Haunted Love

Chapter 7 Part 9

Chapter 7

It had been three days...three long, reflective days since he had reconnected with his sister. But Thane now knew what he needed to do. He had begun to find peace with the fact that his sister had made a mistake. His heart felt lighter. Now that he knew the truth, he felt as if his lungs were finally taking in air once more.

Penny had not meant to kill herself. It had been raining the night she had crashed her car. She had misjudged her driving abilities and the wet roads. A stupid mistake and self-righteous pride had taken her life...and nearly destroyed his parents.

Thane stopped and looked around the dim restaurant until he spotted Luke sitting in a corner booth studying the menu. He seemed to belong there, almost blending in with the dark décor. Black ceilings and wooden blinds made the place seem cave like. The concrete floors were stained a midnight blue and the walls were painted with multiple colors in swirly patterns that looked like Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' oil painting.

Luke had not been the same since Penny had died, and now Thane knew why. His friend had once been lively and upbeat, but now he was often moody and liked to sulk in corners instead of being the life of the party.

Thane slipped into the booth and thanked the waitress that quickly set a glass of water in front of him. He waited for her to leave before he cleared his throat and rested his elbows on the table. "I'm glad you could make it. I kind of expected you to say no."

Luke leaned his tall frame back in the seat and tossed his menu onto the table. "I guess I have been missing my best friend. I haven't seen a lot f you since you bought that old house. I guess it's keeping you busy, huh?"

Thane thought of the electrician that had wet his pants before running out of the house that morning and the mailman that threw his letters on the porch instead of putting them through the slat in the front door.

He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled, "Yeah, more than you'll ever know."

They paused to let the waitress take their orders. They ate like men! Two orders of ribs with the house BBQ sauce and steak fries covered in cheese and bacon. They each ordered a salad because you had to take care of your heart.

"Speaking of the house, I'm hoping you can give me a hand. I could use your help with a few things."

Luke looked up and smiled. His grey eyes were as shiny as black pearls and his dimples flashed as he gave a soft chuckle. "So, that's the real reason you invited me to dinner. What...are you trying to woo a few cabinets out of me?" He put his hand over his heart and batted his lashes, reminding Thane of the goofy friend he remembered from childhood. "Throw in a piece of pie and I'll lay down some new tile for you too."

Thane tapped the table with his fingers and took a deep breath," Actually...it's about Penny."

That got Luke's full attention. His jaw clenched, his brow rose, and his nostrils flared as he looked around, pretending to be distracted by other things in the restaurant. "Hmmm...what can I help you with?"

He was trying so hard to be nonchalant that he became as clear as glass. Penny had always been a sore subject with Luke, and now Thane knew why. How long had they dated? How had ne never picked up on any of the subtle details? They used to tease each other senseless. Looking back, Thane could remember little things that he had chalked up to friendship. Their hugs had lasted too long, they would touch each other repeatedly, just a hand on the shoulder here or a rub across the back there. But now he had the whole picture and it made his heart bleed. If ever there had been a man deserving of Penny, it was Luke.