Chapter 18

Talia

I could hardly see straight as I sped from Fox’s, still hearing the way he’d slammed the door shut behind me ringing in my ears. My car rushed down the highway back toward town, and my heart leapt in my chest. I was unable to calm myself down.

But within a few minutes, I was able to center on the important topic at hand. I had stormed away from the concert, leaving Lily-Rose in the company of that woman, Evelyn. And I had to get her back. I had to bring Lily-Rose back to my side. I wasn’t the enemy. I had her best interests at heart, forever. I owed it to Billie. But more than that, I truly loved Lily-Rose.

Evelyn was staying at the Four Seasons downtown, a room she said suited her “just fine,” especially as it was just down the road from both me and the public pool where she and Lily-Rose had been going swimming on particularly steamy afternoons. I parked my car in the lot, shaking. Evelyn’s van was parked spots away from me. A good sign.

In the foyer, I dialed Evelyn’s number, popping my shoulders back. She answered on the fourth ring, her voice high-pitched.

“Talia? Hello?” she said.

“I’m downstairs. Could you bring Lily-Rose down with you?” I asked.

“Hmm. I’m not so sure about that,” Evelyn sighed. “You see, she’s pretty upset about the whole concert situation. I think it would be best if she hung out here with me for a bit. Just to regroup and calm down, you know. We already have pizza ordered and on the way. Don’t we, Lily-Rose?”

My stomach felt twisted with anger, and with jealousy. So often, I refused Lily-Rose’s wish for pizza, filling her instead with vegetables and “healthy options.” Just seeing that she was getting such fulfillment from Evelyn made me realize I was losing this battle.

“I’ll come to you,” I said, my nostrils flared. “Just tell me what room number.”

“I’m not sure it’s a great idea for the two of you to see one another right now,” Evelyn said, play-acting sympathy. “She’s terribly upset. She keeps saying you make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Now, I know you mean well, Talia. But these young kids, they can’t do everything, like me and you.”

My left hand turned into a fist. I smashed it against my thigh, adrenaline pulsing through me. “Evelyn, I’m her legal guardian. And I need to speak with Lily-Rose, right now.”

“It’s the attitude like that that’s gotten you in this mess, Talia,” Evelyn sighed. “But all right. We’re up here in room 207. See you soon—“

Already, I smashed my finger against the END button and stomped toward the staircase. The front desk manager glared at me, smacking her gum between her teeth. Within seconds, I was on the second floor landing, huffing. My fist smacked against the door of room 207, as I listened to the shrill cartoons on the other side. I had not allowed Lily-Rose to watch cartoons in weeks, making her play outside instead. Or for her fingers to find the piano keys, and her brain actually ache for the beautiful ability to play music.

Evelyn opened the door, filling the space between Lily-Rose and me. She’d changed from her more formal garb into a Disney-themed sweatshirt which hung down her thighs. Her drawn-on eyebrows arched as she waited. The silence was tense.

“Can I… um… please see her?” I asked, feeling my throat constrict.

“She’s really pretty busy decompressing after the… well… the disaster of today,” Evelyn said, bringing her head against the side of the door. “And you know, I was thinking about it. I know Lily-Rose doesn’t have many friends here…”

My nostrils flared. I cut in beside her, entering the room and staring Evelyn down. She seemed to leer at me as she spoke, trying to stab at my tenderest parts.

“What are you saying?” I demanded. Perching beside Lily-Rose, I wrapped an arm around her thin frame, hugging her close. Lily-Rose shuffled away from me, her eyes glued to the television. I shot my finger toward it, blaring, “You know, it’s really not good for her, watching so much television. Eating so much pizza.”

Evelyn smacked her hands on either side of her thighs, rolling her eyes. “You worry too much, Talia. It’s going to destroy you. Gonna draw wrinkles all across your face.”

Lily-Rose erupted from the bed, bouncing on the dark blue carpet. The colors on the screen were changing, becoming volatile and bright pink, almost hippie-like. Lily-Rose’s eyes reflected the madness.

“Lily-Rose, I think we better get home,” I sighed. “Don’t you want to sleep in your own bed tonight?”

“No!” Lily-Rose cried, bouncing once more. “I want to stay with Grandma.”

My eyes burned toward Evelyn, who gave me a shrug. Drawing her finger into the air, she beckoned for me to come toward her, near the small kitchenette. I did so, my fists clenched. Evelyn’s whimpering voice met my ears, and I yearned to smash through the door, yanking Lily-Rose after me. This woman – this lonely, horrible woman, who’d had the horrible fortune of bringing Chris Campbell into the world – was now my problem. And my problem alone.

“What is it?” I stammered.

“I’ve been thinking, Talia,” Evelyn sighed. “It’s just pretty clear to me that Lily-Rose is unhappy here. She doesn’t have any friends. We’re pretty close to where her mother passed away, which can’t help. And there are ghosts for her every which way she turns.”

I thrust my fingers through my hair, feeling a scream grow inside of me. “Evelyn, you’ve known Lily-Rose for barely a few weeks. I was there when she was born! I helped Billie raise her, before she passed away! She’s a part of my life, for good. What don’t you understand about that?”

Evelyn’s face remained calm, firm. After a moment, she tilted her head, her eyes growing almost void of emotion.

“I just think it wouldn’t be a bad thing to consider sending Lily-Rose to live with me down in Tennessee for a bit,” Evelyn said. “After all, honey, you’re what? Only twenty-nine years old? You need time to… to flirt. And to date. And to get out of your comfort zone for a bit. I know Lily-Rose is getting in the way of that. And all the pressure you put on her…”

“I don’t put pressure on her!” I cried, accidentally pressing my elbow into the microwave and nearly tilting it to the ground. I huffed, in surprise. “Lily-Rose can’t come stay with you. That’s… that’s absolutely out of the question. She and I, we’re a team.”

Evelyn pressed her arms over her chest, giving me a grotesque smile. Her tongue snuck from between her lips, and she glared at me, waiting. Behind her, the television continued to flash for a zombie-like Lily-Rose. I felt I could hardly breathe.

“Well, Talia, I suggest you get your affairs in order. Because I may very well come after you. I know you’re not the best for my Lily-Rose. And with Chris away for a bit, I know I’m the only one who can step between you and her. I’m the only one willing to do anything about it.”

Thrusting myself forward, I reached for Lily-Rose’s hand and tugged her from the bed. I was unable to speak. Blood raced against my eardrums, and I felt my nostrils flare with fear. Within seconds, I had Lily-Rose in the hallway, and we were marching toward the car. I felt I could almost hear the ominous cackle of Evelyn from within the hotel room.

“I don’t want to go!” Lily-Rose cried, big, bulbous tears draining down her cheeks. “I want to stay! We were getting pizza! Please, Aunt Talia!”

But I didn’t answer. I was faced with the most horrific reality, and one that, perhaps, didn’t involve Lily-Rose at all. And I knew I needed to stop it.