Page 98 of The Cursed Chalice

As she is about to turn, Soraya stops her. “Hey, I’m ordering pizza. I’m thinking of a short movie since it’s about to rain.”

Nisa claps. “Yes.”

“You can use the theater to watch movies,” I say without hesitation.

“I thought we were ignoring and being mean?”

I want to scream at Aric and tell him to shut the hell up.

Nisa hops in one spot. “I already have a movie in mind. The newLilo and Stitch.”

Soraya places her bag on the dining room chair. “Okay, go.”

Nisa skips off to her room.

“How was your day?” Soraya asks.

“Good.”

“Are you watching the movie with us?” I can see the pleading in her eyes.

“No.” I don’t bother to linger around and talk. I simply walk back to my office and shut the door behind me.

SORAYA

Everything was ‘no.’ Do you want to watch TV with me? No. Would you like to talk? No. Do you want to have amazing, mind-blowing, oops-my-pussy-is-squirting sex? Hell no. I can’t keepup with Ares/Aric. One minute he wants me, and then he acts like I’m mold.

As I watch the credits roll on the screen forLilo and Stitch, I realize that maybe it’s time for me to move on. I came here for a job, and I got married. Elias is dead, and now I’m here alone. Again.

When my parents died, they left me because they wanted time to themselves. And then they died. When my uncle and aunt got me, they wanted me for money.

I just want a family or community that wants me to be a part of it without paying a price.

Nisa left me halfway through the movie to go to bed, so I’m collecting the popcorn buckets and bottles of water. Maybe I should start apartment hunting. I can leave now. Maybe change my name. Disappear. Elias might be gone, but my aunt, my uncle…Michelle; they are ghosts that would never stop hunting me. Is there a place in this world where I can belong? No strings, no prices and no curses.

It will be the smart thing to do. The thunderclap booms through the house.

I hustle out of the theater and into the kitchen. I will talk to Ares in the morning about it.

After a quick cleanup, I head up the stairs, but I pause because Ares will not be there. I need to tell him about my plans now. It doesn’t make sense to delay the inevitable.

I think about all the things I should say, but the moment I knock on his door, I forget.

“Come in,” he commands. All he does is command. Come in, go there, sit. I close my eyes and turn the knob. My heart thrums as I enter his office.

As expected, his head is down over some file. I close the door behind me. My eyes find the chalice. For a family heirloom, he treats it like a county fair prize.

“Are you just going to stand there creating carbon dioxide?” He doesn’t lift his head. He just continues turning the papers in the file and signing some of them.

“We need to talk, Ares.” My voice trembles a bit.

“Then talk.” His casual attitude was the boost I needed. I steady myself, and my voice comes out clear.

“I am leaving at the end of the month.” My voice doesn’t waver. However, my statement earns a snicker from him. My lungs tighten; I take a shallow breath.

“You’re not going anywhere,” He continues signing. The scratching sound of the pen against the paper feels louder than the thunder.

“I am. I already?—”