Page 10 of Relentles
“Still don’t have it right. Nod when you mean yes. Shake your head for no.” Mommie laughed. “I’ll be right back, darling.”
“Okay.” Her tummy didn’t hurt as badly as it had been when Mommie last woke her up. Though her throat still hurt, Jana wasn’t as thirsty or as wet all over.
“You’re awake!”
Before Jana could answer, Aunt Seri yanked Jana up and into her arms, hugging her tightly.
“I was so worried about you,” she said.
Jana hugged Aunt Seri back and rested her head on her shoulder. Auntie smelled sweet, like Mommie’s garden.
“Let her go, Seraphina,” Mommie said, sounding mean.
Jana didn’t like Mommie to be mean to Auntie Seri. She was always so nice to Jana. They played dollies and tea party and watched the funnest movies.
“You called me and told me my child was at death’s door,” Auntie Seri said, her voice as mean as Mommie’s. “You expect me to let her go so easily, Amy?”
“Shush. Jana may not be asleep.”
Auntie Seri moved. A moment later, Jana was cradled in her arms.
“Jana, darling?” Mommie called.
Jana didn’t answer. Mommie might take her from Aunt Seri, and Jana wouldn’t like that.
“I should never have told you. You want me to raise her as my—”
“I know, Amy. But I’m glad you did. Suppose…suppose…”
“She’s fine. Her fever has broken. By the time she finished sweating, I’d changed her pajamas twice.”
“What if I’d lost her? He doesn’t even know he’s a father.”
“What ifwe’dlost her, you mean.”
“Should I go to the club and tell him?”
“They’ll kill you! You shouldn’t have come back. Camas is too close to Hortensia. You escaped with your life and your children.”
“Suppose he’s killed? He doesn’t need to know he’s a father?”
“Whichheare you referring to? There are two candidates. You only focus on the one you want it to be. And Jana has a father. My husband.”
“Every time I see her, I see him.”
“It’s a good thing you don’t see her often. You’re seeing what,who, you want to see. She has dark blonde hair andblueeyes for God’s sake. Where do you seehiminher?”
“Logan had blond hair at one time.”
“Shut it,” Mommie ordered, frightening Jana with her meanie tone.
Auntie Seri sniffled. “I wish I could raise her with Randolph.”
“Randolph’s practically raised, Seraphina.”
“He’s ten.”
“Nearly a teen. Jana’s four. You wanted her to have a better chance in life. Mom and Dad love her. Don’t think that motorcycle man won’t swoop in and take her away from us.” Mommie huffed. “They killed Charles!”
