Chapter 76

Nan’s POV

Another day of job hunting…another day of disappointment.

I looked all across town. Rising early to catch the bus. My breakfast was an underripe apple and bowl of cereal.

I was on my feet all day. Searching out any job I could find. Waitress…dishwasher…maid…anything.

Only to be met with denial at every turn. Most took one look at my address and caught my weak scent to slam the door in my face. It was humiliating and disheartening.

I knew I could not give up. But it was nearly dark by that point. So I trudged my aching feet home.

The day had been long and tiring. I knew most days would be like this for a long time. I was ready to collapse on my mattress.

Only to be surprised by the sight standing in front of my door.

Vera and Patti stood there. Indecision written all over their little faces at my locked door. I was utterly stupefied at the sight.

‘How could they be here?’ I think. ‘How did they even know where I am?’

But I do not have time to work this out in my mind. Patti’s eyes catch sight of me. She springs forward.

“MOM!” She shrieks in delight. I automatically crouch and open my arms.

Vera follows suit. I am nearly bowled over by their combined weight. But I do not care.

I finally have my daughters back in my arms after a month of hell. I hold them tight to me. Letting their warmth seep into my cold soul.

Both girls begin speaking at once. A disjointed attempt at story telling. But then I catch the shifty eyes of a curious resident.

I hold out a hand and they stop speaking. “Not out here. Let’s go inside.”

I sit them on my mattress. The only furniture I own. We all curl up beside each other on it.

“How did you get here?” I question them.

“Auntie Dena told us.” Patti chirps.

I raise an eyebrow. ‘So much for letting go,’ I think with amusement. The idea of my cynical sister acting against her original stance tickling me pink.

Then something occurs to me. “Dena sent you here by yourselves?” I bite out.

Vera shrugs. “She took care of it. She made sure we made it, that no one would bother us.”

The answer does not settle my protective annoyance. ‘My sister and I will be having some words,’ I vow to myself. Frustrated at her irresponsible actions.

But I do not want to ruin my time with my daughters. Not when I have no idea when I will see them next. So I let it go.

I kiss each of their heads. “All that matters is that you made it safe.” I say.

I smile at them. “Now, tell how everything has been. I want to know everything.”

They begin speaking over each other. Tripping to get their words out. Excitement in their little voices.

Content fills my heart.

Sorrow does too when I hear about Patti’s struggles. When Vera’s voice quivers as she describes how things have changed. Trying to focus on her sister’s sadness to hide her own.

I snuggle Vera closer to me. “It sounds like you’ve both been through a difficult time. You’ve been very brave sweet girl.”

Vera looks at me with her eyes that remind me of afternoon sunlight. “Really?” Her voice trembles.

“Really.” I repeat softly.

“Mom…what happened?” Vera asks quietly.

Patti is the one who answers. “We couldn’t see you. And then you were just gone.” She sobs at the last word.

I begin rocking them back and forth. “Shh. Shh, it’s okay Patti cake.”

“No, it’s not. No one would tell us what happened. We really, really missed you.” Vera argues.

‘Damn you, Lionel.’ I think. Cursing everyone and everything that had caused this.

I consider telling them. Telling them a sanitized version of how I was treated. Of forcing Lionel to face their judgment.

It is so very tempting. ‘Shouldn’t he face the consequences of his actions,’ I muse bitterly. ‘Shouldn’t he be forced to look into their devastated faces and explain what he did?’

Yet…wouldn’t I just be bringing them into my own personal grudge if I did so?

They are only little girls. This news would only hurt them and the relationship with their remaining parent. So I shove that bitter part of me deep down.

I shake my head.

“But mom-” Vera begins to whine.

I lightly tap her nose. “Ah, ah. What don’t you tell me why you are here?”

“We’re here to bring you home.” Patti answers.

“What?” I say stupidly.

“You’re our mom. Mom’s and daughters should live together. We won’t go back until you come home.”

Hearing that deeply touches my heart. Yet…

The responsible side of me takes over.

“Girls…does your father know where you are?” I ask hesitantly.

They share a look. That tells me all I need to know. I sigh.

“Call him.” I order. “Tell him where you are.”

They try to protest. But I remain firm.

“Girls.” I say sternly.

They grumble but do as I say. The conversation is short. I think about scolding them but decide not to.

‘No doubt Lionel already has his best tracers looking me up,’ I think with dread. Some part of me just knows Lionel will be the one picking them up.

‘It’s what you would do if the girls went missing.’ My mind whispers.

It’s rather late by this point. I see their eyes beginning to droop. So I lay them down.

“Let’s take a nap. I know I’m pretty tired.” I say cheerfully.

I know their tiredness runs deep because they don’t protest. They both snuggle deeper on either side of me. Both of them are asleep within minutes.

I lay there with them. My eyes tracing their sleeping faces. Savoring the feeling of them in my arms.

But then a familiar knock is at my door. I gingerly slide out of the bed. The girls cuddly each other in my absence.

I carefully unlock the door. And when I open it…there he is. Lionel.

It takes my breath away. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in a month. I had forgotten he was so handsome.

I am hit by several unfortunate revelations. I realize how much have missed him. How much I miss our friendship. That miss being at the mansion.

“Nan…” He begins to say. The sound of his voice awakens my hurt and anger from its slumber. I slam the door in his face.

I ignore his knocks and bangs on the door. They have awoken by this point. Something else that irritates me.

“It’s time to go home, my sweet girls.” I say softly, but firmly.

They try to protest.

“You can’t stay here, my girls. It’s not a good place for little girls.” I add. A mulish look enter Vera’s face.

But Patti watches me before dropping her head. Patti has always been incredibly perceptive for her age. She knows I will not yield.

She grabs their bags and pulls a reluctant Vera’s hand.

I open the door and usher them out.

“Girls…” I begin to say. But Lionel steps in front of me. I resist the urge to slap him.

“Nan, wait. I know I didn’t handle this right. Just tell me what happened.”

His soothing tone only serves to inflame my anger. His audacity after ruining my life is the last straw. I lose my temper.

“If you wanted to know, you shouldn’t have smashed my tablet.” I scream.

Then I slam the door and lock it.

Lionel’s POV

“Dad, why did mom say that?” Patti questions.

I am left staring at Nan’s door in the after math. My ears slightly ringing from the force of her scream. The near hatred in her eyes burning me.

I turn to my daughters with narrowed eyes.

“Now is not the time for questions. Not after that stunt you pulled. We will be having a long talk when we get home.”

The following conversation when I get the girls home is hard and draining. I am left feeling guilty and angry by the end. The girls don’t appear much better.

I go up to my study afterward. Pouring myself a stiff drink. Enjoying the burn in my throat.

Then I open my laptop. I click on the folders of my daughter’s case that I had my hackers…borrow.

I review the audio files from the case…searching for something…