Uncle Dominic's Touch Read Online Free PDF Page A

rid of the feelings inside of her. She knew a nice long run was exactly what she needed. She needed to let everything fall away so that her mind was open and free again. She had other things to worry about, like school starting in the fall. Running harder, she let her surroundings encompass her and focused only on what was in front of her.
    ****
    The sun was setting by the time Chloe made it back to the cottage. Covered in sweat, she was exhausted, but also felt euphoric. When she stopped by the back door she could hear shouting and cursing from the open window. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, and meant to go inside instead of listening to an obvious fight. She knew walking away would have been the smart thing to do, but her aunt and uncle’s argument caught her attention and she felt her feet cemented to the ground.
    “It’s always about you, Dom. When are you going to start thinking about me?” Her aunt’s voice was raised high and filled with anger.
    “Calm down, Clara. The way you’re acting is childish.” Dominic’s voice was steady. Although he kept his cool, Chloe could tell he was pissed by the clipped words he spoke.
    “Childish? Ha!” Chloe heard cupboards slam shut. “This is why our relationship is shit, Dom. This is why I’ve gone elsewhere for what I need.”
    “No, our relationship is shit because you’re a selfish bitch, Clara. You went off and fucked someone else because all you care about is yourself. You gave no consideration for anyone else.”
    Chloe covered her mouth with her hand as she heard her aunt and uncle's private conversation. She felt like a voyeur, but still she couldn’t move.
    “Would you have even told me if I hadn’t caught you in the act?” Dominic laughed roughly. “No, you wouldn’t.”
    “If you're so miserable why did you stay?”
    “I didn’t want to give up, Clara, but as the years waned on I found myself not caring.” Everything was silent for several moments. “I thought we could work it out. How wrong I was.”
    “This isn’t working, hasn’t been for a long time and we both know it.” Clara’s voice raised an octave higher.
    “You’re right. I can’t keep holding onto something that isn’t there.”
    “I wish I'd never wasted all these years with you. Look at what it's gotten me!” More slamming of drawers and cupboards preceded her aunt’s harsh words.
    Chloe didn’t move as she heard the front door open and slam shut. The sound of a car starting and peeling out of the driveway had her wincing. Now was not the time to go inside, not when either her aunt or uncle were in there, not after everything she just heard.
    As the car drove off and the sound became more and more distant, Chloe turned to leave. Just when she went to leave, she heard the back door open and close. Tensing, she dreaded turning and seeing who stood behind her. If it was her aunt, Clara would have fire behind her eyes and a temper that would knock Chloe back a few steps. Uncle Dominic was able to hide his emotions. He held things in, concealed them behind a mask of cool and collected composure. Chloe feared his reaction most because he was like the calm before a storm.
    Bracing herself, she turned and stared into her uncle’s blue eyes. He appeared calm, as if he hadn’t just had a fight with his wife, as if she hadn’t just left him. Neither one of them spoke for several minutes. Chloe started to feel the tension in the air. Awkwardness didn’t even begin to describe the situation.
      She hadn’t responded.
    She wasn’t going to lie, and not because she knew Dominic would be able to know it. Chloe didn’t feel right lying to him, not even about this.
    “I was standing out here for about ten minutes.” Not a lie, but also not the whole truth.
    He nodded almost absently and turned his attention to the setting sun. “This was a long time in coming.” It was like he was speaking to himself as he kept his attention on the horizon. “I wish you hadn’t been