Ginny and Georgia: The Younger Shadow

Chapter 41-Oh Honey!
"So what, you're just gonna come into my life and leave again?" Ginny was crying, bundles of tears streaming down her face, as Austin and I tried our best but failed to comfort her. Zion had stayed for a few weeks, but I didn't dare admit how glad I was he was leaving. Ginny told me she caught them sleeping together. The culpable looks on their faces had told her enough. It had broken her relationship with mom even more than ever and severed their trust they had so desperately tried to build up. And now Zion was leaving, going back to Carolina, where he had rented an apartment. He told us he wanted to focus on his travel books, and hopefully make some cash before he decided to do any more drastic travel. Zion's voice cracked with such sorrow I couldn't help but feel bad for both son and daughter.
"Ginny, I am so sorry. I know I promised to stay longer, but things are hard. Money doesn't just grow ok trees, however much I wish it did." He tried to give Ginny a kiss and a hug but she pulled away, her head bent down. Austin (rather reluctantly) gave him a hug, but I opened the door for him. Zion seemed to understand the message, and lugged his brown bag with him.
"See ya, kiddo." Why was he trying to act like the victim? When he and mom happened again? I threw him a bitter look and he got on his motorcycle. Soon all I could hear was the dying sounds of his engine whirring as he went down the street. And all trace Zion had ever been here was the black smoke that shrouded the street. In a few minutes that would be gone as well.
A few hours passed by with nothing of too much interest happening. Ginny was still sullen, her face pinched. She looked like she'd been crying for hours in her room. And I needed no confirmation; the slight crack in her door had shown me her shaking shoulders and muffled cries. Yesterday, when Jonathan had arranged a meeting with me, Ginny seemed suspicious. Did she know I was trying to track him down? Would she approve? Somehow I knew she wouldn't. When it came to her dad if I didn't hate or love Zion when she did, I was a horrible sister. I was tied in the middle. Austin retreated back to his room where I could hear him playing his video games and I watched some tv, though my mind wasn't in the same place. Mom was still at the mayors office, and I wondered what to do for the rest of the day as I mindlessly flicked through netlix shows. Boring, I thought to myself. Aria, Madi and Kara asked me if I wanted to go to the cinema, but the last thing I needed was to be trapped in a dark room and trapped in myself. They had also been astounded to hear Anthony had written back, but promised to help me. And I was so grateful for them. So grateful for the girls who gave me a purpose in the eerie place of Wellsbury. Where buried secrets were always dug up, I jokingly thought. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and I heard a strange meowing sound. I thought I was going mental.
"Ginny! Charlie! Austin! Look who's with me!" Why was mom so cheerful? In my opinion she hadn't been home for most of the day just to avoid seeing Zion leave. But her voice had an element of happiness that I hadn't detected in a while.
"Oh my God!" Austin threw his hands into the air, all aghast.
"What, Austin? Oh! Mom!" Ginny cried. I shoved my siblings to check what they were looking at. A cat. A silvery, purring creature graciously perched on the windowsill.
"The rescue centre was going to euthanise this poor Kitty. I just had to rescue her!" Mom smiled her toothy, gleaming smile, and I allowed myself to hug her, breathing in her rich lavender scent.
"He's so cute!" Austin exclaimed, stroking the cat's chin.
"It's a 'she'. I've bought all the essentials for the cat, too! But all we need is a name for her."
"Really, mom? Do we even have time for a cat?" Ginny asked, folding her arms across her chest with a questioning look on her face. Mom tutted and said,
"Virginia, don't be such a bore! We'll all look after the little beauty. Now that we've properly settled into Wellsbury, with no distractions, I can get you the pet you've always asked for."
"Can we call her Darth Vader, mom?" Austin begged, and mom laughed and said,
"I think that would be classed as animal abuse, Little Man. Charlie, why don't you choose? You've been so good lately, Peach." I was taken aback. What to name the bundle of walking fur now trailing in and out of my legs? She had blue orb eyes and silver coloured fur that shone. Silver...Silver!
"Can we call her Silver?" Mom nodded and it was decided. We helped set Silver's toys and food and grooming things, and my heart swelled a little more. Surely bringing a pet meant that we would stay in Wellsbury for long? No moving or taking my whole life in a bag as we were so used to. Just settling down and making a life for myself. I couldn't help feeling pleased, and Austin seemed so much happier. He couldn't stop watching the cat and giggling whenever she became curious and ran in and out of the sofa. He was always really gentle with Silver. The next few days were just school. Leon came to my house and we watched a movie together in my room. Some romance thing. Silver watched with us too, her tiny head following the characters on the screen. I loved how her tongue looked silky soft and as hard as sandpaper when she was washing herself. Leon and I kissed and it was amazing for once. But my brain was wired to only think of Jonathan now. What he could be possibly be doing or thinking. Would he recognise me? Then I wanted to pinch myself because I realised he probably hadn't even seen me as a baby since Anthony left before I was born. There was no way he could recognise me. And after countless hours waiting and hoping, the time arrived. Pretty soon I was standing outside of Jonathan Atley's house with my friends, praying to the stars above for all the help I could get.