Chapter Sixteen
Daisy
The house is quiet when I wake up. Gus is still asleep, the sheets tangled around him. His arm is hanging off the side, and his pillow is on the floor. I shake my head, laughing to myself quietly.
I make my way downstairs. The moment the living room comes into view, disappointment settles over me.
There are two chickens on my couch, fast asleep, each of them tucked into the corners. Their feathers a little puffed out, and their little bodies inflate slightly as they breathe.
I make my way back upstairs, but I don’t go into my room. I go into Grannie’s and stare at the safe.
“What is the code?” I ask as if it’s going to answer me.
I step into the closet and try a few more combinations.
Nothing works. I huff an annoyed sound. Should I call a locksmith?
Apparently Gus was electrocuted when he tried breaking into it and was ba-cawking for hours—like a bad case of the hiccups.
I can’t be responsible for a stranger getting hurt over this curse.
It’s bad enough that the boys are cursed.
I give up and go back into my room. Gus is still asleep, so I lie in bed and dig through memories, wondering if anything will point me in the direction of what the code could be.
I’ve tried the address. Birthdays. My parents' death days. I’ve tried random numbers. Words turned into numbers… nothing is working.
And none of my memories of Grannie are ringing a bell either.
Watching TV together. Tending to the farm. Baking. Going to town. Her pushing me on the swing. Her delicious pecan pie—that is my absolute favorite, and I need to replicate one of these days…
I hear the door close downstairs, so I get up to look out the window and see Wade walking down the steps and then moving down the path to go toward the barns. The hunch in his shoulders gives away the disappointment. I watch until he disappears around the barn.
Rhett is sitting on the couch, staring at a blank screen on the TV, when I get down there.
“Morning,” I say when he looks over at me.
Smiling, he says, “Morning.”
“I’m sorry.”
“How’d you know?”
“I came down a little while ago.”
Nodding, he gets up and offers out his hand.
“At least you get these.” I take the two eggs from his hand.
“I’d rather things not be this way.”
His smile is soft. “I believe that,” he says.
“Do you?”
Nodding, he says, “Yeah, I’m starting to.”
I think back to what Gus said about wanting to stay here. Maybe that’s the key. Could it be so simple?
Though, I guess it isn’t so simple, is it?
Wanting to be in the place you’re imprisoned in? Of course, it would be the perfect curse-breaker. Why would they ever want to stay here?
“Let me make you breakfast,” I say.
“No, I—”
“Please? Grannie made me this amazing, creamy oatmeal that I’d love for you to try.”
He glances at the door, then at me.
“Can I check on him first?”
“Of course you can.” I put my hand on his arm. “Just come back, okay?”
“I will.”
He leaves through the back door, and I go into the kitchen, putting the eggs into the container and gathering everything I need to make oatmeal.
Grannie has an old recipe card box, the cards thin, the corners curled and bent. The ink is still clear though, and so I get to work making the most perfect oatmeal.
Gus is awake when it’s done, so he, Rhett, and I sit and eat.
“It’s good,” Gus says.
“Not as good as Grannie’s,” I say, scooping up a blueberry.
“What’s different about it?” Rhett asks.
“Hers was creamier. Smoother.”
“Maybe she overcooked it?” Rhett suggests.
“I followed the recipe card and cooked it for as long as it said.”
“You remember those brownies Tina used to make?” Gus says to Rhett.
Rhett groans.
“Tina?” I question.
“She was Rhett’s family-cook. Made the best cookies I’ve ever had. Anyway, she had said she followed a recipe but always did something a little different because it felt right.”
“So, you’re saying…”
“Maybe Agnes cooked it just a little longer because it felt right?” Gus says.
“Could be,” Rhett says, taking his last bite.
He brings his dish to the sink to wash it.
“Maybe,” I say, taking another bite.
“I’m going out to work on the fence,” Rhett says.
“Stay here again tonight,” I say.
He looks at me like he doesn’t want to agree.
“Please? I feel better with you in the house.”
“We’re used to being outside,” Rhett says.
“No, not because of that.” I clear my throat. “It’s just… you know, this is a big house, and the locks aren’t great, and…”
Rhett nods, giving me an understanding smile. “I’ll sleep here again tonight.”
He opens the front door and takes a step out before turning back. “Maybe we can convince Wade to do the same?”
“I’ll try my best,” I say with a smile.
“Me too,” Gus adds.
Rhett leaves, and Gus and I are alone.
“It’s funny… Wade comes across as the protective one, but you both take care of him.”
“Rhett more than me,” Gus says, scraping his bowl to get every last bit.
“You all care about each other.”
“Of course we do.”
“Because you’ve been stuck together?”
“No, even before that. We were best friends. Our families were close. We understood what it was like to grow up in a family like that, and then… well, we really understood what it was like.”
“You think he’ll stay again tonight?”
Gus smiles, taking my hand. “I think maybe if you talk to him, he might.”
“Me? I don’t know what to say to him.”
“Just don’t tell him you understand, that things will get better, or you’re going to help. Uh… I know that sounds bad, but he doesn’t do well with positive things. Maybe ask about something. Let him do the talking.”
“Right… that’s not at all difficult. Thank you, Gus.” I smile dramatically.
He grabs our dishes and washes them, then kisses the top of my head.
“I’m going to help Rhett.”
He hurries out the front door, and I head in to take a quick shower before going to find Wade.