The Things We Knew by Catherine West Page A

dark eyes serious. “True as the Bible. At least it was when I was there. But it’s something else now, isn’t it?”
    Nick played with a gold signet ring on his right hand. “Was he acting strange before you left? Forgetting stuff, wandering off?”
    “In mind and body.” Cecily picked a few dead bits from a purple violet plant in the middle of the table. “Started end of last year. I tried saying something, but you know Lynnie, don’t want to admit when something’s wrong. I just let her be.”
    She pushed the plate toward him and Nick gave in. “Cecily, do you know if they ever come over, David or anyone? It’s a lot for Lynnie to manage on her own.”
    “It is. Too much. Far as I know, none of them have been back in years. Much as I’d hate to see them go, they should sell that old place and be done with it.”
    “That’s what I’ve been telling her.” Nick frowned and ran a finger around the flower design on his mug.
    “You been seeing a lot of Lynette?” Cecily’s eyes twinkled with mischief and Nick raised a brow.
    “Don’t start.”
    Her shoulders shook with subdued laughter. “Ooo, I think you’re still sweet on that girl, aren’t you?”
    Much to his chagrin, Nick felt his face flush. “Cut it out, Cece. Anyway, I did talk to her about selling—she hates the idea. I get it, but honestly, I don’t think they have a choice. And the rest of them will probably agree. I was thinking I might . . . I don’t know. I want to help, I’m just not sure how.”
    Cecily gave him the honest look he remembered well and reached for his hand. “If you want my advice, don’t take that on, Nicholas. You might still feel a part of them, but I’m not so sure they feel the same. ’Specially Gray.”
    It would have come up eventually.
    Nick didn’t know what to say so he looked out the window instead. A couple jogged along the street. Somewhere off in the distance a dog howled at a passing ambulance and the sea gulls chimed in, screeching piteous protests.
    “Had a feeling you heard us that night.”
    She nodded. “You were outside, but he was yelling pretty loud. And I know you and Gray haven’t talked since.”
    “Five years.” Nick rubbed his jaw, surprised at how vivid the memory still was. Gray had slugged him there, good and hard. It was the first time they’d ever disagreed on anything. The first time his friend had ever hit him.
    Regret he’d learned to live with pressed against his temples. “I thought I was doing the right thing, telling him.”
    Cecily squeezed his hand. “Honey, sometimes people don’t want the truth.”
    Nick set his jaw. “I didn’t ask for it either.”
    Cecily’s dark eyes shone. “You’ve got a good heart, son. You always did. But they weren’t your choices to make. You were just a boy. What could you have done?”
    “Nothing, I guess.” He shrugged, all that good baking threatening a hasty exit. “I knew for a long time. I only told Gray that night because he was being a jerk to Drake. They all blamed their dad, you know, after Diana died. And I was tired of carrying it around.”
    Cecily touched the gold cross around her neck. Folded up today’s newspaper and stacked it atop a pile of magazines. A pained expression froze her face. “You got something else to get off your chest, don’t you? That’s why you came today?”
    Maybe he shouldn’t have come. Maybe it was better to leave the ghosts undisturbed.
    “Why are you really here, Nicholas? Back on this island?” The voice he remembered, vibrant and true, pulled open a long forgotten door Nick knew he must step through.
    “My dad. He . . . well, I guess you could say it’s where I need to be right now.”
    “Go on. I’m listening.”
    It was what he’d come here to do. Nick knew it, accepted it, and told her everything.
    If there was anyone in the world he trusted, it was Cecily Johnson. Whatever he shared in here would go no further. And once the words were out, he felt a little