The Hidden Truth

Chapter Six: The Promise

After walking the guys out and watching as each one finds their vehicles safely, I shut the door and lock it. Andrea's still in the kitchen cleaning up the mess the guys left behind. I join her hoping that she isn't in a chatty mood. My mind is now rolling around the fact that I have yet to make my promise to Larry in exchange for the information he has on my brother and sister.

The silence between us while we finish tidying up the kitchen is welcoming but my thoughts begin to disturb me as I turn to Andrea and say, "Thanks for staying after to help with the clean up but I think I have the rest covered if you want to head on home."

"Actually I was hoping that I could talk to you before I leave."

"You were?"

"Yea, you still didn't tell me how much you paid for this beautiful home."

"About that, it's actually not mine."

"I realized that when you snapped at me about the groceries but I wanted to hear it come from you. So, tell me who's house is it? And don't lie to me." she asks as she folds her arms across her chest staring at me as if I've done something wrong.

I grab the nearest seat and I slump into the chair as I reply, "Mabel O'Shea's." hoping that she doesn't put two and two together and figure out that Kenneth actually owns the house now since his grandmother passed away.

"I see, and when were you going to tell me this?"

"I wasn't going to."

"Michael! If we are going to have any type of relationship, you need to be honest with me."

"Who says that's even going to happen?"

She then takes a seat in the chair across from me, leaning her folded arms on the table as she says, "Now I'm beginning to understand why you've never had a girlfriend. Michael, you need to tear down that wall you stand behind and allow someone into your heart. Otherwise you're going to turn into a bitter old man."

"You know nothing about me." I say as I stand up and return to the sink to wash the remaining dishes.

"I know that you were happy at one time but now... now you've turned cold, distancing yourself from anything and everyone who's trying to help you."

"I think it's time for you to leave." I reply staring out the window above the sink while trying to remain as calm as I can.

In one fluid motion I hear her as she slips out of the chair and storms her way out of the house, slamming the front door closed. I turn and run after her as the realization that she still has my keys slams into my chest like a fist! I arrive in the doorway just in time to watch my tires spraying gravel across the driveway like an angry ocean wave as she speeds off down the street. Panic rises in my chest making it hard for me to breath. I just hope she doesn't do something crazy or stupid with my car, my entire life is in there.

Seconds later I'm pacing the living room trying to figure out what to do. I could call Justice to track down my car and bring it back to me but we aren't speaking to each other and there isn't anyone else I trust. Just then there's a knock on the door. I rush over to answer it hoping that it's Andrea coming back to apologize for taking my car by mistake. Instead, I'm face to face with Ray.

My heart drops.

"You don't mind if I use your restroom, do you?"

"Uh, no not at all." I say as I step aside to allow him in. Confused as to if he's been sitting in front of my house for over two hours. He walks in and heads straight down the hall to the right while I close the door and sit in the living room to wait for him.