Page 35 of Rum and Roses
Man, he could drink. I underestimated how much it would take. He was more of an alcoholic than I thought he was.
This would be easier if he were inebriated, and that was the exact reason why I was being meticulous with the refills. Alcohol had always been a weakness of his. He had a history as an alcoholic, and if for some reason his body didn’t fully burn within the fire, it would point evidence towards a drunken mistake instead of malice intent.
It was the little things that made a world of difference.
I had orchestrated my plan meticulously.
I had full confidence that I would pull this off. My plan was simple yet incredibly intricate at the same time. I would be deemed dead; a victim in my uncle’s drunken incident. Whichleft Rosalie and I the perfect opportunity to get the hell out of this shitty ass town once and for all.
And I couldn’t exactly just let her waltz back into town like nothing had happened. People would ask too many questions, and there were too many uncontrollable factors that could lead to a catastrophic outcome I refused to let happen. This… this extremity was the only choice I had. The safest option, one that would ensure Rosalie’s safety and wellbeing.
It wasn’t that I despised my uncle. Not entirely. He raised me to be the man I am today, and without him I could never have pulled off the things that I have done. Not for him, but for her. He always told me that love conquered all, and he was right. There was nothing stronger than my love for Rosalie.
A soft breath left my lips.
Don’t worry, Rosalie, I won’t ever have to lock you away again once we make it out of this town… just a little bit longer…
Rosalie was in my room, quietly waiting like the good girl that she was. She knew not to make a sound, not until I came to get her. Days ago I removed all evidence of her ever being here in the first place. Her bags were already packed and in my truck, as were the rest of my own essentials. We were ready, and my uncle was clueless. Thankfully, he parked on the street, so I didn’t have to worry about that potentially slowing us down either.
“Silas…” Uncle Joe’s words slurred from the study.
I lifted my head, standing in the kitchen while I grabbed another bottle of rum. “Coming,” I called out, joining him. I opened the cap and filled his glass again. He reeked of alcohol, and his eyes were red and hazy. It was a waiting game.
Tick tock.
Once he passed out, I would make my move, and he would never wake again. He would be alright; I heard the afterlife was rather pleasant. He was old and had suffered enough in his lifetime, maybe one day he would thank me for what I had done.I shook my thoughts aside, not wanting my own thoughts to somehow deter me from what I was about to do.
“You’re agoodkidSilas,” Uncle Joe muttered, downing his glass.
I nodded, though something about that sentence hurt. I knew he said it with good intentions, but guilt rocked through me instead. I swallowed hard. “Thanks, Uncle Joe.”
He sighed.
“You can stay the night, if you want.”
He chuckled. “Iain’tgotnochoiceboyI’masdrunkasaskunk.”
I smiled. “Yeah, you are. Let me get you a blanket.”
He nodded.
I rose to my feet, making my way back to the kitchen. I placed the bottle down and grabbed a blanket from the storage closet. By the time I came back, he had passed out.
Finally.
I placed the blanket over his legs before proceeding with my plan. I went around the whole house, dousing it in lighter fluid.
Does this make me a pyromaniac?
“Rosie,” I said softly. Opening the door to my bedroom, I held my hand out to her. “Come on.”
She looked so timid and scared. I pulled her into me, planting a soft kiss against her temple. “Go get in the truck. I’ll be there in a moment, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered, nodding.
“Good girl,” I said proudly, watching her make her way to the garage just like I showed her. I listened to the garage door open while I finished dousing lighter fluid everywhere. I took one last glance around me, the place I grew up. It was time to move on, to say goodbye, to start anew with my sweet Rosalie. On my last lap around the house, I ensured every door was locked. If for any reason Uncle Joe woke up, there was no way he would make it out.
Sorry Uncle Joe… I hate to admit it, but I’m going to miss you. I wish it didn’t have to come to this, but… I just can’t take the risk.
