Page 20 of Knowing Amelia
“You’re judging again. I can see it on your face.”
“I am.” I plop into the seat next to him. “I don’t understand it. And where are my cousins?” I don’t even know Red’s and Earl’s kids.
“I can’t answer for your cousins. I know Earl’s headed back to Nebraska tonight. And Red, well, Red’s not exactly known for his expert planning. He’s always in and out of different jobs. He earned enough money to get to Argentina, but not enough to get back.”
“But you would have—”
“Helped him?” Dad lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Maybe, if he’d asked. Although, I’d feel as if I were aiding his handicap. Anyhow, he didn’t ask.”
My cheeks warm. Where is his kindness? This harsh, severe man isn’t the one who raised me. “I need a drink.” I stand, not waiting for his response. I need some space.
I know I saw a drinking fountain on our way in. My heels click against the hard floor as I make my way across the room. I’ve got a few minutes before the service begins, and I’m going to use them. I ignore the curious stares that follow me and place a few fingers in the stream of the fountain. I rub the cool water over the back of my neck. I am so far from my comfort zone, disagreeing with my father constantly, and, call me crazy, but I swear every single eye in this place is lingering far too long on me.
“We meet again,” says a foreign voice over me as I gulp down enough water to officially be called a camel.
Straightening up, I tap my fingers to my damp lips. “Roy?” The tall boy from the school.
“You remembered.” He grins, delighted. His long hair is pulled back at the nape of his neck. His brows bounce as he looks me over. “Not that I’m surprised. I get etched in one’s mind.”
A smile pulls at my lips as I stare up at him. This guy has seen too many movies.
“Wow,” says someone just behind me.
Both Roy and I turn. Even Roy has to look up an inch to meet Logan eye to eye.
“Hey, Logan. Have you met my new friend?” Roy’s chest puffs. We are on some strange episode of The Animal Kingdom, two males and a stray female meeting up at the watering hole.
Logan grins, his dimple creasing.
One of these males is not like the other. The Animal Kingdom is going to eat Roy alive.
Coughing out a laugh, I hold my hand toward Logan, who takes it. I glance at Roy, waiting for him to make introductions, also knowing he can’t. I’ve never given him my name.
Roy’s mouth drops—he’s just realized the same thing. A low growl like an engine slowly dying escapes his mouth.
Logan grins and motions to Roy. “Roy Cox, this is Olivia Benson.”
Roy’s rumbling turns into a whistle, his cheeks blossoming a cherry red. His mouth forms an angry O as he stares at me, refusing to look at Logan.
“Hello,” I say, offering him a curt wave.
With one nod, he marches off in the opposite direction.
“He’s harmless.” Logan shakes his head, chuckling as we watch Roy leave.
“I’m sure.”
We grin at one another for a moment. Then, forcing my eyes from his, I scan the room. Seats are filling up. “It looks really nice.”
“Rachel did a good job.”
This room, these people, the casket at the head of the space—they bring on emotions and feelings I scarcely knew I had. “I hardly knew her,” I confess, needing to be honest with the boy I remember from so long ago.
Logan’s eyes are kind, even gentle. He looks at me as if he suspected as much. “I’m sorry,” he says. “She was a wonderful person.”
“I’m sorry too, more than anyone realizes. I can’t explain it. My dad thinks I’m having some type of breakdown, but I just wish…” I hang my head and wipe at my eyes, shooing away the unexplainable tears.
He reaches for my hand and I let him take it, his thumb caressing back and forth over my knuckles.
