Page 130 of Someone Like Me
When we reach Mrs. Vivian’s car, I hand over the keys.
“Are you going to come back here after you drop me off?”
Drew doesn’t meet my gaze as he puts on his seatbelt. “Yes. I don’t feel welcome, but I’m not there for anyone else but Grandma Q.”
“Good,” I tell him. “And for the record, I don’t think you’re unwelcome. Judging by the body language of Annie and your aunts, I think your mom’s attitude makes them uncomfortable. If anyone’s unwelcome, it’s her.”
It’s not evolved to take a little pleasure in this. I should forgive Lottie Moroux for her misplaced anger and grief. And if I really think about it, I do. Sort of. But she’s hurt Drew. For years. And I can’t help the flush of hostility that inspires.
Drew starts the car and navigates it through the parking lot.
I can’t explain it, but thinking about Lottie Moroux’s rejection of her son makes my parents’ acceptance of him that much more important to me. I want him to feel welcome. To feel he has a place to belong.
A family.
Without even having to think about it, I know that I’ll only be spending Christmas with my family if Drew is welcome there too. I meant what I said to my parents. They need to give Drew a chance. Get to know him.
If they would just replace the scary picture they have of him with the real Drew, I know they would grow to love him. Who wouldn’t?
He’s soulful, yet silly. He’s strong, yet so vulnerable. He’s loyal.
If they had any idea how protective he is of me, they’d at least have to respect the man.
I glance over at him and know with certainty he isn’t thinking about his mom or my parents. He’s worried about Mrs. Vivian.
I wish there was something —
The car in front of us screeches to a halt, and Drew hits the brakes, reaching out his right arm to stop me from flying forward.
“What the hell?”
The car in front of us moves again as I see it, and my heart leaps into my throat.
“Oh, my God! It’s a dog!”
A little black and gray scruff ball streaks across the sidewalk headed to the parking lot of South College Condominiums.
“He could have been killed.” I plant my hands against my chest, trying to steady the painful pounding inside. If I were alone, I’d pull over. No doubt about it. I’d check for a tag and try to get in touch with owner.
“Can we—” I start to ask but stop myself. Drew is giving me a ride to work, and then he’s going back to the hospital to be with his sick grandmother. I can’t ask him to go on a canine rescue mission with me.
“What?” Drew asks.
I swallow the words. “It’s nothing.”
We pass the complex, but I can’t help but crane my neck to follow the little dog as he trots through the lot, heedless of cars that could turn off South College almost without slowing.
I’m squinting, but before he drops out of sight, I make myself accept that he doesn’t seem to have a collar. That and his scraggly fur suggest no one is going to be coming home from work tonight and looking frantically for the little guy.
Not like I would.
I want to beg Drew to turn the car around so I can go find the little scruffy dog, take him home, and get him cleaned up. Gemini would love a buddy, and I—
I realize with a grimace that this is exactly the kind of impulse that drives my parents crazy.
Giving Drew a sidelong glance, I wonder with a knot in my gut if it’s something that will eventually drive him crazy too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
