Page 81 of Always Us

She was crying when I came in, but she wipes her eyes, trying to hide it. She knows her mom’s rule. No crying allowed. Stupid Katherine. She’s such a bitch.

“Lilly, it’s okay to cry. That’s what people do when someone they love goes away.”

“Mom said not to.”

“When did you talk to her? This morning?”

“Yeah. She called me.”

“Don’t listen to her. If you want to cry, then cry. It’ll make you feel better.”

“Daddy said Grandpa got sick and that’s why he went away. But he was here on Thanksgiving. He wasn’t sick.”

“It’s a different type of sick. It’s not like a cold.” I can’t explain this to her. I have to go with the stroke and coma story, but how do you explain that to a kid? Why didn’t my dad talk to her about this? Or maybe he did but she wants to hear it from me. She trusts me more than she trusts my dad, although I think that’s changing now that he’s spending more time with her.

“Will you stay here, Garret? Please?”

“I have to go home tomorrow, but I’ll spend all of today with you.”

She lays her head on my shoulder. “Garret?”

“What?”

“Grandpa’s in heaven, right?”

That’s an odd question and I don’t know where she came up with it because my family is not religious at all. And to answer Lilly’s question, I honestly think I’ll have to lie. Knowing the truth about my grandfather, he might just be in hell.

“Yes, Lilly. He’s in heaven.”

“Do you think he’ll meet your mom?”

These questions just keep getting weirder. He basically killed my mom, so if he’s up there, I sure hope they don’t meet. And if they do, I hope she kicks his ass straight down to hell.

“I don’t know, Lilly. I don’t know how that works. Heaven’s a big place so they may not see each other.”

She hugs me really tight. “I love you. I hope you never die.”

“I love you, too.”

I don’t know how she stays so sweet living with Katherine. I thought when I moved out, Katherine might turn Lilly into a mini version of herself, but luckily, that didn’t happen.

We have breakfast and then I watch cartoons with her in the game room. Katherine shows up at noon. She calls me out into the hall. I go out there while Lilly remains in front of the TV.

Katherine’s wearing a beige suit, her hair styled like she just had it done. She doesn’t look like someone who just committed murder. She isn’t showing the slightest sign of guilt or anxiety. The only emotion she’s displaying is anger, which is typical for her.

She points to the game room. “Why is Lilly still in her pajamas?”

“Seriously? That’s your biggest worry right now? Are you kidding me?”

“Last night is an issue between your father and me. It doesn’t concern you.”

“You killed my grandfather. That doesn’t concern me? Really?”

She steps closer. “Don’t you EVER speak of that again. If anyone heard—”

“Just stop. You’re done treating me like shit. And I’m done dealing with you. William and my father are taking you down, Katherine. Your life is over.”

“Let them try to get to me. They won’t succeed. I have my own secrets to share.”

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