Where The Wild Things Grow | Paul Lahote

iii

iii | missing girl, faded lines

Hearing the news about her mother had Talise stuck in the middle. The only person who really loved Kenna was Mark, his daughter had no feelings towards her whatsoever.

Talise decided a long time ago that she didn't have a mother. Even after Mara's death, which the judge ruled as accidental, Kenna still neglected the only child she had left for some quick fix.

Watching someone who was supposed to be her protector, someone who was supposed to nurture their child choose a supplement of a guaranteed high never set right with Talise.

The mere thought made her skin hot, it made her angry.

She took a seat in front of her father. She noticed that it seemed like her dad could use some comfort, but she wouldn't want to console him for someone like Kenna.

It was silent between them.

"Is she dead?" Talise asked carefully, not wanting to seem too eager to find out the answer.

Mark shook his head. "She's in a coma. Don't know if or when she'll wake up."

"And if she wakes up?"

The father looked his daughter in her chocolate eyes, the same eyes that share the color of his own. "They'll put her in another year program to help her with her addiction."

Talise rolled her eyes. "Yeah, another program you'd have to pay for. Dad, why don't you accept the truth? She doesn't want help."

"She's dealing with demons, baby. Things that you could never understand. She lost her little girl–"

Anger zipped through Talise's body, she slammed her hand on the dining table. "And I lost my twin sister! You think it was traumatizing for her?! I was the one who found my sister in the tub...floating in that water..."

Seeing that the memories triggered a sense of reliving, Mark reached for his daughter's hand, she pulled away from him.

"And even when you told her you were gonna call the cops, she didn't worry about Mara...she was trying to find the rest of her coke. Yeah, Ms. Kenna Locklear...mother of the year."

Before Mark could say anything, she walked off, not wanting to hear the excuses he would come up with for his ex-wife.

{Where The Wild Things Grow}

"It's like he doesn't get it," Talise whisper. Paul stayed quiet, allowing for her to vent. He rubbed her shoulders, even placing open kisses on her skin from time to time. "She doesn't love him anymore, she hasn't loved him for a long time."

"He'll come around. It's just taking him a while, you know?"

Talise turned around, her body facing Paul. He gave her a small smile before kissing her full lips.

"What would I do without you?" She asked him, playing in his short dark hair.

Paul kissed her palm. "I don't know. And I don't care to find out."

As they laid there comfortably, a howl from outside can be heard. Talise chuckled. "That's your cue?"

Paul groaned, placing his head in the crook of her neck. "Patrol tonight."