Tell me which of the 2 starts (chapter 1) to the story sounds more interesting...
“Cara was an amazing person. She brought happiness to everyone around her. She was active in our community and never turned away a body in need of her unorthodox healing ways.” The pastor droned on, spouting all of the things my gran had done in her life. The things I'd told him about her 3 days prior during our meeting about the funeral. He had no clue. None at all. It was a textbook speech that held no emotion, no care of the person he spoke about. It was cold and rehearsed and I could barely contain my anger. I was still in a daze. Everything had happened so quickly. I hadn't shed a tear. Not when I found her body, not when I made the funeral arrangements and called her two sisters, not when I got dressed this morning. I'd moved through the past few days like a robot, her death not truly sinking in. The sadness and grieving would come at some point, the pastor had told me.
A flare of anger course through me again. It was funny how quickly I had turned from a level-headed, down-to-earth, socially inept person to letting everything get to me. It was so much easier being angry than sad. Angry that she had left me, angry that I was being forced to leave my home, angry that she hadn’t bothered to tell me she was dying, when she'd known years before. My hands clenched into fists at miy side, my knuckles white with the strain, my fingernails digging into my palms. My heart pounded in my chest and the blood raced through my veins making my head throb. The air around me became too thick to breathe.
The pastor droned on in a prayer.
Sweat dripped along my cheeks and head in steady torrents of flame. It was August. Midwestern weather in August was brutal; the heat and drought had killed everything green thing mother nature had so carefully nurtured this spring, the land was brown, the ground cracking in thirst, the trees trying desperately to retain a few leaves. This year had been worse than others. Much worse. A droplet of salty liquid stung my eyes and I wiped at them with my hands, angry again, that it had dare to try and blind me. The shade that the gravesite was under provided a much needed respite from the blazing heat beating down from the sun above.
My whole body started shaking. I felt like one of Yosemite Sam when he lost his temper, afraid steam would come out of my ears and my head would fly off. Closing me eyes, I tried to settle myself before someone noticed. The sounds of heavy breathing, sniffling and a cough or two broke the silence. Someone scraped their feet along the dead grass making a loud crackling sound as it splintered beneath the weight. Heartbeats thrummed in random steady rhythms. Someone was whispering that I was a cold, heartless bitch to not even have a tear-stained face.
I rose abruptly from my seat, unable to catch my breath, wobbling unsteadily on the heels I forced myself to wear today. They were Raye’s. She loaned them to me along with the dress so I would look appropriate for the funeral. The crowd had their heads bowed in prayer, unseeing of anything but the ground below them. The brown, parched ground. At least it wasn't mud. That would make this day friggin’ perfect.
On the left side of the aisle, on the far opposite side of where I had been sitting, the whispering offenders bent there heads together in whispered conversation. One of the heads glanced up at me as I glared at them and then the conversation ended and they bowed their heads. The urge to launch myself across the chairs to throttle them was only held at bay by curling my fingers into my palms more tightly, until the pain redirected my thoughts.
I forced my feet to continue up the aisle. There were people that were my friends and family, neighbors and acquaintances and they all, dressed in their Sunday best, looked like people sitting at a wedding. The only thing that differed was they were all dressed in black and the tears were of sorrow not joy.
The anger surged through me anew. Whose ridiculous idea was it to put a stupid aisle here? My body started to tremble again and my head swam, the world going topsy turvy.
My feet moved forward more quickly, tripping over the crunchy blades of grass the got in my way. a crack grabbed the heel of my shoe at the end of the aisle and I had to grab the edge of an occupied chair to keep myself from falling flat on my ass. A sob escaped my throat in a gasp as found myself looking into a pair of emerald green eyes. I could get lost in those eyes and the anger flooded out of me for a split second, renewed again when the shoe made me fall, despite my intentions. Now I was not only angry but embarrassed too. Grabbing the shoes off my feet, I flung them out into the field, hearing them make a crunch-plunk sound as they hit the exposed tree roots. Picking myself up, I stumbled toward the pond that lay just across the dirt road. Dust hung in clouds in the air where the road had been disturbed by the wheels of the vehicles now sitting silently on it.
The points of the blades stung my bare feet as I ran headlong down the small hill to the pond. The water called to me, something refreshing and relaxing to settle and soothe my anger. It sparkled and winked in the unforgiving sunlight with ripples caused by some invisible creature. The chairs that gran and I sat in at night listening to the frogs sat lonely on the opposite bank, never to share in the happiness again.
It was suddenly too much. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. The wind blew hot against my face and I could feel them drying in dirty streaks. Reaching the bank, I dropped to my knees wrapping my arms around me to try to hold myself together. Pain rocked my body and sobs came in hysterical waves, one after the other, not allowing me to take a breath in between.
She really left me. She left me. GOD DAMMIT SHE LEFT ME!
The rage and sorrow surged through my body like a virus and brought forth another round of hysterical sobs. I screamed my anger and frustration and agony at the ground, beating it with my fists, welcoming the sharp pain. I huddled my body around my knees as tightly as I could wishing the ground would just swallow me and end my pain. The wracking sobs finally dissipated and all I was left with was a heart-wrenching sadness that I was sure would never go away.
A pale hand appeared out of nowhere holding a white handkerchief toward my face. I jumped in shock losing my balance and pitched forward, landing on a rock that knocked the wind out of me. I pushed myself up gradually to a crawling position, learning how to breathe again. Another wave of uncontrolled rage hit. I turned around on my hands and knees to face my assailant
His shoes were black and shiny, dress patent leather and expensive. His dark gray pants were steamed and creased in a perfect line up his legs. He wore a gray silk shirt covered by a darker gray suit jacket that matched his pants and was perfectly tailored to him. His slender waist was adorned with a thick leather belt and various types of technology. A silk tie draped his neck in deep green. Pale skin rose from the collar to a long pointed face, high cheekbones, long straight nose, full lips, long white-blond hair and emerald green eyes.
The very same eyes I had briefly encountered in my reckless run away from the grave site.
A smirk upturned the corners of his mouth and he held out the handkerchief to me again. I used my dirty, scraped hands to wipe the tears off my face, blatantly ignoring the offering. The movement across my hands made me cringe in pain. They had taken a beating from my tantrum and were raw and bleeding and no doubt bruised. Rising slowly, I dusted off my knees and stood then to face him. I glanced around and realized that the shadows had grown long and the world around us was humming with cicadas singing their evening song. How long had I been down here? The glow of the sun had moved low enough in the sky to outlined his slender frame in pale gold. A light breeze raced across the thick, heavy air, causing his fine, pale hair to stream around his face in streamers of luminescence.
He was absolutely stunning. Whatever had been in my head stopped at my lips as my mouth dropped in awe. My eyes locked with his and the emerald depths drained all anger from me. I could get lost in those eyes. They seemed to draw me in, keep me grasped in their depths. The green vibrated like the leaves in a high canopy being tickled by the breeze.
“It’s getting late. I’d recommend attempting to get yourself together and getting home. You need to pack.” His voice was as satiny as the silk shirt he wore, a deep baritone with a hint of an English accent.
Blinking I broke eye contact and buried my head in my hands. Perfect. Just perfect. Not only was he handsome, but he had a voice that could melt stone. And I had fallen flat on my face in front of him. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment first, then rode onto another wave of fury.
He had laughed at me. I was in pain, emotionally and physically and he had embarrassed and humiliated and laughed at me.
Wait. Pack?
I didn’t trust my voice to work right or my mouth to not say something it shouldn’t so I ignored him again and walked towards my car. Gran’s car. Not mine.
I trudged up the hill in slow, dejected footsteps. The grass bit into my toes. The crowd had gone and all that was left now were the flowers surrounding the cold, hard stone that marked my grandmother's grave. The angel carved into the top looked onward into the horizon, the golden rays casting her in gold. Kneeling beside the mound of dirt I sunk my fingers into its cool softness. A single stray tear fell and moistened the soil at my fingertips. I ran my fingers over Gran's name on the stone and silently said goodbye. Another swift breeze cooled the tears on my cheeks as if in acknowledgment. I nodded my head and rose, finally making my way to the car.
The breeze continued on as the sun dipped lower in the sky, almost hidden behind the hill, slanted rays of copper were all that remained. I bent down to retrieve my shoes as I past by. The dirt of the road felt good on my feet, soft and silky after the stubbly grass. I turned one last time to look up on the grave. The copper rays engulfed the angel making her shine like a beacon in the blue-gray dusk between the two trees that guarded her. The dust in the air made everything become a gilt laden haze.
The car sat alone on the dirt road, which struck me as odd. Where was tall, pale and handsome’s vehicle?
The pond stood alone. He wasn't there any longer. I'd been but minutes at Grans graveside and had heard nothing of his departure.
Maybe I had imagined his existence. Some strange way of my mind coping.
I shook my head and got into the car, driving home.
***
The phone was ringing as I unlocked the door. I grabbed it off the wall as I threw my stuff on the table. Gran would have hated that. “Don’t dump your things wherever you happen to be. Take them and put them away,” she’d tell me.
“’Lo?”
“You okay?” a light voice asked me on the other end. Raye.
I sighed and rubbed my finger across my forehead. “Ya. No. No, not really Raye. She’s gone. She’s really gone.”
Sniffle. “Ya, she is. I’m sorry Kiarah. I know that doesn’t help any, I miss her too. She kept me steady through all of mom’s medical stuff.” Raye sniffed again. Tears clouded her voice. “Do you need me to come over? I don’t think you should be alone tonight.”
Knock, knock, knock.
What now? GRRRRRRR.
“No, I think I need to be alone tonight, Raye. But thanks. I’ll call you tomorrow ok?”
Knock, knock, knock.
Sniff. “Ok. Billy is coming over later. If you need anything, call us k?”
“Ya. I will. Promise.”
Knock, knock, knock.
GO AWAY!
“Love you, Kiarah,” Raye said and hung up the phone.
“Love you too,” I said to the dial tone.
Knock, knock, knock.
“I’m coming!” I yelled at the door in exasperation. Who the hell was here at this hour? The drive home was short as the graveyard was technically on our land. I'd put off coming here as long as possible, wandering the back roads until it the air held a chill and the crickets and toads were singing their symphony. At some point the tires made their way back here. I wasn't sure how, I was too lost in thought.
I placed the phone back in its charging station and answered the door. No, I didn't place it, it was more like slammed.
Knock, knock, knock.
I stomped to the door, anger fueling my steps and threw open the door, ready to scream at the obnoxious asshole on the other side.
Emerald eyes stared at me through the locked glass outer door.
I rolled my eyes and slammed the door shut. I was not dealing with this shit tonight.
Luckily the knocking did not resume. I didn’t hear an engine start or tires crunching on the gravel drive. I left him standing on the front porch and went to take a long, hot bubble bath.
***
Coffee. I smelled coffee. It was heavenly. Rolling over onto my back, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I was in gran’s bed. Gran was gone. I’d crawled red-eyed and exhausted from the bath into her bed, letting her smell here put me to sleep.
Why was there coffee?
I bolted upright and ran downstairs in my t-shirt and undies.
Green eyes sat at the dining room table, with a steaming cup of tea and the newspaper.
“I’d recommend getting dressed, rather quickly. Your flight leaves in an hour. There’s coffee ready whenever you are. I have taken the liberty of packing your things for you to save time.” He didn’t even bother looking up. Good thing since I was in my underwear.
“How did you get in here!?!” I yelled. “How the hell did you get in?”
He ignored me and drank his tea, eyes riveted to the paper.
I turned on my heal and stomped upstairs, passing my suitcases at my bedroom door. Dressing hurriedly and raking a brush through my hair, I closed my eyes and gathered myself. I was going to have to find a way to deal with the anger. Goddess help me control myself around irritating people.
I poured a cup of coffee and stood leaning against the counter, arms wrapped around me, in my jeans, t-shirt and bare feet, watching emerald eyes at my dining room table.
He was dressed impeccably again this morning, this time more casually in khaki’s and a white cotton button down, unbuttoned 2 or 3 buttons from the top. His hair was braided and bound in a leather band at the base of his skull.
He glanced at his watch, rinsed his cup and walked to the front door, holding it open.
“My luggage?” I asked.
“Taken care of. We need to go.” His eyes locked with mine and the space between us was minimized to only a few feet.
“Where are you taking me? I can’t just leave everything behind. I can’t just leave this house and everything here with no care at all.” I was throwing a fit, and I knew it. But he had told me nothing and for some reason I was willing, almost compelled to walk out that door with him onto a plane to an unknown destination. In fact, I was devoid of the anger that came so quickly yesterday and for all intents and purposes I should be furious. I hadn’t thought to ask anything, and only did what he had asked. What was wrong with me?
“The house will be looked after by your friends. They have a key, yes?” I nodded. “I thought as much. They have been contacted already.” He paused taking a few steps toward me. He looked directly into my eyes and spoke so coldly, without any emotion at all, as if what he said was a rehearsed and regularly spoken script. “As to where you are going, you are going to your Aunt Claires in Oregon. She will help you with this transition.”
He turned and walked out the door.
Coffee cup in hand, I followed him, locking the door behind me. As I stepped down onto the sidewalk that ran the length of the house, I looked back at the house I’d grown up in, a sinking feeling hit me that I would not see it again. My life here was over. The next chapter of my life was starting and I had absolutely no control over it. Tears stung my eyes and I turned to walk to the limo waiting in my driveway. The only thing I could think of was, just like Gran, I was being taken away from my life in a long black car. I slid in and stared out the window as the limo made its way down the long gravel drive the led away from everything I knew, everything I was, everything I am.
“Cara was an amazing person. She brought happiness to everyone around her. She was active in our community and never turned away a body in need of her unorthodox healing ways.” The pastor droned on, spouting all of the things my gran had done in her life. The things I'd told him about her 3 days prior during our meeting about the funeral. He had no clue. None at all. It was a textbook speech that held no emotion, no care of the person he spoke about. It was cold and rehearsed and I could barely contain my anger. I was still in a daze. Everything had happened so quickly. I hadn't shed a tear. Not when I found her body, not when I made the funeral arrangements and called her two sisters, not when I got dressed this morning. I'd moved through the past few days like a robot, her death not truly sinking in. The sadness and grieving would come at some point, the pastor had told me.
A flare of anger course through me again. It was funny how quickly I had turned from a level-headed, down-to-earth, socially inept person to letting everything get to me. It was so much easier being angry than sad. Angry that she had left me, angry that I was being forced to leave my home, angry that she hadn’t bothered to tell me she was dying, when she'd known years before. My hands clenched into fists at miy side, my knuckles white with the strain, my fingernails digging into my palms. My heart pounded in my chest and the blood raced through my veins making my head throb. The air around me became too thick to breathe.
The pastor droned on in a prayer.
Sweat dripped along my cheeks and head in steady torrents of flame. It was August. Midwestern weather in August was brutal; the heat and drought had killed everything green thing mother nature had so carefully nurtured this spring, the land was brown, the ground cracking in thirst, the trees trying desperately to retain a few leaves. This year had been worse than others. Much worse. A droplet of salty liquid stung my eyes and I wiped at them with my hands, angry again, that it had dare to try and blind me. The shade that the gravesite was under provided a much needed respite from the blazing heat beating down from the sun above.
Whoever decided to do this in the middle of the day was an idiot. Oh, wait. That was me.
The pastor went into another round of speech, this time random scriptures quoted from his post-it noted bible.My whole body started shaking. I felt like one of Yosemite Sam when he lost his temper, afraid steam would come out of my ears and my head would fly off. Closing me eyes, I tried to settle myself before someone noticed. The sounds of heavy breathing, sniffling and a cough or two broke the silence. Someone scraped their feet along the dead grass making a loud crackling sound as it splintered beneath the weight. Heartbeats thrummed in random steady rhythms. Someone was whispering that I was a cold, heartless bitch to not even have a tear-stained face.
I rose abruptly from my seat, unable to catch my breath, wobbling unsteadily on the heels I forced myself to wear today. They were Raye’s. She loaned them to me along with the dress so I would look appropriate for the funeral. The crowd had their heads bowed in prayer, unseeing of anything but the ground below them. The brown, parched ground. At least it wasn't mud. That would make this day friggin’ perfect.
On the left side of the aisle, on the far opposite side of where I had been sitting, the whispering offenders bent there heads together in whispered conversation. One of the heads glanced up at me as I glared at them and then the conversation ended and they bowed their heads. The urge to launch myself across the chairs to throttle them was only held at bay by curling my fingers into my palms more tightly, until the pain redirected my thoughts.
I forced my feet to continue up the aisle. There were people that were my friends and family, neighbors and acquaintances and they all, dressed in their Sunday best, looked like people sitting at a wedding. The only thing that differed was they were all dressed in black and the tears were of sorrow not joy.
The anger surged through me anew. Whose ridiculous idea was it to put a stupid aisle here? My body started to tremble again and my head swam, the world going topsy turvy.
My feet moved forward more quickly, tripping over the crunchy blades of grass the got in my way. a crack grabbed the heel of my shoe at the end of the aisle and I had to grab the edge of an occupied chair to keep myself from falling flat on my ass. A sob escaped my throat in a gasp as found myself looking into a pair of emerald green eyes. I could get lost in those eyes and the anger flooded out of me for a split second, renewed again when the shoe made me fall, despite my intentions. Now I was not only angry but embarrassed too. Grabbing the shoes off my feet, I flung them out into the field, hearing them make a crunch-plunk sound as they hit the exposed tree roots. Picking myself up, I stumbled toward the pond that lay just across the dirt road. Dust hung in clouds in the air where the road had been disturbed by the wheels of the vehicles now sitting silently on it.
The points of the blades stung my bare feet as I ran headlong down the small hill to the pond. The water called to me, something refreshing and relaxing to settle and soothe my anger. It sparkled and winked in the unforgiving sunlight with ripples caused by some invisible creature. The chairs that gran and I sat in at night listening to the frogs sat lonely on the opposite bank, never to share in the happiness again.
It was suddenly too much. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. The wind blew hot against my face and I could feel them drying in dirty streaks. Reaching the bank, I dropped to my knees wrapping my arms around me to try to hold myself together. Pain rocked my body and sobs came in hysterical waves, one after the other, not allowing me to take a breath in between.
She really left me. She left me. GOD DAMMIT SHE LEFT ME!
The rage and sorrow surged through my body like a virus and brought forth another round of hysterical sobs. I screamed my anger and frustration and agony at the ground, beating it with my fists, welcoming the sharp pain. I huddled my body around my knees as tightly as I could wishing the ground would just swallow me and end my pain. The wracking sobs finally dissipated and all I was left with was a heart-wrenching sadness that I was sure would never go away.
A pale hand appeared out of nowhere holding a white handkerchief toward my face. I jumped in shock losing my balance and pitched forward, landing on a rock that knocked the wind out of me. I pushed myself up gradually to a crawling position, learning how to breathe again. Another wave of uncontrolled rage hit. I turned around on my hands and knees to face my assailant
His shoes were black and shiny, dress patent leather and expensive. His dark gray pants were steamed and creased in a perfect line up his legs. He wore a gray silk shirt covered by a darker gray suit jacket that matched his pants and was perfectly tailored to him. His slender waist was adorned with a thick leather belt and various types of technology. A silk tie draped his neck in deep green. Pale skin rose from the collar to a long pointed face, high cheekbones, long straight nose, full lips, long white-blond hair and emerald green eyes.
The very same eyes I had briefly encountered in my reckless run away from the grave site.
A smirk upturned the corners of his mouth and he held out the handkerchief to me again. I used my dirty, scraped hands to wipe the tears off my face, blatantly ignoring the offering. The movement across my hands made me cringe in pain. They had taken a beating from my tantrum and were raw and bleeding and no doubt bruised. Rising slowly, I dusted off my knees and stood then to face him. I glanced around and realized that the shadows had grown long and the world around us was humming with cicadas singing their evening song. How long had I been down here? The glow of the sun had moved low enough in the sky to outlined his slender frame in pale gold. A light breeze raced across the thick, heavy air, causing his fine, pale hair to stream around his face in streamers of luminescence.
He was absolutely stunning. Whatever had been in my head stopped at my lips as my mouth dropped in awe. My eyes locked with his and the emerald depths drained all anger from me. I could get lost in those eyes. They seemed to draw me in, keep me grasped in their depths. The green vibrated like the leaves in a high canopy being tickled by the breeze.
“It’s getting late. I’d recommend attempting to get yourself together and getting home. You need to pack.” His voice was as satiny as the silk shirt he wore, a deep baritone with a hint of an English accent.
Blinking I broke eye contact and buried my head in my hands. Perfect. Just perfect. Not only was he handsome, but he had a voice that could melt stone. And I had fallen flat on my face in front of him. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment first, then rode onto another wave of fury.
He had laughed at me. I was in pain, emotionally and physically and he had embarrassed and humiliated and laughed at me.
Wait. Pack?
I didn’t trust my voice to work right or my mouth to not say something it shouldn’t so I ignored him again and walked towards my car. Gran’s car. Not mine.
I trudged up the hill in slow, dejected footsteps. The grass bit into my toes. The crowd had gone and all that was left now were the flowers surrounding the cold, hard stone that marked my grandmother's grave. The angel carved into the top looked onward into the horizon, the golden rays casting her in gold. Kneeling beside the mound of dirt I sunk my fingers into its cool softness. A single stray tear fell and moistened the soil at my fingertips. I ran my fingers over Gran's name on the stone and silently said goodbye. Another swift breeze cooled the tears on my cheeks as if in acknowledgment. I nodded my head and rose, finally making my way to the car.
The breeze continued on as the sun dipped lower in the sky, almost hidden behind the hill, slanted rays of copper were all that remained. I bent down to retrieve my shoes as I past by. The dirt of the road felt good on my feet, soft and silky after the stubbly grass. I turned one last time to look up on the grave. The copper rays engulfed the angel making her shine like a beacon in the blue-gray dusk between the two trees that guarded her. The dust in the air made everything become a gilt laden haze.
The car sat alone on the dirt road, which struck me as odd. Where was tall, pale and handsome’s vehicle?
The pond stood alone. He wasn't there any longer. I'd been but minutes at Grans graveside and had heard nothing of his departure.
Maybe I had imagined his existence. Some strange way of my mind coping.
I shook my head and got into the car, driving home.
***
The phone was ringing as I unlocked the door. I grabbed it off the wall as I threw my stuff on the table. Gran would have hated that. “Don’t dump your things wherever you happen to be. Take them and put them away,” she’d tell me.
“’Lo?”
“You okay?” a light voice asked me on the other end. Raye.
I sighed and rubbed my finger across my forehead. “Ya. No. No, not really Raye. She’s gone. She’s really gone.”
Sniffle. “Ya, she is. I’m sorry Kiarah. I know that doesn’t help any, I miss her too. She kept me steady through all of mom’s medical stuff.” Raye sniffed again. Tears clouded her voice. “Do you need me to come over? I don’t think you should be alone tonight.”
Knock, knock, knock.
What now? GRRRRRRR.
“No, I think I need to be alone tonight, Raye. But thanks. I’ll call you tomorrow ok?”
Knock, knock, knock.
Sniff. “Ok. Billy is coming over later. If you need anything, call us k?”
“Ya. I will. Promise.”
Knock, knock, knock.
GO AWAY!
“Love you, Kiarah,” Raye said and hung up the phone.
“Love you too,” I said to the dial tone.
Knock, knock, knock.
“I’m coming!” I yelled at the door in exasperation. Who the hell was here at this hour? The drive home was short as the graveyard was technically on our land. I'd put off coming here as long as possible, wandering the back roads until it the air held a chill and the crickets and toads were singing their symphony. At some point the tires made their way back here. I wasn't sure how, I was too lost in thought.
I placed the phone back in its charging station and answered the door. No, I didn't place it, it was more like slammed.
Knock, knock, knock.
I stomped to the door, anger fueling my steps and threw open the door, ready to scream at the obnoxious asshole on the other side.
Emerald eyes stared at me through the locked glass outer door.
I rolled my eyes and slammed the door shut. I was not dealing with this shit tonight.
Luckily the knocking did not resume. I didn’t hear an engine start or tires crunching on the gravel drive. I left him standing on the front porch and went to take a long, hot bubble bath.
***
Coffee. I smelled coffee. It was heavenly. Rolling over onto my back, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I was in gran’s bed. Gran was gone. I’d crawled red-eyed and exhausted from the bath into her bed, letting her smell here put me to sleep.
Why was there coffee?
I bolted upright and ran downstairs in my t-shirt and undies.
Green eyes sat at the dining room table, with a steaming cup of tea and the newspaper.
“I’d recommend getting dressed, rather quickly. Your flight leaves in an hour. There’s coffee ready whenever you are. I have taken the liberty of packing your things for you to save time.” He didn’t even bother looking up. Good thing since I was in my underwear.
“How did you get in here!?!” I yelled. “How the hell did you get in?”
He ignored me and drank his tea, eyes riveted to the paper.
I turned on my heal and stomped upstairs, passing my suitcases at my bedroom door. Dressing hurriedly and raking a brush through my hair, I closed my eyes and gathered myself. I was going to have to find a way to deal with the anger. Goddess help me control myself around irritating people.
I poured a cup of coffee and stood leaning against the counter, arms wrapped around me, in my jeans, t-shirt and bare feet, watching emerald eyes at my dining room table.
He was dressed impeccably again this morning, this time more casually in khaki’s and a white cotton button down, unbuttoned 2 or 3 buttons from the top. His hair was braided and bound in a leather band at the base of his skull.
He glanced at his watch, rinsed his cup and walked to the front door, holding it open.
“My luggage?” I asked.
“Taken care of. We need to go.” His eyes locked with mine and the space between us was minimized to only a few feet.
“Where are you taking me? I can’t just leave everything behind. I can’t just leave this house and everything here with no care at all.” I was throwing a fit, and I knew it. But he had told me nothing and for some reason I was willing, almost compelled to walk out that door with him onto a plane to an unknown destination. In fact, I was devoid of the anger that came so quickly yesterday and for all intents and purposes I should be furious. I hadn’t thought to ask anything, and only did what he had asked. What was wrong with me?
“The house will be looked after by your friends. They have a key, yes?” I nodded. “I thought as much. They have been contacted already.” He paused taking a few steps toward me. He looked directly into my eyes and spoke so coldly, without any emotion at all, as if what he said was a rehearsed and regularly spoken script. “As to where you are going, you are going to your Aunt Claires in Oregon. She will help you with this transition.”
He turned and walked out the door.
Coffee cup in hand, I followed him, locking the door behind me. As I stepped down onto the sidewalk that ran the length of the house, I looked back at the house I’d grown up in, a sinking feeling hit me that I would not see it again. My life here was over. The next chapter of my life was starting and I had absolutely no control over it. Tears stung my eyes and I turned to walk to the limo waiting in my driveway. The only thing I could think of was, just like Gran, I was being taken away from my life in a long black car. I slid in and stared out the window as the limo made its way down the long gravel drive the led away from everything I knew, everything I was, everything I am.
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