Page 55 of Jig's Last Dance

Font Size:

Page 55 of Jig's Last Dance

On the last page, I pause on a picture of my dad and me. We’re standing in the yard, and I’m riding his shoulders with a wide smile on my face. The sight makes me sob, and glancing around guiltily, I pull the picture from the book and tuck it into my bra.

Next to it on the opposite page is a group picture. My dad stands next to Sal, Bastion’s father Roman, and two men I don’t recognize, but my blood runs cold when I see John at the end.

What the fuck?

They’re standing before a cabin with tall, beautiful trees surrounding it. I’ve never seen this picture, I’m sure of it. I’d like to think I’d never forget John either.

If my dad was a hit man, what’s John’s job?

Disturbed, I steal that picture too before speed walking back to my room and locking myself inside. Staring at the image, I hem and haw before sending a text to Ben and crossing my damn fingers he responds.

Do you recognize the other men in this picture?

When I don’t get an immediate response, I lay on my back and stare at the ceiling.

What does it all mean? I can’t reconcile my dad, who was kind and gentle, with the man standing in a picture with John. But maybe that’s where I’m looking at this all wrong.

Maybe I didn’t know my dad at all.

∞∞∞

The next morning, I’m relieved to find an answer from Ben. Although it’s to the point, I’ll take it.

Idk. I think the one at the end used to play golf with Dad?

Huh. I don’t remember Dad playing golf, but maybe he did. So, Dad knew John then?

Shivering, I pull my blanket around my shoulders. Did he know John’s a skeevy fuck?

Jesus, Dad.

Hmm. Jumping into the shower, I don my new designer jeans and boring as fuck button-down with a grimace. Sal wants me to dress like I’m a forty-year-old soccer mom. Gross.

My only nod to defiance is on my face, and I create the goth look I crave before racing down the stairs to meet Marco. The ride is quiet, and once I’m at school, I lean forward and say, “Hey, um, I have to take a few exams after class. You know, entrance exams. Can you pick me up later?”

He tips his glasses, staring at me with his caramel eyes, and I widen my own to keep from twitching. Slowly he nods, and I smile, exiting on shaky limbs and heading for the entrance without looking back.

Once I’m inside, I duck into the bathroom and wash my sweaty hands. Defying Uncle Sal is a bad idea, but I need answers.

When the bell rings, I slip down the hall and through the rear doors, following the bleachers until the end and finding the break in the fence I use when I need to get away from this hellhole.

The school backs up to a ravine, and in my haste, I lose my footing. Muttering several curses, I slide down the hill, hoping no one will notice the new grass stains on the expensive as fuck jeans.

After I dust myself off, and with sweat pooling under my armpits, I head back to the broken-down house with the broken-down girl.

The facade is the same as the last time. No surprise. I approach the door hanging from its hinges with a shiver before pounding my fist on the outside.

When no one answers, I pound again before looking around and stepping through. The front room is empty, and with a frown, I tiptoe down the hall, passing two rooms, both empty and covered in nothing but dust.

A small bathroom and another bedroom, this one partially clean, are next. The filth makes my lip curl, and I sag against the wall in defeat. They’re gone. Whether for now or for good, I don’t know, but I can’t exactly claim exams every day until they maybe come back.

Now what?

Scratching my head, I jump away from the wall and cover my mouth when a huge ass spider skitters back up the wall. Fuck me.

“What are you doing here?”

“Shit,” I whisper, spinning around.




Top Books !
More Top Books

Treanding Books !
More Treanding Books