Page 71 of The Wonder of You
“I am okay, my love.” She must notice the concern on my face. “Some of the magic takes it out of me, that’s all. Toni here will help me back and a good nap is what I need.”
“Did you use magic to clean this up?” I ask.
“Oh goodness, no,” she laughs. “Toni and Lukas are excellent cleaners. I used it to wipe your dad’s memories.”
I gasp.
“It’s for the better,” Toni tells me gently.
Phoenix wraps his arm around my shoulder and I return the affection by wrapping mine around his waist. I take a deep breath.
“He’ll just think he came in to see you and fell asleep on the sofa. He won’t ever know about that monster coming back.” Toni’s use of the wordmonstersounds much more fitting thanUncleorCarl.
“I understand. It’ll be better for his mental health too.” I look up at Phoenix. “It would make sense for me to be here when he wakes.”
He nods.
I walk into the living room and sit on the sofa. Dad looks so peaceful while taking his nap.
I overhear Phoenix talking to the others.
“Lukas, tell everyone to start packing up. It’s time we go back to the other world,” he instructs. His voice is quiet, but I’ve always been good at eavesdropping. Not so much in a nosey way, I suppose I just have good hearing… perhaps it stems from childhood. Listening to what people were saying about me, what they were planning, was comforting. It felt somewhat safe to have a little bit of preparation and control. I’ve never liked surprises.
“I have no problem with that, but what about Renée?”
“She knows, she has us back now, everything will be okay.”
“Is she alright? Areyoualright?”
“Yes, as long as she’s safe, I am good. I won’t let this happen again.”
Lukas chuckles. “You might have to bubble wrap her; you know.”
It’s nice to hear Phoenix laugh, even if it’s slightly strained from everything that has happened. “I am considering it.”
It’s sweet to hear people talk about me in such a caring manner. I’m more than happy for Phoenix to bubble wrap me while I sit in the cabin painting my rocks. But first, I have to say goodbye to this place.
Chapter 51
While Dad sleeps, I pull out my small suitcase and start packing. I don’t need much, I know that. I pack another pair of black skinny jeans, a couple of t-shirts that I like, some underwear. I have a cupboard of clothes back at the cabin that Phoenix left untouched. The clothes are a bit old school, but I can’t help but love them.
I grab a few photographs. Me and my dad. A photo of my mum holding Lydia as a baby, me as a toddler beside her. I run my finger down her face, wishing I had a memory to hold onto.
A picture of me and my grandparents, one from when I was little and the most recent one too.
I go into their room and pull my nan’s jewellery box out from under the dressing table. It feels weird doing this. It’s a big box, but it’sherbox. I rummage through her necklaces and bracelets, taking a moment to reflect. I think these things are better here, where she put them. I don’t need any items to stay close to her. I have my memories.
Before I go to put the lid back on, something catches my eye.
A painted rock.
Then he told me he went to the circus and was given a rock; he gave it to me like it was really something out of this world. Wanted to run away with the circus, he did, but he loved me more.Nan’s voice runs through my mind.
I can’t believe we’ve come full circle. I painted the rock that my grandfather gave my grandmother as a token of his love for her. A small sob escapes me, but I hold myself back. I take a deep breath. No more tears.
I laugh instead, and I decide I will keep this. I will take it back to the circus where it belongs, where a piece of my grandparents will stay forever with me.
Phoenix walks up beside me and kneels down to look at the few things I have collected.
