That Day - Karen Deen (large ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“I can’t impose. I’m sure you have plenty to do and work that needs you.” Standing and leaning his backside against the railing, he crosses one leg over the other as he’s taking another drink.

“Bullshit. I have plenty of room, and I’m the boss, so work hassles are sorted. Besides, it’s only for a few days, it’s no problem.” Looking at him, he has no comeback. “Good, then it’s decided. Now, have you got a bag in the car? Bring it in and I’ll show you the guestroom downstairs near the gym.”

“You’re a good friend, Kurt. It’ll be nice to have a place to relax for a few days.”

“Done, now I just need to call my mom and tell her there is one more for dinner. Just don’t be surprised if you hear her scream over the phone. I was supposed to take my new girlfriend to meet them tonight, but she has to work. I hope you don’t mind but you are my savior from getting nagged at by my mother.”

“That wasn’t mentioned when I agreed to stay. I’ve got a feeling I’ve been trapped into a family dinner you’re trying to avoid. I thought you liked your family, which is why you came back here.”

“Oh, I love my family. They just missed me while I was away so feel the need to be in every part of my life now—whether I want it or not. I’m sure my mother thinks I’m going to disappear at any moment, so she needs to know everything.” I laugh at the thought of my mom and sister probably already in the kitchen at Mom and Dad’s gossiping about me. Picking up my phone, I realize I’ve missed a message from my sister.

Speak of the devil.

Jodie: Got called in to work to cover a shift. Won’t be at dinner, but don’t think that lets you off! I expect a visit tomorrow. Otherwise, I’m crashing your house to meet the mysterious Asha!!

Kurt: What a shame! I’ll miss you tonight…

Jodie: Liar!

Kurt: That hurts.

Kurt: Stay safe out there tonight.

Jodie: Always x

“Well, it looks like you’ll miss out on meeting my sister tonight. She’s been called in to work. She’s a paramedic, so always in need.”

“That’s too bad, but it’ll be nice to meet your parents. I’m sure they have plenty of stories to share of the man who never misses a target. No matter what.” Oscar walks past me towards the front door. “I’ll just grab my bag. Really appreciate this, buddy.”

While Oscar is outside, I message Mom and fill her in, knowing she will be glad for me to have a friend along. I message Asha too to let her know that a friend has arrived out of the blue and will be staying with me. She doesn’t reply straight away which doesn’t surprise me. Hopefully she is so focused and getting plenty of her work done, then she might be less stressed about it.

“As per usual, dinner was amazing, Mom. Although the rating of dessert remains to be seen,” I say, shaking my head. Oscar looks between my mom and dad, trying to gauge what they think of my joking.

“Maybe I’m too scared to hear the rating,” she says, that usual smirk on her face, “so I’ll just leave it in the fridge for your father to devour later. Then you won’t be missing anything. What do you say about that?” She has backed me into a corner again.

“You wouldn’t be so cruel to your favorite son, would you?”

Both she and my father burst out laughing at me.

“As you are my only son, then I suppose that makes you my favorite one. Now be quiet, and it better be rated a ten.” She stands and walks towards the kitchen, with us all laughing behind her. “Tell me again why I missed you?” Her voice trails off with a giggle following it.

“You are in for a real treat, Oscar,” Dad says. “My wife makes the best lemon meringue pie in the country.”

I shake my head. “What makes you think I’m sharing it with him—or you, for that matter?” I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. Not wanting to be rude, I ignore it and will answer it later. It’s probably just Asha replying to my earlier text. Within a few seconds, I feel it again. I have a smile on my face; now I’m sure it’s Asha, replying in multiple one-sentence texts which she does to annoy me.

“What are you smiling at?” Mom grins, walking in with the pie that looks delicious.

“Pie, of course,” I say, not wanting to give away who I’m thinking about.

“Good answer.” She begins to say something as Dad’s phone starts ringing. Of course, not on silent like mine.

Reaching over to the counter from his chair, he swipes to answer it.

“Hello, sweetheart, you’re missing out on…” Dad’s whole face changes, passing it to me.

“It’s an emergency,” is all he says before the phone is at my ear.

“Jodie, talk to me.” My voice has changed to one that my family isn’t used to.

“Got a call, and the address is Asha’s—you know, that house out on the headland that you said she lives in. A woman called 911, said she was feeling funny. There was some murmuring, a loud bang like they fell, the silence was then broken by a dog barking and then the call dropped out. Wanted you to know.”

My heart is beating so hard, I’m up out of my chair before she’s finished talking.

“Dad, take Oscar back to my house. Something’s wrong with Asha.” I don’t listen for a reply, dropping his phone on the table and running out the front door. Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I see the messages that I thought were from Asha only to realize it was Jodie trying to get word to me that Asha needs me.

“Fuck!” I yell, slamming the door behind me as the truck revs to life. No time for warming up,