Page 13 of The Broken Note

An owl hoots nearby.

Toads croak so loudly, it’s like they’re using microphones.

“You know where we’re going?” I whisper. There’s no one around, but this feels like the sort of place where you don’t shout.

“Mom’s grave.”

“This is a graveyard?”

“Not exactly.” Cadence grips my fingers tightly as she shuffles over moss. “My mom’s body was… uh… cremated. It was her last wish. We couldn’t afford a tombstone anyway, so it worked out.” She gestures to a small cluster of trees up ahead. “But Vi really wanted somewhere to visit when she missed mom.”

“And you chose here?”

“The sanctuary allows you to dedicate a tree to a loved one. We tied a ribbon around mom’s. I told Vi she could visit whenever she missed her.”

“Do you know where the tree is?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never been here. I forgot about it until the pharmacy.”

I mull over her words. Was she so busy with life that she forgot where her mother’s memorial was? Or did she hate her mom so much that she tried to forget?

The mystery tugs at me. I want to know everything about her. Her past. Her pain. I want to own her darkness. Just as much as I want to own her pleasure.

Cadey gasps and points. “I think I see her.”

With the help of the moonlight, I can faintly make out a small figure sitting in front of a tree.

“Viola!” Cadey makes a beeline for her sister.

I’m right behind her.

“Thank God, you’re safe.” Her voice cracks painfully. She throws her arms around the kid.

“Get off me,” Viola yells. She heaves Cadey back and makes her stumble. I catch her before she hits the ground, but it’s only because I’m close enough to break her fall.

“The hell are you doing?” I bark.

“Dutch, no.” Cadence touches my hand. “Stop.”

My teeth on edge, I release her and watch her approach Viola again. I don’t want to hurt Cadey’s sister, but I’m also not going to stand back while anyone flings her around.

Not now.

Not. Freaking. Ever.

I don’t care who the hell it is. No one is allowed to hurt her.

Eyeing Viola sternly, I notice the tear tracks on her cheeks and the pain in her eyes. A part of me softens.

“How could you?” Vi hisses. “How could you keep the truth from me?”

Cadence hangs her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? You lied to me! Right to my face. You lied formonths!”

Confusion wrinkles my brow. What are they talking about? Lied about what?

Cadey sniffs. “I’m so sorry, Vi. I didn’t want you to worry.”

---