Page 93 of Driftwood Daffodil

“You should show a little compassion.”

Why? Because their parents worked a lot and weren’t around much? Ours were dead and you didn’t see anyone giving us compassion. Besides… “There’s no compassion in war.”

Veda let out a sigh, “This isn’t war.”

“Just because you chose not be on the front lines, doesn’t mean this isn’t war.”

Billy and Kyle may not have done anything today. Their last round of ding dong ditch ring the doorbell was a week ago, but it wasn’t like I could do anything to the person I was really mad at. What was I going to do? Put a shaving cream bomb in Gio’s car?

Huh?

That wasn’t a bad idea. Actually the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. Shaving cream made quite the mess. It stuck onto things and snuck into the cracks crevasses. I doubted he’d be too thrilled about having to clean that up. I, on the other hand, would thoroughly enjoy watching him.

I looked over at Billy and Kyle trying to wipe white goop off their faces while imagining it was Gio, and possibly one or two of his friends.

I’m gonna going to need more supplies.

Finger’s snapped in front of my face, drawing me back to reality out of my fantasy.

My eyes rolled up to my sister as she huffed an annoyed, ”What is wrong with you?”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific than that. As you know, I have many issues.”Such as the event that shall not be named.“Some might even go as far as to call me a psychiatrist’s wet dream.”

And by some I meant Memphis.

“I know.” Veda sighed and stepped forward to brush a lock of my hair behind my ear. “It might not be a bad idea to talk to someone.”

Oh please. “Cause it’s done so much good for you.”

“I’ve made progress.”

That statement made my eyes roll. She was going on her second year of therapy and Veda still wouldn’t leave the house unless it was for work. If that’s what she called progress I’d hate to see what she considered regression.

“I know I haven’t been the best sister Nova, but I’m trying.”

No, she wasn’t. I didn’t hold it against her or anything, I just never expected to mourn someone who was still alive. I missed my sister. Other than Memphis, Veda was the one person I could talk to and possibly plot revenge with.

Once upon a time I would’ve gone to her about ‘the event that shall not be named’. I’d have asked Veda why I couldn’t stop thinking about how Gio’s lips felt on mine and what I should stab him in the eye with so he wouldn’t do it again. Instead I worried that the mention of his name would break her.

The sad fact was, I really wanted to tell her. That was all I could think about while I sat there staring back.

Nothing seemed right anymore. I was surrounded by new faces in a new school. Yes I had Memphis, but after this year he’d be gone too. Off to college in a new city, and I’d still be here, waiting for Gio Mancini to kill me.

I needed Veda to hold me and tell me it would all be okay. Even if it was a lie.

A frown tugged at the corner of Veda’s mouth. “Are you okay, Nova?”

I was so far from okay that it wasn’t funny.

“I’d be fine if Gio would leave me alone –”

My mouth snapped shut too late. One slip of the tongue had terror filling Veda’s eyes as the color drained from her face.

Shit, shit. What do I do?

“Gina Thomas is such a bitch.” I quickly added and prayed it sounded nonchalant enough.

Veda’s brows knit as a touch of color returned to her cheeks. “Gina Thomas?”

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