The Accident Curse

by Foster Bridget Cassidy

  “Welcome to the modern Garrett County, Marty.”

  After we ate we curled up on the couch with the television on. We didn’t focus on what we watch, only enjoyed the closeness.

  A worrying feeling began to wiggle inside me. I was too comfortable, too fast. When I’d started relationships, there was always a phase of getting to know the other person, of learning boundaries and backgrounds. Colten and I skipped it entirely. We knew each other already. Sure, we’d evolved since high school, but the core was still the same. It was like no time had passed between us. There were no boundaries to explain, no backgrounds to sort out.

  It scared me. We’d gone on two dates and it was already the most committed I’d felt to another person.

  Plus, there was the not-so-little fact that I would be going home in a few weeks.

  My stomach churned.

  “Is your dad going to worry if I don’t get you back by nine?” I asked.

  Colten, his head resting lazily on my shoulder, looked up at me. “You afraid he’ll chase you down with a shotgun?”

  “No,” I answered with a laugh. “Dad’s gun is still in the truck, so I’d be fine.”

  Colten grinned and shifted to lightly kiss my neck. “I better get back soon. I still need to check the sheep before turning in for the night.”

  “And I need to make sure Dad didn’t tip over in the kitchen and break his other leg.”

  Colten made a noise of protest, but then he stood from the couch. “You okay going home slightly rumpled? You can take a quick shower if you want.”

  “If I got into the shower now, I’d drag you in with me. Then you’d have no time to check the sheep.”

  “If you want, you can pick me up tomorrow.”

  I grinned and got off the couch. “Why don’t you come by Dad’s house for dinner again? I think Fred’s coming too.”

  “Sounds great.”

  We walked to the door and slipped on our shoes.

  On the drive back to Accident, Colten cuddled me again. It was an easy situation to get used to. I liked the attention and the soft way his lips felt along every inch of my skin. Maybe having Colten at Dad’s wasn’t the solution. I’d want to reach out and touch him. Would Dad be okay with that?

  Only one way to find out.

  I pulled the Tundra into the Williams farm, then parked the truck. Turning to Colten, I said, “See you tomorrow.”

  His fingers touched my cheeks and I leaned into them.

  “See you tomorrow,” he repeated, then kissed me.

  All too soon, he pulled away and climbed from the car. My chest hurt, and my stomach roiled nauseously when I realized why it ached. I was so fucked.

  Colten turned on the front porch and waved. I waved back, then headed to Dad’s.

  Chapter 14

  Rick was thrilled when I gossiped with him the next afternoon—well, morning for him. Thankfully, he didn’t speak aloud about the obvious problems. I didn’t want to have to think about it yet. After all, Colten and I might not even turn out to be good together. There were too many uncertainties right now for me to worry about one specific thing.

  “And Fred won’t mind?” I asked Dad when we started our dinner prepping.

  “Won’t mind what?”

  “That Colten’s here, too.”

  “Why would he?”

  “You’re gonna make me say it? Colten and I might…flirt, or something. What if he touches my hand, or I lean into his shoulder?”

  “He won’t care. Probably too blind to even see well.”

  “Dad, I’m serious.”

  “So am I. I told you, no one minds Colten.”

  “Not minding what a person does at home is different from seeing it at the dinner table.”

  Dad raised an eyebrow. “And what are you planning on doing to him at the dinner table?”

  He still treated this as a joke. “What if I kiss him?”

  “Then kiss him. How often did I give your mom a peck in front of company?”

  “But it’s different.”

  “Mart, you need to relax a bit. If you wanna kiss Colten, then kiss him. If you don’t, then don’t. You’re puttin’ too much thought into what Fred’s gonna think.”

  I shook my head. In truth, I was worried. Very worried. I’d never had a romantic interest to the house. I’d never been interested in anyone back here for obvious reasons. Now with the potential of physical closeness, I was freaked out.

  Fred arrived first. He hobbled up the back porch, laden down by a big box of apples. I rushed outside to help, but the old man waved me off.

  “Brought these for your dad,” Fred told me, lifting the box a little. “Something to keep him busy while he’s holed up here.”

  “He’ll appreciate them. Thanks, Fred.”

  I held the door open and Fred walked in. He set the box down on the closest countertop.

  “Fred,” Dad greeted. He moved forward slowly, then stuck out his hand.

  “How you holdin’ up?”

  “Not bad. Not too good, either.”

  They laughed and Dad led Fred into the formal dining room. Fred wagged his brows at my dad. “Who you tryin’ to impress?”

  “Marty’s having Colten Williams over too.”

  Fred let out a whistle. “Colten Williams. How’d you manage that, Mart?”

  My muscles lost some of their tension. “Well, chasing down Dad’s Tundra is apparently romantic.”

  “You sure it’s not your charm?” Fred asked.

  “I’m positive.”

  “Don’t be hard on yourself, Mart,” Dad added. “You’ve got plenty to offer.”

  “Right,” I replied sarcastically.

  Tires in the driveway announced Colten’s arrival. I ran outside, unconcerned with what Dad and Fred would think.

  “Hiya, Marty,” Colten called out happily though his rolled down window. He cut off the engine and climbed from his truck. “Sorry I’m late.”

  I walked up to him and slipped my arms around his waist. He seemed startled for a moment, then hugged me back.

  “I missed you,” I said softly.

  “Did you?”

  More than I cared to say. So I nodded.

  “Glad to hear it. I could hardly stay focused on the farm today. I kept thinkin’ about you.”

  I pulled back and tipped my chin up. He leaned down slightly and kissed me. It was light and soft. Appropriate for a time when one’s father and his best friend might be staring out the window. As I knew they were.

  When we were done, I led Colten up to the house, holding his hand in mine. Again, he seemed surprised by my physical affection—perhaps he didn’t expect me to display it so freely in front of others. I wanted to set the precedent; I wanted him to know I wasn’t ashamed.

  “Colten,” Dad and Fred greeted him as we entered.

  “Fred, Jim.”

  They all shook hands.

  “Boys, go sit down,” Dad instructed. “Fred and I’ll get it all on the table.”

  “You don’t even have two working legs between you,” I countered. “You sit. Colten and I will bring it over.”

  I expected Dad to argue, to tell me he was more than capable of getting dinner ready. Instead, he shrugged and went to the table like a meek little puppy.

  The hell?

  With Colten’s help, we got the plate of bratwurst, the bowls of fixings, and the condiments all transferred over. I put a couple of beers down, but Fred asked for a glass of milk instead.

  After grace, we dug in.

  “You all set for Autumn Glory?” Fred asked Colten.

  “Yeah,” Colten answered. “My Lola Belle is all set to show.”

  “When is it?” I inquired.

  “Three weeks,” Colten said.

  “I thought they all happened in the summer when the weather cooperated.”

  Colten shook his head. “No, we got Autumn Glory in October and the Western Maryland Expo in November. They’ve added a few more events to keep up the interes
t.”

  “Isn’t it too cold to show animals?”

  “It’s all indoors. It’s sorta serves as a way to make contacts before the spring thaw. Dad and I will be looking for a ram there.”

  “How are your sheep doin’?” Dad asked.

  Colten launched into a report, and I hung on his every word. It wasn’t the state of his animals suddenly becoming interesting. It was his passion drawing me in.

  “We’ve got one,” Colten was saying, “who has imprinted on me. She’s a lot friendlier than the others. She’ll follow after me if I spend any time in the pen.”

  “Colten had a little lamb?” I said.

  He grinned at me, a cute crinkle at the corner of his eyes. “Something like that.”

  “Sounds adorable. What do you call her?”

  “Martha Mable.”

  I nearly spit out my food as I laughed.

  Colten glanced at me and tilted his head to the side. “Don’t like it?”

  “I do,” I said once I could talk. “I think it suits her.”

  “You haven’t even seen her.”

  I shrugged. “I’m sure it does. It’s cute. Lola Belle. Martha Mable. Any others I should know?”

  “Marty, quit picking on him,” Dad scolded.

  Colten and I shared a grin. I never realized how at ease I could be with a date and my father in the same room. This was a reality I’d never imagined. The fear always stayed inside me as I started to form relationships, an endless nagging about introducing him to Dad. Maybe an explanation as to why I’d never reached for a deeper connection with my boyfriends. And now, here it was, and it wasn’t scary at all.

  Or maybe it was that Dad already knew Colten and liked him? What if I’d brought home some other fella? Like Marco, whom I’d had my eye on forever? Would Dad have been as accepting of a Latino? One who was an artist without a steady job?

  I glanced to the side and examined my dad. He had shown me nothing but support, my whole life. When I decided, against his wishes, to move to Arizona, he helped in every way possible. I had a feeling he’d accept whomever I brought home, if the guy made me happy.

  “What is it, Mart?” Dad asked, noticing my stare.

  “Just thinking that I love you, Dad.”

  Dad’s cheeks turned scarlet, but he grinned. “Love you too, kiddo.”

  After dinner, Fred took off, but Colten stuck around. Before we got to work on the dishes, Dad pulled out his old camera. I groaned, but he insisted. Colten leaned in next to me and I slipped my hand around his waist.

  “Smile,” Dad instructed.

  We did, and he clicked the shot.

  “A few more.”

  He clicked and clicked. I tried not to roll my eyes.

  Finally satisfied, Dad went to lounge in his recliner while Colten and I did the dishes.

  “Thanks for coming over tonight,” I told Colten as I dried the last dish and put it into the cupboard.

  “Marty, I’m amazed by you. You went from terrified your dad would find out you’re gay to kissing me in front of him. I’m kinda shocked.”

  “I’m so embarrassed I acted that way initially. I should have given Dad more credit.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You feel like hanging out a bit? We can put on a movie?”

  “Sounds great.”

  We joined Dad in the living room. I sat on the sofa and patted the spot next to me. Colten slid in close and put his arm around my shoulder.

  Dad flipped the channels until he settled on some cop drama. I didn’t pay attention, my thoughts were only on Colten, and his heartbeat I could feel with my back against his chest. If every day were this perfect, I’d call it heaven.

  At quarter till ten, Colten reluctantly got to his feet.

  “Early start in the morning,” he said in way of explanation. “But I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  I walked him to the door and out into the chilly night air. I rubbed my hands together. “Yeah. Your place or mine?”

  He laughed and put his arm around me again. I liked it when he did that, and I smiled up at him.

  “Mine. Meet me there around five? I’ll have time to stop at the store and get something to make you.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Beside his truck, he put both his arms around me and pulled me to him. I breathed deep his scent, of cows and grass and clean sweat. I’d never realized how much I enjoyed the smell of the outdoors.

  “Thanks again, Marty. Dinner was good.”

  “It was mostly Dad tonight. Next time, I’ll make you my famous chicken and waffles.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Then we were kissing. After our encounter yesterday, a kiss shouldn’t get me so excited. But his did. The press of his lips sped up my heartbeat and made my stomach give a pleasant squirm. I grabbed at the belt loops on his jeans and pulled his hips to mine. I didn’t want to grind on him out in front of Dad’s house, but I wanted to feel him as close as possible.

  “I can’t wait for tomorrow,” he said into my mouth. “And I’m sure I’ll dream of you tonight.”

  I shivered, and he tightened his hold on me.

  “Get back inside before your freeze, city boy.”

  “Good night, Colten.”

  One more kiss, and we separated. I walked back to the porch and waved until he pulled out of the drive and disappeared down the road.

  Chapter 15

  Tuesday morning. The start of my second week back in Accident. So far, things were normal. No sign of the curse. However, over the next few days as I settled into a routine of working during the day, seeing Colten in the evening, I began to feel its presence.

  If I turned my head quickly, I could see the vague outline of a dark shape. When I focused, it wasn’t there, of course, but my arms still tingled at the half-glimpsed shadow.

  My determination warded it off. I refused to fall back under its spell. Or maybe it was the fact I was visiting. I used that logic to make it stay away.

  The next Monday, I took Dad to the doctor’s office. His leg was healing fine, better than expected, actually. He set up another checkup in two weeks, with the hopes he could return to work with a doctor’s note.

  “Don’t count on it, Dad,” I said as we drove home. “Even if you can stay at a computer, it’s still a lot of energy.”

  “Don’t be such a killjoy, Mart. I’m so sick of being at home. I wanna go back to work. Earn a little bit of money.”

  “If you need money—”

  “I don’t.”

  We stopped at a burger joint. Oakland, where Dad’s doctor was, had a lot more conveniences than Accident, or even Grantsville. It also had Colten, and I wished he was there to join us for lunch.

  “This stuff is so bad for you,” Dad complained as he shoved the greasy fries into his mouth.

  “I don’t know about that. I’ve been eating nothing but good, ol’ fashioned cooking for the past three weeks and I’ve gained nearly ten pounds. I can’t wait to go back to fast food so I can drop them again.”

  I’d meant it as a joke, but Dad didn’t laugh. Instead, he said sadly, “You already thinking of getting back to Arizona?”

  “Well, of course I’m thinking about it, Dad. It’s my home.”

  “This is your home, too.”

  A terrified jolt ran through my body. I felt the eyes of the curse focus on me. “No, this is not my home.”

  Dad looked at me, his eyes deeply wounded.

  “Dad, seriously, don’t get like this. I’ll admit it’s been great to visit. But I have a life back in Phoenix. I don’t want to abandon everything I have out there.”

  “You’ll just abandon everything you’ve built up here?”

  “You’re the one who said you never saw it as abandonment.”

  He shook his head. “Not then, Marty. That was good for you. But now you won’t open your eyes and see what’s going on around you. You won’t admit you’re making ties here.”

&nbs
p; “You mean Colten.”

  “Colten, yes. But also with me. We’re family, Marty. We’re all we have left.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this, Dad.”

  “Well, I want to. And I’m your father, so do as you’re told.”

  I smirked at him, but he didn’t smile back. He was uncharacteristically serious.

  “This isn’t home, Dad. I don’t want to stay here.”

  There. I’d said it. So why had it felt like a lie?

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Well, it’s true.”

  “Marty, losing your mom shouldn’t have affected you this much.”

  I nearly gasped at his words. As it was, my eyes flew open and my jaw dropped. Dad rushed on, despite my shock.

  “Lots of people lose their mothers. Mine died when I was twenty. It hurts, the pain digs down deep and settles there, but it does heal. If you let it.”

  “Dad,” I said warningly.

  “I don’t want you to keep running from the pain. Face it and let it go.”

  “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yes! Mom’s death did affect me. Of course it did. But that was only one of the many factors leading to my decisions.”

  “Bein’ gay was one, I’m assuming.”

  “Naturally,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You think I could have been happy here with the way most folks look at my lifestyle?”

  “You might have been. Colten’s doing okay.”

  “Colten’s an exception, not the rule. He’s earned your respect because he works hard to do so. I don’t give a fuck about how the people think, and I wouldn’t ever subject myself to their judgement the way he has.”

  Dad’s mouth snapped shut. After a while, he pressed on. “So what are the other reasons?”

  “Do we need to get into this right now?”

  “Yes, we do. Now spill. What else is there besides losing your mom and being gay?”

  Now it was my turn to fall quiet. I’d never discussed the curse with anyone. First off, someone else wasn’t likely to understand. They hadn’t seen all the events through my eyes, connecting the dots, so to speak. It sounded borderline crazy and paranoid.

  Dad spoke into my silence. “Is it me?”

  I glanced at him, surprised once more by how old he looked. His weathered hands gripped at the cup of pop in front of him, his knuckles almost white. The gray in his hair shimmered under the harsh fluorescent lights.