“One last time right?” she asked the sky. “One
more time today. Perfect day right? Same day you did it? Same day you gave up?”
she coughed harshly. “Better get it over
with before winter comes. Before the leaves fall off this place—everything
dies. Better hurry before autumn comes. Be the first thing to fall…” she trailed
off in her delusional murmuring. Her unsteady hands couldn’t seem to work the
lighter, and Aubrey retaliated, shouting curse words.
Another sound echoed among the iron bars and
foliage. A barking golden retriever ran underneath the leaves, whining and
whimpering at the girl with curls tucked under a grey hoodie. “No, Maxwell…no!
Go away! –don’t want you here…go…” he hung his head. “before winter comes,
finish it.” Aubrey shook her head, unsteady and dizzy. “give up. Easy. Like
mother like…”
“Excuse me?” Aubrey looked up and saw a tall man
far along in years looking down at her. She immediately stood to scare him off,
but her shaky legs couldn’t hold the weight. The man steadied her, “I’m sorry, I
know I probably shouldn’t intrude, but I couldn’t help overhearing.”
Aubrey looked at him, wanting to cut him off, but
she didn’t have anything to say.
“Listen Aubrey.” She was startled to hear her
name. “I think we should talk about this first…about your mother.”
“H-how did you…?”
“Let’s go inside.” He said.
