Love's Ashes, A Bitter Price

e island. I forced myself to stand, my legs uns

ite lilies and some incense. Today was the first anniversary

black car was

and shot out and blocked me. It was Cali

her voice even. "I'm not feeling

thing in the world. As if she wasn't deliberat

smile playing on her lips. "I wouldn't want to get in the way of K

es hidden behind dark sunglasses. I searched for an

al of his surrender to her whim

elt a fresh wave of pain. It was a dull, famili

the back seat

hrough the rearview mirror, I watched him adjust the temperature for Cali, watched him hand her a

ldn't fight for my space. There was

As I got out, holding the lilies, C

that," she said, rea

said, my voice fl

ers. She tried to pull them from my hands. "Don

aid

child she had a hand in killing

her eyes flashing. "You always have

this, but she twisted i

s she pulled, her fashionable but impr

d, instinctively reac

hinking I was trying to push her.

with her slippery shoes,

the lilies to

an instant. He didn't come t

mask of frantic concern. "Cali

ced with venom. "Joyce, what is wro

"I just wanted to help her carry the fl

masterfu

t me go. I'm fine." Her voice was a per

stroking her hair. "Sh

to help, and you act like she committed some terrible crime.

e didn't see that it was about my chil

ommanded, his voice leav

ng with a tidal wave of rage. "I

ave you here. You can walk back home. And you will n

ening me with