TRISTAN
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you here. It’s still too soon.”
She shakes her head. “It’s not your fault. I feel fine now.” I can taste the lie in the air. Not that that’s a thing I can do. But with her, I always know when she’s lying.
“Was there something amiss? Are you getting memories back?” I’m hopeful, but I know that’s not likely. We didn’t spend much time on that side of The Diner.
She shakes her head, her fiery red hair falling into her face with the motion. “Listen,” she sighs. “I just have a feeling. And it’s strange, I can’t shake it.”
“A feeling?” I count to three as I wait for her to decide if she wants to tell me or not.
“Yeah. I don’t know what to make of it. Something just doesn’t sit right with me.” She shrugs and I let it go. She’s not going to say anything if she’s not ready.
“Okay, where to next?” I ask.
“I can go for some ice cream.”
I grin. Comfort food. I wonder if she had a vision and doesn’t know what to make of it? She always wants comfort food after one of those.
“Alright, we can stop at Lucky’s. It’s about an hour from here, and you love their chocolate kit-kat ice cream.”
Her eyes light up at the mention of her favorite treat. “That sounds like me alright.” She giggles then sits back and sighs. “Tristan, what did I do for work? Do you think they would take me back? I’m ready to go back.”
I freeze. That’s not at all what I was expecting to come out of her mouth. “What?”
She turns to face me. “I’m mobile again. Completely without assistance. I want, no, I need to get back out there and work. You won’t let me pay for things other than what is scheduled, because you say I’ll dwindle my savings. I don’t want to be someone who relies on others to purchase stuff for me. I want to help in any way I can. More than I am right now. I want to go back to work. I want to be out and meet new people. Have a social life again. I’ve been out of work for three very long years. I’m ready.”
I honestly don’t know what to say to that. “We can talk to your doctor about it. See what she says about returning back to work. I don’t think your job is an issue, though, since you were an online based shop. You are the owner of your own wiccan supply store.”
She cocks her head to the side in an animal-like gesture. “I did what now?”
Well, the ball’s been thrown. Let’s see if she makes the hit. “You used to sell stones and crystals, and smudge sticks, candles, along with anything else wiccan related.” I pause. “I’ve been sort of running it for you while you recover. I do all the shipping and purchasing of more items. That’s why your account isn’t empty after living off of it so long.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me this?”
I shrug. “Some months you barely made enough to cover your part of the rent. Before the accident you were great at finding ways to help increase sales, but it was stressful. I didn’t want to burden you with it while you recovered.”
She nods. “Thank you.” After a long pause she asks, “Where do you keep all of my stock?”
I grin. “A warehouse. It’s paid for in profits, and there’s no other charges to get in and out of there.”
“Hmm.” She stares out the window a moment then asks me another question. “Can you take me there?”
I shake my head, holding my hand up to stop her when I see her open her mouth to protest. “You need to be cleared by your doctor first. Then I will take you there. Deal?”
She sighs. “Fine. But only because I know I need to be cleared from the doctor before I do anything new. But once she says I’m good, we’re heading straight there from the hospital.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t dream of keeping you away from your baby.”
She grins. “Wow. A business owner. I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. You’re amazing.”
“Thanks, Tristan. That made my whole day.”
“You’re welcome.”
A few minutes go by in silence. I know she’s working over everything she’s learned, and the silence isn’t awkward.
I’m stunned when she turns to me and asks, “Am I into the occult?”
“Um, what?”
“You said I have a whole store based on wiccan supplies; do I practice that religion? Do I praise the devil or do I pray to God?”
“You pray to the Goddess. You do not worship the devil, and yes, you used to practice the wiccan religion.”
Her eyes bulge out of her head. I wish we were having this conversation in a place where I can sit and watch her reactions. As it is, I’m driving and can only get a glimpse before I have to put my eyes back on the road.
“Why wouldn’t you tell me this?” She holds her hand up. “Don’t, I already know. I was recovering, blah blah blah. Fine, but if that was my religion, why wouldn’t you inform me sooner so I’m praying to my Goddess rather than God?”
“I didn’t think about it. I’m sorry.” I really am. I didn’t realize she’d be bothered by me keeping that from her. And I didn’t know if that was something I was allowed to tell her.
I sigh. “I really screwed this up.”
She places her hand on mine. “You didn’t. I know it’s been three years, but it’s not all bad. I learned a lot about myself today. It’s not your fault that you are dealing with me not remembering everything. I can imagine it’s hard to know what will stress me out and what won’t. I’m not upset with how you told me.”
I give her a small smile. “Thanks. It’s been hard, but not horrible. And you’re right, it’s like dodging bullets trying to figure out what will make your recovery go smoothly or not.”
“Tristan, were we ever a couple?”
This is one of those times where I imagine if I was at a table drinking anything it would come out of my nose as I snort in surprise at the question. “What?” I ask. “Kay, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re like my sister. Nothing has ever happened between us, and nothing like that will.”
She exhales a relieved sigh. “Thank the Goddess.” She pauses briefly as she processes what she just said and then plows right on. “I’m sorry, it’s weird not knowing. I didn’t want to assume anything. I needed to ask. I just never had the nerve to do so before now.”
I laugh. “Keasia, you never have to be worried about asking me anything. I promise you this, I will not take offense. You’re my sister in every way except blood. Be ruthless, you were before.”
She arches a brow. “I was ruthless?”
“Gods above, yes. You were the type of person to shoot first and ask questions later. Not always a bad thing and not always a good thing, but it was you.” I shrug. “I miss it. But if this meek you is who you are now, I can live with it.”
“I have to find myself first to know who I truly am now. I’m worried that I was that person you remember. But I don’t want me to be so different to make you view me as less.”
“Kay, you are more than how I described you. That wasn’t how you always were. That was just extreme circumstances. Anyway, I’ll love you no matter what.”