"Yeah? That's whatyouthink."
As thankful was I was, there was still something I needed to know. "You wouldn't'vereallybroken her arm, would you?"
"I never said I would."
I didn't want to contradict him, especially considering that he'd threatened her onmybehalf. Still, I couldn't let it go. Trying to keep my tone light, I said, "Are you sure about that?"
"I know what I said."
"Right." I hesitated. "And so do I."
"Do you?"
"You, um, threatened to break her arm."
He shook his head. "Nope."
"Sorry, what?"
"I never said that."
At something in my expression, he added, "I told her she'd belookingat a broken arm. Big difference."
I tried not to scoff. "How is that different?"
"I didn't sayI'dbreak it."
"So whatwereyou saying?" I asked. "You'd have someone else break it?"
He looked at me for a long moment before saying, "I don't beat up on girls, if that's what you're asking."
Funny, itwaswhat I'd been asking, but I was too embarrassed to admit it. On top ofthat, his logic was shady at best, and I wasn't blind to the fact that he still hadn't answered my question. Not really.
Would he have someone else break her arm?If so, that seemed like a distinction without a difference.
Before I could try for a better answer, he posed a question of his own. "Who was she?"
"You mean the woman in the red boots?"
"Yeah." He frowned. "Her."
"Well…" I sighed. "She's sort of my aunt, but not really."
"Not really," he repeated, as if wanting more information.
"The thing is," I explained, "she and my mom are really close – like sisters in a way – so I've always had to call her 'aunt,' even though I don't anymore."
"Since when?" he asked.
I gave a nervous laugh. "Since about five minutes ago, actually."
"Good," he said. "And your mom, what'sshedoing?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, she lets her friend treat you like that?" His voice grew just a shade colder. "Why?"
Isodidn't want to say, but he'd done so much for me already that I felt compelled to be honest. "If I had to guess, I think it's probably because she…" I hesitated. "…sort of treats me the same way." I summoned up a tentative smile. "You've met her actually."
