It was over a week before the Bad returned. My undeserved reprieve was over. I was disappointed but not surprised.
When the Bad came, it hit with a vengeance. Inside, a deep dread settled in. Sasifraz was his old helpful self. “You’ve got to do it, J. You can’t get away from it for very long.”
“Leave me alone.” I responded more in emotion than words.
“You can’t ignore it, J. It’s coming back.”
I knew what “It” was. Another cut. I didn’t feel at all ready to face it. Worse, I didn’t know where to turn for help to fight it.
* * * * * * *
Dinner at the commune with Brenda did nothing for Lucifer’s feeling that his life was on the wrong track. Brenda and her friends seemed miles above the kind of daily crap Lucifer felt he was focused on most of the time. Not to mention that the food was the best he’d tasted in a long time.
Lucifer was not usually one for snap decisions, but he felt so comfortable there that he stayed the night. (I don’t think Brenda’s company hurt.)
In the morning, he didn’t feel any more like leaving. He stayed the day. Besides, the Reverend’s car needed a tune-up, and no one else knew how to do it. At least, that’s what they told him.
* * * * * * *
As the days at the end of the second week marched closer, I knew I couldn’t hold off much longer. I told my counselor about the impending dread but not what I was dreading. (Was it that fourteen years ago my counselor couldn’t guess?) Suffice to say, I felt more alone for having attempted to convey my feelings.
The days ticked by. I felt the iron cold of destiny clamp itself around me. There are things, I knew, I couldn’t avoid. As each second ticked by, I knew It was closer. Until finally, I knew within a day It would happen.
* * * * * * *
Frobisher was content. Sally moved in with him without a lot of fanfare. She cooked and cleaned and cared for him in a way he loved to be cared for. Any strains of the past left his mind completely, and he settled in for a cozy, comfortable winter.
It was quite a bit later on when Sally dropped the bomb. Sally had two kids that lived in another part of the state with her sister. She wanted them to live with her and Frobisher.
It was quite a bit later on when Sally dropped the bomb. Sally had two kids that lived in another part of the state with her sister. She wanted them to live with her and Frobisher.
Frobisher was stunned. His little, selfish world was rocked. He hadn’t know she had children. Although a part of him suspected, he hadn’t acknowledged it. The idea of sharing his world with them didn’t please him. He also knew, though, that Sally wouldn’t take no for an answer.