It—was—mine.
I stepped out of the foliage, exposing myself. Only one thing on my mind. My feet shuffling, alerting her of my presence.
She shoots up from her seat. Eyes doubling—if not tripling in size. Her skin paling to a ghostly sheen of white.
Was she shaking? I didn’t care, I was moving.
That is until she says the one thing that stops me dead in my tracks.
“Lillian?” she says on a shaky whisper. Her shoulders coil in as her breathing turns jagged.
Huh?
Her features shift, contorting into anger. Lorna was here but it’s like she was looking through me. The lines along her mouth twist and her motions turn jerky as she points a finger.
“I got rid of you,Lillian.” Her tone was sour, voice callous. Was she proud of that fact?
Lorna’s head was playing tricks on her. She’s confused and then it dawned on me. My hair—myblondehair. She had no idea I’d changed it.
That’s why she looked as if she were seeing someone else because in her mind I’m sure she was. Lorna was seeing my mother.
Her gaze was enamored, almost like she was studying me. Her head cocking to one side. “Why are you back? You shouldn’t be here.” She was quiet a moment before her voice dropped. “I made you go away.”
I recoil, my mouth pulling tight.
The thickness in the air stifling. What was she talking about? How had she made Lillian go away and why?
My mother had always made it seem like she was the one to leave but now I wasn’t so sure. The dots weren’t connecting. I was missing something.
Her face stayed drawn, but it hitched. Tone mimicking. “Lillian the kind one. Lillian the beautiful one. Lillian theperfectone.” She wobbles, righting herself as her mouth puckers in malice. “That’s all anyone could ever talk about. Lillian, Lillian,Lillian.”
“Lorna—”
“No,” she fumes, cutting in. “I made you go away once, and I can do it again.”
Her eyes glow, the flames of the fireplace dancing on her pupils. Ironic since there was nothing warm about her.
I had two options at this point. Leave and forget this ever happened or use it as an opportunity and get some answers.
I gulp, taking a cautious step in her direction. My decision made as soon as I eyed my book still sitting there.
“Why did you try and get rid of me?” I ask, keeping my voice taut.
Her nostrils flare. “Ididget rid of you.”
Obviously not. I want to say but bite my tongue instead. Now was not the time to rile her up further since she was already confused.
Licking my lips, I glance down a second time and as soon as I did it, I knew I messed up. Our eyes lock and all the air leaves my lungs. Doing my best to hide the terror in my eyes as she picks up the red-bound book.
“Lorna, don’t—” I warn, taking another step closer. A hunk of stone settling in my stomach.
“Or what?” Her honeyed voice daring me to finish. That look of hers perceptive and wise. Deliberate.
I was beginning to realize she knew more than she was letting on. Knew more about this story than I originally concluded. I just didn’t knowhow muchmore.
She scoffs, flicking her wrist, and the pages tumble open. “This is why you came back, right?” she hisses. “Because of this!”
I blink, unsure if she was aware she wasn’t making sense right now. How could my book have been here when I had no idea about any of this when I was gifted it?