The House That Built Me

A Monster Is Among Us

"Beth!" I call out as I step out of my room in a black, v-neck dress, still unzipped, and beat on my sister's door. With no response, I head downstairs in search of Dad. As soon as I hit the bottom step, it hits me that Dad had left early for some "business," and Jamie was at his campaign office. Clutching the top of my dress close to my chest, I slip on my heels and make my way down to the bunkhouse. Loudly knocking on the door, I wait a few seconds before opening it and walking in.

"Don't you look pretty Clarabell" Lloyd comments as I close the door, causing all the cowboys to look up from their poker game.

I shoot Lloyd a smile and blush at the sudden attention. "Sorry to interrupt y'alls game, but there's nobody at the lodge, and I can't get this dress zipped. Can one of y'all lend a hand?" I ask. Suddenly the men at the table begin to offer their help all at once.

"I'm out. Finish this round without me," Ryan announces loudly, setting his cards down. The other cowboys quiet down and resume their game of poker as Ryan makes his way over to me. "I swear, you came down here just to stir up trouble," he says with a mischievous grin.

I laugh. "'Stir up trouble'? You sound like an old man."

"Do you want me to zip your dress or not? 'Cause I'm pretty sure one of these boys here would love to put his hands all over you" he says in a low voice.

"Are you saying you're gonna put your hands all over me?" I tease. He chuckles, handing me his beer before stepping behind me. Ryan gently brushes my curled hair over my right shoulder, his calloused fingers sending shivers down my spine as he starts to slowly zip up my dress. "So, are we still on for tomorrow night?" he whispers softly, his breath warm against my neck.

"Uh... yeah," I reply, feeling my cheeks flush with warmth. Once he finishes, I turn to face him, eager to change the subject. "Hey, why aren't you going tonight? I heard the other livestock agents will be there."

Ryan finishes his beer before responding. "I'm only a reserve livestock agent, so I didn't have to go. And by the time I realized you were going, it was too late to rent a suit."

"You can borrow one of Lee's," I suggest.

"Only if you think he wouldn't mind," Ryan replies.

I give him a reassuring smile and place my hand on his arm. "I think he'd be okay with it. Besides, his suit has probably been sitting in his closet collecting dust since last year's Stockman's Dinner"

Ryan pats his pockets. "Let me grab my wallet, then we'll head out"

/

"You don't have to come in with me," Ryan says as we reach the front door of Lee's house.

"I'll be fine," I assure him, taking a deep breath before reaching for the door handle. With a slow turn, I push the door open, revealing the familiar interior that hasn't changed since the day Lee passed away.

"Are you okay?" Ryan's voice breaks the silence as he closes the door behind him.

"Yeah," I reply, my voice steady as I navigate through the living room. I feel Ryan's concerned gaze on me as I approach Lee's bedroom door. "His suit should be in here," I inform him, reaching for the handle and stepping into the room. The unmade bed and open closet door are painful reminders of Lee's absence. "It should be in his closet," I say as I walk over and sit on the edge of the unmade bed.

"I see it. Let me change, then we'll head out," Ryan says, disappearing into the bathroom with Lee's suit. A few minutes later, he comes out with his tie undone. "You wouldn't happen to know how to tie a tie, would you?" he asks as he walks over to me.