“What happens if you try to leave?” I ask.
“Everything goes black and we end up right back in the pen. Same as if we fall asleep in human form. We wake up as birds in the morning.”
I blow out a sharp breath. “This is not what I was expecting to experience when I came here. I just wanted to collect the things I wanted to keep, enjoy some peace and quiet, and then leave.”
“Wade didn’t want you to find out.”
“Yeah, I got the vibe. He’s… grumpy.”
Gus laughs. “You could say that, yeah. You get used to it, though.”
“What about Rhett?”
“He’s just quiet. His father always blamed him for this. Which made no sense since he wasn’t even born when it happened, but his dad was a real jerk.”
“Sounds like it.” I chew on my lip, looking into the kitchen but unable to see any of them from this angle. “So, what now?”
“We go on as normal. But… you can’t tell anyone.”
“Trust me, this is not the sort of thing I will be telling people.” I laugh.
“Thank you,” he says softly.
I nod, then turn to look at him. “Is there some way to break the curse?”
He looks as if he wants to say something but then shakes his head. “Not that we know of.” He sits for a moment, then adds, “But… we’re the end of the line.”
“What does that mean?”
“Our fathers were around when the curse was cast. Wade and I were born, but we were little. Toddlers. Rhett was born after and yet he’s still cursed. The change started at thirteen for all of us. None of us have kids, so… we, uh… think that was the point.”
“The point?”
“I don’t want to talk bad about your Grannie, because we know what our families did wasn't right, but we think she wanted our bloodlines to end.”
“Oh, right… I love Grannie, but she could be a vindictive thing. I’m sorry this happened.” I glance up at him. “Truly, I am so sorry.”
“You don’t have to keep saying that.” He gives me a smile.
“Guess I don’t know what else to say.” I shrug.
It falls silent again. Until there are heavy footsteps. Charlie comes into the living room.
“You feeling okay, Miss Daisy?” he asks with a small frown.
“As okay as I can be.”
“I wish she woulda told you,” he says under his breath, shifting on his feet.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Really. I’m sure she wanted to and then… you know.”
“Yeah, of course. I know.” He scratches the back of his neck. “I’m going to head on home, as long as you’re okay here?”
“Fine, Charlie.” I smile. “Thank you for coming by to help with this.”
“Any time, Miss Daisy. You let me know anything you need.”
He leaves through the back door. Rhett and Wade come into the living room. Someone has to be the bigger personhere, so I get up and walk to them. I feel very small standing in front of them. They’re at least a whole foot taller than me.
