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Then I turn back to the king-sized, four-poster bed that dominates the room with a plush white duvet and several pillows. Dark wooden furniture fills the rest of the room—a dresser, a nightstand, bedside tables, and lamps. Then there’s a door to which I hope is the bathroom.
The walls are adorned with subtle artwork of leaves fluttering on the breeze… blues and greens. It’s beautiful, but I remind myself that even the most beautiful serpent can be deadly, and I can’t let my surroundings cloud my judgment.
Crossing the room, I peer out the window to where the moonlight reveals a maze-like garden behind a row of lofty pines.
Overwhelmed, my eyes still hurting from all my crying, I gravitate to the bed. Toeing off my shoes, I slide under the blankets in my clothes. The soft embrace of the luxurious sheets and the mattress beneath me is heavenly. I moan into its warmth. I’ve never felt such comfort. I curl up, loving the clean smell that comes from freshly laundered bedsheets.
As sleep starts to draw me under, my thoughts sweep to Hawk.
Why in the world did he agree to have me work for him? Especially after I caught him with that woman last night, then he pinned me against the wall. Questions dance in my mind until I drift to sleep.
* * *
The house is quiet, like everyone’s playing hide and seek, but no one’s coming out of their hiding spots. Mommy’s room has been locked for days, and Daddy won’t let me go in. He keeps saying that she’s not feeling good, but I want to see for myself.
I miss her.
Every day after school this week, I crouch down by her door with my teddy bear, hoping if she hears me singing, maybe she’ll open the door and smile. But it never happens. It only opens when the doctors come and go. I don’t like them because they never smile.
“Daddy?” I sniffle, jumping to my feet when he approaches. “Can I see Mommy now?”
“Sweetie,” he begins, his voice crackly. He looks tired, and there’s darkness under his eyes. “Mommy’s… she’s very sick. It’s not good to see her like this right now.”
I hug my teddy tighter, blinking the tears away. Then he’s gone into her room, and I settle down outside the door on my cushion.
“Sweetie, wake up,” Daddy suddenly whispers, stroking my cheek.
My eyes flip open to his teary ones. I must have fallen asleep.
“I’m not going to sleep in my bed. I’m not leaving her side.”
He picks me up. “Let’s go see Mommy.” His voice is shaking, and it scares me to hear him this way.
The room is dark except for a small light by Mommy’s bed.
She looks different, so pale and thin, not like before.
My chest squeezes because I know something is really wrong.
“Mommy,” I cry, wriggling to be put down, then I hurry to her side as her face lights up a little.
“Sapphire,” she whispers, then breaks into a cough.
I reach out for her, my teddy falling to the floor. Mommy puts something cold in my palm. It’s her special necklace, the one with the tiny heart.
“This is for you,” she whispers, sounding tired from just speaking. “Whenever you miss me, hold it close. Remember, I love you, okay? Be a brave girl for me.”
My fingers curl around the necklace, and I nod, tears making everything blurry.
“I love you, Mommy.”
She smiles, but it’s weak.
Then it’s quiet again. Her eyes are closed, and she just lays there.
I’m shaking, numb all over, convinced I will break open and never come together again. Her necklace feels so heavy in my hand.
Suddenly, Daddy’s picking me up and crying against me, and I know she’s gone.
