Crushed by Sarah Hualde

Author:Sarah Hualde [Hualde, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2021-10-24T11:11:34+00:00

13

Hours later the three of us were allowed to leave Crushin’ It. Mrs. Griffin never let go of her granddaughter. She walked between the two of us like a human wall blocking Shannon from me. Knots of guilt kept me from speaking. After all, Mrs. Griffin knew my secret. No excuses could make sense of the morning.

Shannon wiped at her eyes and turned to face me. “You’re coming over, aren’t you?” she asked me. Her wide eyes sparkled with sadness.

The older Griffin woman squeezed her granddaughter's hand and cocked her head to the side. “I'm sure Penny needs some time to herself," she started. "Don't you, Penny love?"

Being alone didn't sound fabulous. Though it might be safer than following the Griffin's to their house. The farther away I kept from Shannon, the less likely my surly manifestation would alight on her.

Mrs. Griffin let her cool gaze drift to mine. She felt the same. I suppressed a small whimper. Their comfortable home and cozy company sounded like the perfect remedy for my aching heart and shattering spirit. However, Shannon's grandmother was right. I needed to steer clear of the Griffin ladies. At least until the current storm subsided.

"Yeah," I mumbled as I shuffled my feet. "I could use a really good sleep. Besides, I'm sure Spades is about to claw through the upholstery."

Shannon forced a wavering smile to her lips.

Her eyes flickered between Mrs. Griffin's stern expression and my timid admittance. Grandma Griffin wasn't right about Shannon. She did have an extra sense or two about her. They were telling her there was more going on than anyone dared to speak aloud.

She shrugged. "If you're sure." I nodded more convincingly. Mrs. Griffin's eyebrow rose in approval. "Okay, then." Shannon linked arms with her beloved grandma. "Get me home, Grannie. I'm beat."

Mrs. Griffin's warm chuckle dislodged the tension for just a moment. "Me too my girl. Me, too."

I watched Shannon drive away in her grandmother's car. Spades sat on my lap, ignoring me as if I were nothing more than a living loveseat. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

Why am I so shaken? I thought.

This wasn't my first tango with death, far from it. I should be happy that it was Miss Bernie and not Shannon who died in the steam room. Well, maybe not happy exactly. Perhaps relieved was a better word. Though I couldn't drum up any other emotion but sadness.

When my phone jangled in my hand, I startled. Spades spat at the disturbance and descended from his perch. I struggled to collect my breath before answering.

"What happened?" T.C.'s voice was fretful.

"I was wrong," I croaked.

"Shannon?" Scrubb asked, farther from the phone than T.C.

I shook my head, as if they could see me even though I hadn't bothered to turn on the video chat. "She's fine." My voice felt flat. It was echoless in my tiny home and just as empty as I felt.

"That's good then. Isn't it?" Scrubb's optimistic encouragement weaved knots in my throat.

How could I tell them? The curse I thought I'd figured out, just a few short weeks ago, was back.

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