The Poisoned Bond

A Wake in Awkward Waters

I hadn’t heard Chase exit the vehicle, but he was suddenly there wrapping his handkerchief around the wound on my hand. With a gentle tug, Chase pulled me to my feet, his eyes meeting mine with a smirk. "Let's get you cleaned up," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

"Please tell me this is clean." I mumbled as I inspected the makeshift bandage in an attempt to break the tension and bring some humor to the situation.

"Not even a little." He leaned in close to whisper in my ear. "It has my cooties all over it." He raised my hand up to his lips to kiss it before turning to open the door and pulling me inside the house behind him.

Once inside the house, the atmosphere was suffocating. Joyce's disapproval was palpable; her eyes flashing with anger. With Natalie in tow, she started motioning for us to follow her into the kitchen. As soon as the kitchen door closed behind us, she jerked me away from Chase and shoved me down into a chair at the little table. “What the hell is wrong with you? What is going on here?" she demanded in a harsh whisper, her grip on my arm like a vice. "This is a funeral," she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. “NOT a frat party.” Then she put her hand to her mouth and closed her eyes like she was overcome with emotion.

The room spun around me as I sat there, my hand was throbbing, and my mind was racing. How had I let things go so far? How could I have been so reckless? This was going to upset Uncle James on a day that is already hard enough. I was gripping the chair so hard my nails were digging into the wood.

“If you want to behave like you live in a brothel you may do so anywhere else but here.” Joyce said through gritted teeth. “The total lack of respect that you have displayed today is inexcusable and unforgivable.” She was towering over me with her finger in my face. “I will have to tell your uncle about this later." she held her hand over her mouth acting like those last words had hurt her to say out loud.

I opened my mouth to try and defend myself, but she slapped me across the face. "NO. You will not speak unless it is to apologize."

She turned to Chase who had gone very still and was glaring at her. "And as for you; what the hell were you thinking? You asked for permission to come into my home early to attend the funeral - but it would appear that your actual goal was to hook up with grief-stricken women of loose morals you happen upon like some sort of w***e hound."

Joyce held up a hand when he started to speak. "IF you would like to offer your respects you may do so in the library where we have everything set up. Otherwise, please leave. But either way - this conversation is over, and you need to get out of my kitchen so that I may discuss some things with Jessica here." I flinched. No one calls me by my first name.

The slap stung, but I didn't let it show. “You have no right to talk to me like that," I said firmly, my voice was steady despite the tremble in my hands. "You don't get to dictate who I kiss, or where, or why, or who..."

Chase took a step closer to Joyce and around her at me like he was asking for my input. I just gave him a nod and looked towards the kitchen door while I mouthed run for your life - I'm fine. Chase shook his head and looked back at Joyce. "I think I would like to stay." He was standing tall - unapologetic and full of defiance.

Joyce looked at him like he was stupid because he was still standing there so she gestured towards the door as if to remind him where it was.

"Oh. No Ma'am. I think I should like to stay right here..." he moved around her so that he was between Joyce and myself. "Or rather...right here. Spirits are high and I think this issue - as you call it - needs to be discussed when we have all had some time to calm down and rest. Because today is not about the petty issues you have - it is about Henry Fields. I am sorry for the display outside - but it would appear your daughter here was the only one to witness it and to be honest - there never would have been an occasion for this to happen had you not forgotten Maggie at the cemetery in the first place. Stones in glass houses and all that; let’s get back to what matters." And with that he led me out of the kitchen and down the hall towards the library where everyone was waiting.

"Thank you." I said.

"Don't thank me. I may have just made that worse for you later." he said back.

"I'm sorry." I said.

Chase stopped so suddenly that I walked right into him. "Stop apologizing to me." He kissed the top of my head before turning to continue down the hallway.

I grabbed his hand to get his attention "I need a moment." I pulled my hand free and ducked into a nearby bathroom. I had caught my reflection in one of the mirrors in the hall and I needed to put myself back together.

I flipped the light on and looked at myself in the mirror over the sink. If I had been wearing makeup it would have been all over my face, but I had not bothered because of the rain. I took one of the small towels out of the little cupboard to wash the dirt off my feet so I could slip my shoes back on. My hair on the other hand looked like I had been in a fight. I pulled the pins holding my bun in place and let my hair fall over my shoulders. I flipped my head over to shake it loose and toss it into a quick semi messy bun with the two hair ties I always keep on my wrists. Satisfied with the effect I stepped back out into the hallway where Chase was still waiting for me. He held his hand out to me, and I gladly took it.

The library had been transformed for the reception, with the curtains drawn against the storm and muted lighting and the scent of lilies trying to mask the musty smell of old books. The shelves loomed tall, a silent guardian of the stories and secrets that lay within, seemingly indifferent to the grief that had seeped into the very fabric of the room. This was always Uncle Henrys favorite room. Our favorite room.

Chase's hand was warm and solid in mine, grounding me as we went through the open doorway. Mourners whispered in hushed tones, their faces a blur of sympathy and curiosity as we entered. Our footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor, and every eye turned to us. The whispers grew louder, and I felt a flush of heat spread across my cheeks.

Uncle James and I found each other almost immediately. "Where have you been, kiddo?" he asked and pulled me into a full hug. "I was wondering where you had gotten off to." He kissed the top of my head and gave me a tighter hug.

"I stepped over to visit dad...and...um" I did not know what to say. I did not want to upset him.

"I arrived late – just as everyone was leaving, and I was not ready to head back yet – I wanted to say goodbye – so I asked Mags if she would hang out and ride back with me." Chase said. “The storm delayed my flight."