It looks like a few treasures trapped behind there. No way of getting to them without smashing the beautiful glass.
Sigh.
Another family secret waiting, even if it’s not the priority tonight.
Does it have anything to do with the shoes that had Gramps so upset? My mind drifts back to Holden’s story.
I idly let the light drop to the floor, running a hand through my hair, barely breathing.
My fingers still feel stiff and wrinkly from my cleaning blitz despite wearing gloves the whole time.
I just wish I knew what Gramps was thinking when he left this place behind.
Back when he was alive, I never imagined he had so many layers.
He was just PopPop, a human lighthouse built to weather any storm and shine like the stars through the darkness I’ve only started to understand.
That darkness was his.
And now the lighthouse is gone.
Here I am, mentally and literally wandering the stormy night, wondering if for just a split second, maybe I can find one last dying ember he left behind.
This can’t be unique.
Every family has a few ugly mysteries, sure.
But Blackthorn secrets only burble up to inflict pain.
It’s a miracle Ethan put down the bottle and finally chose to fight for his future.
My phone buzzes then, scaring me to death.
Jesus!
I pull it out to send Kane anotherhi, I’m not deadtext.
Kane: Kids are on the plane. Just took off and I’m leaving now. Might be slow going in this weather.
Right.
Thunder growls down at me through the open storm doors. I wince.
It’s a big enough storm to hit Bar Harbor and snarl any traffic on the small windy backroads to Sully Bay.
Hurry back and stay safe!I send before shoving my phone back in my pocket.
There’s a steady pelting rain now.
Pretty much inevitable with clouds this dense, but I didn’t think it would hit so quickly.
Time to get moving.
I climb back up the stairs carefully since they’re already slick, shielding my face as I look at the sky, which rips open and drops its grief.
Another squall soaks me as I’m fumbling back to the house, making my clothes wet and heavy.
Holy shit, this sucks.
