In the Shadow of the Sun

Chapter 6: Homecoming

The drive to her mother's mansion felt like a never-ending ordeal. The events of the day weighed heavily on Clarissa, and the overwhelming fatigue gnawed at her. The city's twilight hues had deepened into a rich indigo, the streetlights casting long shadows as her car drove through her mother's exclusive neighbourhood. The streets were lined with meticulously manicured lawns and towering palm trees, their fronds swaying gently in the evening breeze. Elegant, gated mansions peeked through lush, landscaped gardens, each one a testament to the wealth and status of its residents. The neighbourhood exuded a quiet, understated luxury; designer cars gleamed in expansive driveways, and wrought iron gates guarded the entrances to sprawling estates. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and freshly cut grass, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Clarissa's heart. As the car navigated the winding roads, memories of simpler times with her mother flooded back, each landmark a poignant reminder of the life that once filled these opulent surroundings.

Clarissa was struck by the eerie familiarity of it all. The tree-lined streets seemed unchanged from her childhood. The mansions were just as majestic and the lawns were just as pristine as she remembered, yet, despite the comforting nostalgia, everything felt different, tainted by her profound loss. The neighbourhood, once a vibrant backdrop to her happiest memories, now felt like a hollow, echoing reminder of the mother who was no longer there to share it with her.

As she neared the mansion, the headlights of the car revealed a throng of people gathered at the gates. Her heart sank at the sight. Fans had set up numerous shrines, cluttering the sidewalk with flowers, candles, and photographs of June Cay. The glow from the candles cast flickering shadows on the pavement, creating an almost surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. Their faces were marked with sorrow, some holding vigil candles, others weeping openly. Handwritten notes and posters covered the walls and gate, bearing messages of love and loss, turning the once grand entrance into a makeshift memorial.

Clarissa's patience, already worn thin, frayed further at the sight. All she wanted was to find a moment of peace, but the fans had turned her mother's home into a public shrine. As the driver steered the car closer, the low hum of the gathered fan's conversations reached her ears, interspersed with sobs and the occasional murmur of June's name. She noticed a few fans clutching keepsakes, like movie posters and memorabilia, seeking solace in the objects that once connected them to her mother. The sheer number of people, their grief palpable and raw, made her chest tighten. It was a testament to her mother's impact, but in this moment, it felt like an invasion.

The driver parked a little ways down the street, knowing that attempting to drive through the crowd would be futile. She stepped out of the car, the cool night air doing little to calm her nerves. The driver grabbed her bags and handed them to her. With a parting "thank you", Clarissa began to walk up the street to her mother's house, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.

Each step towards the gate felt heavier, weighed down by the collective mourning that surrounded her. As she approached, the fans turned to look at her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and reverence, yet none seemed to recognize her. She heard snippets of conversations, people sharing their favourite memories of June's films, moments that felt both intimate and alien to Clarissa. The irony of being a stranger at her own home, surrounded by those who adored her mother, was not lost on her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

Clarissa cleared her throat and spoke to the mourners around her. "Excuse me," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady. "I need to get through."

Her words were met with a mixture of confusion and stubbornness. A woman stepped forward, tears streaking her face. "We're all here to honour June," she said, her voice trembling "You can wait your turn like the rest of us".