AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Where are we?” she asked. Lavender could only see what the lights at the front of the long house illuminated. The door was burgundy and so was the wood paneling around it.
“My aunt’s house.” Cutting off the car, he added, “I’ve never seen her in person, so I don’t know how she’s going to react to seeing us. My mother told me to come here, so I’m assuming she’s going to keep us safe until I figure out the next move.”
When he tried to open the door, Lavender gently grabbed his wrist. “Th-thank you. Thank you for not killing me.”
His eyes scanned her frame before he tugged his arm away from her. “My mama’s dead because I went after you, so I probably should’ve.”
Lavender clutched her chest as her heart skipped a beat. She’d heard gunshots but was unaware of what happened and who was shot. Even with her being held captive, she prayed no one lost their life. To hear that his mother was dead felt like a knife ripped through her throat. She willed her tears not to fall as he slowly walked over to her side of the car. When he opened it, she blurted, “I am so, so sorry. I shouldn’t have run, but I was scared.”
He ran his hand over his face, exhaling deeply. “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Looking straight ahead, Lavender swallowed hard. “I’m really sorry.”
“Look,” he gritted before huffing. “I chose not to kill you and I don’t regret that. I chose to keep you safe, so you’re my responsibility now. Get out the car.”
Lavender hesitated. She looked his frame over before saying, “Just let me die. Take me back to them and let them have me. Your mother’s gone and I can’t risk my sister being next. I’m not worth all this.”
Tilting his head, he licked his lips. “It’s too late for all that now. I’m not going to tell you again.”
Stepping out, Lavender wrapped her arms around herself and looked around the quiet street. His hand went to the small of her back, leading her toward the front door. Once he rang the doorbell, he looked down at her as she put some space between them. Though he hadn’t bothered to comment on her appearance or scent yet, there was no doubt in Lavender’s mind that it was pungent.
When the door opened, an older woman opened it. She looked from one to the other before covering her mouth. Eyes wide, she released a choked laugh.
“Rema?” he asked cautiously.
“Choyce, is this… baby!”
As she pulled him into her arms and hugged him, Lavender rattled his name around in her brain.
Choyce.
That was different.
Cupping her hands in front of her, she stood there and awkwardly looked around while they embraced.
“My God. I never thought I would see you in person,” Rema admitted, finally releasing Choyce. Just as quickly as happiness filled her, it was replaced with sadness. “No,” she muttered, stumbling back and into her home. “Don’t tell me my sister is gone.”
Nodding, Choyce hung his head. The bitter cry that escaped her was like another knife to Lavender’s heart. She wanted to run and hang herself in guilt, but what would that accomplish?
“Come in, come in,” Rema invited.
They both stepped inside and followed her into the dining room.
“Tell me everything that happened.”
Lavender watched the woman walk over to the china cabinet to retrieve three glasses, then she lowered and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
“Um, I can wait outside while you two talk,” Lavender offered, to which Choyce grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to his side.
“Stay close,” was all he said, accepting the alcohol Rema offered.
“You drink?” she asked, shaking her head to decline the liquor. “You’re only eighteen.”
“So? Sit down.”
Rolling her eyes, Lavender did as she was told.
“Happy birthday, nephew.” Though Rema’s face was stained with tears, she smiled. “I know my sister was so proud to have you.”
Choyce’s head shook before he took a long gulp of the brown liquor and said, “I’m the reason she’s dead.” He pulled the letter out, then started from the beginning.
She listened intently as he told her about her hesitance to let him go to his rite of passage party. What he thought would be a regular birthday party with a nice speech or something turned into him being asked to kill one woman and marry another in the same breath. Lavender was fully aware of that because she was there, but it broke her heart to hear him detail the conversation he had with his mother before that.
How she told him his father’s side of the family owned her because of a debt and that she was sure her life was about to be over. He blamed himself for her death. It didn’t matter how much Rema told him that wasn’t true, Choyce wasn’t trying to hear it. If only he would have believed her, he kept saying.
“If only you would have gone after your father instead of me,” Lavender clarified, grabbing his glass to drink the liquor that was inside.
“I told you I shouldn’t have said that. I sent my brother after our father to keep her safe. If he couldn’t stop him, I wouldn’t have been able to either.”
“What’s your name, baby?” Rema asked.
“Lavender,” she answered softly, and Rema smiled.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Choyce complimented.
“Yours is too.”
Her mother, Farrah, often said she named Lavender after her love of the herb. Its color, scent, relaxing and healing power… Farrah loved it all.
“I’m going to fix you both something to eat after I show you to your rooms. Once I’ve gotten you fed, I’m going to retire to grieve. I can say I was prepared for this moment, but the truth is, it doesn’t matter how much you prepare. When your sister dies…” Grabbing her neck, she cleared her throat and inhaled a deep breath. “Come. Follow me.”
“Um… is it…” Lavender looked over at Choyce briefly. “Is it okay if I shower? They only let us shower once a week.”
“Of course, baby. The guest bathroom is already stocked with everything you’ll need. I’ll give you one of my gowns to put on while I wash your clothes, but it’ll probably swallow you whole.”
At this point, Lavender didn’t care. She just wanted to shower, get into some fresh clothes, and eat. For a moment, guilt consumed her. Here she was, safe and okay, no matter how temporary it was, and her family was enduring God only knew what. Trying to stuff those thoughts back into her mind, Lavender reminded herself that Choyce said they would be safe as long as she stayed away. She had no choice but to believe that.
* * *
