Chapter 20 #2
Setting aside thoughts of the past, I rounded the corner to the elementary school and headed inside. Once I was cleared through security, I waited with the collection of other parents in the office hallway. I recognized a few faces here and there but no one I felt comfortable saying hi to.
Hazel had only been at this school for a few weeks, so we were all still finding our footing.
The bell rang, and the loud noises of chairs scraping and doors opening preceded the bedlam of children rushing out.
Indy and Seb were both working, and while they had plenty of support from Seb’s family, I cherished these moments with my beautiful niece.
As if my thoughts conjured her, she noticed me and screamed “Auntie!” as she ran and jumped into my arms. I couldn’t help but brace for impact as I hugged her eight-year-old little body to my chest.
“How was school today, monkey?” I asked, pulling back and setting her back on her feet.
“It was good. We’re reading Charlotte’s Web, and I got to read a part to the class!
” She was so proud. Her soulful blue eyes glistened as she gazed up at me.
In every way except her eye color, she was my sister’s little mini-me.
With her long mahogany curls braided over her shoulder, she wore dark jeans and a fluorescent green long-sleeve shirt with a vintage punk rock tee over the top.
She probably didn’t even know who Blink-182 was, but even her style was on the edge of grunge, like Lexi’s had been.
I missed her so much, and the more time I could spend with her daughter, the more it saddened me that I’d never see her again.
That she’d never get to see Haze grow up and the type of woman she’d become.
Love surrounded Hazel, but no one and nothing would ever replace my sister.
We were about to leave when I realized her jacket was twisted behind her back, even with both her arms in either sleeve. She was so cute.
“How did you manage this?” I asked as I helped her right her jacket, then offered her my hand, and we headed out. “Are you hungry? What would you like to do today?”
“Can we make Mommy’s special snickerdoodles?” she asked, showing off her gap-toothed smile.
My heart panged at the thought, but I loved those cookies. “We sure can. Think your daddies have all the ingredients, or should we go get some?”
“Hmmm…” She tapped her lips with her forefinger.
“We made them last week, but Papa said there was no more chocolate or cinnamon, so we should get that.” She set off on a march as she dragged me towards Main Street and the grocery store.
She was a clever girl and whip-smart, just like Lexi, but even I would have forgotten finished ingredients when I was eight.
So, we didn’t have to make two trips. I gave Seb a quick call.
“Hey, Grace. Hazel, okay?” His grumbly voice asked.
“She’s fine, but she’s insisting on making Lexi’s snickerdoodles, and I wanted to see if you remembered what ingredients you have and if you needed anything else from the grocer.” I spoke as Haze pulled me down the street. If anything, this kid had a one-track mind.
Seb’s rumbling laugh met my ears. “Sounds like my girl.” He loved my niece as if she were his own, and I was so thankful that Indy had found someone worthy.
“You’ll need to grab eggs and butter, too.
Indy tried to make your special gingerbread scrolls on the weekend, but the poor guy failed miserably, so we are completely out of eggs and butter.
Oh, and dark brown sugar, if that’s important to the recipe.
Indy thought normal brown sugar and extra molasses would work.
It did not.” Seb was laughing again. “I love the man, but baking is not one of his strong suits.”
“Duly noted.” I laughed in response. “I’ll grab everything, and if Hazel’s happy, we might surprise Indy with a batch of scrolls ready for baking, once he gets home.
” Indy could make cookies, but that was about it.
He was a fantastic home cook, but the art and chemistry of baking seemed to get lost on him.
“He’d love that. Thanks, Grace. I should be home around five.” He paused for a beat. “You’re welcome to stay for dinner. We were going to order Thai, cause it’s a Monday and Indy hates cooking on Mondays.”
“Thanks, Seb. I’ll see how I feel. I’ve been a bit off today, but I’ll let you know,” I responded, not thinking anything of it.
“Off how? Are you okay? Do you need me to come home now? I can have Lyric come in to cover if you need to go.” Always the caretaker, Seb was the gentlest giant I’d ever known.
“I’m fine, Seb, just tired. Long weekend, I think. We’ll see you at five.” I waited for his hesitant “okay” before hanging up and turning my full attention back to Hazel as we rounded the corner onto Main Street.
The street was idyllic, full of small-town charm.
All the stores, boutiques, and other businesses were side by side down the street.
Each had a vintage vibe, with weathered awnings, handwritten chalk signs relaying the specials of the day, and locals bustling from place to place.
The grocer was busy as usual when we arrived.
With a basket in hand, I extended my free hand toward Haze. “Stay close. It’s busy today.”
“Okay. Let’s go!” She was so excited and pulled me down the dairy aisle.
I grabbed butter, milk, and eggs before we moved to get sugar.
When I first moved here, the extensive range of brands and ingredients that such a small grocer stocked surprised me.
It had everything you could need for baking, and I loved it.
I’d been able to bake anything I wanted and more.
It made this town feel even more like the perfect place to be.
Once we had everything, we lined up to pay. My phone buzzed with a message. With a quick look at it, my stomach dropped as I read my screen.
Unknown
All sinners will be punished. Running away won’t help you escape his wrath.
My hands trembled as my vision narrowed to my phone and the unknown number.
Had he found me, or was this a spam message?
Nothing for weeks, and now this message out of nowhere. As soon as I left, I blocked his number, closed all my socials and switched providers. I’d done everything I could think of to avoid having to hear from him.
“Auntie Grace.” Hazel tugged on the sleeve of my dress to get my attention.
“Sorry, honey, what’s up?” I tried to shake myself out of my panic.