𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

13 | Goodbye

LOTTIE STARED IN THE bathroom mirror. Her face was pale, eyes puffy. Then, in a shaky movement, she held up an arm, rolled up the sleeve, then did her other. The slashes over them were now a faded brown. 

These marks were from over a week ago. 

A beat passed. 

Lifting her head, she looked at the item on her sink: the knife. Then, slow and steady, she reached over and tossed it between her hands. 

Lottie gritted her teeth. 

Moments later, tightening her grip, she looked back into the mirror. 

That was when she nodded. 

Another beat passed. 

Head down, she made her way to the kitchen. After opening the drawer, then retrieving the knife, though, she turned and stiffened. 

The bookshelf. 

There on the top shelf, poking past the others, was the album. Maybe it would help to just see her aunt. So, with crossed arms, she drew near, forcing deep breaths. 

That trip yesterday was supposed to fix her. It was supposed to help her move on. 

But now, as she went through her day, Aunt Rena was all she could think about. 

She was dead. Her last wish had been for her to visit. 

Lottie shuttered, peering back to that drawer. Even if she did, no one would notice. Not even Joseph. Their relationship was over, after all. 

A new chapter had begun. 

She should have known, either way. Her boyfriends never stayed long. 

Lottie shook off the thought. 

On her tip-toes, she reached. Then, after feeling its spine, she stroked it with a finger. The dust, which had collected over the years, powdered over her touch. 

Since she was germophobic, Lottie would normally have retreated to the bathroom. 

Not this time, though. 

Now, after stepping back, she looked up and considered. Later I'll take a look. Maybe... after dinner.

So, with a nod, she turned in search of a pan. After retrieving one in a lower cabinet, she set it on the stone, then set it to medium-high. Next, she grabbed the vegetable oil and poured it over. It may have been more of a breakfast item, but she was in the mood for eggs. 

However, it wasn't like it was usual for her to consider the meal. Whatever sounded good at the moment, she'd prepare. Lottie had always been this way. 

As she continued, thoughts reeled her mind. Her neighbor's bracelet - she was planning on giving it back today.

Penny was exceptional at reading her, though. If she were to try, then she'd see the distress right through her. 

Well, maybe after I grieve Auntie's death I'll be okay. 

After all, she wasn't to give it back until then. 

Moments later, the eggs were turned and sizzling. Over-easy - just how she liked it. 

After placing the pair over her plate, Lottie set the pan on a different burner, then turned. With a sigh, she began for the table. 

Her mind was again on her aunt. All this time, she had refused to visit, knowing full-well her time was limited. Now that she was gone, though, Lottie only felt empty.