by Cydney Rax
“It seems silly how we move things around as if it’s going to make any difference. This is what I call busy work.” Burgundy shrugged. “A year ago, this monotony would have driven me nuts. Now it’s like a lifesaver.”
“It probably helps that you’re in a place where you feel safe. Solomon’s Temple is like a refuge from a storm.”
“True. I need my church. I love Sundays.”
She’d come to dread Saturdays. Saturday was the day that Nate passed away, and when her youngest daughter was found unresponsive. The events were so shocking that Burgundy felt she would never be the same again.
“I’ve always preferred an easy Sunday morning to a rough Saturday night.”
“We all can relate to that,” Shade told her. “But don’t feel bad. Maybe one day you’ll enjoy Saturdays again. That’s my prayer for you.”
She looked at him. “Thank you, Shade. You’ve been amazing throughout this whole ordeal.” She paused. “My sister is one lucky woman.”
He said nothing.
In the aftermath of the tragedies, life appeared bleak. So dark. But in a way it felt like morningtime darkness. This means that even though it was very black outside, you didn’t have to really worry about it. Because you knew that once morning came back around, the sun would shine again. It was just a matter of time.
* * *
Burgundy, Shade, and Alita had worked hard the last Saturday morning in September. It was a sunny day filled with the brightest of sunshine. The sun hovered above them as they shoved the last of a few boxes into a moving van.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Burgundy?” Alita asked.
“Of course, I’m sure. I don’t need all of Nate’s clothes. He had a ton of them, you know.”
“Hmm, I’ll bet he did,” Alita replied as she looked at a dozen boxes and bags of clothing items.
Burgundy laughed. “No, seriously. I think that donating some of his things to charity is a good thing to do. The more sentimental pieces, I will hold onto them. Except for the things he wore the last day or two of his life. The police came by and took away those items.”
“Oh shit, are you okay with that?”
“I’m good, Lita. It’s fine.”
“Okay, B. Just let us know, because if you change your mind in the next few minutes we will haul all this heavy shit right back in the house,” Alita remarked. “We’ll walk up all the way up that big staircase. We’ll break our backs and sacrifice our health to do whatever you need, Sis. And I won’t tell you what I really want to say because I’m trying to live like a Christian.”
“You’re a fool.” Burgundy appreciated a good laugh, and no one could bring the giggles better than Alita.
Her cell phone screen lit up.
It was Edmund. Should she answer?
No, she’d call him back later. He’d understand.
After the boxes were loaded in the truck and the door secured, the three headed back inside the house. Oh, how it felt so strange to Burgundy to exist inside the four walls of a home that just weeks ago was filled with the activities of her entire family.
But life had changed.
“Has anyone heard from Coco today?” Alita wanted to know.
“No,” Burgundy said. “She’s been acting very distant. I don’t know what her problem is.”
“She’s loco, that’s what’s wrong with her,” Alita said, not wanting to give away her sister’s dark secrets.
“And you should know crazy when you see it, huh?” Burgundy said with a giggle.
“No, I am the one that knows crazy when I see it,” Shade remarked and side-eyed Alita. They all broke out in laughter.
The trio managed to continue joking and trying to move on one day at a time. It wasn’t that everything was rosy and great. Far from it. But Burgundy was resigned to do the best she could, with every breath, and with every step she could take.
The irony about life is that the thing designed to destroy a person could also be what’s used to build people up and provide strength. And in the end, if you survived the heartbreak, if you bounced back from the tragedy, you won.
And as odd as it sounded the Reeves family was determined to find the good within the bad—they planned to win—no matter what.
Acknowledgments
Many exciting things have happened in such a short time that there are more people to thank—and that’s always a good thing.
First of all, to the Creator who keeps directing my paths and paving the way to new and forward-leaping opportunities, THANK YOU!
I’m grateful for the Houston Public Library who makes me feel welcome. Darryl Kiser is truly my brother in spirit. Thanks to the staff of the Young Neighborhood Branch—H-town, Third Ward. To all the beautiful kindred souls who have crossed my path last year. You’re amazing.
And to those that came out to support me: Lisa Benford, Cynthia King, Davie John, et al., thank you for being there.
And I must give a huge shout out to Kim Roby; she’s been in this publishing industry a long time and her success appears to shine brighter year by year, yet she remains humble, giving, kind, helpful . . . That’s how I want to be. Thanks for all that you do to help others.
To my publisher, my extraordinary editor, Esi Sogah, the entire Kensington team, literary agent Claudia Menza, Claire Hill, each of you, I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. And to the book cover designer. You knocked it out of the park. Great job!!
Thanks again, Officer Stanley, for info about the legal system. And thanks to UH Fire Marshal Christopher McDonald for the carbon monoxide info.
Special thanks to graphic novelist Jerry Craft. You rock! Salute!
Kudos to my first virtual assistant, Erica Watkins. You are a brilliant, talented lifesaver. Thanks for all of your hard work. Also, many thanks to the talented woman Tasha Aziz, my Caribbean lifesaver who knows just how to make things dazzle at special events. Thanks for help during FEMPIRE.
Much appreciation to the people that gave me early feedback on A Sister’s Secret. Krissy Scarbrough Christian—your comments were so very helpful. Nessa Black, whoop, whoop, thanks for reading. And Pamela Wagner Bradsher, I’m so happy you enjoyed the novel. And thanks to T’Quila Smith, Michelle Sloan, and LaShan Davis-Carr for your support.
And to MonaLisa Lynconia McRae for a wonderful caged bird quote.
Now on to the readers: authors can’t SURVIVE without you. Keep tweeting, continue to mention our books on social media, tote the books around to the bank, the grocery store, church (oops, never mind), and show it off to everyone you come across!!
Shout out to my mother (Margaret), sister (Adrienne), brother-in-law (Darryl), son (Brandon), and family members (Collins, Hamiltons, Barnetts) far and wide.
Also, I love to hear from people—industry folks, readers, prospective writers, people who have a dream but don’t know how to make it come true—hit me up at [email protected]. Let’s connect. Facebook Pages (plural), and Instagram (@cydneyrax).
Bookmark my links via www.cydneyrax.com
Forever grateful,
Cydney
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Keep an eye out for the next
in the Reeves sisters saga
and don’t miss
A SISTER’S SECRET
Available now from
Cydney Rax
and
Dafina Books
Wherever books are sold
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