Page 97 of Misrule
She licked her lips. Thought about turning and leaving. But what else did she have to do? Her children were on the other side of that door. Her husband. Her friends.
Her family. Everything she wanted and everything worth fighting for.
Steeling her spine, she shoved her gloves inside her pocket, twisted the door knob and walked into the house.
As she quietly closed the door, the inside warmth enveloped her. The familiarity of her surroundings comforted her. How many days had she come here to visit Meggie? Or to confront her? Or try to guide her in the right direction and out of her husband’s shadow?
Or to work at her desk as the attorney for Meggie and Zoann’s healthcare company? She, herself, owned such a minute share, she didn’t consider it a true vested interest.
Kendall had spent as much time in this house as she had at her own. And she’d always been welcomed. Despite everything. She’d always gotten a much warmer reception than she gave when Meggie visited her.
The entrance hall Kendall stood in had a very traditional look. There were the corners where Meggie placed her fiberglass Pilgrims and Christmas scenes during the holidays. Just beyond the wide archway was another central hall that led to various rooms in the huge house. Beyond that was the massive staircase that led to the second and third floors.
With no one there to greet her, Kendall was glad she’d left her Balenciaga tote bag in her Navigator in the club parking lot. There was a private access road to the houses, but she couldn’t bring herself to use it.
Footsteps grabbed her attention and Kendall darted into the nearest corner. She didn’t want to be seen. She wanted to hear…that she was missed. Or hated. Or loved.
The sounds of a little boy and a grown man playing the-monster-will-catch-you brought a nostalgic smile to Kendall’s lips. She knew it was Johnnie because he liked to play the game with Rory and Matilda. But the child’s laughter didn’t sound like Rory’s. It was loud and boisterous and joyous, whereas her son always hesitated to smile, as if innate happiness didn’t come easily to him.
Because of her?
“Uncle Johnnie, you’re funny,” CJ said around giggles. “Ro funny, too.”
“You know why?” Johnnie asked in a mock-growl. “Because you have a very funny mom and Rory has a funny aunt. Now, I’m going to get you!”
A funny mom. A funny aunt.Meggie. All at once, Kendall’s anger rushed back, layering her insecurities with destructive force. She covered her mouth to hold in her sobbing roar, sick to her stomach.
“Stop tickling me, Uncle Johnnie,” CJ yelled, laughing hysterically.
“I’m the tickle monster,” Johnnie responded.
“Tickle me, Dad!” Rory shouted, sounding truly happy and full of life. Much more so than when she’d been involved in his life on a day-to-day basis.
“Megan let you dress yourself again, son?” Johnnie asked.
Kendall’s nostrils flared, another arrow piercing her heart.
“Aunt Meggie said I’m a big boy and I can wear what I want to.”
“Your Aunt Megan is not only funny but nice.”
Johnnie’s words poured fuel on Kendall’s bubbling emotions. Had they seen her coming? They must have! Cameras were all around the place and at the gate.
Because, Jesus, what were the odds that she would immediately hear this conversation?
Her progress felt as if it imploded, collapsed from the inside and left her the same empty shell she had been.
“Mommie said she’s going to punch you if you tell Ro that her funnier than Aunt Kenda,” CJ explained. “Aunt Kenda his mommie and MegAnn mine.”
Getting control of herself again, Kendall dropped her hands to her sides, irritated. Why couldn’t the little asshole say Kendall?
“When’s Mommie coming home, Dad?” Rory asked. “I miss her.”
Kendall pressed a hand against her belly at the sound of her son’s sadness.
“Aunt Kenda a big giant bitch, Ro,” CJ said. “Why you miss her?”
“Nuh-uh, fuckhead! Take that back,” Rory cried.
