Slut - Woodruff Jettie (книги онлайн полностью .txt) 📗

“But, Paxton’s was the magic one. They don’t stick without his.”

“It’s science, that’s it. Paxton has a bigger stone, of course it’s going to be more powerful. It holds the most magnetic force. I’ll bring him another one. Okay?”

“Okay, I’m sorry I woke you, Mi.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. You can call me day or night. We’re friends.”

“Thanks, Mi.”

“Anytime, babe. Night.”

“Night, tell Nick I’m sorry for waking him.”

“He didn’t wake up. I deliver babies, remember? He’s used to these calls.”

I snickered and hung up, feeling a little let down, and then silly. I never did believe in the stupid magic. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took two sleeping pills. I had about five hours until my little people would want to be fed, and I didn’t want to think anymore. I just wanted peace.

~~

I was dazed and confused a little when I woke the next morning. The sun was up high in the sky, assuring me I slept way past feeding time. That told me that Paxton didn’t go to work, that he was home with the kids. That also pissed me off. I didn’t need him to miss work because of his unstable wife. My head shook back and forth, letting the anger marinate when I saw the time. After ten. Vander had his school physical in two hours. I was sure Paxton didn’t remember that.

I took the steps quickly, allowing the anger to build with every step. I scratched my head when I saw the kids out on the patio carrying pieces of concrete dumped in my back yard, but I didn’t see Paxton. I poured a cup of warm coffee and popped it into the microwave.

“That’s a little too big, Row, you’re going to hurt yourself. Let Daddy get the big ones.”

“We’re going to have a waterslide, Mommy. Daddy said so,” Ophelia explained, excited for the new water feature.

“I heard, put your shoes on before you drop one of those on your toe. You guys have to come in and get cleaned up soon. We have to take Van for his physical today.” I said as the microwave beeped.

“Uncle Pax remade it,” Vander said, barely giving me the time of day. He was busy explaining the secret tunnel, and arguing with Phi where the rock climbing wall should be.

I sipped my coffee, shaking my head at Paxton. I was sure his gesture was out of the kindness of his fake heart, but I did wonder where he was. I was just about to walk toward the voices when Rowan joined me. It sounded like the television, but Paxton didn’t watch television during the day. Maybe on the weekends, but never during the week.

“Did you leave the television on?”

“No, but I don’t want Vander to live here anymore,” Rowan announced with a frown, slamming the hell out of the glass door.

“Why?”

“Because, he shouldn’t get to pick where to put the secret hideout. He doesn’t belong with our family. I want him to leave. That’s why,” she said as she pulled herself up to the stool, mad as a rattlesnake.

“Didn’t I hear Daddy say you all get to pick something special for the waterslide?”

“Yes, but I want the secret tunnel. I should get it because you’re not his mom, and my dad’s not his dad. I don’t like him.”

“That makes me sad, Row-row. Vander’s mommy can’t come to him, and his daddy died. We’re the only family he has. I want to take care of him like I take care of you because I love him.”

Rowan looked down to her fingers and picked dirt from below her nails. “But you’re not his mommy.”

“Row, look at me.”

“What?”

I smiled and reminded her of the time I came into her life. “Your mommy couldn’t take care of you either, but I could, and I loved you so much. You have to think about Vander’s feelings, too, love bug. I know it’s hard, but Vander doesn’t have a mommy right now, and he needs us. Can you understand that?”

“Yes, okay,” she replied in a sincere tone.

“That’s my girl. So tell me why you can’t have two secret tunnels?”

“Can we?”

“Your dad can build anything. Of course you can.”

Rowan left me without another word, yelling to Vander that they can have two secret tunnels. I walked away with a smile and to the voices coming from the family room.

“Vander has a physical in two hours. Why didn’t you wake me up?” I questioned when I saw Paxton standing behind the sofa.

Our eyes met and I saw the ghostly white expression.

“What are you doing here, Mi.”

Nothing seemed normal. It was all a haze of faraway voices and blurred vision.

My eyes left their pale faces and turned to the television.

Fox 8 News.

Live.

A body.

A missing female from Michigan.

Izabella Delgardo Suit.

Washed into Bay Valley swamps.

Decayed.

Tattoo over her heart.

Family has been notified.

Body found.

Body found.

Body found.

Epilogue

Vander looked so handsome in his little suit and tie, his hair slicked over to the side like Uncle Paxton’s. He was such a good boy. My heart was full of so many things, but watching that little boy place a rose on that coffin was the hardest thing my heart would ever remember.

Paxton held me tight to his side and we both held the girl’s shoulders as they stood in front of us and watched their first cousin walk slowly to the white box. He stared at the family photo, to the only dad he ever knew, and to a mom he would never see again.

As sad as it was, that day marked a new beginning for all of us. A closure that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, yet one that we all needed in order to move on.

Vander was a trooper, he never shed a tear. Not in front of anyone that is. He cried in my arms when I tucked him into bed that night, and I cried with him. Burying my sister was the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. The first one was telling her son that she would never come home to him. That hurt. A lot.

“You see that one right there?” he asked as he pointed to the globe behind the glass shelf, Paxton had moved in for him from his office. He said he needed the room, but it was really for Van. The shelf was perfect for his display.

I stood and walked to the cabinet. “This one?”

“No, the next one.”

I picked up the globe with the blue water and silver flakes. A simple sign stood crooked in the middle and nothing else. “Tell me about it,” I coaxed as I sat next to him, pulling him back into my arms. I was never letting go. Never.

“The sign says everything leaves a remark. Do you know what that means, Aunt Gabby?”

“No, baby. Tell me.”

“My mommy said it means that everything is always as it should be, cause everything happens for a reason.”

I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Your mommy was very smart. I love that.”

“I miss her.”

“I know, buddy. You better get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”

“Hey, Van-man. Do you have any idea how proud of you I am?” Paxton asked from the door.

“Night, buddy. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Paxton stopped me by holding my wrist. I leaned into him because I couldn’t help it. I was all cried out, desperately seeking something to hold on to.

“Phi has a hangnail. She needs you,” he quietly spoke.

I looked up to his gaze feeling like a dumb little fish, and past him, to the photo of the tall black guy, wearing number ten with Van on his shoulders. To a little boy with so much joy on his face, so much love.

“I need you, too, Gabriella.”

I smiled a genuine smile, but pulled away. Mostly because Ophelia called to me like she was dying.

I wasn’t sure what the future held for us, but I knew one thing, I wanted this family with my whole heart. I knew there would be bridges to cross, tolls to pay, and hurdles to jump, but I was ready. Ready to move past the memories that I didn’t remember, ready to create new ones, and ready to be the best mom I could be to my babies. To my Clydes.