The Realest Ever - By Keith Thomas Walker Page 0,101
they made plans to have lunch with his mother. Three hours later Donovan talked to Aunt Ruth, and the clouds blocked out the sun. Now Donovan’s disposition was just as gloomy as the skies above Overbrook Meadows.
He didn’t know where life would lead him or what was to become of his relationship with Kyra. He thought he’d have time to consider his next move, but when he rounded the corner onto his street, Donovan saw a familiar car parked in his driveway. There was a knot in his stomach as he pulled in behind Kyra’s Escort and put his truck in park.
It looked like the sky was dumping rain from buckets. Through his windshield, Donovan could see Kyra watching him in her rearview mirror. Her eyes were dry but grief-stricken. For the first time since she returned to Overbrook Meadows, Kyra looked completely lost and vulnerable. Donovan hadn’t seen that look in her eyes in more than fifteen years.
He turned his truck off and sat for a few seconds. He watched Kyra in her rearview mirror until the drops of rain on his windshield made it impossible to see. He opened his door and stepped out into the downpour. After a moment, Kyra did the same. Donovan walked slowly towards her, oblivious to the coolness of the thousands of raindrops headed in his direction. His expression was hard and indecipherable. Kyra’s eyes were large and apologetic, filled with hurt. They met at her bumper.
Kyra looked up at him. Her mouth moved. Sounds came out, but they weren’t words. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was, for using drugs and for not telling him about it. She wanted to tell Donovan that he was her everything, and she didn’t know if she could live without him. She wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to take her back, but she needed somewhere to go, just for a couple of hours, so she could dry off and get her bearings and decide what her family’s next move was.
She wanted to say these things, but Donovan only heard a long, desperate moan that was drenched with so much grief and regret, merely listening to it caused damage to his psyche. It broke his heart, much worse than learning her secrets did.
He reached for her. She didn’t respond. Donovan stepped to her and wrapped both of his arms around her. Kyra stiffened, for a moment, and then she went completely limp, as if she’d been carrying the world’s burdens for too long, and she had no strength left. Donovan held her tighter. Kyra buried her face in his chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
It was hard to say how long they remained this way. They were not deterred by the constant rain, the rumbling thunder or even the four eyeballs watching them anxiously from Kyra’s Escort.
They held each other like they did when Donovan was twelve and Kyra was eleven, and they got caught in the rain as they walked home from school one day. All of the other kids ran for cover when the thunder clouds ripped open. But that was also picture day, and Kyra wore pumps that were slippery on the sidewalk. Rather than fend for himself, Donovan walked with her the whole way, holding her hand so Kyra wouldn’t slip and fall. It was one of her most endearing memories.
When she was strong enough to stand on her own, Donovan released Kyra. Without a word, he walked to the Escort and opened the back door. He bent to reach inside while Kyra stood stoically in the driveway. Her throat caught when Donovan emerged from the vehicle with Kat in his arms. The toddler held on to him tightly as Donovan reached back inside the car and grabbed one of Kyra’s suitcases with his free hand.
He looked Kyra in the eyes and told her, “Come on,” and then he turned and walked to the house.
Kyra didn’t move. She was too stunned. Quinell finally exited the vehicle. He went to his mother and took her hand. Kyra didn’t look down at him, but she did follow when he led her to Donovan’s front door.
By the time they got inside, Donovan was in the kitchen. He held Kat in one arm while he searched his pantry for marshmallows. He already had four packs of microwavable cocoa on the counter.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE FINAL CHAPTER
THE REALEST EVER
They didn’t talk about what happened at all that first day. Kyra’s kids were as stressed out as she