Vicious Minds: Part 3 (Children of Vice 6)

“Because I do not know what Neal liked or what is customary for your family. I’ve already contacted the family priest as well as made arrangements with the family cemetery. The bigger details have been taken care of. I do not mind doing everything. However, I don’t know if Mina wants lilies or white roses? Is there a certain hymn that should be played? Neal’s will only contained information on his assets, nothing else—nothing of his final wishes.”

I paused because it dawned on me that she was being considerate in her own way.

“Where did you go today?” I asked, looking over her outfit again. During mourning, our family always wore black with a touch of green somewhere. She’d chosen to wear an emerald four-leaf clover broach.

“Gigi and I just came back from mass.”

Today was Sunday? I’d lost track of the days.

“You went to mass?”

“Like I said, people are watching, Wyatt. Someone has to watch them back.” She lifted a small tablet for me. “Here is a list of everything I have collected so far. Look over it to make sure I haven’t missed anything of importance. I won’t say anything about it to Evelyn so long as you fill whatever gaps I need.”

It was the most anal and detailed list I had ever seen in my life. She had created everything from seating charts to how long everyone’s speeches should be. The very first speech was for Ethan. As well as a host of things for families to speak with all of them listed in order. She even had a special seat for my grandmother.

“You made space for my grandmother?”

“I made space for hope. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.” That was all she said before going into the room.

After everything that had happened, after everything I already knew about her, part of me couldn’t let go of my hate. Why? I wasn’t sure. Maybe it was because it was so hard for me to know who was the real her. Was Calliope being considerate now? Or was she only pretending? Was she some evil mastermind who had killed my brother and was trying to take over our entire family? Was I reading too much into things? Would I ever really know her? Was it my place to know her? I guessed this was what Nana was talking about.

Having faith.

Ethan seemed to know her well enough to risk everything. He had that type of blind faith in her for some reason. Maybe once again, he could see something I couldn’t see. Maybe one day, when we were both old and gray with achy bones, we’d talk about this moment in time.

Lifting my phone, I dialed him once again, and once again, he didn’t answer.

CALLIOPE

“You are not allowed to die,” I said to her, and she smiled at me.

“I don’t think you have that type of power, my dear,” responded.

“If you have the energy for comebacks, you should have the energy to live, Evelyn.”

“I did not realize you cared so much.”

“This family can’t handle much more loss.”

“I’m happy you care,” she replied, not at all understanding what it was that I was trying to say. Instead, she outstretched her hand for me to take.

I looked at her old, thin fingers, not sure what holding her hand would accomplish, and in my hesitation, Gigi took it. My eyes drifted to my daughter, who had sat quietly on the bed beside her great grandmother. Ever since she’d woken up and she’d heard, despite my efforts, about what had happened to Uncle Neal, she’d been quiet.

“Nana, I’m sorry,” Gigi whispered.

“Whatever for, precious?” Nana asked.

Her eyes weld up with tears. “Uncle is gone cause of me.”

I opened my mouth to tell her she was wrong; however, Evelyn beat me to it.

“No,” the older woman said with tears in her eyes, “this isn’t your fault. Bad things happen, okay? Bad things happen, but you have to be strong, precious…and…” The tears slipped from her eyes.

Reaching over, I petted Gigi’s hair. “Sweetheart, go wash your face in the bathroom, okay? Nana and I need to talk.”

In truth, I wanted her out of the room, so she didn’t make it harder on Evelyn, but I didn’t feel comfortable letting her out of my sight right now.

“Yes, Mommy,” she said, climbing off the bed.