Page 18 of Dima's Vision
“Nope, I’ve been busy with work. Still am, but I needed one of your amazing coffees to perk me up.”
She beams wider, if that’s even possible, “Aw thank you! You are such a sweetie,” she gushes.
On anyone else I’d think she was being bitchy, sarcastic. But Brenna is not anyone else, she’s light in human form. And light I should stop sucking up to. The world needs more people like Brenna, and I’m not about to be the reason she’s taken from this world.
“Anyhoo, I better get going. Take care, yeah?” I say, swiping up my to go cup, and scooting past Brenna.
“Have an amazing day!” She waves to me and I scuttle away even quicker, to get my killer germs away from her.
Dammit! And I was having a reasonably good morning. I can do one of two things. Get rid of a couple more scum bags from my list, or visit Mama Celene and cry on her shoulder, then get a pep talk to perk me up enough to maybe message Dima. Maybe. I mean, thanking him for last night wouldn’t be too terrible, would it?
Making up my mind I make my way to my little green beetle, climb in, pop my coffee in my cup holder and tear out of my parking space, headed for my surrogate mom’s house.
Chapter 9
Kristie
“Mama?”
Mama Celene shuffles out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of sweet tea and three glasses. My brow raises at the third glass, but I shrug it off. It’s not my business to pry into Mama’s affairs. I learned that through the years of living with her. She’ll only share with you when she’s ready.
I rush forward, taking the tray from her and following her into the little reception room. Placing it on the mahogany table I wait until she’s seated before I flop back into my chair. The old wicker may have seen better days, but it’s still as comfy as it was when I first arrived on Mama Celene’s doorstep as an angry, scared, annoyingly smart-mouthed teen.
Mama gives me a little smile as she peers at me, leaning forward to fill our glasses. I take mine, savouring the smooth tea as it slides down my throat. I watch Mama over the rim of my glass, trying to hide my smile as neither of us make a move to break the deadlock we’re in.
Until Mama leans forward and charlie horses my knee.
“Ow! That’s cheating!”
Mama cackles, tossing her head back. I frown at her, then poke out my tongue as I wait for her to stop laughing at me.
“So… you gon’ tell me why you here, cher? Or I gotta read it in de bones?”
I groan, resting my head on the back of the chair as I stare at the ceiling. Icouldtell her that I was feeling a little sensitive. Whine about how life isn’t fair. But I’m a grown woman and I’ve been living with this weight my whole life. It’s probably time I accept my life will be lived alone.
“Ahhh, yo’ gift weighin’ on ya now, cher?”
“It’s just not fair!” I do exactly what I decided I wouldn’t do. Typical Kristie. Flip flopping all over the place. “Why does everyone I like have to die?”
“Dis ‘bout de Ghost Witch, eh?”
“Oh Ghost Witch now huh?” I tease before huffing. “No,” I lie. I don’t want Mama to know about Dima and how he lights up everything inside me. How I want to have that feeling for the rest of my life. Hopeful. Safe. “It’s about, ah, Brenna.”
Mama squints at me. She probably knows I’m lying. Kinda. There’s something about Brenna that draws me to her. I just don’t know what.
“She works in the coffee shop I like to go to. She’s all sweetness and light and fun and she makes me feel less like everything is shit. But I can’t spend too much time in her presence, in case, you know,” I widen my eyes and draw my fingers across my throat.
“Dat’s not de way, an’ you know it.”
“Really? Because it definitely feels that way. Everyone I come into contact with dies.”
Mama gives me a bored look. “You a hitwoman, Kristiana. Most of dem people you meet ‘cause you s’posed to end ‘em.”
I wave a hand in her direction and look out the window trying not to pout. “Stop talking logic to me.”
Mama chuckles before she clears her throat, gaining my attention. “Mmm, if it de whispers houndin’ ya, den dat somethin’ worth feelin’ sorry fo’.”
I lean forward, elbows on my knees as I drop my guard. Only with Mama. And Dima. “They’re dark Mama,” I whisper, “so many of them, evil, shadows in their soul.” I swallow, looking out the window again. “I - I don’t know if I can stop them all.”
