“It is mine.” She shrugs and walks to the kitchen.
Indeed, she’s right. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. My road was paved such a long time ago that no amount of good or bad deeds will sway the way. My dear sister made sure of it.
By the time I'm done processing what the hell happened, it's almost two o'clock, and my feet are already hurting. For such a small town, we sure have a lot of people dining in. I clean the tables and refill the waters and coffee for customers before pouring myself a cup. Just when I take my first sip, the door opens, and Justin walks in. A cloud of fury follows him, and I’m preparing for battle.
Sure, it felt like we had a breakthrough yesterday, but I don’t know what to expect today.
“What did you say to her?” He grinds his teeth so hard I can almost hear it.
And we’re back to square one. I sigh. “I just told her to mind her own business.”
“Why would you do that? She has enough shit to deal with!” His raised voice is full of disappointment.
“What the hell, Justin? I don’t give a flying crap if she has stuff on her plate. I got my own stuff too! The only thing I told her was to leave Alicia alone!” I almost yell at him. The show started, and the only thing the regulars in the diner are missing is the popcorn.
He stumbles back. “What are you talking about?”
“No, what areyoutalking about? I thought we were past this already. Stop blaming me for everything!” I smack the counter with my palm for good measure.
“I’m talking about Alicia. What did you tell her?” His voice evens a little.
“What?” Now it’s my turn to be confused. “I didn’t say a word to her, but she sent me on my merry way when I told Ashley to leave her alone.”
Justin’s shoulders sag. He wipes his face with his hand and groans. “Fuck.” I wait to hear what else he has to say because I'm tired of defending myself when I'm not at fault. "Mom called me and said Alicia came home in tears and cried that you know about her secret and now, the whole town knows.”
"She's right; the whole town knows because Ashley stood right there," I point to the bench where the previous event unfolded, "and yelled about it for the whole town to hear."
“Fuck. Fuck!” He says louder.
“Yeah, fuck indeed. Now, since you don’t have a valid reason to rage at me anymore, can you leave? You scared all our customers.” I’m hurt, and I’m tired. I’m so very-verytired. But our customers aren't scared; they're excited. Bloodthirsty bastards.
He presses the heels of his palms into his eye sockets. Looks painful if you ask me.Press harder.“Kayla.” He says quietly.
I lift my hand, preventing him from saying anything that might hurt me more. “No, Justin, I’m truly, wholeheartedly done. With you and with this story. Especially with you.” I shake my head slowly. “We talked about what happened all those years ago. I told you my side of the story. You should have known that I wouldn’t say anything mean to somebody who went through what Alicia went through.” I shake my head. “And yet, you’re so quick to blame me. Again. And again. And again.” Then I add tiredly. “Please, go.” I turn around to go fetch a new pot of coffee.
For a moment there, a day ago, I thought everything was possible. Turns out, not everything.
“Kay…” He says quietly behind me. The short pet name and the tone he’s using almost makes me want to cave in.Almost. “I didn’t know what to think. Alright? I didn’t. My baby sister came home crying after everything she’d been through, and I just” He rakes his hand through his already messy hair. “I didn’t wait for the clarification. I just want to protect my sister.”
Marina comes out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Go home, Justin. Sort out your shit first.” Her eyes are thin, angry slits.
“Kayla.” He calls out, but Marina cuts him off. “Go, Justin. You’ve done enough.” I can see his reflection in the small mirror over the bar. He hesitates for a moment, and then he walks out.
"Thank you," I say quietly to Marina. And even though I'm grateful for her mediation, I'm left wondering where the conversation would go if she hadn't said anything. I kind of understand him, I do, but I have to think of myself too.
“Don’t thank me, honey. If I knew you were done with him, I’d have chopped his balls off a long time ago. He doesn’t deserve you.” A sad chuckle escapes me at her statement. “He doesn’t.” Her voice is firm. “He never did. You’re so much better than him or any of his buddies.” She shakes her head. “You’re much better than most people in general.” She walks to the kitchen. “Now, go back to work,deton’ka. Thisdurakdoesn’t deserve your time.”
I laugh at her calling mea little babyand Justina moron. Phrases I became well acquainted with. She is so Marina. I don’t know what I would do without her in my life.
* * *
I lock up the diner and walk to my car. A big, about six- and half-foot surprise of a bear in human form is waiting for me, leaning on the driver's-side door of my Jeep.
“What are you doing here, Alex?” I ask, stopping in front of him.
“We need to talk, Kayla.” He sighs.
"We really don't." I wait for him to remove his massive body from my door so I can get in. He can be intimidating, but not to me. He never was. I’ve been scared of Justin at certain points in my life, but never of Alex. He just doesn’t have that mean steak that Justin does. That truly evil steak.
