Chapter 18
I WATCH FROM THE WINDOW AS BEN DRIVES OFF, AND I HOPE THAT’S the last I ever see of him. I whirl around when I hear Sunny’s heels clicking on the hardwood.
“How could you?” I say, the words coming shakily from my lips.
Sunny furrows her brow. “What, Emma? You think I’d just let you waltz in here?
Turn my father’s head? He’s too trusting sometimes, but I won’t have him taken advantage of.
I looked into your background as soon as my father told me he’d invited you here.
You’re in quite a mess, aren’t you? And I won’t let your sordid problems become my father’s.
He’s worked very hard for all the success he’s attained, to gain this life, this notoriety.
I won’t let you destroy what we have here. ”
“I’m not destroying anything. I just wanted to get to know Alex. He’s the only family I have. My problems have nothing to do with him.”
“And I intend to keep it that way.”
“Whatever, Sunny. Stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours. Alex is a grown man, and he’ll make up his own mind about me. I won’t stand for your interference again. You pull a stunt like bringing my ex here again and you’ll be sorry.”
I start to walk past her, too angry to continue the conversation, but Sunny reaches out and grabs my arm.
“Keep quiet. Stay out of the way, and maybe I’ll let you stay here.
But any whiff of scandal, anything you do to tarnish my father’s reputation, and I’ll talk to him about sending you packing.
I have great sway over my father, and if I decide to convince him that you’re a liability, you’ll be gone in a heartbeat. ”
I shake my arm out of her grip. “Try to send me away, Sunny. I dare you. I was hoping that we’d be friends, but hopes are often dashed in this life, aren’t they?” I stride out of the room and into the kitchen, rest against the counter, and calm my breath.
It’s full dark now and the windows rattle with the wind. When I head out to the hallway, I hear Sunny talking, presumably on her phone, behind Alex’s closed office door. It seems strange to be here alone with her and I hope Alex comes back soon.
Up in my room, I shut the door and settle on the bed.
I open my laptop and try to work on my novel, but my brain is awhirl with my argument with Sunny.
I’d hoped to find a new, welcoming family here at Cheshire Lake, but so far, I’ve found nothing but a sister who’s bent on chasing me away, not to mention a murdered neighbor.
I wonder if I should just pack my car and leave.
In the past, I’d have left at the first sign of dissention, but I’m not that person anymore.
Growing up with my mother, we always seemed to be running from something or someone.
And I picked up on her paranoia as if from osmosis.
As a child, I believed in my mother’s mantra that the world was a scary place, and a wise person kept her head down.
But after all I’ve been through this year—my cheating, gambling husband, my mother’s death—I’ve come to reevaluate my mother’s teachings.
At some point you have to face adversity head-on.
I’m hoping for a fresh start in Maine. I can’t do that if I run.
I close my laptop, my gaze shooting to the closet door.
I can’t seem to get Mary out of my mind.
So, I cross the room and take the box down from the shelf.
Before, I didn’t think it was right to go poking through her things, but now, all bets are off.
If Sunny has no compunction about delving into my life, then I won’t worry about digging into the lives of the Spencers.
There’s a pair of scissors in the top drawer of the little desk.
With the box on the bed, I slit open the tape holding the flaps together.
Inside, there’s a slight musty smell. It looks like there are mostly toys, stuffed animals on the top, things from Mary’s childhood.
I place them on the bed, one at a time. A little white dog, a Teddy bear wearing a necktie, and a pink bunny.
It makes me sad to handle what must’ve been treasured items to Mary.
Beneath the stuffed animals is a jewelry box.
I carefully lift it out and set it beside the animals.
Flipping the little latch, I see necklaces, earrings, and bracelets nestled on blue velvet.
Nothing out of the ordinary or particularly valuable from what I can tell.
Next, I find high school yearbooks and scattered and dried-up makeup.
All the things a young woman might have on a dresser.
Then in the bottom, in the corner of the box, I find a disposable camera.
I haven’t seen a film-type camera in years.
I look at the tiny window in the back and it looks like there’s still film inside.
I wonder if I can find a place to develop it.
I set it aside. Lastly, I find a doll, wearing a schoolgirl outfit, her long blond hair in braids. It was a popular model back in the day.
I stand the doll up on my lap. It brings back memories. I had one just like it when I was little. The fact that Mary and I each had this toy makes me feel somehow closer to the aunt I never got to know. I carefully replace the items in the box, saving the camera, which I stash in my purse.