Shattered by Elizabeth Lee Page A

she’s not the only Boyd woman that doesn’t know.” He crooked his mouth to the side and widened his eyes in false nervousness.  I laughed at his exaggeration.  I knew as well as he did that when Mary Boyd found out I was back, we were both in for it.  Paul Boyd had always been nice to me when he was around.  His wife was another story.  She was never blatantly mean to me.  She pretty much just denied my existence, ignoring me, pretending not to see me when I’d wave at her.  Every now and then she’d make some snide remarks letting me know that she knew I was there.  I could handle her underhanded comments and negativity, but it pissed me off, royally, when she acted that way toward Alyssa.  Couldn’t she see that all the girl wanted was a little attention from her mother?  Lyss tried to act like it didn’t bother her, but I saw it, and so did Garrett.  Part of the reason we took Alyssa with us everywhere was because neither of us could stand the thought of her being around her mother.
    I finished out my afternoon at work and headed back to my house to take a shower.  I was surprised to find my sister at home.  I walked in to find her stocking the fridge. “Hey, Kel.”
    “Not gonna tell your big sister that you’re home, huh?” She shoved a few frozen pizzas into the freezer.  “Get over here, you inconsiderate little shit.”  She held her arms out, waiting for me to give her a proper greeting.
    “Sorry.” I hugged her.
    “I missed ya, Jess.” She was smiling when she pulled away from me.
    “I missed you too.” I was happy to see my sister.  I’d called her a few times from Florida and she acted like she was okay with me leaving, but I knew when said she missed me, she meant it.  It wasn’t like all the times my parents said it.  She was a true constant in my life and I was grateful for her.
    “How was Florida?  Uncle Dean?” I followed her into the living room and we both sat down on the couch.
    “It was good.  Uncle Dean is, well, Uncle Dean,” I laughed.  Dean was my mother’s brother and he was a trip.  He spent his twenties and thirties serving in the Navy.  He came back with a can-do attitude and a wicked case of PTSD.  He was crass and unattached.  The only woman that had been in his life longer than one night was his boat Mindy’s Inheritance .  Uncle Dean thought it was hilarious that he’d convinced his parents to give him their last bit of money to buy his fishing boat.  My mother was pissed at first, but when he told her the name of the boat they both laughed about it.  They hadn’t grown up with much, so they weren‘t really expecting anything when their parents did pass away.  “He taught me a lot,” I continued, “He wants me to come back and run another boat for him.”
    “That’s great, Jess.”  She excitedly slapped my knee. “Really great!”  Her excitement faded and was replaced with an inquisitive stare. “Why are you back then?”
    I bit my lip, hesitant to tell her.  When I thought about the real reason I was back, I smiled.
    “Alyssa Boyd.” She grinned.  Just like that, I was back in 8 th grade, blushing like a fool.  “It’s about time you told that girl that you love her.”
    “I, huh…I,” I was flustered.  “What are you talking about? I just came back to check up on her.”
    “Ok, buddy,” She sarcastically agreed.
    I’d admitted to myself that I was in love with Alyssa.  Why couldn’t I admit to everyone else? Especially Alyssa.  Kelly and I spent a few more minutes catching up, before she had to get back to my adorable niece and nephew.  I promised her that I would stop by and see them tomorrow.
    I took a shower, pulled on a pair of jeans and a light blue t-shirt, and headed over to the diner to grab something to eat.  I’d planned on eating alone, but when I saw Hap and January in the back booth, they insisted I join them.
    “I’m so glad you’re back, Jess.” January patted the top of my hand as I