Broken

Chapter 29

Harry

"We just don't have any money in the budget for this kind of repair."

I watched my dad sigh. He pushed his glasses up on to his head and ran his hands over his eyes. The lines in his face were deep with worry and it made him age far beyond his years. I could feel the worry rolling off of his body in huge waves.

It was a week into summer and it was already stressful. The front window was boarded up and we continued business like usual, but questions were being asked and no one seemed to have he answers. No one but Ryder but he was not one willing to share. We had spent the night of the shooting cleaning up the shop and getting rapid questioning from the police surrounding the incident and Ryder stood as silent as the grave the whole time.

"Dad," I said, setting down my pen on the stack of insurance papers littering the counter top. "he said he would pay for it. You don't have to worry so much about it."

"Yes but Harry I don't know if I can trust him." he replied. "He got our shop bloody shot at!"

I sighed, understanding what he was going at. "I know. But dad, I trust him. I may be mental to do so but I think he's a trustworthy person."

He grunted and shifted on the stool, placing his glasses back on his nose. "You're just like your mum you know." he said gruffly, but I could hear the tenderness in his voice. "She always saw the good in people, even if no one else could."

I gave him a small grin, running my fingers through my hair. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

He looked up at me for a second, sizing me up as a person and a son. "No." he said softly. "Maybe it's not."

The bell at the front of the shop dinged and I looked over, confused. It was past six and the shop was closed.

"Ryder." my dad stated.

Ryder shut the door behind him, his heavy boots clunking across the floor. He took off his sunglasses and held them in his hands.

"Sir." he said, nodding. "I came by to discuss payment stuff with you about the window and to see if you needed any help with anything."

I could see slight surprise on my father face.

"Oh." He said. "Well I need to go to the back office and sort everything out first, so it may take a few minutes. But you're welcome to stay around here until I'm finished. I don't really have much for you to do."

"That's fine." Ryder replied.

My dad stood, his movements slow. I watched him collect the scattered insurance statements and bills into a stack. He tucked them under his arm and disappeared into the back. I watched Ryder come occupy the recently vacated seat. He sat down with a heavy sigh, setting his sunglasses in front of him.

"Hey kid." he said, his voice burdened down.

"Hi Ryder." I replied. "How are you doing?"

He shrugged, crossing his arms. "As good as expected after being shot at." he said sarcastically, letting out a forced laugh. "Listen, I really am sorry about all of that. I didn't mean to get anyone hurt."

"No one was hurt." I reassured him. "But I would like to know what's really going on."

He shook his head. "I don't think so. Bad things happen when secrets are shared."

I set my mouth into a thin line. "I'm 19 years old. I can take care of myself but I almost got killed that night and I need you to tell me what's really going on."