The medicine makes me feel like I’m spinning and unable to talk. Most of the time, I just go to sleep and hope that the feeling goes away when I wake up. I think everyone here must take medicine. It’s just weird. A lot of the people here shouldn’t really be here.
I know you probably don’t want to hear from me after the way I treated you but I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving this place. I’m getting out of here and I’m coming to be with you. I miss you more than I’ve ever missed anyone before.
Mom, I know you’re reading this. Give this to Joyce. It belongs to her.
I wish we could breathe in the mirror together just one last time. I’ve loved us since the belly. I’ll love us forever.
Love, Mary.
“What does it say?” asked Mike.
“I’d rather not. I shouldn’t have read it. It’s for Joyce. Can you drive me to her plot?” asked Lovette through her tears.
Nodding his head, the both of them walked towards the car and he opened the trunk. Lovette placed the box of clothes between two cases. One had been Joseph’s ashes and the other had been the actual remains of Matthias.
It had taken Lovette crossing mountains trying to find out what happened to her youngest child. It was unknown how he exactly died but Joseph had covered his tracks almost perfectly.
Lovette had felt she would never get to bring her son’s body back home for burial until one day she had received a package in the mail with no return address. It had been his ashes attached with pictures of Matthias’s corpse. His skin looked perfect and he hadn’t had one bruise in sight.
Lovette knew it was her child because of the red freckles, red hair and his birth mark being so visible on his ankle. He had gotten so big and even though he looked like her, he favored his father.
The thought of Joey hardly wanting anything to do with her after his father’s death and now, the triplets were all deceased, Lovette cried even harder. None of this was supposed to end this way and she wished she could go back to fix things.
Death had surrounded them both. When Mike had found out that the box of ashes he had received years ago hadn’t belonged to his son, it was bittersweet until Lovette revealed that he was actually deceased now. Life had been so confusing for the both of them.
Pulling up to the gravesite, Mark hung around in the car to give her some privacy. He had been dealing with his own emotions for the day and had wanted a moment to take everything in.
Visiting Joyce’s grave had always been tough for Lovette. She would always feel pain knowing her daughter hadn’t been able to live a full life. Now, her sister and brother would both be joining her.
Lovette bent down and placed the letter between the headstone and the grass and pushed it down as much as she could to secure it.
“Hey, baby. Mama misses you so much. I need you to look after your brother and sister for me. You and Mary have to shower Matthias with love. He’s missed our love and affection for so many years.”
“I know you’re behaving up there. Keep your sister in check. She’s going to need it. I love all of you so much and I’ll be back soon to put your sister right next to you. Matthias will be in her arms and the three of you can be together again on earth and in heaven,” said Lovette.
She had done so much crying and had felt so much pain throughout the years. At this very moment, not a tear a dropped. She needed them to “see” her having a strong moment. Lovette needed to be strong for them.
Now, she had Mike. The first person she had ever loved and he was now hers again. In a sense, Lovette felt as if her life were incomplete and complete at the same time. Her children were the best things to ever come from her and the greatest love of all.
But, Mike had filled a void that had lingering for so long. Lovette had been able to love Joseph but nothing had compared to what she and Mike had experienced together.
As soon as she got back into the passenger seat, Mike looked as if he had something heavy on his mind as well.
“You feeling okay?” asked Lovette. She tried to stifle her sniffles as best as she could but now, it was time to see Mary and she hadn’t been ready.
“I know what you did. I couldn’t go another day being married to you without letting you know that I know. I’ve known about Joseph’s family business for some time now and the only reason why he didn’t come after me was because he knew he would be destroying a piece of you.”
“I know you love me but you better be done with all of that. You’ve lost a lot of people in such a short amount of time and we are all we have left. Joey will come around one day. Things will get better but you belong to me now,” said Mike.
Lovette knew he was serious and took his words for exactly what they were. She didn’t know if he was specifically talking about Joseph or found out about Monica as well but she would never admit that unless he revealed exactly what he knew. But, she was done with the power she had stolen from Joseph. She wanted nothing else to do with it and was done. Unless…it chased her.
Nodding her head, Mike squeezed her hand and kissed it. The tears she had been holding back could no longer be contained.
Mike knew she was no monster. Everything she had done had a reason behind it. He had gotten his Love back and now, nothing would ever get in between the two of them ever again.
“Let’s go see Mary,” said Lovette.
Let’s Talk About It!
1. Why do you think the story was told in a first person and third person point of view?
2. What was your initial guess about what was in the shed?
3. When Lovette tells the story about the dance she attended in high school, did it bring back a high school memory for you? If so, what happened?
4. Are you a twin? If so, can you describe the connection you two share?
5. If you were Mike, would you have continued to date Lovette if she insisted on being friends with Joseph?
6. Joey struggles with a few things but maintains his behavior while on medicine. How did you initially feel about his character? How do you feel now?
7. Do you think Joseph genuinely loves Lovette or is it possible some obsession? Perhaps both? Why?
8. Mary feels as if her father doesn’t too much care about her. Did you think her feelings were valid this entire time?
9. When Lovette’s parents go out of town, she had the urge to chase after their car for them to come back. Have you ever had a gut feeling that something terrible would happen and it did?
10. Joey and Iris were racing one another and he splits off towards the tree. Do you believe that children can see those who have passed away?
11. Why do you think Lovette continues to ignore issues rather than facing them head on?
12. Do you think Joseph had anything to do with Joyce’s death? Why or why not?
13. A lot of time had passed since Matthias had been in the shed. Why do you think Joseph kept him alive? What do you think his initial plans were when it came to what he was going to do with Matthias?
14. Let’s talk about Lovette convincing Mary that she needed to kill Joseph. How did that make you feel?
15. Do you believe in soulmates? Do you think Mike and Lovette were supposed to be together?
16. Did the shed contain what you thought it would?
17. What was the biggest plot twist?
A Message from the Author
I just wanted to take the time to thank each and every person who took the time to read this book. Also, thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Thanks to Justus Wilson for taking my author photos and Antonio Douglas for designing the cover of the book.
Most importantly, thank you to my husband, Rodd, who thinks I’m cool for doing this. You’ve become my best friend and I love you. Even when neither one of us are at our best, I wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else.
Even though I invested a great amount of time in this book, I know this novel isn’t perfect. I’m headed towards perfecting my craft and I can’t wait to show everyone
what I am capable of. As long as I have breath in my body and I’m able to tell a story, I’ll remain an author. I’m at the happiest point in life and I’m forever grateful.
Be on the lookout for more to come and don’t forget to leave a review!
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Repression Page 32