As we drifted slowly around the lake, she said, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I can canoe. The last date I went on…he thought I was a nerd, so he took me bowling. He was trying to score brownie points to prove himself. But little did he know my mother was an athlete and played every sport. I guess I kinda took after her, natural talent and all that, but when I beat him, he got pissed, shouted, and left me there. Mandy came to pick me up.”
Anger surged through me. What the actual fuck?! I exhaled deeply, trying to get my anger under control.
“First, that guy was an idiot. If he really liked you, he’d have been proud you beat him. Second, don’t ever dim yourself for me. I want you to shine, Sienna. Sometimes that means doing better than me, and I’m okay with that.” Then I smiled. “Third…let’s keep your bowling skills our little secret. Pyotr is the best bowler among us, and he never fails to brag.”
She smiled. “Hearing you say that…means a lot. Thank you. And bowling? It’s our secret.”
Over the next hour, we circled the lake, stopping at times, talking about our childhoods. I listened as Sienna spoke about her mother and how life had been before the diagnosis, and then the pain in her voice when she described how hard things became.
I lightened the mood with stories of living with six siblings. Her laugh, light and carefree, should have been something she did every day, not just on special occasions.
As the sky changed colors and she shivered, I decided it was time to head back. Wexler packed everything into the SUV while we showered and changed. When I helped her into the car, something about her seemed different. Her smile was gone completely, and her eyes looked glassy.
“Sienna, what’s wrong?”
A tear slipped down her cheek. I gently wiped it away.
She looked at me with saddened eyes. “I’m sorry…this was such a great date. I didn’t mean to ruin the mood.”
“You’re not ruining anything. Talk to me, angel.”
“It’s just…today reminded me of my mom. I’ve avoided talking about her because it always felt like a burden. But I miss her.” She lowered her eyes.
I lifted her chin and kissed her softly. “Anytime you want to talk about her, you can talk to me.”
She nodded. I closed the door, hopped behind the wheel, and pulled out of the parking lot. Instead of heading home, I turned toward the cemetery.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To see my mother-in-law,” I said with a smile.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
I took her hand, and she held it tightly as we parked. She grabbed the bouquet from the back seat, and together we walked to her mother’s grave.
When we arrived, she stepped forward.
“Hi, Mom,” she sniffed. “I went on a date today…and got my first bouquet of the most beautiful white roses I’ve ever seen.”
It hurt to know she’d never received flowers before. She took a few roses and gently placed them on her mother’s grave.
“The date was fun…the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” She held out her hand, and I took it, standing beside her.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet my date. His name is Avit.”
I don't know why it bothered me that she introduced me as her date and not her husband, but it did.
“Hi, Mrs. Romonoff. I’m Avit Safin. Today was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I have a feeling that Sienna was a little rascal growing up after she tricked me today, but I promise your daughter is in good hands. I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe. She deserves the life she’s worked so hard for, and I vow to make sure she has it.”
Then I pulled Sienna into my arms as she sobbed. It wasn’t the ending I’d predicted, but if standing here holding her was what she needed, then that’s what she’d get.
Chapter 16 - Sienna
A little more than a week flew by with no luck in figuring out who the owner of the location was.
And the longer it took, the more anxious I became. I knew Avit; if I didn’t solve this soon, he’d throw caution to the wind and go check it out himself. This time, he wouldn’t tell me. He’d just leave one morning…and maybe never come back.
The thought made me sick to my stomach, literally.
