Don't Let Him Get You

Chapter 3

Kiara was unpacking her clothes when there was a knock at the door. "Kiara dinner is ready; do you want to come down to eat?" Ronan stood in the doorway glancing around the room. Lillian had been working tirelessly to have the room look nice and comfortable so that Kiara wouldn't feel suffocated or out of place. Ronan often woke up at two in the morning to find an empty bed beside him, still cold because Lillian hadn't even gone to bed yet. Kiara already made the room look more to her taste, filling the empty spaces with trinkets, even though there were still a few boxes to unpack.

Kiara turned back and smiled at her uncle, "I think I could chow down on some food." She put the dress she was holding back into the box. She could tell Ronan was looking at the things she had already set out. Most of the items she had taken with her were for memories' sake and they littered the windowsills.

Ronan looked down at her, "I like what you've done with the place, very clutter-chic." He nodded his head in approval before turning and walking downstairs, Kiara following close behind.

The smell of sweet potatoes wafted from the direction of the dining room; Kiara's mouth watered. Lillian already set everything on the table and sat in the chair close to the kitchen. She looked up from her phone when she heard the shuffling of feet. Ronan sat down to the right of Lillian and Kiara sat to the left. "Well, how about we dig in before it gets cold?" Lillian served the food. With their plates full, they ate in silence. The evening began with just the sound of forks scraping against plates but eventually conversation started and the house was filled with noise.

"So, Kiara, how are Moira and Byron doing?" Ronan spoke first.

"They are doing really well actually. I mean, besides grandpa having to get special care at an old folk's home. Grandma is still doing the water aerobics class with her friends and Grandpa occasionally goes to the jazz club to see how things are running." Kiara responded, moving the food around her plate. Thinking about her grandparents reminded her that she should call them and let them know she arrived safely.

Lillian sat back in her chair, "I thought they closed down the club? Something to do with missing money?" Ronan looked deep in thought, his brow crinkled. He slowly nodded his head as he remembered hearing a something similar.

Kiara finished her food and shook her head, she chuckled softly to herself. "It was all just a misunderstanding. Kenny was supposed to pay the lease but he thought it was Bernie's turn. So, everyone thought the money was paid but then the absentee landlord came down one night and made a huge commotion about them trying to pull a fast one and not pay what was owed. Technically there was missing money because they thought the rent was paid and spent the money on new equipment and refreshments."

"So, did they get shutdown and opened up again?" Lillian asked.

"They were closed for a few days," Kiara scratched her head and tried to remember the details, "then Grandpa said that being closed was just hurting them because they couldn't earn any money. The landlord still refused to open the doors to them until they paid the rent in full. The entire town was furious and so a bunch of fundraisers were held to raise the money for rent. We even managed to raise extra money to make up for the days they were closed." Kiara beamed as she remembered how the whole town came together to keep a historic jazz club open. She remembered how Byron would sneak Matt and her into the club and let them sit at the bar with the bartender Leo and listen to the music.

Lillian and Ronan noticed the happiness in Kiara's voice as well as the sadness in her eyes. They knew that the club had been a special part of the relationship between Kiara and Byron. Kiara had always been drawn to the past rather than forging forward to the future. Lillian smiled at Kiara and pushed her chair back. "Who's ready for some dessert? Or should we wait until later?"