Page 12

Chapter

Eight

“ T his is the place where we used to live?” London asked in awe as she stepped out of Matt’s truck.

The little house before her seemed so familiar.

Flashes of memory came back to her. She saw herself as a little girl, playing with her sister in the front yard, her mother indulgently watching on.

She and Paris used to share a bed, even though they each had their own. They hated to be separated.

It all came back to her then. The night she and her mother were taken by the Adieaen slave hunters.

She hadn’t been feeling well. Her mother left Paris with a lady from across the street.

London wanted Paris to come with them, but her mother had insisted that it wouldn’t take long for her to get to the doctor and back.

She’d cried for her sister, but the doctor had given her a lollypop to take back to Paris.

On the way home, the car crashed, and that’s when her life had been forever changed.

“Yes, according to the information we found, this was the last known residence of your mother. Maybe one of the neighbors will know something about your sister.” His words sounded clipped and she tried to ignore his coldness. Since last night, they’d barely spoken.

She tried not to let the excitement of finding some clues about her sister be overshadowed by the way Matt was treating her. “What should we do now?”

“Well, it’s about the time when people would be home. We can try knocking on some doors. Does this place look familiar to you?”

“Yes. This is where I lived for the first two and a half years of my life. It’s strange that it’s all come back to me with just a look. The neighborhood has changed, and there are new houses here, but I definitely recall this place.”

“I don’t think it’s strange at all. Sometimes we repress memories as a protection mechanism.

You obviously tried to forget because of the guilt you must have felt concerning your sister.

Let’s get started before dinner time. People don’t take too kindly to having their dinner interrupted,” Matt suggested.

They first knocked on the door of her old house with the hopes of maybe learning some information. A little girl with a head full of plaits and barrettes answered the door. London knelt down to face her. “Hi, may I speak with your parents please?”

The child stared at them with wide eyed wonder and for a moment, she thought her request would be ignored when an older woman came to the door, a deep frown on her face.

“I’m not interested in reading the Watchtower. I’ve told you people not to come to my door anymore.”

London looked at Matt not knowing what this woman was talking about.

He stepped forward. “I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am, we’re not trying to sell anything or convert you.

We’re just looking for information. You see, my friend lived here in this house twenty years ago, and she’s looking for the whereabouts of her sister who last lived here.

They were separated when they were children. ”

The woman’s face softened. “Oh, well that’s okay then.

I’m not really sure how much help I can be.

My husband, Tyrone, and I have only lived here for the last ten years.

We’ve probably been here the longest.” She looked down at the little girl.

“Shonda, go set the table for dinner.” The little girl continued to stare at them like a couple of oddities. “Shonda!” her mother said sharply.

The child rolled her eyes, and huffed off. London covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “She’s adorable.”

The woman sighed. “And too damn grown for her own good. I’m sorry, but if you’d like to come in and take a look at the old place, you’re very welcome to. My name is Shirley by the way, and you are?”

“I’m London and this is my… this is Matt.” What exactly were they? She couldn’t even introduce him as her friend because he barely spoke to her now.

“We’d love to take a look around.” Matt smiled at the pretty woman.

Jealously cut through London like a knife. She wished he’d smile at her like that, but he was such a stubborn fool.

Shirley showed them around the house. The inside had totally been remodeled. Some of the walls had been knocked down to make more room. Tears sprang to London’s eyes when she entered the bedroom she and Paris used to share. She felt an affinity for this place.

“This is my room,” the little girl called Shonda came in not looking too happy to find strangers there.

London smiled at her. “And it looks like you take very good care of it. You know, I used to sleep here too when I was a little girl.”

“That must have been a long time ago. You’re pretty old,” the little girl observed before stuffing a thumb in her mouth.

“Shonda! That was rude, and take that thumb out of your mouth. You know you’re too old for that,” scolded the mortified mother.

Shonda reluctantly tugged the thumb from her mouth, and sauntered out of the room again, but not before shooting London and Matt a venomous glare. London liked that kid.

“I’m really sorry. She’s usually a sweet girl,” Shirley apologized.

“No harm done. She’s a beautiful child.”

“And she’s a handful. You know what, I just thought of something.

There’s an older woman who lives across the street.

She was here before we moved in. I think her name is Mrs. Hines or something like that.

She keeps to herself and rarely comes out of the house so not a lot of people know too much about her.

I say hello when I see her, but that’s about it. ”

“Mrs. Hines! That’s the name of the sitter who used to watch us!” London turned to look at Matt, excitement rushing through her veins.

“Do you think she’ll be home?” Matt asked.

“She hardly goes anywhere. She has a daughter Carol or something like that who comes to visit with her two bad ass children occasionally. Shonda plays with them when they’re here. That’s probably where she’s starting to pick up this attitude,” Shirley mused rubbing her chin.

“Thank you so much. You’ve been a big help to us.” Matt shook hands with the woman, and London gave her a hug.

“Thank you so much for letting us see the house. It really meant a lot to me.”

“No problem. This house has given us many happy memories. I hope it brings as much joy to the next family.”

“You’re moving?” London asked.

“Yes, we’re house hunting. We’re having a baby at the end of the year, and this is only a two bedroom so we’ll need the space.” Shirley led them back outside and waved them off. “I wish you both luck in your search. I’ll pray for you.”

“We should go and see Mrs. Hines. I remember her. She used to watch me and Paris.” London was about to cross the street when Matt grabbed her arm and pulled her back just in time for a car to speed by.

“Watch where you’re going! Are you trying to get yourself killed? If you are, try not to do it when I’m around,” he barked.

“And what does it matter to you anyway? I bet you can’t wait to get rid of me. You’ve been nothing but cold and nasty to me since last night and all because you’re a big coward!”

An incredulous look crossed his face. “I’m a coward for not wanting to be used which is exactly what you did?”

“Don’t give me that. I told you I loved you and I’m not a liar.

I’m sorry you let your insecurities get in the way, but it’s how I feel and I’m not going to stop feeling it just because you can’t handle it.

No matter what happened in your past, it’s time to get over it.

I don’t deserve to be treated like this and will not be. ”

His face went bright red. “You admitted that you gave me your virginity to break your betrothal. How’s that supposed to make me feel?”

London rolled her eyes, tired of hearing it.

“And how do you think it feels to have my love thrown back in my face? One of the reasons I fell for you, Matt Taylor, was because you were sweet and kind to me when you didn’t have to be.

Plus the fact that my heart beats fast whenever you’re near and you consume my every thought.

I thought you were different from all the men on Thibius, but you’re just like them, all about yourself.

Fine, don’t love me back, but I want you to know the only person who’s made you a victim is you! ”

London made sure to look both ways before she crossed the street this time, her righteous indignation carrying her to the other side of the street.

She didn’t even look to see if he was following her.

If he didn’t believe she really loved him that was his problem and not hers.

Why’d she have to fall for a guy with so many issues anyway?

When she rang the doorbell to Mrs. Hines’ house, no one answered. She tried again. Still no answer. “She’s got to be home,” she whispered.

“If she hasn’t answered by now, she’s probably not home,” Matt said at her elbow. She didn’t turn to face him not wanting to look into his face in case she started crying.

“We’ve come so far.”

“I know. But maybe we can go to dinner and when we come back she’ll be here.”

“If you’re looking for Addie, she’s not there. She was taken to the hospital last night complaining about chest pains. They’re keeping her under observation last time I heard.” A lady watering her yard called over to them.

“Which hospital is she at?”

“The one in Wilmington. It’s only about twenty miles away. You get back on the main road, and you can’t miss all the signs.”

Matt nodded in the neighbor’s direction. “Thank you very much.”

“I feel like we keep hitting one dead end after another.”

“I know how you feel. Let’s get something to eat and then head over to the hospital. We can try a pizza place this time,” Matt suggested.

“I’m not really hungry. I just want to get to the hospital to find out information on my sister. The sooner this is over you can get me out of your life right?”

“London—” he began, but she cut him off.