Page 25 of Shadow

I don’t know why I agreed to come today. Maybe I was a sucker for my sister’s pouty face. Had to admit, it was kinda cute seeing Hope pout. Whatever got me to follow her back to Lawton a few days later was beyond me.

As far as I was concerned, I needed to stay the fuck away from this damn town. I got the message loud and clear the last time I was here.

I wasn’t wanted.

When I woke up the next morning, after learning what Faith told me, I had no intention of going anywhere or doing anything. I was going to plant my ass down in a lawn chair and watch the fucking clouds drift by. That was going to be the extent of my ability for the day. Well, that and talk to Shirley, who still hadn’t responded to my text.

I got it. I really did. No one enjoyed dredging up the past. Especially when that past only had horror and nightmares. It had been almost ten years since Faith was sixteen. That was a long time to heal, physically if not mentally, and I knew Faith had a long recovery ahead. A part of me knew she would never be the same fun-loving, happy girl I once played with. In a way, she was like me because the demons of our past would never let us forget. Still, that wasn’t going to stop me from helping and if I could ensure this kid wasn’t like Malachi in any way, then maybe I could give Faith some peace.

Albeit if only a little bit.

So instead of helping the sister that needed me, I was once again with Hope.

Apparently, Charity took off early in the morning with Nevil, the fucking geek, and refused to answer her damn phone. When I asked Hope why Faith couldn’t go with, all I got was a stare that said, ‘Are you fucking kidding me’?

Yeah, even I knew Faith wouldn’t leave her greenhouse, not after what we talked about last night. It surprised me that Faith didn’t sleep in the damn place. From sunrise to sundown, Faith was in her greenhouse, planting, pruning and doing whatever else she did in there.

And I was okay with that. If Faith wanted to hide behind her plants, who was I to judge? Since arriving here, I did the same damn thing.

Well, not hide.

Nope, I found myself a comfortable spot on the back deck, lounging in a chair, soaking up some sun while listening to Hope’s old radio.

I didn’t know why I kept going back to listen to Lady Luck.

I didn’t understand half of what she talked about, but there was something about her voice that soothed the voices in my head.

Let’s face it, nothing else did. Not even the copious number of prescriptions that the therapist had me on. Nope, it seemed all I needed to do was relax and listen to a sultry voice talk about shit that made absolutely no fucking sense to me.

Sometimes Hope tried to explain it all, but I really didn’t care.

All I cared about was her voice.

Lady Luck.

Whoever she was, she had the voice of an angel.

And instead of listening to her, I was helping my sister set up for another fun filled day at the Lawton Farmer’s Market.

“Thank you again, Zeke. I still can’t believe Charity bailed like she did.”

“It’s no problem, sis. I don’t mind. Just know, I’m not good with any of this stuff, so you’ll be in charge.”

Hope chuckled. “I’m always in charge, Zeke.”

“Yes, ma’am, you are,” I smiled at her as I carried another box from the truck and placed it at her feet. After unloading the truck, I copped a squat in a folding chair, intent on letting Hope just do her thing. I knew she would be busy talking and selling all her goods, so I made myself comfortable and sent off another text to Shirley when I heard a familiar voice.

“Hi, Hope.”

“Good afternoon, Kali. What brings you by today?”

“Vivi wanted to shop.”

“You okay, Kali? You look as if you’ve been crying.”

Hearing the concern in my sister’s voice, I stopped what I was doing and looked at the Diamondback’s President’s ol’ lady. Kali, in fact, looked as if she’d been crying.

“Got some bad news the other day. I’ll be fine.”

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