Page 148 of The Obsession
“Yes.”
Although I’m Lil’ Peach’s sole guardian, I still had to get permission to take her out of the state, and have been checking in with the social worker as requested.
“I bet you’re having the best time. I’m so envious.”
Mary and I have become somewhat friendly over the years, but there’s something in her voice that’s off. Like she’s stalling, filling the space with small talk instead of getting to the point. “Cut to the chase, Mary, has something happened?”
She pauses before answering, and my gut reaction tells me whatever she has to tell me isn’t good. “It’s Violet and Tray.” There’s a slight pause before she adds, “They’ve overdosed.”
This has been one of my greatest fears over the years. My sister has been walking an endless tightrope for some time, and I knew it would only take one wrong step for her to go free-falling into the abyss.
“Is Violet okay?” I ask because I don’t give two fucks about her boyfriend. He’s the reason she’s in this mess to start with.
Mary is silent for a beat, and my grip on the steering wheel tightens as I brace myself for her answer. “Neither of them could be saved.” My heart plummets into the pit of my stomach. “I’m sorry, Dominic.” Although this is a phone call I’ve been expecting for a long time, it still hits like a physical blow. “The police went to their residence earlier today to serve a warrant for failing to appear in court, and found them. There was nothing they could do. Apparently, there’s been a bad batch of drugs on the streets, and they’re not the first to fall victim.”
Emily’s hand tightens on my leg, and Mary keeps talking, but none of it registers. I’ve checked out. I’m sure thesadness and anger will eventually come, but right now there’s only guilt and disbelief.
I could’ve done more.
I should’ve done more.
I pull over to the side of the road, unclip my seatbelt, and momentarily glance back at my niece, who’s oblivious to the fact that she’s lost her birth parents—people she’s never met—before I exit the van. I need a moment.
Pacing back and forth, I press my flattened palms to either side of my head, when two arms snake around my waist from behind. Emily doesn’t say a word; she simply rests her cheek against my back and holds on tight, reminding me that I’m not in this alone.
We stay connected for the longest time. This woman has quickly become the calm in my storm.
“We should head home, Dom,” she eventually says.
“Yeah, we should.”
Chapter 50
Dominic
Many years ago, when my life felt out of control, and nothing seemed within reach, the only way I could find any sense of peace was being alone, so I made my circle small … so small it barely existed.
Now, here I stand, at Violet’s graveside, surrounded by my tribe. People I didn’t think I needed, but now know I do. My wife, my niece, myFamiglia.
I am here for my sister; they’re here for me.
The only other people present are Violet’s adoptive parents, who, like me, fell out with her when she fell under the spell of drugs.
This morning I left the house early on my own. I went to the funeral home to view my sister’s body, say my final goodbye, and hand over the pink dress I’d purchased for her to be buried in.
I’m not even sure if it’s still her favourite colour, but I brought it anyway. I want to honour the woman I once knew, the woman I still love.
When they led me to the slab in the back room where her body lay covered by a sheet, I wasn’t prepared for howmuch her appearance had changed. She was almost unrecognisable.
Years of heavy drug use had been unkind to Violet. She was once so effortlessly beautiful, but now she was grey.
Her thick, long, dark hair hung oily and stringy. Her heart-shaped face was sunken and gaunt, the softness gone. Her once porcelain complexion was marred with scabs and scars.
I reached for her cold, stiff hand, turned it over, and placed a picture of her daughter in her palm.“You would’ve loved her, Vi,”I said quietly.“She’s everything good you were.”My throat tightened, but I kept going.“I’ll take care of her. You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll do my best to make sure she has a good life. Rest easy, Lil’ Sis. I hope you finally find peace.”My fingers pressed lightly against hers before I let go and stepped back.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand before I turned and left. I’ll never forget her. I’ll never stop loving her. But if the years have taught me anything, it’s that life is like a muddy puddle. You can continue circling or stepping over it, but if you do, it never really disappears. The only way forward is to walk straight through it, even when it drags you down.
Peach is currently propped on my hip, and my free hand is clutching Emily’s as the priest says a few words before my sister’s body is lowered into the ground.
