Dust to Dust: A Broken Fairy Tale Read Online Free PDF Page B

paid less for it than I sold it for, so it’s a win-win situation.”
    We both turn and are now leaning against the wall of his empty garage and continue filling each other in on recent turn of events. I, of course, leave out the details of my marriage. My nervousness turns to comfort with the easiness our conversation begins to take on. In a few short minutes, it’s beginning to feel as if we’ve never been apart. I want to cry, knowing that my best friend is back when I need him the most. Relief overtakes me at the absence of sexual tension between us. It’s as if I have my best friend at my side right now, not my ex-boyfriend.
    “When will you move everything in?” I ask, noticing there is nothing but a few shelves filled with tools in the garage.
    “I’m all moved in. It’s even decorated for Christmas. Your mom did the decorating as a housewarming present. She said that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if I spent Christmas in a house without a tree.” He laughs, knowing my mom’s controlling personality all too well.
    It both warms my heart and pisses me off to know all this has gone on without my knowing. My parents have always kept a close relationship with Holden after his parents died; they invite him to everything, even my wedding. But he never comes, not once. He has never met my girls.
    A cold gust of snow comes shooting into the garage, forcing me to wrap my jacket more tightly around me. I’m instantly shot back to the reality that my family is all sound asleep next door on Christmas Eve and decide to go back where I belong.
    “It’s great to have you back in town. I’m happy for you, Holden. I guess that means I’ll be seeing more of you, although I don’t get back here too often myself.” I start backing out of the garage, trying to make my escape.
    Holden reaches out and grabs my hand before I can make a break for it, sensing the change in my attitude. He’s almost bending down, trying to meet my gaze. “Hey Cam, are you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you. I just didn’t want to get your hopes up if I couldn’t make it tomorrow. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.”
    I suddenly become angry at his arrogance in thinking he has any effect on me anymore. Clearly he has no effect on me anymore. He has relatively shut me out of his life for the past decade.
    “What makes you think I would have my hopes up at seeing you again, Holden ?” All of my sadness before begins to collide with my conflicted feelings of seeing Holden like this, sending a tornado of feelings through me. “We have barely spoken in years, Holden, and that was your choice. Like I said, I’m glad you’re back. It’s going to be great catching up. I hope you can stop by and meet my girls and see Marcus tomorrow.” I try to regain control of the conversation and my emotions.
    Holden knows me too well. He can see the hurt in my eyes, but he has no idea of the real reason behind it. I am sure of one thing right now. I will do my best to make sure he never knows.
    “Will do. I’m looking forward to it. Your mom invited me to brunch.” He winks, knowing this is probably going to put me over the edge.
    I can’t help but smile back. “Of course she did.” Of course she did.

 
     
     
Chapter Two
     
     
    J uly 4, 2012
    “Camryn, please tell your father that he cannot wear this horrible outfit to the party,” my mom bellows to me from the deck in pure disgust. I can hear her pecking away at my dad when I walk outside to see what all her fuss is about.
    “Dad, honestly, this is getting a little out of hand. Have you no pride left?” I can’t help but taunt him. It is taking every bit of self-control not to bust out laughing at his ridiculous outfit. Not only is Dad wearing red and blue starred knee-high socks that I’m pretty sure are meant for teenage girls, but his plump belly is accentuated with his skin tight Bruce Springsteen T-shirt tucked in— yes, I said tucked in —to blue jean