Parlor Tricks

Chapter 30

Hank gazed out the kitchen window at the dreary day before he knew it. His hand absently reached for the rosemary plant, stroking it gentle to release the earthy scent. He could hear Clara and Josie in the sitting room, a mix of chatter and laughter. He fought the tug to join them for a few moments longer before letting his feet carry him down the hall.

"Henry! I didn't realize you were coming home for lunch," Clara's voice was lively.

"Well, I need to wait for a couple of parts to come in, so I figured I might as well head home to my girls." He slumped into his usual chair, feeling more tired than he should.

"Have you eaten? I could fix you something." Josie asked quietly, her eyes filled with a curious suspicion.

"No, I went to the diner before heading home." He attempted a smile, but it fell weak.

"Mm, what flavor pie today?" Josie's attempt at teasing also failed at the moment.

Hank couldn't even recall the flavor from just an hour before. "Apple?" He guessed, suddenly conscious of his distraction. He lurched forward, trying to shake away the shadows in his mind. "How are the photos coming?" He plucked one up from a past Christmas. He stared down at his younger self playing with a toy truck.

"Good, but it's exhausting." Clara faked a yawn. "I was thinking of lying down for a bit," she added with a wink to Hank.

"Oh, I was hoping for a game of cribbage." Hank's sudden awareness made him conscious of the neglect he had given to his mother recently, relying too heavily on Josie to entertain her.

"Oh, that would be lovely. Perhaps a little later." As she shifted to stand, Hank instinctively crossed the divide to assist her. His mind flickered to how frail she was as his hand caught her sharp elbow. Clara gave him a tender smile, which he returned with a kiss to her temple. "Such a good boy," she added as she patted his hand. "Spend some time with her," she whispered before she floated out the doorway and up the hall.

Hank's eyes fell on Josie, who was distinctly avoiding his gaze. "It's a nice day; would you like to go out to the garden?"

Josie absently stood. "I should get dinner started."

"It's two in the afternoon; don't you have a few minutes?"

"Fine." Her tone was curt, and she flinched slightly when his hand brushed the small of her back. Still, he took solace in her wearing the slippers.

"Are you upset with me?" Hank kept his voice low to diffuse a confrontation.

Josie let out a sigh. "No," a small crease developed between her brows. "Why did you lie?" Heat flushed through Hank. His mind flipped through the lies he had told over the past few days. At one point, he had such a simple, transparent life. "Why are you home? Don't you trust me?"

"What?" Hank again forced himself from his distractions once again.

"I would never hurt Clara or you," Pain saturated her words.

"No, I'm not..." Hank sucked in a heavy breath. "I'm home because I would be no use in the shop today and..." He stumbled a bit on his words, "I wanted to see you."

Josie's eyes widened. "Really?"

A chuckle bubbled from Hank's throat. "Josie, I always want to be near you." He had thought it was apparent. She tucked her head on his shoulder. He resolved to make fewer assumptions. "I had lunch with the police Chief today." Josie's head popped up to study his face. "He was the detective back when..."

After an awkward pause, Josie's impatience burst through, "and..."

"He said there was a witness that put my dad and your mom together during lunches." Hank let the words flow directly from his thoughts. "It explains how he was here every night."