She sighs and we both fall silent. Remain motionless on the house steps. The street is semi-dim, lit by an almost full moon and the golden glow of the streetlamps. But the air is heavy, weighted by our moods and further crushed by the devastating events of the recent past.
“You know what’s strange,” she says, keeping her head resting against me. “I didn’t know a single one of these pallbearers, except for my uncle. Neither did my mom or my mom’s parents. But my dad’s family, they knew every single one. They even knew our coordinator…” she uses air brackets around the term. The coordinator being the escort. “By reputation, at least. They appeared to think rather highly of him, but I thought he was a total creeper.”
“Creeper, indeed,” I agree and turn my gaze toward the night sky. Savor the moments before I need to steal away to the cemetery. Discover the truth of Luna’s dad. And from the sounds of things, her dad’s family is already in the know of his fate… be it done or yet to come.
“I know the reason I’m so melancholy.” She presses her cheek to my shoulder. “What’s your excuse?”
“I wasn’t under the impression I needed an excuse,” I say.
“Well…” she hums. “You never need to make excuses with me, but it does seem like there’s more on your mind than what happened this morning.”
“Because this morning wasn’t bad enough?” I ask.
“You know what I mean.” She leans deeper into me. “You’ve done so much for me. If there’s something bothering you, I want to know. And help if I can.”
“It’s just a family problem.” I dip forward and back, allowing my feet to tap on the cement. “I don’t want to bother you with it. Especially with all that you have going on.”
“Bother me, please.” Her hand on mine tightens. “I’ve dragged you into all my drama.” I release a heavy breath but don’t say anything. “Please?” she side-bumps me and I huff.
“There’s this thing, with my mom, and it’s pretty serious. I don’t know what to do. No one in my family does, really.” I press my elbows deeper into my thighs.
“What kind of thing?” she asks and tilts her head toward my face. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Doubtful,” I blurt and suddenly feel itchy, fidgety. I shouldn’t have been so abrupt with my response. “Unless, of course, you have extensive knowledge of possession.”
Luna jerks away from me and pins me with a hard stare. “Are you saying your mom is possessed?” She leans forward and whispers. “As in demon possession?”
“Not exactly.” I allow the full force of my frown to take control of my features. “The person taking control of my Mom is still alive. So… definitely not the usual type of possession you hear about in movies and books.”
“Oh.” Luna’s face morphs into something that suggests the concept isn’t completely foreign to her.
“What’s that look mean?” I wave a hand at her, referencing her hint-of-familiarity expression.
“Okay.” She presses to my side once more. Clasps her hands together and leans forward. Leans into me. “Here’s the thing. My dad used to talk about people being controlled against their will by other living people. Mom would always tell him to stop talking about such nonsense in front of me.” She sighs. “Wish I could ask him about it now.”
So, do I.
My mind churns around my mom and Luna’s dad.
Of course, if Luna’s dad learned about the possession thing from his upbringing, then maybe his parents or brother know something that could be useful.
“Do you think your grandparents or uncle know anything?” I ask.
“Maybe.” She perks. “Do you want me to go ask them?”
“Right now would be an awkward time,” I say. “Given what today is and all.”
“Maybe it would be a welcome distraction… just like my time here with you.”
“Is that what I am? A distraction?” I snort.
“Well, yeah. A distraction. My friend. My lifeline.” She wraps her arm around mine and hugs.
“Glad I can be all those things.” I glance at my watch. I’m cutting the timing close. I need to get moving. “But this distraction has to get going.”
“Really? Already?” she frowns.
“Sorry.” I stand. “I’ve got things to do.”
Her face falls as if she sees straight through my deception. “What kind of things? I could help.”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “You don’t want to help with this.” I walk up the street toward her house and my bike.
“Sure, I do.” She follows close at my heels. “How would you know unless you ask me first?”
“Nah. You really don’t.” I grab my bike and roll it to the center of the sidewalk.
“Why are you being like this,” she asks. “Where are you going, and what are you up to that’s so secretive?”
“I’m really sorry.” I push my bike up the street. Jump on with it already rolling forward. “I promise I’ll fill you in later, should anything come of this,” I call over my shoulder. “But right now… I really have to go.”
Directing the bike into the street, I cross to the other side at an angle. Heading for the corner, and beyond, the route to the cemetery.
“Wait up.” The call comes from behind me, causing my heart to jump into my throat.
Dropping my foot to the ground as an anchor, I coast the bike to a stop, and glance back. Luna is on her bike, trekking up the street after me.
Chapter Seventeen
“I’m coming with you, and you can’t stop me,” she hollers.
“It isn’t safe,” I counter.
“Then you shouldn’t go alone.” She comes to a stop beside me, and I’m treated to a whiff of her lavender body spray.
“Where I am going may be emotionally upsetting to you.” I steel my gaze on her.
“I expected as much,” she responds. “I’m still going.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, if anything.” I sigh.
