The Darkness of Shadows by Chris Little Page A

I’m starving and majorly pissed at you. Besides, one of Mom’s friends is having a meltdown about an Internet dating disaster. Not a pretty sight.”
    “Your house it is.”

    “I can’t believe you went to a stranger’s house alone! Your father’s out there, or did you forget that little fact? Did you ever think they might’ve kissed and made up, that Walter was drawing you into a trap?” Val said.
    “It crossed my mind, but he’s harmless,” I said. “Just obsessed with his work, like someone else I know. And he’s the only one that’s been able to give me any information. I bet you Ogled him, right?”
    “No, I Googled him. His business is on the up and up. Does some charity work. He did go to college with your parents. But that’s not the point!” She shook her head as she paced back and forth between the stove and the fridge, slamming containers and pans on the counter. She threw her hands in the air. “ You’ve no regard for your own safety !”
    I stood in front of her. I had a few inches on her height-wise and more pounds than I cared to admit.
    “I can take care of myself.” No anger in my words. “I’m not beautiful or smart and I don’t always do the right thing. I make mistakes—lots of them according to you. But I do the best I can. So if I don’t meet your criteria for friend anymore, maybe you could find a new charity case to donate your time to. I bet Cripples.com has someone special waiting just for you.”
    There was a fierce silence between us.
    She glared up at me.
    “That was a lame-ass speech.”
    “It was worth a shot.”
    “Nice touch with the Cripples.com bit, though.”
    “I try.”
    Her anger melted. “I know you can take care of yourself. But everybody needs help once in a while and there’s no shame in asking for it.” She took a breath. “You’re my best friend. We’ve broken each other in over twenty years, and I’m not starting from scratch trying to find another you. Might end up with someone like Tina.” She shuddered.
    I gave her a half-smile on that one. “You never ask for help.”
    “And you are too good-looking.”
    I rolled my eyes. “The guys at the blind school wouldn’t bother with me. And don’t tell me I’m beautiful on the inside because I will beat you senseless.”
    She rolled her eyes in return. “Have I ever lied to you?”
    “This coming from someone who could’ve been a model. End of conversation.”
    “ Fine .” She gave me her serious look. “But you have to be really careful now. Your father doesn’t play by the rules.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I’m just a little overprotective of you.” She shook her head. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
    “Yeah, well, when you’re good at something … What’s for dinner?”
    A small smile played on her lips. “As Mom says, ‘You will eat what I make and like it.’” A spot-on imitation. “Set the table and tell me what was so interesting at good ol’ Walter’s house. Besides the hideous décor.”
    “What do you want to drink?”
    “A Mojito would be great,” she said, stirring away at the stove.
    I grabbed the ingredients and played bartender.
    Dinner was on the table, and it smelled great: cilantro citrus chicken, basmati rice, and a salad.
    “Thank you for dinner,” I said.
    “You’re welcome. Please don’t do anything like that again. You scared the crap out of me,” she said as she passed the greens.
    “I won’t.” Guilt dressed my words.
    She took a long pull on her drink. “Oh, that’s good! You know, for a non-drinker, you make a mighty fine Mojito. I might indulge in a few more.”
    My fork stopped halfway to my mouth. Many years ago, Tina decided that Val and Liam shouldn’t be engaged anymore. The devastation that followed was mind-numbing. After they broke up, Val hit the bottle hard, drinking enough to drown the sorrows of a small country.
    “Just messing with you. You know two’s my limit.”
    We finished eating in silence, each needing a