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“You’re just Mommy’s friend! Take me back to Mommy!”
How many hits could I take in one night? Between Jade and Agnes, they were going for whatever they could. I was going to crack in two.
“I am your dad. And your mother is . . . She’s gone.”
Agnes teared up just like she did every time. Then she let out a scream. I didn’t know what to do while her tiny fists hit my chest.
I held her through it. I was terrible at this. I was never meant for this.
And while my daughter yelled herself to sleep, all I could do was be there.
The door to their bedroom opened and Beatrice peeked out. I was surprised she hadn’t gone out the window too. She eyed Agnes and me. She was oddly quiet and I wasn’t sure what she was planning to do. Despite everything, I knew she loved her sister, so at least she wouldn’t try to find a knife again like the last time she stared at me like this.
She passed closer, eyes on us the whole time. Agnes let out a snore and put her face in my neck in her sleep. If she were awake, she’d never have done that.
Beatrice was in front of me and she slowly climbed on my lap. I didn’t know what she wanted, but I’d try.
“Wanna join?” I asked.
“No. I want Agnes in bed. Now.”
Right. She was here for her twin. Not me. Never me.
Why would they want to be with me anyway? I should’ve known better.
Nodding, I stood and carried Agnes to their room. When she was in her bed, Beatrice climbed in and curled around her.
I watched them, the familiar ache returning to my chest when I remembered just how little I knew about this, and then shut the door quietly.
Flopping onto the couch, I enjoyed the one moment of quiet I would get. It was dark and the moon was just rising.
I shifted to where I could look out the window. It was silent here, something I wasn’t used to anymore.
At least this was a better view.
My eyes moved toward the wall that I shared with Jade. I couldn’t help but wonder what she thought of this new version of Strawberry Springs.
Did she look at it all with wonder? Did she enjoy walking the streets again?
It was hard to think about her with a smile on her face. She seemed to be miserable now.
I was the cause of it, naturally. And I hated that.
Jade told me I’d regret leaving all those years ago.
As usual, she’d been right.
7
JADE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Jackie Anne: Did the power flicker?
Comments:
Jade Clark: No.
