The Clash, Book One

Chapter 28: Pretty in Blue, Part D

Nearly an hour later, Alena was walking back toward Roni's to retrieve her car.

Her mind was still reeling from her recent discovery - along with everything else going on in her life - and she was trying to focus on something that she could control: work.

She began going over the final two properties in her mind when she heard someone yelling her name.

She turned to see Lucy waving at her from the porch of a group home. The dark-haired girl ran up to her aunt and wrapped her in a hug.

Alena hugged her back before they pulled away. She then spoke, "Hey, Lucy. You okay? I know you miss your mom."

With crossed arms, Lucy complained, "I hate it here. I just want to go home."

Alena ran her fingers through her niece's dark hair as she assured her, "I know you do. And Jacinda is doing everything she can to get you out of here."

"I know," Lucy said. Worry then filled her brown eyes as she then asked, "Do you still have a job now that Grandma's in jail?"

"I do still have my job. I just work for Ivy now - she's taking over for Victoria and making sure that everything runs smoothly," Alena explained.

Lucy tilted her head as she asked, "Are you sure that she can do that without messing anything up?"

Alena shook her head at her niece in response. Lucy only shrugged before she pointed out, "What? There has to be a reason Grandma wouldn't let her do anything."

"Because Drizella wanted everyone to believe that her mother as the mastermind behind this curse," Alena frustratedly thought.

She then took a breath and spoke, "I'm sure Ivy will do fine - she's pretty well on top of things," which actually wasn't a lie.

"If you say so," Lucy said, crossing her arms back over her chest.

She then took Alena's hand and pulled her over to the porch as she spoke, "Come on, Alena, we have lots to talk about."

"We do?" Alena questioned as they came to sit on the railing.

Lucy nodded before she asked, "What does all of this mean for the curse?"

A thoughtful expression overtook Alena's features as she thought about how to answer her niece.

There was still so much that Lucy didn't understand - hell, Alena didn't even understand everything - and she knew that she had to keep instilling hope whenever possible.

And so, Alena told her, "Things are a bit more, uh, complicated since when I first got here, but I'm still doing everything I can to break this curse."

Lucy nodded in response, a smile gracing her features. She then hugged Alena once more.

When they pulled away, Lucy asked, "Have you found anything that could help you break it?"

"Actually, I think I have," Alena replied, and she couldn't quite keep the surprise from her voice.

She then elaborated as honestly as she could, "I've learned more about this curse - and what I'm dealing with - and I know that I can beat this thing."

Frankly, Alena felt as though she was reassuring herself more than Lucy. She refused to give up, but things weren't exactly easy right now.

She let out a deep, calming breath as she finished, prompting Lucy to ask, "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, of course," Alena began. She paused before she continued, "I just wish Henry didn't have to be separated from you and Jacinda."

Lucy nodded, shooting her aunt an understanding look. She then spoke, "There just has to be some way to get Henry to want to be my dad."