“So, what’s the plan for tonight? Saturday night. We’re doing something, right?” Kristy asks as I glance at Effa.
“There’s not a hell of a lot to do, but I guess we could go to the pub. They might have a band on?” I suggest, and the girls all nod and smile.
“Yes! We need to check out the local talent,” Effa cheers excitedly.
“Hopefully, you lot won’t intimidate them by being there,” Tank announces, and Alana winces.
“We’ll have to sit away from them. Nothing worse than feeling pressure when performing.” She is always so kind and thinks of others.
“Right! So what time do we want to meet?” I ask.
“Eight?” Kristy replies.
I nod, looking at Effa for confirmation. That gives us plenty of time to head home. Let her have some downtime, and we need to make that important call.
“It’s a date,” Effa calls out, making everyone smile.
“We’ll meet you all there. We have some shit we gotta do,” I announce as I glance to Raoul, and he bows his head in understanding as he steps up to Effa’s side.
“See you tonight, guys,” Effa calls out before the three of us turn and head back out the gates toward the sedans. As we approach, we notice a bunch of children standing around looking in the windows of the cars.
“Hey, back off,” Raoul calls out, and they all jump up, turn to look at us, then scatter, running in all directions, as I smile, shaking my head.
Raoul looks to me, and I shrug. “Don’t worry, they just haven’t seen cars like that before. It’s harmless, they were just checking them out. The kids don’t get out much.”
Raoul nods as Effa cuddles into my side a little further before we reach the car, and Effa and I slide in the back while Raoul gets in to drive.
The ride home is a short one, and on the way home Effa and I cuddle into each other thinking of the alone time we will be spending together. The anticipation growing and building making it exciting, as we pull in and the car door opens. Raoul’sstanding there with the box of flowers, Effa’s candles and incense.
Furrowing my brows, I take in a deep breath and step out of the car, still wondering what the flowers are all about as Effa slides out beside me.
“Thanks for taking us, Raoul.”
“All good,mon petit oiseau,” he replies absently before we get to the door. I figure Effa must have bought some flowers along with her other purchases, so I open the door and lead us inside. Raoul follows us through to the kitchen. He places the candles and incense on the counter as Kiera walks in.
“Hey guys, did you have fun?” she asks. Her face is still pale as she slowly makes her way over, dressed in her pink pajamas. I don’t miss her eyes drifting to Raoul with a small smile as she looks him up and down.
“It was… eventful,” I reply, and she raises her brow in curiosity.
“Well, that sounds fun. Shame I missed it. Did you get me something, big brother?” she asks with a beaming, teasing smile.
“Shit. No, sorry. With all the commotion, it slipped my mind—”
“I did,” Raoul interrupts.
We all turn to face him, all three of us with wide eyes as we assess him.
“You did?” Kiera asks, her voice rising slightly.
He smiles, leans forward, and pushes the box of flowers toward her. Her smile brightens as she looks at the purple blooms. They are not flowers I’d readily recognize.
“Windflowers. The vendor said they represent health, protection, healing, and fragility. I thought they might bring you some positive healing or…” he pauses, “… whatever it is that Effa’s into,” Raoul beams.
I tense up as Effa giggles, and Kiera chews on her bottom lip, stepping up to him and smiling so wide I feel like she might explode at any given second. She takes the box, smells the flowers, then places them on the bench and steps forward, taking Raoul into an embrace. I look away, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck rise while Effa rubs my back.
“Thank you, that’s so sweet of you.”
“I just wanted to make your day a little brighter, seeing as you couldn’t join us.”
