The Deadman ✔

Chapter Four

Don't stand unmoving outside the door of a crying baby whose only desire is to touch you. Go to your baby. Go to your baby a million times. Demonstrate that people can be trusted, that the environment can be trusted, that we live in a benign universe.
-Peggy O'Mara

Nothing that I'm willing to say to Nonnie would stop her from coming so I agreed and eventually she choose to ride with Asher- -the nice guy- -instead of Lincoln and little Hayden. 

Apparently, the way the golden boy shrinks in on himself and smiles sweetly makes anyone feel safe around him.

After helping Eliza get her bike from the back of the truck, since she's taking me to my work, I'm instructed to drive and cut in front of Asher's truck -only so the wolf girl could salute and wink at her boyfriend.

Once we make it to King Elliott Mechanic's and get my bike, we race home.

I won -much to Eliza's annoyance.

Then, finally, when the kids get here I make them lunch before getting them all set up for the water balloon fight -Aunt Jessamine actually picks up Emery and Bailey right as I put them down for a nap.

Seems like Cellie called in backup early.

"Thatch," That's all Violet calls me. "I'm inviting Mace, AP and Jay over to do this with us, is that okay?"

"Oh um..." At this moment I really, really want to say no. "Yeah, of course. Elle, um, Eliza invited Celeste, the one who's taking the kids tomorrow anyway, over since her boyfriend, oh uh, that's Elle's, Eliza's brother, is gone camping for the weekend with his friends. It uh, it -it wouldn't be fair."

She narrows her eyes at me, Are you sure?"

"Yeah." I nod, not meeting her brown eyes, the eyes I've learned how not to like looking at. "Are you okay with all this?"

"I'm the one who asked to come." Violet says, sounding incredulous and a little snappy, making me sigh. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Shrugging, my entire demeanor seems to diminish. Finally, I work up the courage to ask her what I've been wanting to since she said she's coming. 

Something I'm afraid to hear the answer to, or see the reaction of. 

"Can I -can I be myself? Here, I mean, this is my home, my, my safe spot. And um, and they're my family. You said you don't...like me, at all. You don't like my personality, or, or the way -the way I speak. The words I use. Or, or I guess the way -you don't like me." This, I can say confidently. "So can I, I mean, I'm asking -can I be myself without annoying you, just here. When um, when you leave and um, our schedule is back to normal I won't be anymore, and um, I'll do everything you told me to like usual."

"I don't-"

Overreacting because I think she's going to say no and having a little panic set dead in my chest, I straighten up and accidentally interrupt her. "I didn't mean to, to make you mad or anything and um, that was a dumb question. I'm sorry, and um, sorry." Turing away I quickly go to leave, only to have Violet grab onto my arm.

"It's okay!" Violet says, sounding a little rushed. "You can be yourself. I was going to say I don't care, since they're your family and all. So yeah, whatever."

"Wait," At hearing this I have a hard time holding back my grin. "Seriously? Even in front of your friends?"

"I'm serious, it's whatever."

This time I don't hold back my grin. It's like I'm unlocking myself from a trap in my mind, almost like I'm becoming a entirely different person. A lighter person.