“What a blessing.” She smiles, her words hitching as you see another wave of grief hit her.
“They truly are,” Sienna adds.
Hilda nods and busies herself in the kitchen. “I have corned beef sandwiches, is that okay?”
“Yes. Sounds lovely. Do you need us to do anything?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “I need to keep busy.” She starts making us sandwiches. Sienna and I take a seat in the kitchen, sitting in silence as we let her do what she needs to do. “I’ll put the kettle on, too, everyone needs a cuppa tea,” she mumbles to herself. Sienna and I look at each other, no words are needed to know what has happened to this family, to this community, is a tragedy of epic proportions. Moments later, Hilda is placing some sandwiches in front of us before fiddling with the kettle. Silently, Sienna and I dig into our sandwiches.
My mind wanders to my own family. Would I be this upset over their deaths? I know I should be, but I guess as far as I amconcerned, they are already dead, so knowing that they truly had moved on doesn’t change anything. It’s sad, though, and I do feel that ache inside of me, wishing that things could be different, but they aren’t. Maybe I should thank them, though, because I don’t think I would be living this life if they weren’t so against it. They pushed me harder than I did myself to pursue my dreams, so I guess I can thank them for that. Stacey and Oscar walking back into the kitchen, her eyes red-rimmed, pull me from my own thoughts.
“Here you go, love. A fresh cuppa and a corned beef sandwich.” Hilda places them down in front of her. Jennifer and Rebecca come up and wrap their arms around their aunt as Oscar sits beside Stacey, his eyes never leaving her. He’s been such an amazing strength to Stacey at this time, the Viking stepping up when she needed him most.
“We love you, Stacey.” Becca sniffles, clinging to Stacey, who is really trying to keep it together. Sienna and I look at each other, knowing she needs a moment.
“Girls, would you be able to show us around? It’s been years since we have been here,” Sienna asks as I get up with her. Becca and Jenny nod and take us to our rooms.
“You guys will have to share, is that okay?” Jenny asks.
“Of course. We’ve always been bed buddies when we travelled,” I tell them.
Becca frowns. “Did you two date?”
Sienna and I burst out laughing, which makes the two girls giggle.
“No, girls. She’s my best friend,” I explain to them.
“Can boys and girls be best friends?” Becca asks.
“Yes. Of course.”
“But you two seem like you love each other,” Jenny adds.
“We do. I love her with all my heart,” I say, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
“Then why did you never date?” Becca asks.
“I’m not his type.” Sienna smirks.
“But you’re gorgeous,” Jenny adds.
“Why, thank you, as are the two of you,” Sienna states.
“That’s not what Billy Jenkins says. He thinks I’m ugly,” Becca says, rolling her eyes.
“Billy Jenkins needs glasses. You two are gorgeous. Who cares what some little twerp thinks? Bet he’s the ugly one,” I tell them.
“Billy Jenkins is the most popular guy in my grade. All the girls have crushes on him.” Becca moans.
“Boys with egos, know them well,” I tell her.
“I don’t think he’s cute.” She huffs.
“Good girl, boys who say mean things are not cute,” I warn her.
“That’s what I tell my friends, but they are dazzled by his blond hair and blue eyes.”
“He is cute,” Jenny adds.
