parents were from Puerto Rico, but she was born here, like me.”

“Do you have any other family?” I asked.

“No, I think my grandparents died before I was born. I only have Dad now.” She paused. “Well, I guess you’re my half-brother, so you’re family, right?”

“Right.” I nearly choked on a piece of bread. “You said you found those documents two weeks ago. Did you run away from home?”

“Yes. I didn’t run straight away. He’d been worse than before, so I was trying to find money in his office. That’s why I was there.”

“What do you mean he’d been worse?”

“Dad used to ignore me, just like his wife, but after I turned sixteen, he started picking on everything I did. The first time it happened, I’d been studying in my bedroom; I forgot about dinner and then had a shower before going straight to bed. I had a test the next day and was nervous about it.”

“The first time what happened?”

“The first time he hit me.” She looked down at her half-eaten food, and it was then I realized where her bruises had come from. I dug my nails in my palms to stop myself from smashing something.

“It had been such a long time since I’d heard him raise his voice.”

I knew what she meant. It had been a long time since she’d heard him and her mom argue.