Manifesting Shadow, #1
Page 24
“Mental institution.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
“It’s fine,” I said, watching the little boy with sandy blonde hair, combed to the side in a gentlemanly fashion, tugging at her pant side. She picked him up and slung him around her waist.
“We’ll go eat in just a minute, sweetie,” she said.
“Who’s that?” he said, pointing at me.
“That’s mommy’s friend, Dani.”
“He’s yours?” I asked beginning to understand how much time had passed since I had last been in this town.
“He is,” she said.
“Forgive me, I know I have been gone a while, but is he. . . . Cain’s?”
“No,” she said, sadly, but with a forgiving tone at my assumption.
“Oh, I’m sorry I just thought maybe –”
“We’re actually visiting his father.” She glanced at the gravestone they were next to.
Abel Stevens 1985-2003
My stomach sank and heat pulsed up my spine like boiling water. My hair stood on end, and I felt as if I might be sick. I tried to maintain my composure as I took a step back.
“Abel’s . . .”
“It was right before Cain and I got together. I didn’t find out I was pregnant till after he passed, and I just couldn’t bring myself to not go through with it. Cain treats him like his own, he spoils him like crazy. In a way, it seemed to make it easier for Cain to deal with Abel’s death, like he still has some part of his brother to hold on to.”
“I see,” I said, at a loss for words.
“Are you okay, Dani? You don’t look so good,” she said, putting her hand on my arm.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have to be going.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you by bringing it up. I know you tried to take responsibility for Abel’s death to protect Cain. I was there. I know what really happened. It was just a freak accident. Speaking of Cain, I’m sure he’d like to see you. He always liked you, but I guess we all knew you had your sights set on someone else,” she said with a smile.
“Someone else? What do you mean?”
“Oh, of course, you two were always so secretive and in your own world. When you disappeared I just figured you two ran off together.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been gone a while, I guess I just don’t remember a lot from high school. I’d like to see Cain, but I’m actually just about to leave town.”
“Already? Oh, did you already visit your family? I still see your dad and brother a lot. They come into the store where I work, but they didn’t mention you being in town.”
“No, I haven’t visited them. I was just visiting my mother,” I said.
“Well, you should go see them. I imagine they miss you.”
“Yeah, I’ll think about it, but can you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Please don’t tell anyone you saw me here or saw me at all. Not anyone . . . please?”
“Okay, Dani . . . I can do that.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, at least give me hug goodbye,” she said reaching out her free hand toward me.
I hugged her back, and she smiled at me.
“And be sure to come find me if you’re ever in town again.”
“I will.”
“Promise?” she said, pointing a finger me.
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a laugh.
“Good. Take care of yourself, Dani.”
“I’m going to try.”
She walked away and waved back as she left. There was something comforting about her presence, her optimism and personality. I knew we had very little in common, but I liked her and appreciated who she was.
As the sun set and shadows gave me cover from being noticed, I became less concerned about my presence in my home town. After walking the streets for hours and passing hundreds of strangers, I became more surprised that I had happened to run into Trish.
I hesitated as I reached my destination. I closed my eyes and let the air pass through me as fantasies reeled through my mind in an attempt to convince me to continue. Something devious in me pushed forward. I ran my hand across the brick of the mailbox, as I made my way up the walkway to the house and stood at the door, feeling the anxiety and sick excitement rise in me every moment I stood there. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush so much I desired to live in that moment a while longer, but instead raised my hand and gave three hard knocks on the door.
I waited for several moments with no response. A sense of disappointment began to wash over me, but I stood there determined. After a few more moments, I heard someone approaching the door. The doorknob rotated, and the door flung open. The initial expression of joy and anticipation immediately transformed into anxiety and terror. Just the reaction I was hoping for. This brought a devious grin to my face.
“Dani?”
“The fear on your face is well-placed. Nothing gives me more joy than to be the person who invokes such a response, Christian.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Manifesting Shadow. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you again, Church Calvert.
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About the Author
Church K. Calvert is up and coming writer, working on her first series of books. She resides in central Texas, where she is pursuing her legal career, as well as enjoying the thrill of writing. She is a graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. When she is not writing or working, she explores advocating for such causes as Mental Health, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Mentoring Youth. Her newest venture is to use her series to bring awareness, and understanding for people living with, and affected by mental health disorders. Through the fictitious perspective in her books, she hopes to shine a light on these disorders, for people to gain understanding of the continuous struggle, as well as grant hope and encouragement for those consumed in the internal battle of their mind. She hopes to use the series as a platform to further these ideas, and create a community that offers of mental health support.