AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I did. I can’t express how bad it was and what happened to me.”
“What did happen?” Curiosity fills her bright brown eyes.
As soon as she asks the words I find myself shaking my head and cowering away. It’s the kind of behavior of someone who’s been abused.
“I can’t. I don’t … I mean…” My voice trails off. I want to talk, of course I want to answer their questions but I can’t. Saying it all out loud makes it real.
It makes it real and I’ll know then that all those men who were with me and all the people who died because I did something ridiculous like look the wrong way really happened. It really did happen. It wasn’t just a ten year nightmare, it actually did happen.
“I’m sorry… I know you want to know but I just can’t talk about it.” I give her a little smile.
She reaches forward and takes my hand into hers. “It’s okay. You’re home now. Oh Charlotte… I’m so sorry.” She dries away more tears. “I tried, you know… I tried. There were some guys left behind after the men took you. I begged them to take me instead. I was a complete bitch to you but … I never wanted that to happen to you. Antonio wanted you. The killings were specific. Except maybeAbuelita. He killed the boys because they’re Pa’s sons and he took you because of your beauty. I was left because I’m not… well I’m not like you.”
I suck in my breath as a tear runs down my cheek. I feel just awful hearing this. I do, it’s all so dreadful.
“Cordelia, you didn’t have to do that for me. You’re beautiful the way you are.”
She gives me a little chuckle. “It’s okay. I’m past that. When you’re given something as serious as cancer, all of that is so trivial. So very trivial. What hurt me the most was feeling helpless, like I could do nothing. I couldn’t even offer myself as a swap for my baby sister. Something snapped in me that moment, when I realized they were going to take you. My last sibling left, and the baby. I tried, tried to stop it.”
I dip my head with appreciation and flip my hand over hers so it’s me who is holding her hand. “Thank you. Cordelia. Thank you.”
“Open the bag. There’s something inside that will cheer you right up. In fact I think it should redeem me a little bit for being such a bitch.” She chuckles and nods her head.
I wonder what on earth it could be so I look in the bag. I pull out my old diary and the box Abuelita made for me. There’s also a large white envelope.
I look at the diary and the book and focus on those for a moment.
“It seems fitting that I should give those back to you. I never gave you back your diary and you didn’t know I had the box,” Cordelia says.
I recall how we were arguing over the diary and Gabe.
“It’s okay.” I raise my shoulder into a shrug. “Thank you for this.”
I try to act like I’m okay but I’m not. It’s so strange to be looking at all of these things that were very much a part of my life. My two things and both were given to me by Abuelita.
Instead of lingering on them I look to the envelope. I’m guessing this must be what Cordelia is talking about in the way of redeeming herself.
I open it and see the letter inside from Raventhorne Academy. A rush of warmth cascades over me and I look from her to the letter and back to her as she smiles.
“Read it.”
I do.
Dear Miss Revello,
After viewing your impressive application and experience, it is with great honor that we invite you to an interview for the English literature teaching position here at the academy…
I can’t read anymore.Tears fill my eyes and I can’t see to continue. I can’t see or anything. The emotion that has swelled within me is so great that it washes through every fiber of my being.
“How is this possible Cordelia?” I gasp.
She gives me a guilty but mischievous look. “I pretended to be you and applied. I’m sorry. It seemed like your thing. While we were unpacking I saw your university certificates and a letter from the school in Italy so I just thought, hey why not. And it worked. My charity works closely with the academy.”
Cordelia works for a charity that does fundraising events to help fund the scholarships to various schools. I’m guessing the prestigious Raventhorne Academy falls into that category. And I have an interview there.
Oh my God.
I throw my arms around her and burst into tears with delight. I must look crazy. Crying for the past and all I’ve been through and this amazingly great news.
