Page 109 of No Strings

I find their headstones quick enough, being that I used to come here often. I clear away the dead leaves, and lower myself, resting on my knees, facing the headstones.

“Your grandson…”

What do I say about him? There's so much I could say, but none of it seems right.

“If you were here, you could both help; Nanna you could tell me what to do, and Grandad you could sort your Grandson out for me. I think I might—” I’m cut off by an excitable dog jumping all over me, licking my face and wagging its whole body.

“Hey, hey.” I manage to get a hold of it and hold it away from me so I can see it. This isn’t a dog. It’s a dingo. “Esky?”

Her tails wags as she wriggles out of my hold. “Esky!” I pull her to my chest and squeeze her, kissing her all over her face. She licks my face while continuing to jump over me, “Oh god you grew. I missed you!”

“She missed you as well.” The deep timber of his voice skitters down my spine, causing goosebumps to break out over my body.

I don’t turn to face him. “Rhys?”

“Hi, Princess.”

RHYS

I got here just as the service started. Staying at the back, and out of sight. I found Morgan immediately, sitting up front with her brother, Paige and the Stone brothers. She kept looking over her shoulder, searching; she can feel when my eyes are on her. That had my chest swell with pride. She can still feel me.

My girl. Well not yet. But she will be.

I followed her, and I hate to admit it took me longer than it should have to realise she was going to my grandparents’ graves.

I watch as she places Esky down, and dusts off the dirt and what not from her black dress. “What are you doing here?”

“You look beautiful.” Her short hair is pushed back by a thin black headband.

She crosses her arms “Cut the crap, Rhys.”

“I heard about the Hughes’. Plus, Esky missed you.” I gesture to the dingo who is silently waiting to be picked up. Not that she should be, she’s almost too big now, not that it stops anyone.

“Just Esky?”

“Truthfully?” She knows I missed her. She has to know I missed her.

Her folded arms tighten over her chest as she rolls her eyes. “No, please lie to me.”

So, I do. “It was just Esky.”

I know Molly sends her messages from time to time with the help of Tia or Brent. Morgan has her features schooled,but her eyes give her away. The beautiful blue orbs glitter with tears as hurt etches its way into them. I reach for her, needing to touch her, but she steps back.

“Of course I missed you, are you kidding? I kept waking up at twelve thirty-six?—“

She cuts me off, looking puzzled. “Twelve thirty-six?”

“That’s when your nightmares would start. Down to the minute.”

“I didn’t have nightmares while I was there.” Her face scrunches and she shakes her head in confusion. She probably doesn’t recall them, because I would get to her before they took over.

I stare at her, in a ‘think about it’ look, and wait for her to catch up. I see the moment realisation settles in. “Oh my god.”

“There it is.” I step closer to her, but she steps back. Again. I let her for now. “Morgan.”

“Rhys.”

“Is there somewhere we can talk?” Preferably not Shane’s place.