I nodded. “I had hoped he would. I mean I know that he and mom didn’t really get along, but I hoped he would have been here for us today.”
She shrugged. “He clearly doesn’t care.”
“Yeah, I guess. Alright, well sorry for pulling you away.”
She waved me off. “You actually saved me from having to listen to those ladies go on and on about whatever they were talking about it.”
I forced back a laugh.
“I get it. I feel like a lot of people here think we are mom, and we are super interested in what they have to say.”
“I’m surprised that mom was interested in all of this.”
I nodded. I was actually quite surprised about that myself.
“I guess Mom had a life we didn’t really know about.” I sighed.
“Have you read your letter yet?” Lela asked.
I shook my head. “I can’t bring myself to read it yet.”
“Me either.”
We stood there for a few more minutes just watching the people come in, grab something to eat, and find a seat somewhere.
“Do you think she kept this from us on purpose?” Lela questioned as we grabbed a plate to share.
Neither of us was very hungry, but John insisted that we eat something.
“I don’t think so. I think that this was just her life. And we made a point to live in other places. If we lived here, I think we would know more of these people.”
She nodded and sat down next to me.
It was the first time in a while that she and I were both on good terms and a relief. I wasn’t in the mood to keep fighting with her. Not that day. I know my mother’s soul and spirit weren’t in her body, but watching the casket get lowered into the ground broke me. There was no more coming back. Every time I would leave my mom’s house, I knew I would see her the next time I showed up. And that day I realized that will never happen again. That safety net was gone, and I felt naked.
I SAT AT THE COUNTER the next morning. A cup of coffee in front of me and I was taking in the aroma.
“Morning...” Lela said rubbing her eyes as she shuffled into the room. She practically ran into everything on her way to the coffee pot.
“Need a hand?” I asked running my finger around the rim of the coffee cup.
“I’m good.” She turned to face me. “What’s happening today?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think there is anything specific.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she took in a mouthful of coffee.
“Thank goodness. I don’t think I could handle more of these people telling me how sorry they are.” She set her coffee down on the counter across from me.
“What does that even mean? ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ Like it’s not your fault she’s dead unless you are the one that killed her. Then we would have bigger problems.”
“They are just expressing their sorrow for our loss. It’s the only way people know how to say, ‘I feel bad for you’.”
She sighed. “Well it’s annoying, and I’m really tired of hearing it. I can’t wait to go home.”
“Home?” I asked looking up from my coffee.
“Yeah. You didn’t expect me to hang around here, forever did you?”
“Not forever, but at least for a little bit. Don’t you want to look through some of her stuff and decide on what you want to take with you?”
“I never said I was leaving today. I’m leaving at the end of the week.”
I nodded. Well that at least gave me some time.
“I’m going to go get a shower and get dressed.” I said grabbing my coffee cup and heading upstairs.
I set the cup down on the dresser and walked into the bathroom, hitting play on remote for music. I practically lived through music. Everything I did, I needed a song to go with it.
“Kass!” Lela screamed running into the bathroom.
The music stopped, and all I could hear was the running water.
“What?” I groaned.
“There was someone here.” She panted.
“What?” I asked pulling the shower curtain back and sticking my head out.
I could see the panic on her face.
“Who?” I asked.
“I...I don’t know. He was just standing in the front yard. I was walking by to head up here, and he was just standing there. When I looked again, he was gone.”
“Alright, give me a minute to wash my hair out.” I heard her walk away into the room while I finished rinsing the soap from my hair.
I strolled over to the window of my room with my towel wrapped around me and looked down.
“I don’t see anyone.” I sighed, turning and facing her.
“He was there, but oh my gosh!” Lela exclaimed almost running over to me and turning me back around so she could inspect my back.
“What?”
“When did you get a tattoo? And such a large on at that? You have two?” she yelled then seeing the one on my arm that somehow connects to the apparently new one on my back.
“Oh, um, it just sort of appeared the other day. I guess it’s grown.” I pulled out of her grasp and walked over to my dresser grabbing some clothes.
“Just appeared? Kass, that’s not even normal.”
I turned to face her as I was buttoning my jeans.
“And our lives are so normal?”
“Well no, but we don’t grow tattoos on our bodies.”
“How do you know? How do you know you don’t have one on your back?” I questioned, eyebrows raised.
“Because I don’t. And why are you treating this like it’s no big deal?”
“Because I read in one of Mom’s books that some magical creatures have tattoos. And come to think of it, this didn’t start until the day I arrived here.”
“But it doesn’t look like a brand-new tattoo.”
“Well whatever it is, I’ll figure it out later.”
She sat next the window and looked out while I pulled the tank top over my head.
She was clearly worried. Or jealous. With her I wasn’t entirely sure.
I pulled my hair back into a clip and swallowed some of my then lukewarm coffee.
“I have to go into town. Are you coming?” I asked pulling my leather jacket on.
“No. It’s too early for me to leave the house.”
“Fine. I’ll be back in a bit.” I slung my purse over my body and walked out the front door.
The house was still considered in town, but it took me a good ten minutes to drive to where everything was. The bank, the church, the small restaurants and shops. I loved growing up there, but so much had changed that I barely recognized it.
I parked and got out of the car. He caught my eye, and I froze. A man stood there in front of what looked like a vintage car. Hell, I was surprised the thing still ran. But he stood leaning against the car and was texting something on a phone.
He looked up and I almost lost movement in my legs.
Holy shit he’s gorgeous. I thought. I pulled myself together the best I could and headed into the store.
I needed stuff for the house. I couldn’t live off take-out the whole time I was there.
Chapter Two
Theo
I watched her walk into the store and was memorized by everything about her.