Page 4 of Burned

“Pretty good, actually. I’ve written a few short stories and I’ve found I like it as much as writing poetry.”

“You’ve always had a way with words. I wondered why you didn’t pursue writing more seriously.”

Sadie shrugged. “I never thought I’d be good at it. It’s a hobby at best and I’m having fun with it.”

“But you loved storytelling. I remember when you were little and you’d make up these elaborate fairytales for Thorn. They made him so happy.”

A brief smile touched her lips as she remembered their brother Thorn who’d passed away five years ago. She still missed him, his smile, his laugh and his capacity to love without conditions. “Thorn was easy to please.”

“You certainly had my attention too. You have the potential to be as good as any other author out there. You wouldn’t believe some of the crap I’ve read recently.”

“You’re being kind. I’m just a dabbler at best.”

Lily shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I think your biggest problem is self-confidence. You let that woman get into your head and it really messed you up.”

Sadie sighed. “That woman happens to be your mother too and yes, she’s said some hurtful things, but this last year I’ve gotten a chance to know me and what I’m worth as a person. Her words can no longer touch me. Maybe you, Rose and Daisy should learn to let go too.”

Lily pursed her lips. “Don’t get started on that again. You most of all should resent the hell out of how she used you when you could have gone to college and gotten from under her thumb.”

“I don’t regret my time with Thorn. Besides, if I hadn’t stayed behind, who would have taken care of him? If I could have, I would have taken him with me and moved out of state, but she wouldn’t let me. Mom didn’t want to relinquish custody of him because she would have lost the disability check she received on his behalf.”

“You should have told us what was going on and we would have stepped in. We thought….”Lily reached across the table and took her hand. “I wish you would have put us in the picture, but that’s really no excuse. I should have checked in more and supported you. I wasn’t mature enough to put aside my differences with Jackie--”

“Mom. Say it. It won’t kill you.”

Lily rolled her eyes and continued on as if Sadie hadn’t said anything. “That woman was never a mother to me nor does she deserve the title. But I’m not laying all the blame at her feet. I haven’t been a good sister. I should have been there for you and Thorn, we all should have.”

Sadie squeezed the hand holding hers. “You’ve been a great sister. Don’t beat yourself up over it. I didn’t contact you three because I knew you’d drop everything and come running. That isn’t what I wanted. You were all doing so well in your careers, doing what you loved. How could I take that away from you?”

“So instead you took the entire burden on your shoulders. That doesn’t exactly make me feel any better.”

“Stop it. Things worked out the way they should have. Thorn is in a better place where he’s no longer in pain. You’re head of your department now, Rose is probably one of the most recognizable faces in the world and Daisy is getting paid to argue.” Sadie laughed. “Remember when we were kids she used to have mock trials where she’d be the prosecutor and defense attorney and one of us had to play the criminal?”

Lily laughed. “Yep. Now she gets paid the big bucks to be annoying.”

Sadie grinned. “You’re too much, girl.”

“Well, it’s true. Surviving the Jackie Flowers experience has made us all head cases. You’re a better person than me, for keeping in contact with her.”

Sadie shrugged. “Like I said, she’s still our mother. And to be quite honest, I feel sorry for her more than anything. She’s a lonely bitter woman who was used to getting everything because of her looks. Now they’re going away, she has nothing. Dad and Thorn are dead, you, Rose and Daisy won’t even talk to her. I honestly don’t think she even has any real friends. I mean, there’s a few ladies she gossips with, but the way she talks behind their backs makes me think she doesn’t care for them very much. She’s to be pitied.”

“I wish I could be as charitable as you. You have a big heart, hon.”

“I realized it takes too much energy to hate anyone. I don’t even hate Terrell or Jordan for what they’ve done. We simply weren’t meant to be. Terrell called me by the way.”

Lily released Sadie’s hand and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “Tell me you’re not talking to that dickhead again.”

“I said, I don’t hate him, not that I’m stupid. I’ve learned my lesson on that front. I don’t know what he wants and I don’t intend on calling him back to find out.”

“How did he get your number?”

“Mom gave it to him.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Figures. She won’t stop until everyone is as miserable as her.”

Sadie groaned. “Let’s not start that up again. As for Terrell, I should have known better than to get involved with him in the first place. He must have seen sucker written on my forehead from the beginning. I mean why else would a guy who looked like him want anything permanent with me?”

“Would you not get on that tangent again? You’re gorgeous, sweet, and you have the biggest heart of anyone I know.”

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