Page 46 of Sweet Dreams
“Teagan. What happened? Caleb!” She yells for Dad. “Hold on, I’ll put you on speaker.”
“What’s wrong, Small fry?”
I try to find the words without crying. “The shop, it’s um.” I stare at the ceiling when the tears well up. “It’s gone.”
“What do you mean it’s gone? What happened to it?” Mom rushes her questions.
“Are you okay? Where are you?” Dad adds.
I wipe the tears away and wipe my nose. “I’m at home. Nancy was waiting at the shop.”
“Fuck her.” Mom cuts in.
“Janette,” Dad scolds her. “Let her talk first, and then we can bash that stupid witch.”
I would laugh if it were under different circumstances, but just thinking what Nancy had done turns my stomach. The door to my bedroom slowly opens, and Silas approaches me, sinking to his knees in front of me. With a tight grip, he holds onto my knees.
I stare into his eyes and try to focus on this morning. “My shop is destroyed. From the little info Jace told me, they broke the windows to get inside. Trashed all the shelves and.” I close myeyes, and Silas tightens his grip. “And hauled the books out and lit them on fire.” I clutch the edge of my mattress at the thought.
I think that’s the worst part. They burnt my books. Jace wouldn’t tell me who was involved. He didn’t want to ruin Taylor's investigation and questioning with me. This entire thing goes beyond a threatening note to Nancy McCunt face. Now she’s getting personal.
Mom starts crying, and I can hardly make out her question. “My God, Teagan. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay or will be, eventually.”
“Are you alone? I don’t like the thought of you being in that house alone. What if they tried to do something.” Dad’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying urgency there.
I look at Silas. “I’m not alone, and I think Taylor should be stopping by sometime to ask questions. Jace wouldn’t let him earlier.”
“That’s good. Small fry. If you want, we can come by.”
“No, it’s okay, Dad. I might try to take a nap. I’m exhausted.”
“That’s a good idea, hunny. Call if anything changes. We love you.”
“I love you guys, too.”
Silas and I sit there in silence. He rubs his thumb along my knee and reaches his other hand for mine, which is still clutching the mattress. He tenderly brings it to his mouth, gently laying a kiss on my knuckles.
“I’m proud of you. You did everything you could today. The shop doesn’t define who you are; remember that. Don’t let this stop who you are. You didn’t let a little water damage stop you, right?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
He stands up, pulling me with him. “Let me make you something to eat, and it’ll make you feel better.”
I can’t help but laugh. Only Silas will be thinking about food. “There’s leftover chow mein in the fridge.”
“Dibs.” He drags me out of my room. I can feel my mood lifting already, but I’m afraid he’ll take the joy with him when he leaves. He’s like a little kid when he opens the fridge and finds more food than expected. He pulls out the container of ribs and grins.
“When’s the last time you ate?”
He shrugs. “I’ve been busy.” He leaves it at that and grabs a plate. “Want some?”
“No, I’ll find something, you enjoy.” I open the fridge and grab the chow mein. I’m about to place it in the microwave when the doorbellrings. I turn to walk out when Silas grasps my arm and shakes his head.
“I’ll get it. You stay here.”
I watch as he peeks through the peephole, his shoulder dropping. He unlocks the door and opens it. Taylor stands there with his hand on his gun, looking ready to shoot up the place.