A Strand of Bitterness by Tracy Krauss

Author:Tracy Krauss
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988447988
Publisher: Fictitious Ink Publishing

Uncle Robert’s funeral was a strange affair. As a long time cop and member of the FBI, Robert Reynolds knew a lot of people; had a lot of contacts. It should have been a first rate celebration of his life and career with every accolade and honor. Instead it was low-key. Almost apologetic. The shadow that had been cast because of his misdeeds meant very few people showed up. Only his mother’s die-hard friends and a couple of her neighbors were in attendance. Jeremy wondered if they’d even known his uncle.

They had a small reception back at his mother’s house. A large portrait of Uncle Robert stood awkwardly in the corner of the living room. Conversation was hushed. People left early.

Once the last guest had gone, Jeremy busied himself by putting away the leftover food.

“Just leave that,” his mother said, coming into the kitchen. “I’ll do it later.”

“No, I’ve got it,” Jeremy said.

Donna plopped down at the kitchen island and watched as Jeremy found some plastic wrap for a salad one of the neighbors had brought. “Isn’t it strange? You think you know somebody and yet, all this time they weren’t the person you thought.”

“I’ve been thinking that exact thing a lot lately,” Jeremy responded.

“Secrets. I guess everybody has them, but I never thought they would be so devastating.”

Jeremy shut the fridge and took a seat across from his mom. “True. So while we’re on the topic, what secrets have you been keeping from me?”

Donna blinked. “What do you mean? I’m an open book.”

“Really? Then why didn’t you tell me my own father was also killed while in prison? Instead, you led me to believe he just wasn’t interested.”

“I…” She hesitated. “I didn’t want to put that kind of burden on you. To know that your dad was a convict.”

“Instead you let me believe he’d abandoned me. So much better!” Jeremy’s tone was laced with sarcasm.

“No, Jeremy. It wasn’t like that. I was just protecting you. When you were young I didn’t think you needed to know your father was a criminal. We weren’t together, so what was the point? I fully intended to tell you once you were older, but then he was killed.”

“Who told you? Grandma Beatrice said she didn’t even know I existed until I came looking.”

“He used to write to me, your father, when he was in jail. I sent him your picture when you were born. It was the least I could do, or so I thought. I felt sorry for him. I was surprised when he wrote back. Wanted to know how you were doing.”

“And you never told me this why?” Jeremy demanded.

Donna shrugged. “It was stupid, I know, but at the time I thought I was doing what was best for you.”

“Did you ever love him?”

Donna scrunched her forehead. “I don’t know. I was just on an adventure back then. Wild and free. We hooked up and I suppose it seemed exciting, but I don’t know that I ever loved him. Then…”

“What?” Jeremy prodded.

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