My father has no idea about it.
I have no clue what it means, but I know it has a purpose. She wouldn’t have gifted it to me before she killed herself if not.
People always assume because Silas runs Hardin, that he’s the breadwinner, the smart one. What they failed to consider out of their own naivety is that my mother was the cunning one.
When she was alive, she noticed things most people didn’t take the time to observe. A smoke screen, if you will. Savage but not inconsiderate. That’s my mother.
I fist my hand around the object.
My smile out of fondness for my mother’s memory. Our world is not built around weakness. She’s the strongest of us all.
Camellia stood tall in the grass while Lorna slithers her way through it. Nothing less for the true snake she is.
This is another reason I’ve been following my father’s every will. Doing everything he asks, even as Satan himself issues the decree.
I have no idea what they are up to or if they are working together or separate. Hidden agendas are easier to hide the further you push your way into the ground.
I never got the chance to tell Rory this that day because we’d gotten occupied with other, more pleasurable activities. This isn’t the first time I’ve caught Lorna at my home.
Throughout the years, Lorna has made herself her own guest. I don’t think she came over often. Less than a handful of times that I’d caught her, at least.
I’m positive it also helped that I spent more time at their house than at my own. The frequency of an unusual meeting less significant at hers than at mine.
The other day had been the first time I’d seen my father greeting her personally. Usually, she found her own way.
Something about the impulsiveness of it all never sat right with me. Always neglecting anything associated with my father, I never read into it.
I regret that choice, like so many other things as of recent.
My patience is being tested to the extreme. Which is why I agreed to go on this trip with my father out of my own better judgment.
The humility of time my nemesis.
Resting my head, I make myself as comfortable as I can. This will be the last chance I have to see the moon from this vantage point before we leave.
The perfect circular shape, as solid as it is bright tonight. The stars its faithful company in the darkness.
I stroke my thumb across the ornamental base. “What are you trying to tell me, Mom?” I don’t expect a response. That question meant only for my mother. No one ever comes up here.
Only Rory, that one time.
The wind picks up for the first time since I showed. Finally, giving me what I wanted hours ago.
It should be of complete coincidence but something inside tells me it’s not. The shift like the season is abrupt. New beginnings can only come after fresh growth.
Change is coming.
twenty-four
Rory
Myfootslamsdownon the brake. The little time it takes my car to react as it comes to a screeching halt is impressive.
Before I know what I’m fully doing, the car gets thrown into park, and I’m jumping out. He’s back after being gone for days and I decide just then I want answers.
I can’t let it go. I have to know.
“You,” I fume, trying to play catch up. “We need to talk.”