The notes that consumed me.
For the nights when all I had was my piano.
When I tasted tears.
Fear.
Unhappiness.
I played for all of that and more.
Last, I played for her.
My mom.
Because if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be playing at all, and that was the hardest note to hit.
It carried the sharpest key.
Except there was no harmony.
Not for me.
I never experienced that unless I was playing through a wall for my black cat.
CHAPTER
FORTY-ONE
ISLA
Every decisionyou make reflects your evaluation of who you are.
–Marianne Williamson
Two weeks later.
“She’ll be here, Julius. I know she will.”
“Isla,” he stressed in an edgy tone. “It’s your birthday, and she was supposed to be here hours ago to make dinner. A dinner she insisted on, might I add.”
“Julius, relax…” Kraven intercepted. “She doesn’t know any better.”
“Don’t do that,” I snapped. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not in the room.”
“You’re going off on me?” Kraven asked, looking offended. “I’m just defending you.”
“I don’t need your defending.”
Julius abruptly stood, getting off the couch. “I told you this was a bad idea from day one, but you didn’t listen to me.”In a stern expression, he glanced down at me. “You insisted on allowing her for your birthday. I kept my mouth shut because it’s your day, and now look, we’re fighting over her yet again.”
“Julius, I know it’s been hard, but I haven’t let her in the house. I’ve barely even spoken to her. What was I supposed to do when she?—”
“You tell her no! It’s really that simple!”
“She’s your mom. I?—”
“She’s my nothing!”
