How Icasia Bloom Touched Happiness by Jessica Bell

Author:Jessica Bell [Bell, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: books that make you happy;books that make you think;books that are inspirational;books that make you a better person;books that make you cry;books that make you feel good;enlightening minds;facing death and the life after;finding happiness in yourself;uturistic world;inspiring reads;inspiring people;happy endings;heart-warming endings;feel-good books;immortality;speculative fiction;speculative fiction romance;alternative reality novels;strength of the human spirit
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
Published: 2021-09-20T22:00:00+00:00

WATCH

Jerome walked out of the DeathCare Centre as pale as an empty Anima urn. Selma grabbed and squeezed Leila’s hand. Leila didn’t squeeze back; she yanked her hand away, wrapped her arms around her belly and sat on the edge of the fountain.

Jerome approached and stood in front of them—staring right through the tumbling water at a bluebird—no hug or kiss hello, no habitual stroke of Leila’s hair despite her recoiling every time he did it. The bluebird looked at Jerome but did not chirp, did not flutter by or lead him to his destination. The bluebird pecked at some stray seeds scattered along the rim of the fountain and flew away without a sound.

Suddenly the sky grew overcast and grey. Thunder cracked and lightning struck, cracking the footpath between them.

Leila screamed and launched herself into Selma’s embrace. The three of them ran until they’d stepped beyond the inner circle of the building to where the Globe’s natural weather was visible. As they reached the border of the weather ring, Selma held onto Jerome’s upper arm and panted. “What was all that about?”

Jerome shook and turned his head. He searched the sky and quickly wiped away his tears before facing Selma. All the clouds were gone.

“That didn’t have anything to do with you, did it?” Selma said with an edge of urgency in her voice.

“Probably,” Leila scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Selma glared at Leila, but Jerome didn’t bat an eyelid. Instead, he smiled and took their hands, his voice gentle and friendly, “Let’s go check out your apartment, Leila. Let’s go and do what we had planned.”

Leila turned her head away from her parents’ view and smiled. Selma nodded reluctantly. “I’ve heard strange stories about the weather ring,” Selma said as they started walking to their car. “But everything seems like myth.”

Jerome forced a smile that was genuine enough to fool his family.

“This afternoon is all about Leila. Let it be filled with hope, happiness, and family union. At least … that’s what Governor Jacobson would say.” ...

“Leila, you must be the first to step into your new apartment.” Jerome said, “That’s the way it’s meant to be. It’s your very first step into motherhood.”

Leila pursed her lips with a pause. She didn’t hold her tongue. “Everything you’re saying today sounds like a government campaign. Are you an idiot, or is this some kind of homework assignment from your therapist?”

Jerome bit his top lip and ran his hands along the back of the maroon velveteen sofa.

“What do you think? Great squat, isn’t it?” he said.

Leila frowned, glanced at Selma and back at Jerome again with a sarcastic laugh. “It’s like you’re trying to show you love me without actually feeling it.”

“Leila!” Selma crossed her arms, “Apologize.”

Leila didn’t.

Jerome manually uncrossed Selma’s arms and placed them by her sides. He whispered, “It’s okay. Relax. Her behavior isn’t really about me.”

Selma’s jaw dropped slightly in response. A muted squeal of satisfaction escaped her mouth.

Leila stood in the middle of the lounge and looked up at the ceiling.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.