Strong arms banded around my middle as Brad hauled me back against his body. My hands held on tight to his arms as I fought the reality playing in front of me. Words like ECG, epinephrine and cardiac enzymes were flung into the air like arrows aimed straight for my heart. I watched the bottom of the curtain as feet gathered around the trolley, shuffling positions, doing their best to save the woman who’d raised me. The only mother who’d loved me. The incessant high pitched alarm announced to the room that all that effort was in vain. There was a finality to that sound.
Behind the curtain, all went quiet. The noise of the battle waging in the room ceased. The only sound left was the silence of my grandmother’s life. She was gone.
No.
A single plea. A hopeless prayer. The last thing I thought of before my legs gave way and I surrendered to the pain.
Ronnie
Five days.
I’d been staring at these yellow walls for five. Whole. Days. Hating them for their cheery disposition when all I wanted to see was black.
The door rattled in its frame as Ruby’s body moved against it. I heard her snuffles under the door, catching my scent. I knew she’d been watching me, waiting for me to give her some love. Brad had finally left me alone, but only because he couldn’t skip out on his exams. He’s been hovering over me, trying to prod me awake with food, and plying me with his affections … hoping for something in return. I wished I could, but I had nothing to give. I was empty. My grief sapped everything I had left. The molecules in my body crumbled under its weight. I may fade away and no one would even know where to find me.
Ronnie.
Was that someone calling me? “Mm.” The automated response vibrated my throat.
Ronnieeeee.
My face and body felt slack, vacant of energy, but for the vibration in my voice box.
“Mm hmm.”
“Veronica.”
Zap! My grandmother’s command fired through my system, shocking me back to life. A violent jerk tossed me onto the floor.
Ruby’s frantic bark shot under the door, her claws scratching at the wood.
“I’m okay, Ruby.”
“Oh, Thank goodness. You had me worried.” Stretching my neck back from my position on the floor, I got an upside down view of Granny and Tish eyeing me with concern.
I scrambled up, full of excitement, ready to grip Granny in a big hug, and deflated again with the understanding that it’d never be possible.
Tish turned to Granny. “She’s been catatonic. Lee’s a mess. The dog is the most human thing left in this house.”
Granny’s eyebrows jumped. “Haven’t I taught you anything? You have people who love you and need you. And there are forces in motion that you need to prepare for. That’s why I’ve come to you now. You don’t have time to mope around mourning an old lady. It was my time. I’m fine.”
No nonsense. Straight to the point. I missed her so much. I was so grateful then for my ability to see the dead. It was a small consolation, but it was a comfort that those who didn’t have my curse would never know. It was like a painkiller injected straight into my heart.
“Do you remember finding the diary?” Letitia’s intense gaze targeted me.
My eyes bugged out. I totally forgot! “Yes.”
Granny’s shoulders shook as she tittered at my sudden animation, cutting into the serious moment before urgency descended again.
“Read it, child. Take it to him. He needs to know what happened to her. You need to fix this. Don’t let that diary fall into the wrong hands.”
Granny’s wise, dark eyes looked younger. She appeared more vibrant, free of the physical bindings of an ageing body. I relaxed a little. She really was okay. Her soul was free.
“Yes, I’m fine. Now focus on the diary. There isn’t any time.”
Where did I put it?
Tish pointed to the chest of drawers in the corner, and I dashed for it, banging my knuckles as I grappled for the handle.
“Shit.” I pulled out the drawer with one hand, while shaking the pain from the other. A corner of bright yellow poked out from under my clothes.
“Terrible, potty mouth,” Granny tutted in disgust.
“Sorry, Granny.”
Ruby’s scratching and high pitched whines frantically worked at the barrier between us, and I cringed at how mean I’d been by shutting her out. Tish opened the door.
“Ruby!” Launching herself at me, the diary clattered to the floor as I caught the fur ball in my arms. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m back, now.” I put her on the bed with me—needing her close, and not caring if the sheets got dirty—and leaned down to pick up the book. The bright daisy pattern, a ruse for unsuspecting readers.
A few photos fell out, fanning across the floor. One in particular drew my attention as I flipped through them. It was a selfie of Letitia with Twit behind her, looking away. He didn’t seem aware that the photo was being taken, but she had a big smile on her face. What the fuck? What did Andrea say his name was? Max. No, Matt.
Ready to shoot questions at Tish, I looked up to find that they’d both disappeared. Ruby cocked her head at me as I grumbled. I scratched her behind the ears and looked at the next one.
The law building provided a backdrop to a meeting between Twit and Lindstrom, mid stroll with their heads angled towards each other. Even though it had been taken at a distance, it was clear who they were. Twit was a law student, so I wasn’t surprised to find him talking to a law professor. I tossed the picture
