This Blood

by Basso, Alisha

  I was still so sad. I thought of Ann and looked around for her. She was all the way in the back, her face red and puffy as she waved frantically. I blew her a kiss and turned to Lucian. “Are you ready?”

  He grasped my hand and held it tightly. “As I’ll ever be.”

  “Goodbye, and thank you again,” I called. I felt such sadness. My heart was breaking over the loss of Ann and my tears began to flow freely. I didn’t want Ann to see me cry, so I conjured a thick mist like fog to conceal our departure. It filled the room and Lucian and I faded from their sight.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  I’d been home for two months before the paperwork to Ann’s estate was finalized. I was staying with Lucian, totally platonically, I’m almost sad to say. I just couldn’t bring myself to go home, not with so many people pestering me about Ann. Mostly well wishers - wishing to help me invest her millions out of the kindness of their hearts. It was disgusting.

  I was using Lucian’s house as a sort of home base slash hide-out. I‘d go home after the excitement of my inheritance blew over. I knew I’d have to look for a new place to live.

  Ann dropped me a letter, (don’t ask me how), to tell me she’s getting married. I was so happy for her, I only cried for an hour. I really miss her. Lucian tries to fill in the gaps, and he does a great job. I’m lucky to have him.

  I haven’t heard from Seth or the Council. He hasn’t once entered my dreams, not since being reunited with the ring. I haven’t taken it off yet, even though I know it’s powerless.

  So far, being a Madea hasn’t changed my life much, except now I’m unemployed. Apparently, Mr. Norris was a little more than pissed at my disappearing act. I got a letter from him along with a bill from the towing company. I didn’t dispute it or beg for my job back. Being independently wealthy has definite advantages.

  Epilogue

  The hum of Ann’s Lexus was almost as effective as a lullaby. I stayed up packing and chatting with Lucian ‘til the wee hours of the morning and was certainly feeling it.

  He kept trying to convince me that I was going home too soon. Don’t get me wrong, I really wanted to stay with him, but it was getting harder and harder to resist him. He was my friend, and despite what he thought, sex would ruin what we have. I knew he would miss me; I would miss him too, but it was time to move on. I had to quit hiding and get my act together. I’d been staying with him for six months and I was anxious to see my home again.

  I pulled the elegant sedan into the lot behind my tiny cottage and sat for a moment. I smiled at the landscaping. The weeds were surprisingly absent and the lawn was mown. My landlord must have felt bighearted after getting my rent check that covered the next year.

  I got out and fished the keys from my purse. Being home was wonderful. The door opened with a squeak. Man, I missed that sound! I entered the house and flicked on the light switch.

  Then I swallowed my gum.

  Roses.

  A chill raced along my skin as dread settled like a rock in my stomach. The kitchen was filled with vase after vase of roses. The floor was strewn with petals, so dark red they were almost black. Something on the table glittered in the candlelight.

  “Hello, sweet.”

  Alisha Basso lives in Nevada with her husband and three children.

  You can find Alisha on Facebook! WWW.facebook.com/alisha.basso