Newhaven: Book Two of The Reaper Trilogy by Elizabeth J. Rekab

Author:Elizabeth J. Rekab [Rekab, Elizabeth J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elizabeth J. Rekab
Published: 2021-04-20T04:00:00+00:00

“I’LL ADMIT, I HAVE no idea how to care for a cat. We could never have pets in Everhaven. They’d never stay,” I say hours later, after Alesha has calmed down a bit more and Sasquatch sits on her lap. We’d already eaten dinner in awkward silence some time ago. Mother had ordered a pizza, and she’d eaten her share in the kitchen while Alesha and I ate in the living room. Though Alesha barely picked at hers, unable to work up much of an appetite.

“Well, my mom packed my suitcase with a new box and scooper for her, and some food. We just need litter for her box. And then you feed her and give her water. And clean her box with the scooper every day.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

“I’ll take care of her, anyway,” Alesha says.

“Mow,” Sasquatch pipes in on cue.

Mother walks into the room and wriggles her nose at the purring feline. “You’ll be bunking with Abigail. Just keep that cat in the bedroom with you.” She seems conflicted; it can’t be easy letting her husband’s secret child stay with her.

“We won’t be any trouble, I swear,” Alesha says. “I’m twelve, I was planning to start baby-sitting for money when I turn thirteen in a few weeks. I could do that here to help pay for my food, too.”

I immediately admire how brave and strong Alesha is, much braver and stronger than I was at that age. At twelve, I hadn’t even become the Rester yet. Though, I’d recently lost my father, just as Alesha is losing her mother. I know what she must be going through, but I recognize someone trying their best to keep it together.

“You two will have to share a bed tonight. Until I can get a cot for you.” Mother is having difficulty meeting Alesha’s eyes. Her presence unsettles me a bit, too—I’m still not over my father’s lies, and may never be—but none of this is Alesha’s fault, and it’s not fair to take it out on her. She needs a safe space right now.

“It’s fine, really. I can sleep on the floor.” Alesha looks down at her sneakers, dejected, as though realizing she’s not entirely welcome.

“No.” I smile. “It’s ok, we can share for a night or two.” I grab Alesha’s suitcase that we’d propped up next to the couch earlier. “Let’s get you unpacked.

The girl nods, and her chin quivers as her resolve starts to crumble. “Why did she leave me?” she asks in such a quiet, trembling voice as she follows me into my room.

“She thinks she’s doing what’s best for you.”

“The best thing is for me to be with my mother. Isn’t it?”

“I know,” I say, “and it isn’t fair she made this decision for you. But she did because she thought it was right.”

“It’s shitty.” Alesha lets out a mirthless chuckle at that. “My mom hates when I curse. But then, she’s not here to scold me, is she.”

She tilts her curly head down, studying her feet

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