The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

Arrangements

Gabby

Grams talked to me about Florence. I explained it was an ongoing police investigation. It didn't stop her from bugging me about it.

So, I approached Morgan about it. "Hey, Morgan."

"Hey, Gabs. What's up?" Morgan stood behind his desk, shuffling through papers.

"I was wondering if you were through with Florence yet."

Morgan glanced at me. "Why?"

"My grams wants to give Florence a proper burial since Florence has no family except for Albert."

Oliver glanced at me while Morgan contemplated my request.

"We're waiting on the ME to finish his autopsy before we can release the body."

"Okay."

"Let your grandmother know, she can go ahead and make her arrangements."

I smiled. "Thanks, Morgan."

"No problem."

I turned on my heels and headed to the lab to call Grams.

******
Dyson

While Gertie made calls, I drove to the chapel to speak with Oliver. Hopefully, it doesn't blow up in my face.

I arrived, entered, spotted Oliver near the front, and approached him.

Oliver did a double take. "Dyson?"

"Hey, Oliver."

"Where have you been?"

"I've been busy." I shrugged.

Oliver walked toward me. "Your dad is worried about you."

"So, I heard."

Oliver arched his brow and crossed his arms.

I rolled my eyes. "I plan to call my dad."

"When?"

"When I'm ready. I'm not ready yet." I shrugged again.

"You can't keep running from your problems. One day, you need to stop and face them."

"I'm working on it."

"Work faster."

I gave Oliver an unamused face. "I didn't come here for a lecture."

"Too bad. You caused a mess with your actions."

"What about your boys? It's not like they don't cause messes."

"My boys aren't perfect. They make their fair share of mistakes. Don't compare what you did to my boys' issues. There's no comparison. You chose to use that dog whistle to hurt someone intentionally. The family would never be that cruel to Elias or Patrick."

"I already admitted that I'm wrong."

"Then atone for your sins."

"I am."

Oliver looked at me as his expression softened. "Let's sit and talk." He guided me to a pew.

We sat down to talk.

"Why did you do it, Dyson?" Oliver asked.

"I was angry at my brothers and Patrick. My brothers gave me the dog whistle as a joke. They said it would attract dogs since that's what I date."

"Okay, your brothers are jackasses. Why Patrick?"

"Patrick ignored me when I tried to talk to him. It was like I didn't matter to the one person I admired."