Chapter 13 #2
As I dressed, my thoughts traveled to Evelyn.
I hope my sisters aren’t talking her ear off.
She had to be just as tired as I was, and I could imagine she was hungry.
With the guilt setting in, I rushed to get dressed and go find her.
I would have to ask one of our housekeepers to bring some of my things over to the pool house later.
Even though the estate was secure, I didn’t want to leave Evelyn there alone.
I took the winding stone pathway down the hill to the pool house.
The house had grown since I was gone. Before me stood a single-story home equipped with sandstone columns, glass roof panels, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
From the outside, I could see the full kitchen that was installed and the entertainment center that was opposite of it.
I stepped through the sliding doors that led into the living room and inspected the space around me.
The walls had been painted a light bluish grey, and maple hardwood flooring had been put in.
The house was stunning and a testament to how successful the family business, had become over the years.
The kitchen flaunted Calacatta Gold marble countertops and Miele stainless-steel appliances.
Turning around, I found a hallway that must've led to the bedrooms. From what my sisters told me, there were two bedrooms; one of which they set Evelyn up in. Walking to the closed door at the end of the hall, I pressed my ear to it. I couldn’t hear any sounds coming from the room, and I worried she might already be sleeping.
After the night we had in the motel, I figured she needed her sleep. I could relate, I had nightmares too. It always weighed heavily on me when we lost someone, whether they were a part of our company or a victim. It never got any easier.
Those blue eyes haunted me. Whenever things were quiet, that moment replayed in my head.
Ezra was my responsibility. I was supposed to train him, make him into a great firefighter.
There were so many mistakes made that night.
So many things were out of our control. He was my responsibility, and I couldn’t get to him in time.
Ezra was young, and he reminded me so much of myself.
He had stars in his eyes; being a firefighter was his calling.
His life was cut too soon. They said there was nothing that I could’ve done.
We followed protocol, our team worked together like a well-oiled machine, but that day the universe had other plans.
The nightmares always kept me up. It was rare that I could return to sleep.
Some nights I stared at the ceiling, wishing for rest, other nights the nightmares chased me from my bed.
My feet would lead me to the track at Prospect Park, where I ran until my legs were numb and it was time to go to work.
My nightmares stemmed from guilt and the impossible desire to save everyone—but Evelyn’s held memories.
It seemed like they haunted her at all times.
Hesitantly, I knocked on the door. It was faint, but I heard Evelyn’s call to come in. When I opened the door, she was sitting cross-legged on a king-sized bed, staring at her phone.
“You okay, Ev? I came to get you for breakfast. You must be starving. You barely ate on the ride here.”
Evelyn shook her head as if she was shaking herself out of a fog. She opened the bedside table drawer and dropped her phone inside.
Whatever she was looking at, she clearly didn’t want to deal with. I wanted to ask her about it, but she was still so closed off. I had the instinct not to push too much before she was ready.
“Yeah, I’m okay, and I’d love to get some food. Your sisters gave me some clothes, some of which even had tags on them still. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay them. This is too much.” Evelyn sighed as she went through the door and out into the hall.
From her actions, it was clear Evelyn hadn’t had anyone show her kindness in a while. She had been on her own, and now that she had to rely on a stranger, she had no choice but to accept the help.
”Oh, those two love shopping. They do it any chance they get.” I chuckled. “My sisters have more than enough clothes, and they truly don't mind. I hope they didn’t talk your ear off. Once they get going, they don’t stop.”
A small smile appeared on Evelyn’s face before it disappeared. “No, they were great. You’re lucky to have them."
We walked in silence the rest of the way to the house and into the kitchen, where my mother was preparing breakfast.
The kitchen was swarming with action when we arrived.
My mother was taking fresh biscuits out of the oven while the twins set the table and chatted animatedly with Ma.
My father was seated at the head of the table with his coffee mug and the Oakland Ridge Gazette in hand.
All movement stopped, and everyone turned their focus to Evelyn once we walked in.
Her skin flushed with red as my family turned their attention to her.
I cleared my throat, hoping to dispel the uncomfortable moment, and all eyes turned towards me.
“This is my friend Willow Norris. She is going to be staying with us for a while until we go back to New York.” I turned to Evelyn and pointed out my parents.
“These are my parents, Rejoice and Jonathan Woods.”
My mother smiled warmly while wiping her hands on the kitchen towel before walking over and enveloping Evelyn in a hug, one that totally caught her off guard. “It is so great to meet you, Willow. I hope you enjoy your stay here,” she said as she clasped Evelyn's hands in hers.
My father raised his head from reading the paper to glance at Evelyn.
“Ms. Norris, I hope my son filled you in on how this family operates and my expectations.” My mother scoffs but doesn’t say anything.
Typical. The twins only give each other a confused look before bringing their attention back to me.
They’re probably waiting for an explanation, for me to blow up.
But I won't—at least not on the first day.
Evelyn looks as if she wants the ground to open up and swallow her whole. She nods her head at my father, then looks at me. I grab her hand and lead her to the kitchen table.
Once she’s seated, I lean over and whisper in her ear, “You don’t have to worry about that. You’re safe here with us.” before passing her the plate of eggs, “dig in.”