The Truth She Knew

by J. A. Owenby

  Walker pulled into the carport next to a black Camaro.

  “Is that your mom’s?” I asked, getting out of the car. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Yeah, she loves that car. She won’t let me drive it, though.”

  “Really? Why? You’re a good driver,” I said.

  “It’s fine. Let’s get inside,” Walker said as he held open the screen door.

  Walker quietly unlocked the door and led me into the dark kitchen and to the left into his bedroom.

  “This is your room?” I asked, surprised.

  “Yup, this is it,” he said and placed my keys on his dresser.

  “You can put your stuff anywhere. I’ll tell Mom we’re here.” He kissed my forehead and left me alone in his room.

  I noted the golf trophies on his dresser. I almost laughed, but I was too nervous. Golf is not the sport I imagined him playing, but the proof sat in front of me. Although I was curious, I was afraid to touch anything, and I wrapped my arms around myself. I walked over to the picture of a younger Walker with a baseball team. I instantly identified him; his eyes and dark hair were unmistakable.

  “That was about four years ago,” he whispered as he wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled my neck with a kiss.

  “You haven’t changed much, just the ability to grow facial hair instead of peach fuzz,” I laughed.

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “Where am I going to sleep?” I asked as I turned toward him.

  “In my bed,” he said as he tried to keep a straight face.

  “Where are you going to sleep, Walker?” I cocked my head and placed my hands on my hips.

  “Well, my plan was to let you shower and then tuck you into bed and crawl in beside you,” he said, testing the water.

  “You did not bring me over here to get me into bed!”

  “Shhh, Lacey, no, not like you’re thinking,” he said, laughing softly.

  “Then you better explain before I grab my keys and drive back to Joss’s,” I said. My eyes narrowed as I waited for his explanation.

  “No, I told you at the lake you set the rules. I won’t try a thing, I promise. I just want to hold you tonight. That’s all,” he said as a soft smile spread across his face.

  I crossed my arms in front of me and stared at my feet. I paused as his words sank in.

  “You promise? You’ll just hold me and nothing more?”

  “I promise,” he said as he held up his hands like he was surrendering.

  “We can try it, but if you cross a line, Walker Farren, you can sleep in your brother’s room.” I glared at him for extra emphasis.

  “You’re seriously cute when you’re exerting yourself,” he said and kissed me again. He turned to his dresser and pulled out a T-shirt and sweatpants for me.

  “I hope these will work. You’re pretty little, but I think they will.” He took my hand, led me into the bathroom, and grabbed a towel and toothbrush for me.

  He closed the door behind him. I suddenly realized how weird it was that I was standing in my boyfriend’s bathroom getting ready to take a shower and spend the night . . . with his mother at home. I slipped off my shoes and clothes and turned on the shower. I expected the door to open at any moment with a pissed-off mom or Walker inviting himself back in. Either way, I wanted to get into the water and hide behind the curtain.

  I stepped into the spray and let the water flow over me as I took a deep breath. I rubbed the remaining makeup off my face and washed my hair. The bathroom filled with the scent of vanilla as I soaped my body. I wished it would wash away the pain, too. Not just the physical ache from last night, but the sharp pang in my heart every time I thought about Mama and our fight.

  I placed my hands on the wall in front of me and leaned into the hot water. I was limp with exhaustion.

  I turned off the water, grabbed the towel, dressed, and brushed my teeth. I opened the bathroom door and made my way through the darkness and back to Walker’s room.

  I’d never allowed any of my boyfriends to see me without makeup, not to mention not wearing my own clothes. I stepped into his room and stood at the foot of his bed. He lay in the middle of his bed with his eyes closed. He was still wearing his polo shirt and jeans.

  “Close the door,” he whispered.

  I turned the knob and pushed the door quietly closed. I didn’t want to risk waking his mom or brother.

  “Come here,” he said and patted the bed next to him.

  “My hair is still wet,” I replied.

  “It’s okay, the pillow will dry.”

  I crawled into the bed and slipped under the covers. Walker slipped in next to me and we faced each other, mere inches apart.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

  “You don’t need to say that, Walker. If you haven’t realized it, I’m already in your bed,” I said.

  “I’m serious, Lacey.”

  I stared at him and took a deep breath. A faint hint of Polo cologne lingered on his skin. I wanted to bury my face against his chest and listen to his heartbeat. I wasn’t sure how I planned to sleep with him so close, but at the same time, part of me felt relieved. I was safe, for the first time I could remember.

  He lifted my chin and kissed me. “You need to get some sleep,” he said as he pulled away.

  “I’m not sure how you expect me to with you in the same bed,” I said.

  “Turn around.”

  I rolled over and Walker scooted up behind me until the back of my head was touching his chest. I began snuggling the rest of my body into him, but he put his hand on my butt.

  “If you move any closer, I’m going to come undone—and I mean that in the literal sense,” he whispered.

  I stopped and accepted it for what it was. I wanted to be with him, but I wasn’t ready to give him all of me yet. I was still trying to figure out if he was going to leave me after everything I’d told him tonight.

  The warmth of his body and his steady breathing lulled me to sleep within minutes. I didn’t dream.

  Chapter 16

  I woke to the sound of voices and the aroma of coffee and bacon. I glanced at the empty place on the bed next to me and then looked at the clock. I shot up in bed when I realized it said 7 a.m.—classes started at 9 a.m.

  I threw the blankets back and rifled through my purse for my hairbrush and a hair tie. I walked quietly to Walker’s dresser mirror and almost shrieked in horror. My hair stuck up in multiple directions and my eyes were swollen. I searched around for water and found a glass on his nightstand. I grabbed it and stuck my brush in it. Hopefully he wouldn’t drink it later. I ran the brush through my hair and smoothed the crazy strands into place.

  “How is she?” came a woman’s voice from the kitchen. I stopped and realized that I was about to walk out of my boyfriend’s bedroom and into the kitchen to meet his mother for the first time.

  “Crap, crap, crap!” I muttered as I continued to work as fast as I could to get my hair manageable and in a respectable ponytail. I stepped back and straightened Walker’s T-shirt and pulled up his sweats so they wouldn’t drop to my ankles the moment I walked into the kitchen.

  I shook my arms out and took a deep breath. I opened the bedroom door and stepped into the kitchen, my bare feet not making any noise. Walker stood with his back to me, cooking breakfast. I peered around the corner. His brother sat at the kitchen table picking his nose. I stepped back and muffled my giggles against my arm. How gross, but he was thirteen. I glanced at Garrett again and noticed that he and Walker looked nothing alike. His sandy-brown hair and dark eyes were in stark contrast to Walker’s.

  I gathered my composure and entered the small kitchen. At the same time, the woman who had spoken earlier walked through the door on the opposite side of the room. I stopped short. A beautiful but abnormally thin woman stood at the other side of the room and returned my gaze. She allowed me a moment to gather my surprise and then she smiled.

  “Good morning, Lacey,” she said as she slowly made her way
to the kitchen table. The squeak of wheels echoed through the room as she pulled her oxygen tank behind her.

  “Hi, Mrs. Farren,” I replied quietly.

  “Mom, wait, I’m coming, let me help you,” Walker said. Within two steps, he was by her side and guiding her to the chair.

  I stood in awe and then realized that the eggs and bacon were going to burn, so I stepped in and finished cooking.

  “Good morning,” Walker said as he kissed me on the cheek and wrapped his arms around me.

  “Hi,” I said, smiling at him. “Mrs. Farren, thank you for allowing me to stay last night,” I said as I peeked around Walker. “Hi, Garrett,” I smiled.

  Garrett sat at the table with his mouth open. I guess no one had bothered to tell him that his brother had company.

  Grateful for the cooking distraction, I turned my attention back to the food.

  “Let me get the biscuits out of the oven,” Walker said as he patted my butt and scooted me out of the way.

  “Walker!” I hissed, “Your mother is sitting right over there.”

  “I saw that,” he said and laughed. “Go sit down and talk to her. She wants to speak to you.”

  My eyes grew large.

  “No, she’s not upset at all that you’re here, just the opposite. It’s safe, I promise,” he said and stroked my cheek with his thumb.

  I approached the kitchen table and pulled out the chair next to Mrs. Farren. I smiled as I slipped into the seat.

  “I don’t mean any disrespect at all, Mrs. Farren, but this is really strange. I’ve never stayed at a boyfriend’s house before,” I said and bit my lip.

  “It’s okay, Lacey. Walker called me last night and I said it was fine.” Her eyes filled with compassion.

  I turned to Walker and tried to figure out exactly what he’d told his mom.

  “Uh, well, thank you again,” I said as I refocused my attention on her.

  “You can call me Susan.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Absolutely,” she said and sipped her coffee.

  “Okay, Susan,” Garrett piped up.

  “Not you, young man.” Susan laughed and spiraled into a hard coughing fit.

  Walker was next to her in an instant. “Garrett, get Mom some juice.”

  Garrett hopped up, grabbed some juice, and brought it back to Susan. After a couple of minutes, her cough settled and Walker put the food on the table. He took the seat across the table from me.

  Guilt filled me as I realized why Walker hadn’t wanted to talk about his family that day. I had selfishly shared my secrets with him, and not once did he say anything about his mom being sick or having to take care of his family.

  Walker nudged me under the table. I glanced up—he’d realized what I was thinking.

  “Lacey, Walker says you’re in college. What’s your major?”

  “Communications,” I said between bites of egg. “I was going to major in journalism, but then we conducted an interview with a family whose son had fallen on an iron fence. He was still alive, but the fence post had speared right through his chin. I had to interview the parents while the medical team tried to get him down without killing him. I couldn’t stomach it. I wanted to hug the parents and tell them he was going to be okay.”

  “Cool!” Garrett said.

  Walker reached over and smacked the back of his head. “Not cool, bro. Show some manners.”

  I hid my smile, but peeked back at Garrett and winked at him.

  “How do you plan on using your degree?” Susan asked.

  “Honestly, I’m still figuring it out. I love writing. I’m the editor of the college paper and I write my own column.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Walker said. “She works full-time at Jack’s Department Store in the mall, too,” he said to his mom.

  “Busy girl with a lot of goals I bet?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Susan is fine, Lacey, really,” she said.

  “Okay,” I said, smiling.

  “What are your plans today, Walker?” Susan asked.

  “I have to work and later today I was going to take Lacey to meet Aunt Linda.”

  “Oh, that’s an excellent idea. Linda is my sister. You’ll like her.”

  “Yeah, for an aunt she’s actually kinda cool,” Garrett chimed in.

  “Garrett, are you ready for school? Did you get your paper done? Isn’t it due this week?”

  Garrett collapsed back in his chair and groaned.

  “What kind of paper, champ?” I asked.

  “English and it sucks!” he whined.

  “Well, if your mom and Walker don’t mind, maybe you can wait a little while and I’ll help you tonight after I meet your aunt?” I waited for Susan and Walker to approve.

  “Yeah!” Garrett said. “Please, Mom? I’ll even do the dishes.”

  “You’re on,” Walker said and piled all the plates in front of Garrett before Susan could respond.

  “That’s fine with me as long as Lacey doesn’t mind. Lacey, why don’t you come with me and we’ll find some clothes for you to wear today. I’m sure Walker likes you walking around in his T-shirt, but we need to get you into clothes that fit better.” She smiled.

  Walker helped her up and the three of us walked back to her bedroom.

  “Shut the door behind you, please, Walker,” Susan said.

  Oh shit, she brought me back here to tell me what a horrible person I am. I took a deep breath before I closed the door and turned toward her. I opened my mouth to apologize again, but she cut me off.

  “He didn’t tell you I was sick, did he?” she asked.

  Susan’s question caught me off guard.

  “Uh, no, no he didn’t. I had no idea at all. I shouldn’t be here . . .”

  “Lacey, stop honey, there’s no reason to apologize. I did want to talk to you without the boys around, though. And I was serious about getting you some clothes—I think you’ll find some jeans that are too big for me now. They’re hanging in my closet. I think they’re a size three, so they should fit you okay.”

  I turned to find them as tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine a size three being too big.

  “These?”

  “Yes, they’re just some comfortable Levi’s but I think they’ll fit you. You can borrow any shirt you like as well.”

  I grabbed a light-blue V-necked shirt and held it up for her approval.

  “That’s fine,” she said, nodding.

  “Susan?”

  “I was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. The doctors are only giving me about six months to live, maybe less.”

  “Shit,” I said as I sat down on the bed next to her. “Oh, gosh, Susan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to swear.”

  Her laugh turned into another coughing fit. I sat helplessly and waited for it to end.

  She straightened back up and drew in a slow, raspy breath. “It’s okay, both my boys swear sometimes.”

  “Is this what you wanted to tell me? Your diagnosis?”

  “Yes, I could tell by the expression on your face that Walker hadn’t said anything. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Ask me anything you want.”

  “Does it hurt? Are you in pain?”

  “Yes, all the time. That’s why Walker helps so much.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say.

  “He didn’t tell me details, in case you’re wondering,” Susan said.

  “About?”

  “Why you’re here. He said you and your mom had gotten into an argument and asked if you could stay here for the night.”

  “Oh,” I said and stared at my feet.

  “Lacey, I realize there’s more to it, and I know my son. Whatever it was, it was bad enough for him to step in. He’s in love with you and honestly, he hasn’t been this happy in years.”

  Confusion clouded my face. “Even with Brittany?”

  “I thanked God the day he came in and said he’d broken up with her for good. Some people brin
g out the worst in each other. Brittany isn’t a bad person—she’s young and selfish, but she’s not a bad person. But when she and Walker were together it became a toxic relationship for them both. I recently recognized something in him that I haven’t seen in years: hope and happiness. It’s you. No matter where this relationship goes, I wanted to thank you for giving me the gift of seeing my son with someone who’s good for him.” She reached out and squeezed my hand.

  “Susan—” I tilted my head back and tried to contain my tears.

  “It’s okay, you don’t need to say anything at all. I just wanted to tell you. Whatever is going on in your life, let him love you. Let him in. You couldn’t be in better hands.”

  The tears won and slid down my face. “Can I hug you?” I asked quietly.

  “You don’t need to ask again,” she said and wrapped her frail arms around me.

  After a moment, she pulled away. “You’re welcome here anytime, okay?”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude, ever, especially with—”

  “Bringing happiness and laughter into my home is always welcome, especially now.”

  I smiled, grateful for our talk.

  “Go get dressed. Help yourself to anything of mine you need. We girls should stick together,” she said as her eyes lit up.

  “Thank you, Susan. I’ll see you later today.”

  I frowned as I looked at my watch and realized I didn’t have time to talk to Walker about his mom or last night. It would have to wait until after classes.

  Chapter 17

  The late-afternoon light peeked through the trees at Walker’s house. Although it was October, it seemed as though fall started later and later in Arkansas. I kicked at the leaves on the sidewalk and knocked on the front door. My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him again after what had ended up being a long day of classes.

  “Hey, Lacey,” Garrett said as he waved me in.