Her Shadows, His Secrets

“Now, we went over a lot of information. Do you have any questions for me? You haven’t said much.” What really is there to ask? Twenty-four hours ago, I was living a life in New York, a nobody with nothing to her name but her romance novel and a closetful of thrifted clothing.

I start simple. “How did he pass?”

“He had a heart attack. He had some health problems with his heart prior.”

“Oh.” I never met him, but that hits something in me, making my own heart hurt.

“Why didn’t he find me?” That’s good, Hanna. Go zero to sixty.

“I’m not sure. I wish I had more answers for you on why he didn’t. But that is one thing he never discussed with me. Kept conversations about you scarce.”

“Okay.” I don’t know what else to even say.

“How about I give you a ride out to the house? Show you around the town a little bit?”

Peering up from my nails I didn’t realize I was picking at, I’m met with his soft gaze. “Thank you. That would be great.”

We finish initialing everything, and I grab the small folder with copies of what I signed and JD’s will, as my other hand grabs my suitcase.

My old life in one hand, worth nothing more than twenty dollars, while the other hand holds my new life… worth millions. The comparison is heartbreaking yet filled with hope. I have so many questions, some I will try to find answers to and others that were buried with my grandfather.

Nevertheless, I’m going to find something here in this small town—the dream I had of running away and living a new life, where I wasn’t just a lonely girl. Or maybe a chance to reinvent myself. Maybe even find myself. Being a child of the state, an orphan, it leaves you empty sometimes—or filled might be more accurate, with questions, pain, and a constant longing for something more. Something you can’t quite place, but here in Cherry Hill, South Carolina, I hope to find it.

CHAPTER THREE

THEO

ONE WEEK LATER

The sound of the coffee steamers pulls my attention off my phone in my hand.

“Black coffee with two sugars for Theo,” the barista at our local coffee shop calls out, and sliding my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, I walk up to the counter. She gives me a knowing look, one I’m not new to.

“Here you go, Theo. Is there anything else I can grab for you?” She presses her breasts together with her biceps as she leans over the counter. If I had time, I would possibly entertain her obvious idea, but I have to get to work, and I’m already running behind from the fiasco that is my sister, Brenda, today and the new guy she started seeing.

“No, sweetheart, maybe another time.” I wink, and she practically turns into a melted pile of goo. With that, I walk out, climb into my truck, and leave, making my way toward my house. It feels weird being back in Cherry Hill, yet it’s good to be home. A few years ago, I moved to New York for my job.

Now, I’ve been called home to do a job, which is ironic. What are the odds that a job would call me to the small town I was born and raised in. Coincidence? Or fate. I’m going with fate. Means the job will be easy. The big man or whatever is out there must be on my side, giving me a break and rewarding me for the years of shit work I’ve had to do. This will be my best paid job yet.

My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Brenda, I just left there. Is that piece of shit back again?” This morning, I got a call that the guy my little sister just started seeing is really married with a family of his own, and when Brenda caught on to his sleezy ass, she ended it. But he didn’t like rejection.

“No, I just wanted to call and tell you thank you. It’s good to have you home.”

I pull the phone away and look at it as if it isn’t real.

“Was that a compliment from my little sis?” I prompt when I bring it back to my ear.

She scoffs. I can tell she rolled her eyes with that one. “Don’t be a dick about it. I’m serious. I’m glad you’re home, but you’re still annoying.” She grew up with me always hovering and protecting her like she was made of glass. She felt suffocated by me growing up, so when I left Cherry Hill, she was able to gain her own freedom. She gained freedom, yet I went mad with knowing I couldn’t always be there for her. That the control I have to have with all things slipped out of my hands when it came to her. But I trained her well. I love her and am proud of the kickass, take-no-shit firecracker she has become. But I will still be first in line to defend her with no mercy and would protect her against anyone and anything.