Page 26 of Embers of Torment

"We were. Your mom was taller than all the other girls in her class. Our whole family is tall, and you're growing faster than some of the other kids. Most will catch up to you in middle school. Others might not until later, and some won't at all. But there's nothing wrong with that. Just because you're different doesn't make you bad, ugly, or a terrible person. It makes you extraordinary because you're not like everyone else."

"It does?" Lily sniffled.

"Yes, it does. Some people pick on others just to be mean. But it isn't about you. It's about them. Sometimes, these kids have things going on in their own lives, with their families, or in their homes that aren't so good. And they handle it by taking it out on the people around them. But it isn't you, Lily. You didn't do anything wrong. I want you to remember that."

"Okay." Lily gave me a timid smile and looked up at Ree. "Can I go to my room now?"

"Yes, sweetheart. Give me a big hug first."

Lily hugged Ree and jumped off her lap. She waved at me before running toward the foyer and up the stairs.

"I hate it when kids act like bullies. Does that happen to Lily often?" I asked once Lily was out of earshot.

"No, and it only started midway through this last school year after Lily had a huge growth spurt. After that, she was the tallest kid in her class and towered over most of the neighborhood boys. And it didn't help that the rapid change in her height and length of her limbs made her a little awkward and clumsy." Ree leaned back in her chair and studied me, her expression odd.

"You're looking at me strange. What did I do?"

"Nothing. It dawned on me that I like the new version of you."

"Yeah, okay. You don't need to say another word. I understand what you mean and don't care to discuss it. But I am curious if you ever located those class pictures from elementary school."

"I looked but couldn't find them. James accidentally took some of my belongings when he moved out, and I think one of the items was my box of school stuff. I asked him to check, and he said he would."

"If you recover them, let me know. I must have blocked those screwed-up years from my childhood because, for the life of me, I can't recall that student's name."

"Me either. But that was a long time ago." Ree polished off her sandwich and got up to throw her wrapper away. Her face lit up as she leaned against the kitchen island and peered at me. "Remember how we used to play board games all the time when we were kids?"

"I remember. Your parents had a shelf in the hall closet stacked full of games. Why?" I smiled, certain Ree was about to suggest something based on the excitement in her voice.

"Because…" Giggling, Ree went into the adjacent family room and rifled around in a cabinet. She returned with a box and plopped it on the table. "It's a gorgeous day outside. How about we sit on the deck, drink some beer, and I kick your butt in a game of Scrabble?"

I couldn't help chuckling at the enthusiastic expression on her face. It was like we were kids again, minus the ale. I liked this scenario much better than when I was a little kid full of anger, resentment, fear, and hurt.

Ree nudged my shoulder. "Come on. Stop laughing and say you'll join me. James wouldn't play cards, board games, or anything fun. You're the only one that would, and I miss it."

"All right. I'm in, but don't beat me up too badly." I stood and grabbed the box while Ree went to the refrigerator and retrievedtwo more beers. "You know, Ree, I like being back in Boston and hanging with you like we did when we were kids. I was initially uncomfortable with the decision to return, but this time feels a million times better than the last."

"I'm glad you're back too. Okay, enough of the melancholy stuff. I've got the alcohol, and you've got the game. Let's go outside and see who kicks who's butt."

"You're on." I followed Ree out the back door to the deck, thankful we were together again. There were instances while we were growing up when it seemed she was the only person who cared about me and understood what I was going through. Sure, my mom did to a certain degree. But she was in the same rotten situation as me and dealing with a slew of other problems.

Ree was the shining light in my world of darkness. And I loved and appreciated her for it.

Chapter 9

Della

My head shot upward when the elevator dinged, the sound breaking through my thoughts. I'd just come from a management meeting where I'd given a presentation on customer behavior, preferences, and trends and was reflecting on the ensuing chaos. Well…it wasn't quite chaos. It was more like mortification. Staff had been pleased with my data, and I was happily listening to one of our managers gush over my research when I spied an incorrect number in the graph on the projection screen. Aware it skewed my results, I had no choice but to point it out.

And now I felt like a dumbass.

The elevator doors slid open, and I eyeballed the car of staring faces. It was a blatant reminder of why Adam and I usually left for lunch a tad early. Unfortunately, Adam was running late, the same as me, and at ten minutes past twelve, we were leaving the building with everyone else. Squeezing between bodies, Imaneuvered toward the back to find myself standing beside Adam.

"Hey, perfect timing. Do you want to go to the café or the taco shop that recently opened?" Adam said, moving a half step closer.

"Let's try out the taco shop. Chad went there during their grand opening and said it was better than expected. Plus, I'm craving a carnitas burrito."

"I hoped that was what you'd pick."

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