The Sharpest Edge. Stephanie Rowe

then moved away.

      For a moment, there was a tense silence, then he cleared his throat. “Coffee smells good.” He busied himself sweeping up the spilled grounds off the counter and into his hand.

      She nodded. Moment over.

      Sean went to the sink and dumped the grounds, then washed his hands. The only sound in the room was the running water, then the drip of the faucet after he shut it off. “I could stop by tomorrow and fix that if you want. Wastes water.”

      She met his gaze. “What’s going on, Sean?”

      He tossed the paper towel under the sink, knowing where the trash can was without even looking. “I don’t know where Jimmy is and it worries me. He still hasn’t turned up in California. From what I can figure, he’s not the kind of guy to lie low now that he’s free.”

      She shook her head. “No, about us.”

      He froze, then spoke carefully, as if choosing his words precisely. “What about us?”

      “I…um…” She licked her lips, not sure what to say. After ten years of apologizing in her mind, it didn’t make it any easier to do in person. “I’m sorry.”

      “About what?”

      “Leaving you.” She was so sorry. She’d loved him, and she’d hurt him. People didn’t hurt those they loved.

      “What about the rest of it?”

      She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

      “Leaving your family. Abandoning them. Hating them. What about that?”

      Defensiveness made her voice sharp. “You don’t understand.”

      He leaned against the counter again and folded his arms over his chest. “Then tell me. Tell me why you let your father sit alone in his hospital room every day without visiting him. Tell me why you didn’t come home for your mom’s funeral. Tell me why, Kim. Explain it to me so I can stop hating you.”

      Pain shot through her. “You hate me?”

      “Yes.”

      “Oh, God.” She sat down at the table and blinked hard. Her throat was tight. “You used to love me and now you hate me?” It hurt. So much.