Page 75 of Silver Player

Pushing back her chair, she states, “I think I’ll—”

“Want to see my room? I live in the house next door.” Lucy stands as quickly as Sadie and circles the table, taking Sadie’s hand. Sadie tries to tug free, but Lucy holds tight before leading Sadie toward the kitchen, which offers a back door and a path directly to Charlie’s estate—the official mayor’s home.

Charlie stands next. “I’ll keep my eye on them. Take your time, Billy. Roxanne.” He nods to Roxie and walks to the end of the table. Leaning to kiss our mother’s cheek, he pats her shoulder in sympathy before exiting.

“I certainly know how to clear a room,” I tease, reaching for my beer and downing the rest. “I think I’ll take a minute as well.” With that, I stand and leave Roxanne to my mother.

28

Motherly advice

[Roxanne]

Elaina Harrington is an intimidating woman with her perfect coiffed hairstyle and her form-fitting dress, appropriate for her age and making her look stunning. She’s a true Southern belle, but I don’t care about any of this because I’m pissed.

“How about more wine?” she asks, standing to clear her plate and reaching for Billy’s. I follow with mine and Charlie’s, but once I reach the kitchen, she makes no attempt to return to the dining room. She pours into fresh glasses from a bottle on the counter.

“George has always been hardest on him.” She shakes her head and curls her fingers into the thick necklace near her collar. She smiles weakly without looking at me. “It can be hard to be a Harrington.”

I nod with a grimace and take a sip of wine. It’s difficult being anyone, so rejection from parents isn’t acceptable to me. And because I can’t hold my tongue, I’m about to say as such to the matriarch of the family when she continues.

“We were so disappointed when he divorced. Marriage is work, and Billy lacks ethics. Plus, Rachel was perfect for him. Kept him on his toes.” She pauses to sip her wine. Work, ethic. Has she not been to his business? Has she not seen what he’s done with the pub, for the community, for tourism?

“We’ve taught our children marriage is sacred. A vow before God of loyalty and respect.” There’s a warning somewhere in what she says. I’ve heard the rumors. He stepped out on his wife with another woman. Perhaps she thinks Theresa was the woman, the one whom Billy cheated with.

“Sadie is sixteen. Billy was divorced when he was with Theresa.” I defend both my sister and Billy. She nods, and I add. “My sister never married.”

Elaina blinks as if caught in thought. “Yes, your sister. So tell me about Sadie’s mother.”

“She was strict.” I hate that it’s the first thing I offer. “She was smart and witty, but she lost her easygoing nature when she became a mother. She worried. She always worried about Sadie, wanted her to do well in life. Sadie was an A-plus student in all honors classes. She studied hard, played piano, and practiced karate. All that’s gone now that she’s here with me. I don’t have a piano, and I couldn’t find a karate studio. I’m afraid she’s struggling in school and not making friends.” I leave out the questionable connection to a kid named Christian Grady and the possibility that Sadie stole from local businesses in town. I sigh. “I think it might be time to seek help for Sadie.”

Elaina’s head pops up, eyeing me before she nods with a weak smile. “Are you her guardian?”

“Things were pending until Sadie found Billy.”

“Sadie found Billy?”

It isn’t my story to tell, but as Sadie isn’t here to explain and I feel the need to defend my niece’s innocence, I break into a monologue of explanation. What Sadie didn’t know. What I didn’t know Sadie did know. And then how Sadie introduced herself to Billy.

“Well, I imagine that was quite a shock.” She chuckles softly. “And I’ll make no assumptions about your sister. As women, we all have our reasons for what we do, why we handle situations a certain way, whether it seems fair or right to an outsider.”

The statement of female solidarity surprises me, and my shoulders relax. She isn’t judging my sister. There’d be no point as Theresa is dead. She can’t be questioned. She can’t be reprimanded. The choices were made, and we move forward from there.

“So therapy,” Elaina states, and I cringe at the hesitation in her voice, not to mention I haven’t spoken with Billy about my thoughts. Not that I always value his opinion, but I’m trying to be respectful that he might have a say in Sadie’s well-being.

The other night still haunts me. What we did with one another and then his dismissal of it so quickly the morning after. I want to apologize if I said something wrong, but I haven’t found the time. Tonight came up without warning, and it’s been just short of a shitshow.

“Yes, possibly,” I try to retract.

“I can recommend someone who deals with grief. Both my daughter, Matilda, and my son Giant went through this. I’ll get her number for you,” she says but doesn’t move. “I have a piano.” It’s an odd statement until I realize what she’s offering. An olive branch in the form of eighty-eight musical keys.

“Thank you.”

She smiles, a more genuine grin, and I note Elaina might not be as tough inside as she looks on the outside. Seems vaguely similar to her son, Billy. “Maybe I should find Sadie.” It might be best if we leave and let the Harringtons process what they’ve learned. The problem is we came with Billy, and he disappeared.

“I’ll call over to Charlie’s house and have Lucy bring her back.” She winks at me, a twinkle in her eye for her grandchild. “Instead, maybe you should find Billy.” Her voice shifts, dropping a little quieter. “He needs someone like you. Try upstairs. Curve around the bannister and his old room will face you.” I have no idea what she means about needing me, but I take her suggestion and climb the stairs to the second floor.

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