Page 73 of Rewind

“Ethan!” Amina pulled away abruptly. How could she have forgotten him? He was probably going crazy with worry.

“See? You still have a lot to live for.”

“I do. I love him so much. I think I may have fallen in love with him from the time we first met but I was too muddled in my grief from the loss of you to realize it.”

“That’s understandable. He’s a good man and I know he’ll take good care of you. I’m so proud of you for the growth you’ve shown since your rebirth. Your father is proud of you too.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Oh, I know so. He wanted me to tell you hello and he can’t wait to meet you.”

Amina leaned her head on her grandmother’s shoulder not wanting to move. She missed her grandmother’s scent of fresh baked goods and a hint of the strong liniment she used to rub on her joints.

“Baby, I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

“Your mother passed a long time ago. It’s why she never came back for you. She never really abandoned you, baby.”

Amina froze. “What? But Aunt Sharon used to take joy in telling me that my mother abandoned me and never loved me.”

“Your Aunt Sharon is a miserable old bitch. Your mother was sick from her addiction. She got caught up in her own grief after your father passed away and went down a dark path. She left you with your aunt to get herself clean. She very much wanted to come back for you when she got her act together but fate decided it was her time. She was the victim of a hit and run. Her remains are buried in a plotter’s field owned by the county.”

Amina’s heart plummeted. She’d always told herself that it didn’t matter that her mother had left her because she could barely remember her. But deep down Amina resented her mother for giving up on her so easily. Knowing that wasn’t the case and her mother had suffered all alone filled her with a hollow sadness.

“Oh no! Did Aunt Sharon know?”

“I’m not one hundred percent certain but it wouldn’t have benefited her if your mom was alive because she’d lose those checks she received for taking you in.”

“I feel awful. I used to have such horrible thoughts about her.”

“It’s okay now, baby. She’s at peace. Tracy and Edmond are reunited now. And one day you’ll see them both.”

Her grandmother’s words were comforting. But then another thought occurred to her.

“Grandma? You used to talk about supernatural elements a lot. I always kind of thought you were just eccentric but somehow I came back to life five years in the past.”

“Yes, I knew you never took my beliefs to heart and that’s okay. I believed enough for the both of us. Everyone has a predestined path when they’re born, but sometimes when we diverge from said path, our lives are cut short. I’ve been watching you and I saw that you veered from your destiny the minute that Caldwell boy entered your life. You were never supposed to marry him so when your life ended abruptly, your guardian, me did a little wheeling and dealing and gave you a second chance.”

“Is that how Ethan came back as well?”

Grandma smiled and took Amina’s hand in hers. “You two are connected,” she answered the question indirectly.

“You said you had to make a deal? What does that mean?”

The older woman stroked Amina’s cheek.

Amina leaned into the warmth of her grandmother’s caress. “Please tell me, Grandma.”

“I’m not allowed back into paradise for a while. I’m stuck in limbo until your life cycle ends naturally and that won’t be for a very long time. And when it does, I’ll be here waiting for you and we’ll go to paradise together hand in hand. As for now, it’s time for you to go. Like I said, you still have a lot of living to do. But you have to want it.”

Tears once against sprang to her eyes. “But Grandma, I don’t want to leave you.” She held on to her grandmother.

Grandma kissed her on the forehead. “It’s time for you to get back Amina.

Amina’s eyespopped open and the pain, of her neck being squeezed with so much force was nearly enough to make her pass out again.

With her air supply cut off, her lungs burned as if they were on fire. Despite, scratching and clawing at his arms and hands Mark continued to choke her.

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