toxin | parker | book two

CHAPTER NINE

[DAUGHTERS, DAFFODILS, AND THE DAMNED]

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A WEEK LATER

She rapped the door twice with her first two knuckles. She stepped back, a half bouquet of yellow daffodils in her other hand.

The door opened and Nina stood between the door and the frame.

"I told you not to open the door," Mari whined, nostalgically. This time, it was different. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," she said evenly. Nina moved inside and Mari followed her.

"Does she know?"

"Yes," Nina said.

Mari noticed Nina was still in a set of plain clothes from the tower. They were minimal solids. Her hair was braided back.

She didn't look much like herself. She didn't look much like an ordinary kid... which worried Mari.

"How's therapy going?"

"Well enough. He's nice and he's teaching me how to wake up from nightmares, which is good."

Mari's chest tightened and she smiled. "I'm glad you're learning from him, Little One."

Nina smiled a small one. But it was a true smile. It wasn't forced, which was a small victory.

Nina brought Mari to the kitchen and opened the door.

The two stepped inside.

Mama was making pastries and looked up at her two daughters. She wasn't singing. Every time Mari imagined her homecoming, she imagined her Mama to be joyously singing and to hug her.

Mama didn't hug her, smile, or sing. She stood, and, after seeing her two daughters, resumed her work.

Mari helped herself to a vase and water and set the flowers in it.

"I don't know what to say," Mari confessed after Nina ducked out of the kitchen.

"So let me talk," her mother said sternly. Her voice was strong and warm as ever — but Mari could tell she had rehearsed what she would say. Mari looked at her, and hopped onto the counter. Mama leaned across from her.

She said, "I mourned for you. I laid in bed and wept and wore black canvas clothing. I cleaned this house, scrubbing your spirit from the floorboards and vases. I closed the door to your bedroom and told your sister not to go in there. She and I stayed awake, sobbing in each other's arms, trying not to submit to nightmarish sleep. She's stuck in a mental trap and I have to not be because I can't be weak. She needs someone here. She needs someone strong."

"And then they took her, though we agreed," she continued, "And I thought I was going to lose her. Then I did lose her, when I didn't get my call. Natasha called me the day after, lying to my face and ears, when I saw you on the TV. Still, I didn't get Nina until two days after and you seven days after. I've been lied to and cheated on."