Page 172 of Remiss

“I have a friend I’d like you and Rebel to meet. Her name is Bianca. Can she have lunch with us, too?”

“I want to meet her,” Rebel piped in.

“If you want her with us, then nothing will stop her from being there,” Mom promised, kissed his cheek again, and glided away so she’d arrange their meal.

Rule had never been happier and settled in to spend the day with Mom and Reb.

An hour after Rule received the best surprise of his life, Mom returned to where she’d left him and Rebel.

“Everything’s ready,” she announced.

Though he didn’t see Bianca, he wasn’t worried. He’d asked for her and, unlike Father Wilkins, Mom went out of her way to make him happy.

Mom glided over to take control of his wheelchair while Freya wheeled an empty one next to Rebel’s seat.

“I-I can walk,” his sister said.

“We’re going to the bluffs,” she said. “This will be easier.”

“We’ll match,” Rule told her.

That decided his twin. She smiled and nodded to Freya.

Once they were both settled in, Mom led the way to double doors marked with a sign that said private access. She dug in her pocket and came up with a keycard that she waved in front of the black scanner.

On the other side of the door was a hallway with a series of offices. At the end was an exit, their destination. There, she waved the keycard again. When the doors opened, breeziness, sunshine, and the tang of the ocean hit Rule. Tall palm trees stood on each side of a pathway. Patches of grass dotted the landscape as Mom wheeled him toward a table that sat on the bluff, the roaring waves far below a peaceful soundtrack to a beautiful day. Father Wilkins and Bianca were already there, along with a man and woman wearing black jeans, shirts, and aprons.

“Would you like me to play music?” Mom asked.

“After we eat, like at home?” he responded, cheered at the prospect. Every night, Mom and Dad went to the den with them where they talked and laughed and danced. Until Rule’s friends told him it was sinful. “Can I choose?”

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll give you my phone.”

As they closed the distance, Bianca stood from her seat, nervously wringing her hands, a first for her. Between the two of them, she was always the confident one, the upbeat one thatRule drew his strength from. Mom parked Rule at an empty spot at the table, directly across from Father Wilkins.

She threw him the evil eye and the priest flushed.

“I’m Rebel,” his sister greeted, still behind him. “Rule’s twin.”

Rule turned to see her hold out her hand to Bianca. He realized he hadn’t introduced her or Mom to Freya.

Biting her lip, Bianca shifted from foot to foot but didn’t move to accept Rebel’s hand. Instead, she glanced hesitantly at Rule as if she wanted protection, approval, or reassurance, another first. Usually, he sought comfort. He nodded to her.

“I’m Bianca,” she said, the wind blowing through her curls. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“This is my mom,” Rule told her, indicating Mom with a wave of his hand. “Megan Caldwell.”

“Oh.” Bianca’s throat worked. “Uh—”

Discomfort swirled in Rule’s gut. He wanted to say that they were the ones he’d tried to kill, but it might upset Mom and Rebel, and send them away.

“N-nice to meet you both,” Bianca stammered. “I’ve heard a lot about you both.” The moment the words left her mouth, she cringed. “I mean—”

Mom walked to her and held out her arms. “May I?” she asked, always a hugger.

Bianca nodded.

Smiling, Mom gave her a quick squeeze, shorter than Bianca. Even if she’d worn heels instead of a tennis shoe and orthopedic boot, Bianca would’ve been taller. “It seems as if you know what happened to Rebel and me.”