Long, stringy gray hair. Harsh lines on a wise face.
“Agatha.”
Her eyes warmed and she smiled at me. It was funny how seeing her brought more of her memory into focus. It had been Agatha who’d encouraged me to become a therapist. Who had consoled me when my mother died and looked after me until I finished high school.
Who’d understood when I had to leave and supported me. Right before I’d left, she’d told me something.
I couldn’t remember what she’d said. It was right there for me, but I couldn’t grab it.
Whatever it was, it felt important. Agatha had always believed in me. That was why she’d left me her business.
I had to believe in myself or at least fake it until I did. I had literally nothing to lose.
I took a deep breath, centering myself, willing my shoulders to soften. As if she knew I was getting it, she gave me an encouraging nod. The chair returned to its place, still empty. No one looked at it, so I wasn’t sure if I was the only one who’d seen her. Even so, the interaction with her, even if it was in my head, calmed me.
This wasn’t a hardship. This was an opportunity. My whole life had been pulled out from under me just last week. I’d caught my husband with his hands in the cookie jar. I’d gotten into an argument with my son and said words he may never forgive me for. I’d retreated to an empty office and the practice I’d barely mustered the energy to maintain.
I didn’t want to go back there. Sure, I didn’t understand what was going on here. Not fully. And I had more questions than answers. But one thing was certain. I sure as heck wanted to know more. So, I let my voice guide me.
“First, my condolences to each of you on the loss of Agatha. My memories of her are distant, but I remember her empathy and kindness. Even when she was staunchly set in her ways.”
Small chuckles echoed through the room.
“I assume Agatha has left case files for me?” I waited for the dual nods from Ethan and Brianne. “So, I’ll be reviewing those before I start to see clients. I also need to familiarize myself with the town, which seems to have changed a lot in thirty years. And I want to understand our business better.”
I swallowed a few times, letting the clog in my throat relax as I found my words.
“I didn’t know the supernatural existed. Part of me still thinks maybe I’m having a stroke or lucid dream. I have a lot to learn. And only thirty days to do it.”
The chair rumbled again, all four legs lifting and slamming back to the floor.
“I get the feeling a whisper of Agatha is still holding on, probably until she believes I can confidently operate as both a division head and, um, a Supreme.” I let my eyes land on the Twins at the end of my statement.Though their faces were expressionless, Lyra lifted one eyebrow. “What I will say is that, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to have to do it my way.”
I was just as surprised by the words that had come out as the table. Lydia cracked the smallest of smiles. Standing on my own two feet would win their respect. And though my default core desire was to please others, that hadn’t exactly been working for me as of late. So, I just let myself continue talking without overthinking.
Apparently, my voice knew it was time to make waves.
And my voice was the only thing I had, so I may as well trust it.
“I can’t speak to the second quarter earnings. I’m going to defer to Ethan who likely received instruction from Agatha about the meeting. I’m going to absorb as much as I can, and give myself permission to let it all settle in. Then, we’ll move forward, and I assure you I’ll either be ready for our next board meeting”—I closed the report in front of me—“or not here anymore.”
I stood up, my legs barely holding me in place. I had to get out of here. I needed to find a place to breathe and process.
“This may or may not be my place, but I’m adjourning this meeting.”
I didn’t give them time to argue or correct me. I turned tail and ran out of the boardroom, trusting my feet to take me somewhere safe.
I should have known where I was headed.
CHAPTER 7
The world wasn’t actually closing in on me, but it may as well have been. My vision tunneled to just a blurry view of the streets around me. I walked, then I ran, until I reached my destination—unsurprised to find I knew the way despite all I’d forgotten about my hometown.
When I reached the graveyard, I leaned against the cool granite of my family mausoleum. My fingers traced my mother’s name while I fought for breath. Someone had been taking care of it. Fresh daisies, my mother’s favorite, grew in lush patches.
I wanted to hold onto sensations as long as possible. The smell of freshly mowed grass. The cool damp of freshly watered soil sinking into my fancy new slacks. The unexpected laughter from a family far in the distance.
I needed something to root me in place. But my stomach jumped and tumbled and flipped all around like the contents of a dryer. My heart pounded so hard I put my hand over it to still the fabric, as if it might beat straight out of my chest. I fought for breath. Tears stung my eyes.
