Page 81 of Nathan
“I know. I’m sorry!” My sister’s belly made her lean a little forward to hug me, and as we stood close, I felt a bump.”
“Was that a kick?” My eyes widened.
“Yes. She’s a soccer player or ballerina for sure.” Lola took my hand and placed it on her stomach, but before I could feel another bump, our mother interrupted us.
“Now that the children are gone, we can get right to it.” My mom nudged me by the elbow to the French doors leading into their sunroom. My parents’ house was a cute rambler that I’d bought them when I was twenty. “Lola, I have the sandwiches, will you bring the lemonade, dear?”
Once my mom opened the door to the small sunroom with the green plants and seating area, I saw the coffee table littered with magazines and newspapers.
“I have so many questions,” she said and walked over to sit down in the beige-colored wicker chair.
My steps slowed, and my body tensed up as if the table was full of snakes. “Mom, did you buy all these?”
“Well, since you won’t tell me anything, I had to find out what’s going on and who you’re hanging out with.”
It felt like a betrayal to see those toxic magazine covers in my parents’ house, which should be a safe place for me. My eyes scanned the many lies.
-Storm pleading with Serena, don’t leave me for him.
-Serena tells all from her days trapped in a Swedish forest with violent offender – the scariest time of my life.
-Serena in free fall. Her new man made her cut off her family and friends.
-Cheating Serena to Storm – you didn’t satisfy me.
-Serena’s fans shocked; she’s like a different person.
-The fiancée from hell... Serena cheats and humiliates Storm Johnson in public.
-Kidnapped, beaten, and hospitalized. Serena finally free – begs Storm to take her back.
With my face scrunched up in distaste, I sat down on the sofa with the yellow cushions that matched the rough coconut carpet. “If you want to know something, ask me.” With a downward jut of my chin to the table, I continued. “All they tell are lies. I can’t believe you would support them by buying their magazines.”
My mom picked up a glossy magazine with Storm and me on the cover. “This one has a picture of your mystery man from the emergency room. See. And here’s another from when he was a child.”
I reached for the magazine, wondering why they would put in a photo of Nathan as a child. My eyes widened when I began reading.
“Where do I put it?” Lola asked with a tray in her hands, but I was in a bubble with the hairs on my arms standing up. A picture of Nathan at the age of fourteen was followed by the text:
Nathan Robertson was one of the few survivors from the dreaded Red Manor Cult and lucky to survive the mass murder that took place when he was only fourteen.
My head was spinning from words likemass murderand cult.
Confusion and disbelief made me read on like I was searching for the part that said April fools.
“He went to jail, did you know that?” my mom asked.
“Yes.”
“For almost killing a man.”
“He was defending himself and some female comrades.”
“Is that what he told you?” Lola poured lemonade into large glasses.
“How can you trust someone like that?” my mom asked. “Seriously, Sydney, why would you give up Storm for someone like him?”
I was studying the picture of Nathan at fourteen. He was handsome, but except for the eyes, nose, and lips, it was hard to believe it was the tall and fit man I knew today.
