Amanda M Lee [Lee - Freaky Hearts

C opyright 2017 by Amanda M. Lee

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T hat smells great , Luke enthused, sitting at the picnic table and smiling as he watched me toil over the grill. Im starving.

You didnt do anything to work up an appetite last night, I reminded him. You were performing when everything went down.

Thats your fault, Luke said, extending a finger. You couldve waited for me. Instead, you had to take the creepy scarecrow down while I was otherwise engaged. I didnt even get to see him. Im so upset, and you know emotional upheaval makes me hungry.

As far as I could tell everything short of nuclear destruction makes him hungry. Fine, I said, shaking my head as Kade handed me a carton of eggs. Youve earned your hunger. Are you happy?

For now, Luke said, glancing around. The circus was quieter than a normal Sunday morning, everyone taking advantage of our peculiar situation and sleeping in. Do you think your new friend is going to join us?

Her name is Melissa, and theres no reason to dislike her simply because she didnt like your leotard, I said. And yes I think shes going to join us. Shes desperate to be around people who understand her.

Im not sure Id be so keen to be a part of this group after witnessing that scene yesterday, Kade said, pouring himself a mug of coffee as he sat across from Luke. She went from being able to see the future to watching a dwarf in an evening gown behead a child while a pixie used her mind to shred a human scarecrow and another pixie dropped some dust on a second child and shrank her into a doll. That might put me off from being a joiner.

Thats because youre a downer sometimes, I said, flicking the back of his ear as I reached around him to grab the sausage. I think Melissa is one of those people who like to look on the brighter side of life.

I like to look on the brighter side of life, Kade argued. Right now, for example, Im brightening just thinking about those cheerleading photos Luke is going to show me.

Luke snickered, earning a dark look from me.

Ill ban you from breakfast if you show him those photos, I said, waving the spatula for emphasis. Youll starve to death.

You would never punish me that way, Luke said. I would wear you down with pathetic cries and whimpers.

I had no doubt about that. Well, I still think you should lose those photos, I said. I almost died, but lived to tell the tale. I think that is one of those experiences that deserve a favor, and the favor I want is those photos going away forever.

No way, Luke said, shaking his head. Ill paint your toenails or something. That will be my favor.

That didnt sound remotely fair. I .

The sound of a man clearing his throat at the end of the table caught my attention, causing me to forget what I was about to say. When I realized Max was standing there my heart dropped to my stomach. I was certain I was about to throw up all over Lukes breakfast.

Hey, Max, Luke said, completely missing my newfound distress. You missed all the excitement last night. You usually do, though. Do you want to hear all about it over breakfast?

Max glanced at me, our gazes momentarily locking. I would love to hear the story at some time, he said. Im actually here for another reason.

My stomach, which only seconds before had been growling in anticipation of breakfast, felt as if it was going to explode from the burning tension roiling it.

Whats going on? Kade asked, confused as he glanced between Max and me. Is something wrong?

I guess that depends on the way you look at things, Max said, licking his lips. I have something I need to tell you, and I dont believe youre going to like it.

Kade stilled, his shoulders stiffening. Okay.

Max shifted his eyes to Luke. Perhaps you should find someone else to cook you breakfast this morning, he suggested. I dont think this breakfast is going to be digestible when Im done.

That sounds ominous, Luke said. I do I really have to go?

Luke loves gossip. He didnt want to miss out on what was about to happen.

Thats up to Kade, Max said. What I have to tell him is his story.

He can stay, Kade said, shifting on the bench and leaning back so there was more distance between Max and himself. He didnt know what was coming, but he sensed it was bad. Just spit it out, Max. Youre making it worse by prolonging it.

I understand that, Max said, rubbing the back of his neck. Its just I never envisioned telling you this. Well, thats not entirely true. I wanted you to know the whole story from the beginning, but your mother didnt think that was a good idea.

Whats going on? Kade asked, his voice taking on a hard edge. I know youve been keeping something from me since I got here. At first I thought it was just the magic stuff, but then I realized more was going on. Just tell me. He was almost begging Max to do the right thing. I would do anything to save him from the hurt he was about to feel, but it was out of my hands.

I did not know your father, Max said, twisting his fingers together. We were not friends and I didnt make a promise to him as he lay dying that I would look out for you and your mother. I know thats the story you were told, but it isnt true.

Okay, whats the truth? Kade asked, his eyes glued on Maxs face.

The truth is . Max broke off, flashing me a helpless look as he floundered. Hes the strongest man I know, but I didnt think he was capable of doing this.

The truth is Max is your father, I volunteered, causing Max to widen his eyes and Luke to suck in a breath. He wanted to be a part of your life, but your mother didnt think that was a good idea because he was always on the road. They came to an understanding.

What? Kades face was a mottled shade of red as he glared at me.

Im your father, Max gritted out. Im sorry for not telling you the truth sooner. I wanted to, but I feared you wouldnt take it well. Your mother made up such wonderful stories about your father, and I didnt think I could live up to the manufactured hype.

Youre my father? Kades voice climbed an octave as he pushed himself to a standing position. Max wasnt a large man, but he wasnt small either. He looked positively tiny in the face of Kades fury.

I am your father, Max confirmed. Im so sorry for springing it on you this way, but I thought you should know the truth.

Instead of yelling or screaming instead of throwing his arms around Max and saying they could work things out Kade turned his accusatory eyes on me. You knew!

Not for long, I said, my cheeks burning. I figured it out about a week after you arrived and confronted Max with my suspicions.

Dont be angry with Poet, Max said. She demanded I tell you the truth right away, but I was afraid to do it. This isnt her fault.

Well, youve got half of that right, Kade said, tossing his unused napkin on the table and taking a step back. Shes not the one who told the initial lie, but she allowed you to keep telling it for the past two weeks.

I told him he had to tell you the truth, I protested, my eyes filling with tears. I threatened to quit if he didnt.

She did, Max said, bobbing his head. She also gave me an ultimatum that I tell you today or she would. I would like to think I wouldve told you the truth without her push, but fear is a funny thing. I dont know that I would have done it. She insisted, though.