Page 53 of Monsters

Chapter 20

THEN

“Go wash up for dinner, honey,” Mom said while shaking the rain off the umbrella. It had been running since lunch, the sky a murky gray, the ground now sodden. “Aunty Lucy is coming for dinner at seven.”

“Okay,” I replied, tired and exhausted from school.

“Oh… and she’ll be taking measurements for the bridesmaid’s dress, so wear the new bra I bought you with the removable straps.

I paused while undoing my shoelaces. My stomach twisted in knots, my heart pounding hard in my chest.

“What’s wrong? I’m not asking you to get naked, Gem. But you will need to be in your underwear…” she paused. “Gem? Darling, are you listening?”

“Yes,” I replied weakly, knowing tonight would be the night my mom would see the scar for the first time. She would read the word ‘mine’ crassly branded on me, the scar still a dark pink and slow in healing. A million questions would follow after her outburst of anger and then she’d know what Mason had done. That he’d attacked me. “I’m just not feeling very well, Mom.”

“Rubbish, you were fine a minute ago.”

Putting my shoes in the cupboard, I touched my abdomen. “I know, but my stomach hurts.”

She sighed heavily, exasperated. “I don’t know if it’s a teenage thing or something else going on. I don’t know because you never tell me anything anymore.”

I could feel the tears welling up. I wanted to tell her everything. But I couldn’t. Even if I did, the monster would still be living next door.

My mother waved her hand in surrender. “I don’t know what’s going on with you these days, Gemma. You’re always feeling ill. You rarely come out of your room anymore. It’s like you’re avoiding us.” She cupped my chin, so I faced her. “The sparkle in your beautiful eyes is gone. I miss my daughter, and I wish she’d come back to me.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks, and she gently wiped them away before pulling me into a warm embrace. “I didn’t mean to upset you, darling. Just know, I’m always here for you no matter what happens. I won’t judge. I won’t yell. I just want you happy again.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, my voice muffled against her shoulder. “I love you.”

“Love you too, sweetie.” With that, she gently pushed me away to plant a kiss on my forehead. “Remember, Aunty Lucy at seven.”

“Got it,” I confirmed as she walked away to take care of dinner.

Climbing the stairs, my mind was busy creating possible excuses to avoid standing in my underwear. I wasn’t comfortable with doing such a thing normally, let alone with a scar claiming ownership. Once I was inside my bedroom, I pulled the chunky math textbook from my bag and dropped it with a thud on the study desk. I wasn’t in the mood for algebra, but the upcoming exam was waiting for no one.

Before I could flop on the bed, a note clipped in the peg caught my attention. A smile formed instantly, a smile that was for Lucas. At the same time, my heart ached. I hadn’t seen him much since the last visit to Little Wren. Every time we spoke, Mason would be hovering just enough to make his presence known, his warning hanging thick in the air. The best thing for us all was to keep some distance, but that decision left me mourning our friendship. Unfolding the note, I bit my lip with a mix of worry and anticipation.

I’m at the cabin, Gem. Come meet me after school. X

The worry faded, now replaced with a longing to see him again.

Quickly changing into jeans and a t-shirt, I tied my hair back and applied some gloss to my lips. Closing the bedroom door, I took to the stairs in a hurry, my heavy footsteps echoing down the hall. I was almost to the door when Mom appeared, her apron on, a look of bewilderment on her face.

“Did a herd of elephants just came stampeding through here? Or was it my daughter who wasn’t feeling well only moments ago?”

“I’m just going to meet Lucas. I’ll be home for dinner.”

“Like I said,” she said slowly emphasizing each word. “I thought you weren’t feeling well?”

“I know, but Lucas needs me. I promise I’ll be back.”

“Seven, Gem,” Mom warned. “Not a second later.”

Giving a small wave, I closed the front door behind me and ran around the side of the house to my bike. I don’t think I’d ever pedaled so fast in my life. I was on a deadline, and the cabin was an hour there and back. That meant I only had one hour with Lucas. While navigating the streets, dodging cars returning home from school pick up, and having to run up the steep hills too difficult to ride up, I contemplated why Lucas would be out there during the week. I hoped it had nothing to do with escaping his mom and her volatile boyfriend.

Lucas had been missing a lot of school. When his injuries were too bad, he’d stay home to avoid DOC’s inquiring into his home life, the nosey stares of others and the persistent questions from his teachers.

I reached the edge of the woods and hid my bike in the bushes, half running, half walking, I made excellent time, now thoroughly familiar with the twists and turns. I arrived at the cabin slightly out of breath but relieved. Little Wren was always at its most spectacular at this time of day. The sun carried its last rays before complete sunset and cast everything in orange and pink hues. The flowers I’d planted at the front of the cabin had grown a few inches and were still producing buds.

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