The Lurking Man by Keith Rommel Read Free Book Online

couldn’t fix me.”
    â€œBut that’s what you don’t get. I don’t want to fix you.”
    â€œHow could you not want to?”
    â€œAll I want is to be with you. That’s all I can think about.”
    â€œI broke you,” she said. “I pulled you right into the quicksand with me and it has you up to your chin.”
    â€œNo. I’ve already told you that you couldn’t make me do anything I wouldn’t have done myself.”
    She turned her back to Emerson and pressed her palms on the countertop. She looked at the walls and the shit-brown color they were. “I don’t like a lot of things, Emerson. I don’t like the color of these damn walls and I don’t like what I’ve done to my son. I don’t treat you well and I did the same thing to Wilson for years. My childhood was a disaster and I guess the only thing that can make me comfortable in my own skin is a drink.”
    She paused to gather her thoughts.
    â€œNo,” she said. “I meant to say drinks—a lot of them. And knowing that?” She shook her head. “It makes me feel weak.” She hid her eyes. “I dragged you into a big fat mess and you know it. Here is your out.”
    She stared at Emerson and gave him a moment to consider those words. The pockmarks on his cheeks were deep and distracting and they reminded her of Swiss cheese. Sweat glistened on his forehead and he breathed heavily. He was taking too long, but she swallowed the next insult.
    Emerson stepped forward and Cailean’s eyes widened, ready to fend him off.
    â€œYou’ve brought me nothing but joy,” he said. “I don’t like to see you hurting like this.” He reached for her. “I want you to know that I love you.”
    She pulled away, her expression overcome by disbelief and outrage. “What did you just say to me?”
    Emerson firmed up. “I told you that I love you.”
    She slammed her fist into the countertop. “I told you to never say those words to me!”
    â€œWhy shouldn’t I say it when it’s true?”
    â€œShut up!” she shouted, and pushed her way past him. “You’ve crossed the line this time and there is no going back from it.” She moved to the window and pulled the shade aside. The endless snow and ice and strong gusts of wind replicated her feelings.
    â€œI know you don’t want to hear this,” he said. “But I don’t regret telling you that.”
    She turned to him and pointed a finger at him. “You see? This is what I’m talking about! You need to learn when to shut your mouth.” Spit flew from her mouth and she could feel her face filling with a brilliant red. “You stupid, fat—”
    â€œNo!” he shouted back. “I’m not going to allow you to do this!”
    â€œGet out of here!”
    â€œI’m not going!”
    â€œI said to gather your stuff and get out!”
    Emerson pounded his chest with his fist. “I am sick and tired of this.”
    â€œYou did this! We agreed to never say those words. That’s not what this is.”
    He studied her. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe you are damaged beyond repair.”
    She waved her hands. “Well then, what is keeping you here? Not a damn thing!”
    Emerson grabbed his coat out of the closet. He checked his pocket for his wallet and keys. “You chase me away because I tell you that I love you.”
    â€œI chase you away because I don’t deserve it. You will never understand. . .”
    â€œYou do, but you’re unwilling to see it,” he said. “I guess I don’t understand the way you think and I guess I never will.”
    He opened the front door and the biting cold swooped through the house and Cailean backed away. She just stared at him and felt dirty and confined in her own skin.
    â€œI guess if you want to talk to me ever again you will call me,” he said,