Page 50 of Siccitas

“What’s this?” Luke says from the end of the garden.

We both look up at him. Darby with love, and a little hesitation.

I look up at him with hatred and fear.

“We’re having a tea party,” I finally muster up the courage to say.

“Am I invited?” he asks, sitting beside me.

“Of course, Daddy.” Darby hands him a cup. “This is yours. You drink with Mommy.”

I sit up.

Skylar is standing next to the bed, looking at me with Darby’s eyes.

I feel something inside of me break.

“What’s wrong?” I ask quietly. “Is everything okay?”

“You were crying in your sleep. Do you not like being our Mommy?” She bites her lip.

I stroke her face and smile. “I love being your mommy. But you must never forget your real mommy, even if she’s gone for now.”

“Daddy says she’s not coming back,” Skylar says, looking at me sadly. “Richter was upset, but Daddy took him into a room, and afterwards he said we can’t talk about her anymore.”

“You can always sneak away and talk to me about Mommy,” I whisper. “I knew her very well.”

“Was she beautiful like you?” Skylar asks, touching my face.

“Even more so.”

“I can’t remember her as much now. It’s been a really long time. And Daddy doesn’t have photos.”

I smile softly. “She had your eyes and your nose. In fact, if you look in the mirror at any time, you’ll see her because at your age she looked just like you.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

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