AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t add that he committed to these upstate rallies without consulting me. He thinks it’s a smart move. But it looks as if he’s already looking to jump up the ladder to the next higher office.
“Anyway, your speeches should deflect the criticism by pointing out that Em City’s fortunes are tied up with the broader economy. One final note; while you are up north in the Forest district you will want to mention the job losses from the factory closure.”
He nods, which isn’t praise, but it’s his version of approval.
“Knock knock.” An old joke with Uncle Josh, opening the side door andthendeclaring his intention to knock.
He grins and steps right in, knowing he never needs an invitation. If you don’t factor in sleeping hours, he probably spends as much time here as he does at his own house a mile away.
“I bear gifts.” He holds up a white paper bag from my favorite local bakery.
I snatch at it greedily. “Tell me at least one of those scones is chocolate raspberry.”
Uncle Josh hands over the bag with a laugh. “Wouldn’t forget your favorite.”
No, he never would.
Uncle Josh has always treated me like a person of supreme importance. With no children of his own and ferociously devoted to his older brother, he has been a critical part of my life. Even if my father couldn’t find time to attend my school events or dance recitals, I could count on seeing Uncle Josh in the audience. He’s never missed a birthday or a holiday and even now, when I’m an adult with no right to expect special treats, he brings them anyway.
I dive into the bakery bag and pull out a warm, freshly baked scone that will condemn my gummy bowl of oatmeal to the trash disposal. “Thank you. I’ve been craving these.”
Uncle Josh pours himself a cup of coffee and takes his usual seat at the table. He’s unshaven, still in his uniform, likely just having come from the West Emerald PD headquarters. Josh Ballerini is a favorite around here; handsome and young for the position he occupies. He could have political ambitions of his own if he chooses.
Maybe someday. Right now he’s dedicated to seeing his brother successfully elected and installed in downtown Em City.
Fifteen years separate the Ballerini brothers. Josh was only a young teen when a car accident at a downtown intersection stole my grandparents. Though recently married and trying to build his real estate business, my father didn’t hesitate to accept the responsibility of his teenage brother. He put Josh through college and has helped him with every career step along the way.
Josh hasn’t forgotten that debt. He loves no one more than he loves my father.
Josh takes a sip of his coffee, then makes a face. “Forgot my sugar fix.”
“I’ll get it.” I jump up before he can object.
The small glass sugar dispenser is on the second shelf of the cabinet above the sink, barely within my reach when I’m not wearing heels. My fingers fumble as I stretch to get a grasp on the container. I think I have it in hand but I’m wrong.
Instead of the sugar dispenser I’ve grabbed a jar of dried mint leaves. An ordinary thing to see in a kitchen cabinet. The sight of it is enough to make my mouth go dry.
This jar was last opened by Olivia. She’s the only one around here who used mint flakes. She would measure out a teaspoonful to add to her English tea.
It’s been a chore, expunging all traces of Olivia from the house. Every time I think I’m successful I stumble across something like a jar of mint leaves when I least expect it.
In the Olivia aftermath, I suggested that we should put the house on the market. There’s no need for a house this large anyway and a fresh start might be best for everyone.
My father was indignant. Why should he move? This ishishouse. No, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
Olivia Davison Ballerini has secured her place in infamy as the ultimate wicked stepmother. Long before she was caught launching acid attacks, I always regarded her with some serious side eye. She resented the fact that I was my father’s priority. I resented the fact that she was a narcissistic bitch.
Yet during their marriage I also received my first real taste of freedom. There is a stifling element to being raised by a very overprotective single parent who has suffered one tragedy already and was terrified of losing his only child. With Olivia in the picture, my father finally had someone else to focus on. Olivia was the one who persuaded him to allow me to go away to college at Emerald State where I roomed with Dani. I hadn’t fully realized just how closely I’d been under my father’s control until I escaped it.
Their arrangement had always struck me as a mutual bargain, devoid of passion. They were not affectionate. They even slept in separate bedrooms. Olivia enjoyed the prestige of being the wife of the West Emerald mayor. Stuart Ballerini used the beautiful, charismatic Olivia as a political asset.
A win win situation. Until it became the opposite.
I can hardly fault my father’s blindness to his wife’s depravity. She fooled a lot of people.
Shaken by the Olivia reminder, I shove the jar back into the recesses of the cabinet and finally locate what I came for.
My uncle flashes an appreciative smile when I deposit the sugar beside his mug. “Thanks, Tessie Belle.”
