Page 121 of Brambles and Bellflowers
Her grip, which had been slowly growing weaker, tightened suddenly. “Don’t make the same mistakes I did,” she said. Hereyes had turned sharp and clear again, a deep, golden brown—so much like Jonathon that my chest ached.
As much as I tried to act as though I wasn’t bothered, over the years, I’d started to love my dysfunctional and misinformed adoptive parents. Could I ever forgive them? Probably not. But with his eyes staring back at me, it was hard to remain indifferent.
He’d mostly been indifferent and awkward, but there had been moments where he’dtried. The two of us would sneak WWE episodes while Abigail was occupied in her gardens, and then there was the way he’d slip candy into my lunch every Friday morning before I went to school.
And sometimes—unless I was utterly imagining this—it felt as though he watched me with a painful mixture of fear and something more that I couldn’t recognize.
I always assumed it was because they regretted adopting me.
But it was the same expression Kathleen was giving me now—one of expectation.
“I need to tell you something,” she said, the resignation in her expression suffocating me.
Her posture tightened, and her breathing labored, almost as if the rising moon were siphoning away her life.
But if it was so painful, why couldn’t she wait? I didn’twanther to die, but if it was going to happen anyway… She shouldn’t hurt herself trying to talk to me now.
After all, it wasn’t like I couldn’t communicate with her after.
“You don’t have to—” I began, but she cut me off.
“I won’t be able to talk to you again,” she wheezed, the lines around her eyes deepening. “At least not now. You’re not ready yet.” She moved her free hand to the chain around her neck. She pulled at it, and a ring peeked into view.
“Take this.” Kathleen tugged at the ring with short, square fingers. Now that I could see it more clearly, I could place the redruby, capturing the light of the fire. “Take this and remember: No matter what you do, you can’t hide.”
“What?” I closed my hand around hers—her skin was already growing colder.
“I ran away.” She breathed, skin growing paler. “I abandoned my family and friends to escape, but it didn’t change anything. But now I can make things right. Promise to make Miles take the potion—he’ll need it. And, please, give this ring to Gregory.” She pushed her hand against mine. “I’ve been holding on to it for him.”
“The ring?” I asked, looking at our conjoined hands. “But what—”
“Michael read my fortune,” she interrupted me again. But I doubted she even heard me this time. Her expression was already fading, and her focus seemed scrambled. “I thought I could outsmart it, but it wasn’t worth it. And because of that, I’ve missed out on the positive parts of life. I missed seeing my grandchildren grow up.”
My heart was thundering in my ears, and panic remained at bay by only a breath.
“It’s fine,” she repeated, though it wasn’t. “I knew this was coming from the moment I found out who you were. But I’m not scared. I’m ready for what’s next. And honestly, it makes sense—that things needed to happen this way.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He could have just told me it’d beyou.” Her hand shook as she touched my face, and her expression softened as the corners of her pale lips lifted slightly. “He had to know. He’s such a fucking asshole.”
“Who?” I asked. “Who is…”
But with a shuddering breath, she stilled. The air grew cold, and a light breeze passed through me. Her sudden death came with no lingering farewell. I was rendered speechless…
This small, frail woman—and her last words were such vile curses. I couldn’t believe it.
What if my adoptive father asked what she’d said on her deathbed? How could I ever tell him the truth?
“Kathleen?” I breathed. Dropping her hands, I stood. She had to say something else,anythingelse. I couldn’t let this be the end.
I turned, peering into the darkest corners of the room. My anxiety raced through me as the long seconds ticked by with no change.
She was dead, but I could see spirits.
Besides, she had unfinished business. We weren’t done. I had no idea what she had been trying to tell me.
And I had no idea how to help Miles.
