Rason & Eliza - Cee Bowerman Page 0,32

he was put in foster care.”

“Your mom and dad didn’t want to take him too?”

“He went back to her. From what I understand, it was a back and forth thing throughout his life.”

“What about your dad?”

“Hank and Mesha know him. Well, they know what he looks like and he recognizes them, but they don’t talk. They told me who he was, but I’ve never met him. I wanted to before, but I don’t know that I want to at this point. For him to know about Hank and Mesha’s living conditions and not to have done anything is pretty indicative of his character, I’d guess. I mean, is that someone I really want to know?”

“It’s certainly up to you, but I wouldn’t think so. Maybe you could meet him once so you can have closure. And what about your birth mother? What is she like now? Is she alive?”

“I don’t think she was a very good person. She wasn’t a good mom to Hank.” I wondered if I should tell him the rest of what I knew about her. I’d never actually said it out loud before, but I decided to just say it. “Our mother was a prostitute and she’s dead now.”

“Damn. That’s just… damn. Well, I’m really glad you ended up with the mother you were meant to have.” Rason was clearly unphased at what I’d said. “Now where does your sister fit in?”

“Different mothers, same father.”

“Do you realize that when you’re not thinking about it, you do just fine with those chopsticks?”

“What?” I looked down and realized that most of my rice was gone, and I was almost full. “Well now I’m going to pay attention to the fact that I’m not paying attention!”

Rason laughed at me and shook his head. “God, you’re awesome.”

8.

“So she’s taken up interior design and she might try and kill me.”

Rason

RASON

“Hey, Sonny, Lout,” I greeted my friends as I walked across the concrete toward them. “Can I talk to you guys for a minute?”

“Sure,” Lout said, wiping his hands on his pants. “If I don’t take a break and walk away for a minute, I’m going to set this car on fire.”

“Electrical problems,” Sonny grumbled.

“The lady forgot to set the parking brake and it rolled into the duck pond at the cemetery. She brought it in and told us to keep quiet about it because she doesn’t want her husband to know what she did.”

“That sounds like a healthy relationship,” I mused.

“What can we do for you?”

“Well, I could talk to Daughtry, but he’s put up with enough of this Robin crap to last a lifetime. So, it falls to you. I’m dating Eliza Sidell, your friend Hank’s little sister.”

“Wow. That’s ballsy. Have you met Hank?” Lout grimaced. “I’m glad my little sisters don’t date. I don’t think I’d handle it very well.”

I stared at Lout silently, wondering if he was joking or if he really thought Jaz didn’t date. I realized after a second that he was very serious. That was unfortunate because I hated to lie to my friend, but I was between a rock and a hard place. Jaz was my friend too.

And the man she was dating seemed like a good guy.

“What’s that look? Do you know something I don’t know? Have you seen some man over there?”

Sonny laughed maniacally. “The woman is grown, Lout. Leave her alone.”

“She’s not grown,” Lout argued.

“She’s in her 20s. Let her live a little.” Sonny cackled.

“So you’re okay with the twins dating?”

Sonny’s laughter stopped instantly, “They’re both single and very driven. They don’t need a man in their lives. We’ve talked about it.”

“No, you’ve talked about it.” Lout clarified with a grin. “They just nod their head and act like they’re listening to humor you. That’s probably what my sisters do.”

“Guys, I’ve got to get back to work,” I interrupted. “I just wanted to ask you to talk to Hank for me. My house was vandalized a week ago and then Robin was sitting outside the gym this morning when I got done working out.”

Lout blew out a breath. “That girl needs serious help. Is she seeing a doctor? Can they make her do that?”

“I think she is in therapy. Well, at least she was when they put her in the hospital when this first started. I wonder if she’s been watching me this whole time. I haven’t been to Eliza’s, but she’s been at my house quite a few times. I don’t know if Robin has seen her coming and going