Her Inked Heart

Chapter 8

Clara walks into the shop, her hair somewhat a mess, while wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. The guys knew what day it was, and they knew all they could do to help her get through the day was just reassure her the day would pass. It was the anniversary of the accident that killed Clara's father.

"Hey, Clara," John says, Clara sitting down at the front desk, doing everything she can to not cry.

"Hi," Clara says, stern and with no emotion. All Clara wanted to do was skip this day. It was the one day of the year she wished never came, or at least gave her a break, "I don't have any appointments today, I just came to see if you needed any extra help."

"No, we don't," David says, walking into the room, "You don't have to be here today, you know that."

"Ok," Clara says, before the apprentice of the shop comes in, wearing a sports jersey, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

"Morning, everyone," He says with energy, "Whoa, Princess, you look terrible."

It took everything in Clara not to scream at the kid. She knew he didn't know why she wasn't wearing makeup or dressed like she normally dresses. She was going to give the kid a break until he knew why she was so depressed, and if he was going to make another comment like that, she'd kill him.

"Blake, don't," John says, "Don't say something like that until you know why she looks this way. Princess is going through a hard time right now, and it would be very wise to shut up."

"It's alright, Uncle," Clara says, standing up, "I'll just come in tomorrow. If Adam comes in, just tell him I'm at my mom's house for the day."

"Will do," John says, kissing Clara's forehead, before pulling her into a tight hug, one that she needs, "Take care of yourself, Princess."

"Thanks," Clara says, leaving the shop, walking towards her car. She didn't see Adam walking up towards the shop, but he saw her, thinking she's going to get some food.

"Adam," John says, "You didn't see Clara leaving?"

"Is she leaving for the day?" Adam asks, before remembering it's the anniversary of her father's death, "Oh, shit, did she say where she was going?"

"Her mom's place," John says, "Take care of her for us. We know how tough it gets for her around this time of the year."

"It's April, why is it difficult for her? It isn't the holiday season!" The apprentice screams.

"Kid, for your information, Clara has had to deal with a lot for someone so young," Adam says, "When she was a teenager, she was in a car accident, which that car accident killed someone that was very close to her. It's the anniversary of that accident, so she's very emotional right now."

"Oh, I didn't know," The apprentice looks horrified from hearing the truth, "Tell her I'm sorry for her loss."

"I'll be sure to do that," Adam says, "And John, thanks for telling me where she's going. I'll see you guys later."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Nice to see you again, Adam," Elizabeth says, her using crutches. Her leg was almost completely healed, so she was able to move around and feel human once again, "Come on in."

"Thank you," Adam says, before he slowly hugs Elizabeth, "I know what today is, so I came to support your family if you need anything."

"That's very kind of you," Elizabeth says, before she walks around, sitting down on the couch, "Clara and Hannah are in the basement getting the photo albums."

"Do you mind me asking why?" Adam asks, Elizabeth smiling faintly.

"Every year, they bring out old photo albums and look at them twice a year together," Elizabeth says, "On his birthday and the anniversary of his death. It's a tradition the two of them started with Nathan, and it's continued since."