“Aunt Janelle has only been gone for a year, and it was harder on her, knowing how our mother went,” Eilonwy said, partly to intrigue the ghost, partly because she was hoping Taran would finally remember what happened.
Taran stopped eating. “I…still can’t believe Dad poisoned them both.”
Eilonwy put down her fork. It was the first time Taran had admitted this out loud. She wasn’t sure if she should continue, but she also didn’t want to stop him from expressing his grief.
“It’s a terrible thing to know,” she answered.
“It doesn’t make sense,” he said quietly.
“You were close with Dad.”
He looked at her, his eyes wet. “You were closer to Mom.”
“She loved us both the same.”
“No, she loved us both, but she liked you more.”
“Dad liked you more,” she countered in a soft tone.
“He loved you, too,” Taran said equally softly.
“I don’t think he did,” Eilonwy stated.
Taran was about to reply but stopped himself. He looked away, clearly thinking, and not liking the answer he was coming up with.
The ghost drifted closer.
Taran continued. “I’ve been thinking about this, and I want you to be honest with me. Is…is Dad…dead?”
Eilonwy had been dreading this question. She wanted to scream “Yes!” but instead she closed her eyes to keep her tears back. Her mother and aunt were dead by the machinations of her father, their father. He was a parent who was deeply selfish—brilliant, but selfish. He could do the most amazing apotropaic magick involving wards, charms, and traps, all to fend off attack. He was also a deeply flawed drunk with an ego and a temper.
“Answer the question,” came the static voice of the ghost.
Eilonwy and Taran both snapped their attention to the radio.
“Please,” the ghost said.
Taran nodded consent.
“Fine, but first, what is your name?” Eilonwy asked.
“You can call me Haley,” the ghost answered.
“Were you a witch?” Taran asked.
“Yes, I was a witch, a real one,” she answered.
“How long have you been here?” Eilonwy asked.
“I’ll tell you my story if you tell me yours.”
Taran waited for Eilonwy to answer the question.
“Dad isn’t coming back,” she finally said.
“Where is he?”
“You know where he is, you just don’t want to remember, yet.”
