Chapter 155: Emergency

Rain

I look down at the object in my hand. Right now it is my hand, not hers. I know I can’t stay here for long. Sade is not home right now, but he will be soon. I am playing a very dangerous game. I know that. Yet, listening to my children laugh makes me feel like I have to take the risk. I just have to be inordinately careful. I put the object away, hiding it.

I am also not feeling well. I am afraid I know why, but she doesn’t get it. She can’t really think it out. I think eventually Sade will clue in. I don’t know, but I am not willing to help it along in any way. That would put me at risk way too much.

I hear someone coming up the steps, so I put the object away, and I move back, letting her be in control again, and I blank it all out. I hope he doesn’t see things on the cameras I don’t want him to.

“How was your day, sweetheart?” I hear him ask her, and he kisses her; she kisses him back the way he wants her to.

“It was lovely. How was your day at the office?” She asks like this is the nineteen fifties and she is wearing pearls in the kitchen. I have no idea; she might very well be wearing pearls in the kitchen. I never know any of that stuff.

“It was fine. Where are the kids?” I am back in the dark behind, so I have no idea what is really happening. I decided to stop paying attention.

It is a couple of days later when I catch something again, “I heard from your father today. They are all coming for a visit. We have some things that we need them for, so Tomilino issued the invitation to your father and uncles to come to Chicago.”

“That is lovely, honey. Will they stay here or with Tomilino?” She asks like this is the best thing ever. If I were closer, I might puke.

“Well, I wanted to ask you if it was okay for your father to spend some time with us here so he can see his grandchildren and you. Since we only have three guest rooms, we don’t have enough for all of them to stay with us, so your four uncles will probably stay with Tomilino.”

“Alright dear, just let me know what I need to do.” That is the last thing I hear.

I do wonder now how long it has been. How long has she lived here instead of me? Time is so funny now. So, Barnabas, the man who betrayed me, is coming to see her and his grandchildren. That is very, very interesting indeed.

“It’s only going to be Barnabas, Samuel, and Niel who are coming. Some things have come up back in Ireland, so not all of them can be away. Tomilino said he understood, and they can get everything accomplished with just the three of them. That means they can stay with us.” I hear him telling her.

“Oh, how lovely. I will make sure the rooms are ready for them. Should I get them anything special, do you think, sweetheart?” he pauses.

“No, that won’t be necessary.” That is the end of that conversation that I care to hear.

“You know, I miss you being around Rain. We all miss you quite a lot. We miss these little buggers too.” I hear a very fake laugh.

“Thank you, father. I miss you too. I am glad you are here. I hope your visit is a good one. The children will be happy to see all of you.” She is so robotic; there is no emotion in anything she does, but that is necessary in many, many ways.

“I wish I knew how to help you.” I hear a big sigh, and I roll my eyes in here listening to that shit.

“I am sure any help I need, Sade will be more than able to provide. He is a wonderful husband after all.” Oh hell, that is so fucking stupid.

“It’s okay, Rain. Everything will be okay, I’m sure. We just have to be patient.” I hear skin tapping, so he must have patted her.

I look down and see my own hand. I am holding that object again, and I caress it with my thumb. Then I put it away quickly. No one can see I have it.

I am following him, Samuel, and Niel back to the large black rented SUV they have used while they've been here. They are headed to the airport to fly out today. They have been here for two weeks and need to get back. They have stayed at Sade’s and her house while they have been here.

They have no idea I am behind them. Their luggage is stowed. They all get in the car. Their seatbelts are fastened. Then I am standing by the driver's side window. He rolls it down. I think he realizes that it’s me and not her.

His eyes are huge, and so are my uncles' as I smile at them, “Goodbye Barnabas.”

He looks confused, but I don’t wait, and I don’t speak. I simply walk away, willing this to be the last time I ever have to be in their presence. I hate them so much. They all betrayed me. As I think that, the world explodes.

I throw my hand up to block the blast. I am thrown across the yard, and then there is a huge amount of pain and the world goes dark.

Sade

I got caught on the phone with Tomilino right as Barnabas, Samuel, and Niel had to leave for the airport. We had all said goodbye; I had shaken all of their hands. They wanted to spend the last few moments before they left with Rain, so she said she’d walk them out. The next thing I know, I hear a massive explosion.

I throw my phone and run. I run through the door and see the SUV that Barnabas, Samuel, and Neil were in is in flames. It has blown up. That is the only explanation. I am frantically looking for Rain. She walked them out. Then I spotted her collapsed on the lawn.

I scream for her and rush to her side. I have no idea how badly she is hurt. There is blood everywhere. I see a huge chunk of metal beside her, and there is blood all over her head and face. It must have hit her. I call an ambulance and pray she is alright. She has a strong pulse, but I have no idea what else might be wrong. I die a thousand deaths as I wait for the paramedics.