The Pineview Incident by Kayla Griffith Read Free Book Online Page A

it?” he said.
    Without warning, Donna got up and darted into the small extra bedroom. When she returned, she had a photo album in her hands.
    “I keep forgetting to give this to you.” She unceremoniously shoved the book into his hands.
    Mark looked at the decorated album and slowly opened it. The pages were filled with memories. From their high school football team to the christening of the last grand baby, each page was filled with pictures, newspaper clippings, and odd memorabilia. Donna's strong handwriting labeled and dated each entry, as well as narrated some of the more interesting pages.
    She'd done it for him. His hands shook as he turned the pages.
    After a while, he closed the book and looked at her. He needed to say something, but a lump blocked his windpipe, so instead he gulped down his cold coffee in an attempt to rid himself of the lump.
    Donna snatched the cup from him and went to the kitchen to refill it.
    “Glad you like it.” Her voice shook. She returned and handed him a steaming cup. They sat in silence again, gulping coffee and staring at walls.
    “Why'd you hit me?” Donna finally asked.
    “What?”
    “That day we played together. Why did you hit me?” she asked again. This time she turned and looked right at him with accusing eyes.
    “Well, because you kissed me and I was six. I was supposed to hit you.”
    “But I was just showing you that I liked you.”
    Mark knew enough to proceed with great caution. “I liked you, too, but you kissed me in front of my friends. That's the worst thing you could possibly do to a six year old. I had to hit you. If I didn't, I would've been a sissy in their eyes.”
    “Oh.” Donna sipped from her empty cup. “Did you really like me?”
    Mark cleared his throat. Twice. This conversation was not one he ever wanted to have. He wondered why he couldn't just leave her alone. But the truth was that he simply couldn't. Not since he'd first hit her and run. From that day on, he'd wanted to be near her, and she'd done everything to stay away.
    Then she'd married his best friend.
    “I liked you since the first day of kindergarten when we met,” he said, looking intently into his own empty cup. “I never stopped liking you, even when I hated you. You were mean to me, and I never understood why. I finally gave up, and decided to let you go, but then you married my best friend and I couldn't get away from you.” He realized he was sweating in the cool house. He took a few deep breaths to still his racing heart. He slid a glance at Donna, who looked at him with wide eyes.
    Well, so long as I feel like I'm in hell , he thought.
    “I never stopped liking you, though. No one ever compared to you. I watched you marry John, raise a family and make a life, and I always thought you were incredible at it. Since I couldn't have you as my own, I just admired you from a distance.” Mark was surprised at the steadiness of his voice.
    “I liked you, too. A lot.”
    “Okay.”
    “I have some apple muffins I made. Would you like one?”
    “Yes, please.”
    Donna got up and scurried into the kitchen, and Mark gasped for air that seemed to have grown too thin in the room. For the first time in a long time, Mark felt lighthearted.
    He looked around the familiar room, and an idea began tugging at him again. He knew exactly how to say thank you for Donna's gift.
    Donna came in carrying a tray and he smiled at her. It felt strange.
    “So, how are the kids?” Mark asked. He was grasping at conversational straws, but he didn't care.
    “Haley just had a little one.” She nodded at the latest photo of the newborn. “And Jack's wife just found out she's pregnant.”
    “You're going to be busy,” he said.
    “I don't mind since it gives me more babies to love. I just wish I could get down to see them more often.” Donna's eyes roamed to the multitude of pictures on the shelves. The years seemed to drop away as she smiled at the images of her family.
    “I've missed a lot.