Keeping Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Six May's Pages

"What am I supposed to do without you? Is it too late to pick the pieces up, too soon to let them go?"

I watched as Kira got up and left, her new dog right by her side. I didn't try to stop her or say anything to get her to stay. If I were her I would leave too. I sat there thinking about everything I had said and where I went wrong, what words could have possibly sent her running out as she had. I knew it might have been too much for her to handle but I said it anyway. Anger and sadness grew within me. I screwed it up, there was no fixing this now and I hated myself yet again for what I had put her through.

A few minutes after Kira walked out Lucy, Marcus and Owen came into the cozy room. It had started to rain; I could hear it beating on the windows somehow showing the emotions I felt. I didn't look up as they walked in until Lucy knelt in front of me and lifted my chin up gently. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry." She said pulling me into a tight hug, the tears now flowing freely. "It's okay love, I've got you, everything is going to be alright." She said trying to reassure me.

Once the tears had slowed and I had calmed down a bit I pulled away from Lucy. I wiped away the remaining tears. "I suppose I should be going now," I said. "You can stay here if you want," Marcus said with his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem, right honey." He said to his wife. "Oh of course not. You can stay as long as you like sweetie." She said rubbing my arms. "But Kira..." "Will learn to get over it. She can be hard but she does need her space. She will come around and see just how much you love her May." Owen said. "Okay." "Okay, well come out when you're ready, lunch is on the table," Lucy said as she and the other two men left.

I held my head and groaned. "You know big sister likes to think she knows things, but I know things as well." A voice said. I looked up taking notice of the small boy. "You must be David." "Yep, and I know who you are. The girl my sister loves." "Well, I'm not too sure of that David." "I hear her sometimes when she's sleeping, I hear her say your name a lot. She dreams about you. Mom always tells me that when you dream about someone it means you love them." "Your mom is a very smart woman." "She is." He said as he took a seat next to me. "I know my sister. She is difficult like a chess game. But I have a trick." "Oh yeah? And what's that?" "A way to make sure you always win is to know your opponent, get inside their head, and know their next move before they make it. Kira is like a difficult game of chess, but like chess, she can be understood."

I thought about his words then realization dawned on me. "You are very clever David, thank you." "You're welcome. I'm really looking forward to pudding but I have to always eat dinner first. Mom makes me eat all my vegetables. I don't always like them. Are you going to eat and stay with us?" "Yes, I am." "Come on then let's go so we can have pudding." He said grabbing my hand and leading me to the dining room. I never expected that a kid could give me the best advice I have ever heard.

Lunch was an impressive event, one that anyone could tell that the Kailand's took great pride in. I had learned that they hosted it every year, each one better than the last. The afternoon was filled with joyous laughter and idle chit-chat. I could tell that everyone knew each other well, years spent together and countless stories to share gave it all away. I loved the atmosphere that everyone seemed to bask in. They all welcomed me openly, including me in their discussions and catching me up on everyone's business.

Halfway through Kira had returned, taking the empty seat furthest away from me. It was like I could feel her bristling emotions from where I sat. I could feel the anger and confusion and sadness, I could feel it all. And I wasn't sure if I was just projecting my own emotions but I was sure I felt love when she looked at me as she sat down. She never looked at me after that as everyone continued on with their stories and conversations, trying to ignore the unwelcome feelings that had walked in with Kira.