Chapter 15 #6
I glance at the pot that has a white rose tree in it.
They don’t honestly expect me to carry this, did they?
I won’t even be able to get my arms around the pot it sits in, let alone carry it with all its dirt.
“Yeah, sure thing. Nothing like some night-time gardening.” I stomp over to the ceramic pot.
The thorns look sharp, but it has about thirty huge white roses on it.
I tried to drag it toward the stairs. Once to the top step, I peer down the five steps trying to figure out how the hell I’m actually going to get down them without either breaking the pot or getting pricked by its thorns.
“You’re kidding, right?” I say before turning and finding Theo directly behind me watching me.
“What are you doing? Help!” I screech, frustration lining my tone. I’m still tired! Fucking assholes.
“I think I rather enjoy the view of your panty-less ass trying to drag that over to us,” Tobias drawls.
I stand, place my hands on my hips and glare at him.
“Help or I am going back inside.” Theo purses his lips at my tone and I bend down to drag it closer to the step so it is hanging slightly over the edge, allowing me to get a firm grip on it.
Then suddenly, it’s gone. Theo picks it up like it weighs nothing and strolls along the concrete path over to Tobias, who is busy digging a hole between two red rose bushes in the huge garden. I stomp across the grass toward them.
“Get off the grass. You know how long it took me to get it like that?” Tobias yells out to me, staring up from the hole he is digging.
“Didn’t picture you to be a green thumb,” I tell him, still treading on his precious grass. I stand next to him.
“That’s because you barely know us.”
I think about his words for a second. He’s right.
I don't know much about them personally. I know a little about Theo and his love for reading and his family which I suppose is also Tobias’s family.
But other than that? Not much really. Shit, they can be serial killers and I'd never know. And this is the second location. If they had any intentions to kill me, I’m doomed.
I peer over where Theo is, but he’s gone again. “So, what are we doing out here?”
“We are letting your mother go; we know you’re having trouble letting go.
Which is understandable but we thought maybe you would like something in her memory, so she is released but still here with you,” says Theo coming up behind me.
In his hands is my mother’s urn. I reach for it, and he places her in my hands.
I don’t speak, just nod, my throat clogged with emotion as I hold her in my hands. I don’t know what I want to do with her; I knew she can’t stay in the plastic container but hate the thought of letting her go. This Idea of theirs I do like, though. Tobias finishes digging and steps back.
I clutch my mother’s urn to my chest. “If you don’t want to, we can figure out something else.
” I gaze at Tobias; he almost seems normal, not so intimidating.
I shake my head. He is being soft again.
It warms my heart. He can be gentle with me at this moment, this important moment? It is everything.
“No, this is good. Thank you.” He nods before placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it.
I undo the lid, my hands shaking. Bending, I pour her ashes into the hole.
Tears brim in my eyes, but I shake my head and clear my throat.
I can't break down again. This is a good thing. I take a step back.
That is all that is left of her. My amazing mother is now just dust and a memory I never want to forget.
Another reason for me to stay here, to give up the fight to leave.
I'd never be able to completely abandon this place again without destroying a part of me. I hope I won’t forget her smile, her warm welcoming eyes, the touch of her hands, or any other small thing about her.
Theo places the rose bush in the hole and Tobias fills it with dirt.
It’s fitting. She was strong and durable like a rose and just as beautiful, too.
When they are done, they head back inside leaving me with the now planted rose bush.
They must know I won't run away after this. It’s the smartest way to chain me for good.
I rub my arms and stare up at the open sky. The breeze caresses my skin. The moon shines brightly down on me. “I miss you, Mom.”. There are no words to describe the ache of just how much. A well that was once filled with her is now an open void, a wound that will never heal.
Tears rain down my cheeks, I wipe them away with the heels of my hands, forcing my eyes closed.
I have to stop this. Crying isn't going to help me, and it certainly won't bring her back.
I open my eyes, focusing on the rose tree, touching a giant rose in front of me with the softest touch.
I lean forward, brushing my lips against the petals.
I don't care about anything else right now other than this one farewell. With a shaky smile, I turn and head back to the deck. Theo and Tobias watch from there. I really never had a chance to run even if I wanted to. And this time, I’m grateful for them being here.
Looping my arm into both of theirs, we head into the kitchen, like I haven't just said goodbye to the last piece of her.
I sit at the table, Theo and Tobias having made homemade pizzas.
“Want me to heat it back up?” Tobias offers. It is the sweet Tobias again. I wonder if maybe the night had something to do with his mood. But I dare not mention it, at least not right now.
I pick up a piece and bite a chunk off, chewing it before swallowing it down. Even though it’s cold, this thing is good. "No, it's good."
Theo reaches out from the other side of the table, his pinkie brushing against mine, eyes studying me. "Are you okay?"
Why would anyone ask that after what I'd just been through? But I’m good at masking my emotions, and there is no way in hell I’m giving these two my honest feelings right now.
No one will get to use my weakness against me.
I put my walls up, added extra bricks, and buried every emotion I have like any normal person would do.
What I consider normal, anyway. "Peachy," I answer with my best customer service smile.
I take another slice without waiting for him to reply.
I pad into the living room and nestle onto a couch cushion, flicking on the TV and turning it on Underworld.
Tobias and Theo drift out of the kitchen like ghosts and sit on either side of me, pressing their bodies close, but not pushing farther, at the moment.
Tobias glances away from me as the movie gets going and he scowls. Nice Tobias was great while he lasted at least. "Seriously, Imogen? You live with a vampire and a werewolf, and you want to watch this garbage?"
"It's a good movie," I defend, glaring at him.
"It's unrealistic," Tobias growls.
I raise a brow. "Fine, I saw something that might be more your speed." Before he can ask me what I’m doing, I turn to the last movie for Twilight.
Theo groans beside me. "Why do you always punish me when you're mad at him?"
I can't help my smile from spreading wide. "If they had a movie with a sparkly werewolf, I would have picked that, but he's the one who said the other is so unrealistic. I think this will be perfect for him."
Theo sighs again, but a smile plays on his lips.
Leaning over, he kisses my brow, and I cuddle against him.
I ignored Tobias glaring at me. Considering how often he does that, I’m used to it by now.
I make sure to turn the movie up when Jacob finds his soul mate and it makes Tobias groan even louder.
I will probably pay for this, but revenge is damn sweet. I don't know when I fall asleep. One moment I’m smugly watching the movie, and the next I’m in bed, alone.
Tobias and Theo are both missing. I stretch and check the time. Those assholes… Tobias has gotten his revenge. He left early to stick me here and not let me go to work. They aren't up here with me, they aren't downstairs or in the kitchen. I even stuck my head outside, but no luck.
Mom’s rose bush steals any other thought I might have had. It’s even prettier in the morning. Dewdrops glistened like fancy jewels on its petals, its sweet scent compels me to lean forward and inhale. It puts a smile on my face and I whistle as I stroll back to the house.
I pause mid whistle. There, on the side of the house, tucked against it in a spot I haven't explored before, sits the garage. How can I not check that out? I rush over, eager to snoop around. The rolling door isn't locked, so I easily push it up and peer around.
My heart skips a beat. There, in the middle without even a single fingerprint on it, sits Theo's black BMW.
I really not stuck! Where would Theo keep his keys?
I don't think he was the type to tuck them into the passenger or driver's visors, but it doesn't stop me from going over and pulling on the handle to check.
The door open, and I search the visors, in between the seats, the change tray, everywhere just in case he'd left the keys behind, but I have zero luck.
I give up, close the garage door, and wander back inside, ready to live out my boring day. Maybe breakfast will use up some time.
I hum the song from Tangled replacing the words with my situation, singing into a spoon as I wait for my toast to cook.
I’m on the second chorus when something sparkles inside the fruit bowl.
I set my fake microphone down, and go to inspect.
There, nestled in between a banana and an overly large orange, are Theo's keys.