Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

“Isabel,” Belín chimed, “you look good. You look like nothing happened to you this morning.” She was looking at me intently, trying to see if she could find anything wrong.

“She’s right, sis. You look pretty good. Glad to see you home safe and sound.” Charlie gave me a hug and a kiss on top of my head. Something he never did, not even with our mother. She usually forced that kind of affection on him.

“Wow! A hug and a kiss from Charles Andrew. I should almost die more often, Charlie, if I’m going to get this much affection from you,” I said teasingly.

He puckered his face, saying, “Ooo, not a good joke, sis.”

“How do you feel, Isabel?” Belín wondered.

“I feel better now that I’ve eaten. Mind you, I don’t think I’m up to walking the dog or even driving right now but I feel well enough to do some work on my laptop or just walk around the house.”

“I hope you feel well enough for a visitor, Isabel,” Ben interjected, looking up from his phone. “I just got word that David is on his way here to pay you a visit.”

“How does he know I’m home? This is very unexpected!”

“He’s probably just guessing. He decided to go into work since this morning’s brunch didn’t go as planned. His shift must be over and I’d wager he’s on his way home but decided to take a detour and come here first.” Ben put his shoulder holster on and secured his gun in it. He asked Charlie if he could borrow his zip-up hoodie so the gun wouldn’t be so visible. Charlie took it off and handed it to him. “Remember what we talked about,” he added.

No one moved from his or her spot in the kitchen. They all stayed put, waiting for the show to start. In fact, Charlie and Belín made themselves a plate of food from the brunch they never ate this morning. Ugh. I felt like I was being put on display and I’d better make sure I performed to their expectations. The doorbell rang and Ben asked my mother if she wouldn’t mind getting it. She headed for the door slowly while Ben fetched my laptop from my office, to give the ruse of working on “the case.” Uncertain of what to do, I served myself more fruit and continued eating. David walked in, saying, “hello,” to everyone in the kitchen. Ben just nodded his head. The tension in the room felt almost tangible, even from the general direction of Belín and Charlie. They must still blame him for what happened to me…or they didn’t trust him.

“Isabel!” David sounded excited. “Sweet Isabel! You’re all right. I wasn’t expecting to see you home. I was actually just coming to ask your mother or brother if they had any news regarding you. I would’ve called but I don’t have your new home number or your mother or brother’s number. I’m glad I took the chance and came by.”

“Hi David.” I glanced at Ben, stood up and kissed David on the cheek. “I’m okay. Do you want to sit and join us?”

“Actually, do you mind if we talk in private?”

“Oh, of course not.” I turned to push my chair in and inconspicuously made eye contact with Ben. “Let’s go to the living room.” We headed to the sofa and I took his jacket from him and laid it on one of the chairs. I sat down first, with crisscrossed legs in front of me, facing David. He sat next to me with his knee on the sofa so he could face me.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” I asked.

“You look good, Isabel. You sound good too. I’m surprised at your recovery; I was pretty scared there for a minute.”

“Scared for yourself or scared for me?” I asked categorically.

“For you, Isabel! No question about it! For you! I would never and could never hurt you. You have to know…what happened…it wasn’t me, but I take full responsibility for not checking the medication before giving it to you. I’m so sorry. I could’ve lost you forever.” He let his head hang. He looked remorseful and in anguish. How could I not forgive him?

I regarded him for a moment, remembering what Ben said. I took both his hands in mine. “I believe you. I know you’re not capable of something like this. I’m fine, David. It’s okay, you did nothing wrong. Ben took good care of me and I’m here now with you and my family.”

“They must absolutely hate me. I don’t know how I could ever get back in their good graces again…especially your mother.” His gaze moved in the direction of the kitchen where everyone was congregated.

“Don’t worry about them, they’ll forgive you eventually.”

David took his hands out of mine and put mine in between his. “Isabel, I’m sorry for every shitty thing I did in the past. Give me another chance?” he asked, regret etched on his face. “Let me prove myself to you; let me show you how much you mean to me. I regret ever letting you slip out of my hands. I regret treating you the way I did. I regret the time I lost not being with you. I told you before I still love you and want you back. Almost losing you today has solidified that for me. Please give me a second chance and let me show you how much I care about you and love you.”

I was flabbergasted. I’d been waiting to hear those words since the day he ended our relationship, always hopeful, waiting and staying single. Mrs. Martin even called me a hopeful romantic. But now… sitting here on the sofa where Josh and I fell asleep together… where he and I had our not quite romantic interlude… where we shared pizza and beer. I