The Secret Life of Blythe

28. Blythe

I skid to a halt when we reach the snug.  Leo barrels in to the back of me but catches me before I fall.
"Woah baby, careful" he says.
"I'm not your baby anymore Leo" I huff.
"Sorry force of habit" he says sadly.
I take a deep breath and walk to the book shelves to open the drawer housing the last gift from my father. 
"Ive been saving this, couldn't bare for it all to be over" I whisper.
He nods at me sadly.  "I get it Blythe"

It feels like a large book but I can't be sure. 
"We'll do it together" he says clasping my shoulder supportively and I steel myself for whatever pain this will bring me when it's all said and done.  I place it on the coffee table and we both take a seat before I lift the tag. 

This is the last one Angel, arguably the most important one.  If you haven't already worked out the tech, you'll need this to start.  Remember to stay in the light Blythe, the darkness is fine for a little while but you belong in the light - always. 
Dad xx

My lips tremble and I scrunch my face trying not to ugly cry.  I look to Leo and he isn't fairing any better.  He says nothing about the way I salvage the paper.  He gets how important even the wrapping is to me.  When I've taken it apart I rush off to put it in a protective sleeve.  I feel a little embarrassed but he looks at me like he's impressed with my idea.  I'm left with two folders.  One thick and one thin.  I open the thick one first and drop it when I see what's inside. 

Deep shudders rack my body it's so painful to look at.  When the frog eventually dissolves from my throat, i'm ready again as Leo continues to rub my back. 

It's a photo album.  It's full of photos of my father and mother, in this very compound below the house and earlier ones on a beach with two little girls sat on their knees. 
"Ow god, ow god, I say to Leo, not liking where this is going.
"Breathe Blythe, I've got you" he says calmly rubbing my arms now.
I keep turning the pages, my tears clouding my vision the deeper in i get.  My mother cooking, reading, snaps of them together.  There's so many.  Photo's of my dad giving her a hair cut.  And the most painful, a picture of her making my blanket.  She was here and for a long time. 

I don't understand the noise that leaves my mouth, I'm so distraught I can't breathe.  Leo tries to soothe away my anguish but I just don't understand.  My father told me she left when I was very young, around the time he bought this place.  These pictures show all the very same furniture that stands here now. 
"I don't understand Leo" I cry.
"I don't either Blythe" his pained face replicating mine. 

I pick up the second book and flick through hand written notes that I intend to read thoroughly, but sat on the top of the opening sleeve is a folded letter.  I know this will explain why I'm in so much pain right now.   I pass it to Leo.
"I can't read it, can you please?"
"Of course, tell me if you want me to stop though yeah, I can't stand seeing you so upset Blythe".

When he's composed enough he lets the words flow freely.

To my beautiful girl,
I know you're confused Blythe and probably angry right now.  Everything we've hidden from you is born out of love.  I want to take you back to the start, back to when you were only a toddler.  I made a terrible mistake my girl, a mistake that I once told you about, only your mother didn't leave me, she forgave me, Blythe.  She gave me a second chance to love her properly this time, like I should have at the start.  When your mother found out about my affair, she took off for a while, she left me and went to our island, the one that you now own.  Only your mother played a game before she went to that island.  A game that she shouldn't have.  A game that she played because she was angry with me.  The domino effect on our lives thereafter, I take full responsibility for, I'll never forgive myself, not ever.  She didn't follow the rules Blythe, the rules are so important and you'll understand why.  If something is too good to be true then it is.  Always follow your gut.  Your mother didn't that day, she accepted a prize for tracking someone down.  That person didn't appreciate being tracked down, they'd spent a lot of time and effort concealing themselves and your mother paid the price for his anger.  He tricked her in to collecting her reward.  A yacht moored up on a separate island to ours.  Except there was no yacht when she went to collect, she was beaten black and blue and left for dead.  You know she survived, you've seen the pictures.  But what you didn't know is that she wasn't on her own that day.  She had our daughter with her.  Your sister Aurora.  She was three years older than you, that's why your mother took her to the island.  You didn't do so well away from me, always a daddies girl.  They left your mother for dead and they took your big sister.  When I found your mum she was barely alive Blythe.  I concealed her transfer and took her back to the states with me.  She died that day as far as anyone is aware, but your mother would say she did die inside for real that day and I did too.  Not long after, I had this bunker built.  She couldn't be seen in public again, she was thought to be dead by one of the most dangerous men on earth at the time and it needed to stay that way.  We couldn't risk your safety either, not ever.  She loved you so much Blythe, it killed her being so close.  She did everything for you all but be present.  My words, your meals, your washed clothes - all done by your mother.  She would spend hours nagging me on your behalf.  You used to say I sounded like a girl, well now you know. 
Our business became bigger Blythe, we won a lot as you can see.  Your mother didn't win any of it out of choice.  We spent fifteen years in that basement trying to find your sister and being close to you.  It destroyed her more and more as each lead hit dead end after dead end.  She was a shell of the women of the past.  I had the pleasure of holding you and spending time in the light.  Your mother spent hours trawling the deepest darkest parts of hell.  On what would have been your sisters 21st Birthday she gave up.  She couldn't do it anymore Blythe.  It damn broke us.  I couldn't watch her live in the dark anymore. I needed to bring her back in to the light.  We cried for week's about leaving you.  I wasn't sure you were ready to be on your own but she was going down fast.  I hope you can forgive us one day Blythe. When you're ready please find us.  You'll know where to look. 
All my love Dad
And mum xx