Growing Up and Other Tall Tales

Chapter 27

The world dissolves into view when I open my eyes.

Through the usual disorientation of a brain that was given some shut eye after a long time, I felt something heavy lying on top of me. With my eyes lazily fluttering and my senses stretching their legs, I feel the heavy fabric of a blanket. The warmth of the lamp that has been left on beside the bed spread long, lazy fingers across my face. And I'm definitely missing something, something that is in front of my face, something important. I turn on my side and lean closer to the light thinking that I'll put off thinking about that for a few minutes—

Where the fuck am I?

My eyes snap open and I am greeted with ten tiny faces. I'm about to scream when I register that it's a photograph.

The frame is one of those to be found at gift shops with cheesy hearts all over it. I reach for the photograph and notice the plasters on my hands. Memories surge back violently and glimpses of worried faces and solid hands around my waist make me curl in on myself. Not again.

Fumbling fingers successfully collects the photograph and I cradle it away from the light that is now just being plain annoying.

Aiden's mother stands in the middle surrounded by laughing, young faces and she looks younger than all of them. Aiden stood next to her with her arm around her shoulders trying to restrain a smile at the girl who was leaning against him laughing.

A boy with sandy hair, and kind face and a girl with red hair, looking like all hell personified stood on the other side with their arms around each other sticking their tongues out. There were those who were ready for the picture and those who weren't. It was chaos stuffed inside a photo frame and it made me smile.

I lean against the pillows reassured that I had not being kidnapped for malicious intent and debauchery. Returning the photo frame to its original position and shifting it around so that it wouldn't look like I was being a tad bit nosy, my throat goes significantly drier when I see the glass of water.

Having faith in my body to be able to stretch out for it is stupid and I should've known.

"Oh fuck me," I groan looking at the ground. I had reached the water alright but half way, my hand just decided to be useless and clattered to my side. Unfortunately, it took down a box. Which looked expensive. Update: I think it's a jewelry box.

Oh fuck me.

I sit up ignoring the creaks and the groans of my body because it's already caused enough trouble and could it could do this for me. I kneel on the ground and lean back a little to catch my breath.

Moving is hard.

I poke the box which was studded with what I pray to God weren't actual gems and was a pretty, peach color. The lock had snapped open and the contents are splayed in an array of shame around me.

I look nervously at the door and pick up what had fallen out. There are a bunch of papers rolled up in a pink ribbon (not my business) and a ring (definitely, not my business) and I shove them back in before I could get curious.

Sue me.

I pick the ring up and slide it down my finger. Oddly, it fits perfectly. I held it to the light and it was so beautiful. The beams poured in between my fingers bathing the silver band and the lettering I didn't know was there becomes clearer. I frown and squint bringing it close to my eyes.

And I freeze.

My heart picks up a fast pace and my rib cage rattles at the effort of keeping it in check.

It can't be. It just can't.

I distinctly hear the door swing open and Aiden calling my name out. Hands grab my shoulder and shake them slightly. I look at him and blink.

"I—I don't understand," I whisper

"You collapsed. Zeke asked if I could take you somewhere safe for you to sleep it off. I know you hate hospitals and my Mother's place was closer so—"

"Oh god,"

I look up at the sound of the new voice and see Aiden's mother slumped against the door looking at the box and then my hand.

I stand up, swaying a little but I push past Aiden and walk up to her.

"Where did you get this?" I ask, my voice shakes

She doesn't answer.

"You shouldn't have this," I say and I clutch her wrist, "So where did you get this?"

I feel Aiden step up from behind me and peer over my shoulder following his mother's gaze to my index finger. The ring shines accusingly and the words are clearer than ever.

Maidera Jane Donovan.