Page 8 of Cryptic Curse

I look down.“I’d like to be able to make amends for everything horriblemyfather did as well.”

“All you need to do is live your life, Daniela,” he says.“After what your father put you through?—”

I gesture to stop him.“Therapy is helping.Just being here is helping.Believe it or not, I think Belinda may be the best help of all.”

“Her music?”

“Her music and just…her.Having someone to care for.To look after.Someone who needs me.”I pause a moment.“It feels so… I don’t how to explain it.I feel stronger because of it, I guess.”

“You’ve been great with her.She loves you.”

“I love her too.I want to do everything I can to help her heal from her past.”

“You’re doing it, Daniela.I can see her improving every day.”He clears his throat.“On an unrelated note, I have some good news.”

“Yes?”

“Raven’s father has woken up from his coma.”

I smile.“That is wonderful.She’ll be so happy.”

He chuckles.“Yeah, she’s giddy.We’re getting ready to leave to go see him.I just wanted to let you know we probably won’t be home for dinner.”

“That’s all right.I’ll just make something for Belinda and me.”

He laughs then.“I’m not sure why I employ a full-time cook.You never let her do her job.”

I shrug.“Cooking makes me happy.If I could do nothing for the rest of my life except cook and listen to Belinda play, I think I would die a happy woman.”

“You have a lot more to accomplish than that.”He pats my shoulder.“You’ve only just turned eighteen.Your whole life is ahead of you, Daniela.”

I nod.“And it’s because of you that I have a life.Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me.”He glances at his watch.“Raven and I will be back sometime after dinner.”

“All right.”

As he leaves, I lean back against the wall, and I let the vibrations of Belinda’s music sink into me once more.

3

HAWK

Grace comes out of Dad’s room.“Everything is looking good,” she says.

“And the aphasia?”

She purses her lips.“It’s not uncommon.Your father was in a coma for months.His brain just got back online.”

I chuckle.“You have an interesting way of putting things, Grace.”

“Guess it’s my caterpillar half.”She touches my arm.

Yeah, I should really ask her out.

So what’s stopping me?

“Hey, Grace…” I begin as she heads back toward the nurses’ station.