Light the Hidden Things Read Free

truffles and flowers. Said I shouldn't ever try to bribe you. I did, though, didn't I? I liked doing it. I don't know why I never said how beautiful you were when I brought home something like that. You always sounded off, real sharp, but I never listened. I just watched what your face said, what your eyes told me. Did you ever know I'd buy one of those silly fancy candy boxes and just grin like a monkey all the way home because I couldn't wait to see how you'd smile and put your hands together under your chin?
    No. I never said. I'm sorry, babe.
    So many sorries.
    There I go again, coloring outside the lines. I said I'd tell you about today.
    There's a calamity up the road. I'm camped next to Lake Connelly. Old clown Major's just behind me in the Airstream, out cold. Anyhow, lady's trying to bring back an old store. Smitty told me about it. You remember Gunny Smith? His wife, Millie? Five boys? Yeah, them. The family that invented noise. He's gone. Falujah. Anyhow, he knew the place long ago. Great little store to take care of fishermen, hunters, campers, vacationers. Place is a wreck. She means to make it work again.
    Not a chance. A dreamer. I see them all the time. Think hard work and good intentions is all you need.
    We believed it, didn't we?
    Anyhow, she told me about a place to eat tonight. I'm going. I don't feel much like cooking. Or anything else, truth be told. I don't know...
    Aw, why don't I just say it? She made me think of you. I hope you don't mind. I mean, she's not really anything like you - you know that could never be - but you know how things went, there at the end? I never understood how you felt. I remember the things you said, though. You were so good to me. The words were always right. I just never heard the music. I swear I never knew what you were feeling. I'd give my soul to hear you tell me so.
    If I still have one.
    The thing is, that lady's got the same thing in her voice. I know that sound now.
    Well, listen to Mr. Cheer. I don't know what's wrong with me this evening. Seems I can't break free of things you and I really don't want to talk about. Remember how you used to change a subject on me? I do. You ruined a lot of fine rants, woman. First thing I'd know, we were talking about something I never brought up or even thought about.
    You still do it, thank God. Like when I sort of stumble and almost forget about who I am and all that. Or when the dreams come. You know you're all I've got to hold onto when that happens.
    I really hate to bother you with that, Patricia. After everything else... I'm getting better, though. I am.
    Sorry to be so dull tonight. The day wasn't that bad. Just me, missing you. I'll be better by morning, for sure. After I get me some dinner and a good night's sleep.
    'Cause you're always there.

Chapter 2
     
    There was little difference between high noon and dusk inside the store section of Bake’s Bait. Windows that once admitted grand scenery were blocked by plywood panels that shut out the day as well as the weather. For Lila, scrubbing walls, work lights provided garish illumination that magnified dirt and stains. Fumes from the bucket of cleaner made her eyes smart. For perhaps the hundredth time she promised herself she'd put in new, bigger windows. When she got another loan.
    A quick squint at her watch was an unnecessary move. Zasu’s fidgets made it clear it was time to quit and, most important, time to get dinner inside woman’s best friend. Her anxious whine rose like a human question.
    With Zasu frisking beside her, Lila stepped through an open door from the store section into the living area. It was still under repair, but the improvement was obvious. For one thing, the western windows were glass. Fading sunshine buttered the opposite beige wall, heightening the sharper colors of the shelved books flanking a dark blue sofa. Between the windows loomed a ponderous fireplace of rounded river rocks. A pair of chocolate-brown leather chairs faced the hearth.