Brutal Love (Forbidden Love) by Kelly Myers

Author:Kelly Myers [Myers, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swan Secrets
Published: 2022-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

23

MADISON

“Are you ready, my love?”

Luca was standing at the bedroom door. I sat at my dresser, staring into the mirror. I’d gotten stuck there, thinking of the times Lauren and I used to sneak into Mama’s room and raid her makeup drawer.

For as long as I could remember, Mama kept her perfumed dusting powder in a glass jar on her dresser. Lauren and I would watch in awe as she dabbed on the talcum powder with a fluffy, white applicator that looked like a tiny, round pillow with a silk ribbon.

We’d thought for sure Mama would skin us alive when Lauren dropped the glass jar on the floor once and it shattered into a sea of shiny shards. We were sick with worry until Mama solved the problem of our sticky little fingers by buying Lauren and me our very own powder jars.

“Maddie,” Luca said again and touched my shoulder.

“What?” I answered, still in a daze.

“Are you ready to go? We’ll be late.”

“I can’t do this, Luca,” I whispered.

“It’s Lauren’s funeral, my love. I know you won’t want to miss it. It’s okay. I’ll be with you the entire time. I’ll hold your hand.”

I wanted to cry, but I had no tears left. Instead, where life used to course through, there was now only a sense of numbness. I knew Luca was right. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t have one more chance to say goodbye to La.

“Okay.”

I didn’t wear black often. The only reason I had a black pants suit in my closet was that I’d needed it once for a shoot. Who knew what color was fitting for such an occasion? The thought of placing a vibrant young woman in her twenties into a box and burying her in the ground had no fitting color palette.

I made my way to the car but grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge on my way past. I was starting to feel like a raisin from all the water I’d expelled through tears.

“Fuck it,” I said under my breath.

“What’s wrong, Maddie?” Luca asked.

“Remind me to ask Maria to clear out La’s food from the fridge. That salad is growing legs.”

“Okay, babe.”

“Right. Let’s get this over with.”

Perhaps if I sounded tough and callous, I’d eventually feel the part. What choice did I have? I had to be strong for Mama and Dad.

Luca was quiet. He seemed distant. Death did odd things to the ones who were left behind. I imagined Lauren’s sudden and unexpected death triggered childhood memories for him. My poor Luca. The dull pain inside of me throbbed on, thumping louder as the hour to the funeral procession trickled away.

“I’m sorry, Luca,” I said while we were driving to the church.

“Sorry?”

“I’m sure this is painful for you too. Your past and all.”

I could tell I’d hit a nerve. His knuckles grew white as he gripped the steering wheel.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Maddie.”

“I’ve been so immersed in my pain I haven’t considered your feelings, babe. Are you okay?” I asked and placed my hand over his.

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