Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 19: Tornado

October 30, 2014

Helena, Alabama

If there was one thing my aunt loved, it was decorating for a holiday; didn't matter if it was Christmas or Labor Day, if it's a holiday, it's to be celebrated.

The night before Halloween, and Liz wants Owen and me to help her decorate.

Sounded like a woman's job to me.

I did it regardless, following Owen down to the basement because goddammit, I was a people pleaser.

In a far corner were two big Sterlite boxes with a countless amount of knick-knacks they've collected over the years. Little ghosts and ghouls, and witches on broomsticks; "Tis the season to be creepy", that's what my grandfather said all the time as Halloween was his favorite holiday.

I still admired that man, even now, after learning what he did to Grandma, getting another woman pregnant.

I wonder if Grandma Ellie ever knew.

"What's that?" Owen asked, pointing over to a metal box I picked up.

"I think that was my grandfather's," I say, taking the metal box over to the old sofa and latching it open.

"Oh," Owen brushes it off, "Boring," and leaves, taking the boxes upstairs.

A chill crept up my spine as I stared at the inside of the toolbox; nothing peculiar, just nails and pliers, a few flatheads and a hammer.

Something told me to look deeper.

I tipped it over, the nails scattering, the tools clattering onto the hard concrete; I paid the loud noise no mind as I lifted up the black center, and finding an aged sheet of paper.

Examining it, I found it wasn't just a sheet of paper; it was a letter.

Dear Peter,

The time we spent together was the most magical time of my life. The way you kissed me, the way you held me... You made me feel like I could fly and never have to come back down. I love you, Peter, but sometimes love isn't enough. You married Ellie for a reason, just as I've married Dan. Class order is the only thing that justifies the world anymore. I want you to be happy, happy with your wife, happy with the children your love will create, and I hope you can wish the same for Dan and me. I'll never forget that summer we spent beneath the stars, but we have to move on with our lives. Please don't write me again. Take care.

Regretfully,

Olivia Walker

I was left utterly confused; Olivia, Liv's grandmother, was the one to break it off it seemed, yet in her diary entries, she made it out to seem like my grandfather kicked her to the curb when he learned of her pregnancy.

Did he even know she was pregnant?

I began to doubt he even knew about Will at all.

My grandfather was an upstanding guy, and he never would've left Olivia alone and pregnant. If anything, he would've at least made sure they were taken care of financially.

"What you got there?" I jumped as Anthony appeared in front of me, taking the letter from me.

"Where'd this come from?" He eyes the paper, trying to make sense of the words.

"Grandpa's toolbox," his eyes met mine in an intense stare, "Anthony, I don't think he ever knew about Will, about him being his son."

Anthony looked back at me, "Doesn't matter now. He's dead, and Will wants every last Reed dead, too."