This is the thirty-second part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XV, Part XVI, Part XVII, Part XVIII, Part XIX, Part XX, Part XXI, Part XXII, Part XXIII, Part XXIV, Part XXV, Part XXVI, Part XXVII, Part XXVIII, Part XXIX, Part XXX, and Part XXXI before continuing.
Cordy had not done any damage to Uncle Phil’s house, but she let me know how upset she was at having been left alone all day.
“I know, baby. I’m so sorry,” I crooned as I scratched her ears, then her butt, then her ears again as she rotated, barking occasionally to let me know that just because I was scratching her didn’t mean she forgave me.
“OK, let’s go for a walk,” I said.
She yipped and headed for the door, waiting impatiently for it to open.
I grabbed her leash, just in case I needed it, then let her run outside without bothering to leash her.
“Mind if I walk with you,” said Michael.
“Of course not. But don’t you have to go take care of your horses?”
“I texted Jacob and asked him to let them out for me. It’s not ideal, but they’ll be fine for one day.”
“You really don’t have to babysit me.”
“I just want to make sure you’re OK.”
“I’m fine. It was just a panic attack.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know you get panic attacks.”
“Phil doesn’t even know. Which reminds me, don’t say anything to him about it.”
“Why not?”
“You know how his generation is. Mental health isn’t real. Just pull yourself together and get over it.”
He huffed a laugh. Then he seemed to think for a moment before saying, “Do you think it runs in your family?”
“Probably. I don’t think my mom ever had panic attacks, but she definitely struggled with anxiety. Why do you ask?”
“I think Phil might have some anxiety of his own.”
“What? Just because he has dreams of people chasing him and wakes up with his jaw locked in a grimace.”
“He told you about that?”
“Yep. I would definitely say anxiety runs in the family.”
We walked in silence for a bit. Then I said, “Your turn.”
“My turn for what?”
“Tell me something embarrassing about yourself.”
“I think we covered that when you walked in on me singing K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
I laughed. “What’s your favorite song from that movie?”
“Soda pop.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It has a sway, but also a bop. Then they time the ‘pop’ in soda pop with that bop, and I can’t get enough.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“Free.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
I sang, “‘Let the past be the past ‘til it’s weightless.’ I love that line.”
Michael nodded, then waited a beat before saying, “So what are you running from?”
“What?”
“What’s in your past that you want to let be the past ‘til it’s weightless?”
“Well, Vincent, for starters.”
“Are you ever gonna tell me what happened there?”
“He cheated on me.”
“He what?” Michael stopped dead in his tracks, but I kept walking, looking down at my feet.
After a moment, he jogged to catch up with me. Cordy got excited when she saw him running and started nipping at his heels. I was grateful for the distraction.
To be continued…