Page 78 of Peaches

“So?” I prod, needing my mother to tell me everything. “What won’t happen again?”

“He’s been giving me money, Grace. But please don’t make me spell it out for you. You’re old enough to understand.”

Her harsh tone and bite make me take a step back as my heart stings when I realize what she’s saying. The truth I could’ve bet I already knew but didn’t want to accept yet out of fear I was right. My face grows somber as I stare at the woman before me and don’t even realize the look I’m giving her until she calls me out on it.

“Don’t pity me, Grace Olivia! It’s over. I never should have told you to begin with. I’ve made arrangements. And I’d like to forget what’s been done, just like I’m telling you, as your mother, to forget it now as well.”

“What kind ofarrangements?” I ask wearily as Brett comes into the room. The wordarrangementsticks in my throat as I look at him and swallow hard before glancing back her way.

Fucking arrangements!

Is that all life is good for?

In the name of love, is that all it ever is?

One arrangement after another?

My eyes fall back on his. Hard. Unforgiving. Not for him, God no. But my anger is misplaced as what just happened and the words of my mother send a chill through my entire body.

“I sold the house.”

What the actual fuck?

I look back at her as my mouth literally drops open. “You what?”

She puts up a wall, a mask, as she stands a little taller and tells me once again in her best motherly tone, “I sold the house. We need to be out by the end of the month.”

“Where the hell are you planning to live!” I exclaim. “Archie can’t…”

“Archie will be fine!” She cuts me off as she quickly busies herself with clearing the table. I look at Brett and he gives me a slightly non-understanding look that quickly morphs into a sad sympathy, before he begins helping my mother carry dishes to the sink.

“He needs a specialist anyways, with his new diagnosis. There isn’t one in Kentucky. I’ve been looking though,” she says, as she begins to turn on the sink, grabbing the sponge and soaping it up before starting on the pile quickly accumulating at her right. “Florida. South Carolina. Georgia.”

The last one has my heart hopeful because there’s nothing I’d want more than to have my family nearby. But I know it won’t be an easy move, and Archie may not adjust to his new surroundings for a very long time. A fact that makes me nervous for the both of them. But still, I can’t shake a sadness that’s settled in my gut. The one that’s screaming I should have known they were in more trouble than I thought.

She should have told me. I would have tried to help. Any way I could. Even if, truth be told, my situation over the last few years wouldn’t have really allotted for it. Plus, there is the whole thing of avoiding coming home as much as possible. If it wasn’t for my mother and Archie, I wouldn’t come back here at all. It reminds me of my ex-Tommy, of my father, and it’s always been too painful to bare.

When I still haven’t said a word, she turns to look at me and acts like the perfect, reassuring mother, as she says, “Stop worrying yourself, Grace. We’re fine. It’s all OK. Now, hand me those few dishes on the table and help me dry. It’s a nice night out tonight, and I’m sure Brett would enjoy you showing him the property. Might be the only time he gets to see it.”

My heart sinks. My mind clouds. I pick up a dish but still can’t force myself to bring it to her as the sad reality that I’ve failed them falls quickly and settles in the pit of my stomach.

Who cares if this place literally makes me sick with all the memories I’d rather forget. I should have been here for them. If I had been, I could have seen they were struggling way more than I ever thought possible and helped.

Looking up, I catch Brett’s eye as he stands beside me and he gives me a small smile. “Come on, Peaches,” he whispers. “Let’s get these dishes out of our way, and then I’ll take you somewhere I know can help, Grace. Besides, it is a nice night, and I’ve never been more ready for you to show me your world.”

20

Grace

The moon ishigh in the sky, full and illuminating the night as I walk out back next to Brett a half an hour later. After helping with the dishes, I made sure the house was locked down tight and didn’t really like the thought of leaving my mother and Archie alone, but she insisted, and Brett was relentless.

After some major convincing, by both my mother and Brett, I reluctantly surrendered. Although I can’t say I’m really any good company, seeing that I’ve mostly been walking alongside him mute with my head hung low the last twenty minutes.

I know what my father is capable of and that wasn't the first time he came here drunk and threatening. It wasn’t the first time he called my brother names, tried to break us all and I stood between him and any more hurt he could cause my family. But something about this time makes it hurt a little more. Something about seeing him again, hearing his rant knowing Brett heard it too, makes me feel a little more ashamed. Why? I can’t quite place it. Which I guess is the reason for the silent treatment I’m giving the man at my side as my feet shuffle through the dirt and we come full circle to the barn after walking the back fence line.

“Want to talk about it?” the man in question says, reminding me of all the ways he’s always cared to know what’s on my mind before and help if he can. We stop in front of the stairs leading up to the apartment above and I release a heavy sigh.

Giving him a stern look, I roll my eyes and fold my arms over my chest. “Did I give you the impression over the last 30 minutes that Ididwant to talk about it?”

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