~7~
Finally, Luis reacted on instinct alone, a hand reaching out, fingertips making contact with her smooth skin for one heart-stopping moment before Sheridan withdrew from him as if burned. "I didn't mean…"
Shaking her head at his ill-attempt at dishonesty, Sheridan simply said, "You did. And I am. I am a bad person. I'm a Crane."
The urge to cup her chin in his hands and steady its trembling surprised and angered Luis. He held onto his anger because he knew, if he didn't, the tenderness would be his undoing. "The Cranes hurt everything they touch. They're poison."
A tear spilled from one of Sheridan's eyes, slipping down her cheek unchecked. She stared straight ahead, unable to meet Luis's eyes. "What about Marty?"
"Marty's a Lopez-Fitzgerald." Luis's chair scraped harshly against the floor as he got up, turning his back on Sheridan and the pain he knew he'd inflicted.
Sheridan's broken whisper still reached Luis's ears. "I'm his mother."
"His biological mother," Luis whirled around to face her, forcing his eyes to be hard and unforgiving. "But in every way that counts?" he steeled himself to her soft sobs. "You're not his mother. You never were."
I know it's short, but I thought it packed a pretty big punch, yes?
Feedback much appreciated.
Thanks so much for reading!