Page 84 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“Are you going to open it then? Do you think it’s from that man?”
“Give her some space, Pattie,” my dad tells her, placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back a pace or two away from me.
I examine the handwriting across the top of the parcel. It isn’t Mrs. Finch’s which means if it is from Connor – or any other member of his pack, a cook, for example – they sent it themselves.
I find the edge of the tape and unfurl it from the cardboard, my mom watching anxiously from the other side of the table. I wonder what she can possibly think is inside. A diamond ring. I hope not. I’ve had enough weddings to last me several lifetimes.
I tug away the last bit of tape and then, glancing up at my mom, fold back the tabs. Inside is packing tissue. I peel it back and underneath, nesting in more tissue, is a book.
Hardback. Its cover designed with innate gold lettering and decoration.
Jane Eyre.
I lift it up and bring it to my nose, inhaling. It smells just like books. Just like Connor.
“A book?” my mom asks, sounding incredibly disappointed.
“Yes, a book.”
“Is there anything else inside the box?”
I check. “Just a note.”
My mom stares at me like she’s expecting me to read it to her. When I don’t she huffs and turns to join my dad at the cooker.
I open the book first.
Inside, in trim black ink, Connor has written,For Bea.
I smile and open his note next.
I remember that copy ofJane Eyreyou had all those years ago was a battered, tatty looking thing. I thought it was about time you got an upgrade.
I strokemy hands over the cover and the spine of the book. I’m not sure I’ll be able to even open this book for fear of spoiling it.
I continue reading his note.
I’m hoping by the time you receive this gift, you’ll have applied for that program and will be packing ready to return to the city. If I’m honest, I’m hopeful you’re returning to us. We screwed up and we’re working to fix it. We’re working to win you back.
Maybe if we keep working hard enough – you and us – we’ll all get what we want.
Seems your hero Charlotte would agree. Did you know she once wrote:
“I honor endurance, perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which men achieve great ends and mount to lofty eminence.”
Keep persevering, sweetheart. Don’t give up on what you want. Or what you deserve.
Connor
I runthe pad of my fingers over the words, pausing to give them thought.
I gave up on my dreams too easily before. I put them aside and let someone destroy my belief in myself.
Am I really going to let that happen again?
Or this time am I going to persevere and endure until I get what I want?
I sink into a kitchen chair, the note still in my hands.
