The Possession (10 page)

He lowered it, boxing me in. His smile crawled over me like an ill wind. Then he leaned in again, his mouth near my ear. “I understand you like wild.”

I tried to push his arm. He snickered. I moved to the left. He braced his foot on the bottom shelf. I was not about to touch his leg. Drawing myself up to stand tall, I crossed my arms in front of me, the book a shield, and put my face into his. “I’m busy. What exactly do you want?”

He lowered his leg to the floor and pressed in. “I think you—
OW!
”

Gary grabbed at the fingers that held his ear. His hand fisted and he turned, but not quick enough. His mouth fell open and his struggle stopped when he saw the size of the hand that held his wrist.

“I think you were leaving.” The deep low voice sounded politely threatening.

Gary nodded spastically and tried to step away, but he was held firm. “I believe you were going to apologize first.”

Gary glanced at me then lowered his eyes. Apparently, he no longer felt the need to try to see down the front of my tank top.

“Sorry, Daphne.” He winced, as though his ear had been pinched. “It won’t happen again.”

Mr. Philbrook walked him halfway down the aisle before he let him go. Gary had the brass to stop at the top of the row.

“I’ll tell my dad.”

Mr. Philbrook had started back toward me, but he stopped. A tolerant smile in place, he looked back over his shoulder. “He knows where I live, Gary. Have him stop by. We’ll talk.”

I didn’t know Gary could move that fast. He disappeared before my eyes.

Zach’s dad had come back down the aisle and stopped a good foot in front of me, one hand on his hip. The other squeezed my shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

But I wasn’t. My legs started to shake and tears sprang to my eyes. The book fell from my hands. “I think I need help.”

He instantly swept me into a bear hug and I clung to him, my body wracked by silent sobs.

“There, there, girl. It’s okay.” He stroked my hair and patted my back and let me cry all over his shirt. After I drained myself and felt better, we slowly made our way to the seats near the top of the stairs. Mrs. Codman appeared with a bottle of water and a wet face cloth.

“I sent Zach for Dwill,” I heard her say to Mr. Philbrook. “Thank you so much for coming. I knew there’d be trouble.”

Mr. Philbrook must have answered, though I didn’t hear him. He carefully opened the water then handed both bottle and cloth to me. “She dropped her book, Claire.” He motioned down the row we’d just navigated. “Would you mind?”

“Of course not.”

I felt much better by the time Aunt Dwill arrived. I don’t know that I looked much better, but I tried to project a positive image, so as not to worry her further. At least I now walked under my own power.

Aunt put me in the car. Zach and his dad stood by their truck deep in discussion. Though Zach nodded agreement, he kept looking away and down at the ground. His hands fisted and unfisted by his sides.

Aunt crossed to them. She spoke to Zach’s dad then hugged him, right there in the middle of Main Street. Zach said something to her and she looked to our car, to me, then nodded.

Zach ambled over to my side of the car and squatted down, arms folded on the opened window. “You okay, Daphne?”

I nodded but couldn’t speak. I didn’t trust myself just yet. It felt like my lips wanted to tremble right off my face.

“I want to come by later, and see you. Your aunt said okay if it’s okay with you.” He started to reach through the window, to touch me, but drew back. “Is that okay?”

I nodded and slid closer to the window. He stroked my hair with the back of his fingers and a sigh rattled out of me.

“I’ll see you later, then.” He kissed my fingers where they curled around his arm then lifted his eyes to mine. Rage stormed within them, black and frightening to behold. “Are you sure he didn’t touch you?”

“Yes.”

Aunt returned to the car. The storm cooled. “Get some rest.”

I nodded to him and we drove off.

*    *    *

I stayed in the shower for over an hour. Though Gary had only physically touched my hand, it felt like he’d done much more. Aunt didn’t complain, only checked to make sure I was okay. I pretended to be asleep when she came into my room, so I wouldn’t have to talk. She pulled the cotton throw from the blanket rack and covered me, then kissed my forehead and left.

In the end I really did fall asleep. Darkness filled my room when I woke, but a check of the alarm showed it was the weather, not the time. I wandered downstairs and found Aunt in the dining room, setting the table. For four.

“Oh, you’re up!” She came over to me and ran her hand over my hair. “How do you feel, sweetie?”

She always called me that when I was ill, ever since I was a baby. Recently, it had become annoying, like I thought I was too old for such things. Tonight, it comforted. I threw my arms around her and she kissed my forehead like I knew she would.

“I feel grateful I have you to watch out for me, Aunt.”

She leaned away, taking my face in both hands. “Always, sweetie. And . . . thank you.”

We were still hugging when the bell rang.

Aunt went to answer the door. Greetings were exchanged and I heard them move up the hall. “Daphne’s in the dining room, Zach. Go on in. We’ll be right there.”

He came through the archway as Aunt Dwill and his dad passed by with pizza boxes. Zach’s hair was wet.

“It finally started raining?”

“Yeah.”

Pain shot through my heart, a sudden squeeze. I started across the room toward him. He met me, and I flew into his open arms. We swayed side to side. I melded to him. He kept me close, his arms safe and strong.

Voices from the kitchen moved closer. I peeked up at his face. He stared defiantly at the doorway, then lowered his face, his lips to my hair. Footsteps faded.

I closed my eyes against his chest. “I really thought he was going to hurt me.”

“I know.”

“If your dad hadn’t come . . .”

Zach put his hands to my shoulders and pushed me back, his eyes probing mine. “Don’t think about that. Mrs. Codman knows how they operate, and she’d seen us going into Doc Warner’s. Everything worked out.”

The adults returned and this time we separated, taking our seats at the table. We talked around what had happened until coffee was poured and cinnamon sticks distributed.

“Daphne, Mr. Philbrook thinks we should have his cousin, an attorney, draft a letter to the O’Malleys. A warning that if Gary goes near you again, we’ll press charges.”

Even though I knew what happened wasn’t my fault, the thought of Zach’s dad having witnessed any of it humiliated me to my toes. I took in a ragged breath and let my gaze wander to his face.

Jay Philbrook read my mind.

“Don’t be ashamed, Daphne. It wasn’t your fault.” His voice soothed, his serious face lending credence to his words. “But that doesn’t mean he won’t try again. Better to let him know you mean business now. I know his dad. He’s not likely to blow it off as a prank with legal action hanging over his son’s head.”

I looked at Aunt Dwill and she gave a solemn nod.

“Okay.” I managed a smile. “Do I need to do anything?”

“Mr. Philbrook will have to tell his cousin what happened.”

I nodded at Aunt. I couldn’t look at Zach.

“And he’ll have to contact you directly, to hear it from you, and if he needs clarification of any facts,” Mr. Philbrook added.

I nodded at Mr. Philbrook. He smiled. “I think you’re doing the right thing, Daphne. It might stop him from trying that act out on anyone else, too.”

But Zach and I knew why Gary had picked me. Or more precisely, who had put him up to it.

*    *    *

Aunt Dwill and Mr. Philbrook were in the kitchen. Aunt had brought him back there to pack up the cake she had made for them, a thank you for rescuing me.

I think she wanted some time for them to talk privately, too. That worked for me. I had a conversation of my own to get through. Zach and I went outside to wait on the porch.

The moon lightened the clouds but did not break through them. The rain had lessened to a drizzle, but still left a nip in the air. I rubbed my arms and moved to stand behind Zach at the top of the stairs.

“You won’t leave me, Zach, will you?”

He didn’t answer.

“Don’t give them what they want!”

“I can’t let them hurt you.”

I tugged him around, making him face me. “If they take you away from me, then they’ve hurt me the only way they really can . . . and the worst way of all.”

His eyes matched the sky, their sparkle missing, clouds of confusion covering their light. I slid my hand behind his head and pulled his mouth to mine.

We parted. Zach dropped his gaze to his feet. I hugged my elbows, fingers digging in.

“If you leave me, Zach, then leave because you don’t want to be with me anymore. Not because you’re afraid for me.”

The door opened and I turned away. “Mr. Philbrook.” I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Really. Thanks.”

He winked at me, then Aunt kissed him, too, and rubbed his arm. “I owe you one, Jay. Bye, Zach.”

Mr. Philbrook clapped Zach on the shoulder as he passed and Zach looked to Aunt Dwill. “Bye, Eddie.”

His eyes locked on mine, then, wordlessly, he walked away.

For three days I didn’t see or hear from Zach.

The cousin/attorney e-mailed us a copy of the letter to be sent to the O’Malleys, for our approval. His dad called to make sure we were still okay and didn’t need anything.

Zach’s silence was deafening.

I kept close to home. Not knowing if Zach was at the cemetery or not, I couldn’t bring myself to head there alone. I played with Rowdy in the yard and painted the inside of the old oil room. I spent listless hours on my bed, tuning out every sound but the sea.

Chantal came calling. Aunt delivered the news with a skeptical brow.

“Tell her I have a headache,” I said, and stayed in my room until she left.

“What was that all about?” Aunt inquired when I finally ventured downstairs.

“I’m sure I don’t want to know,” I replied. “Have you seen my library book?”

Aunt Dwill studied me. “Yes. It’s in the living room, on the coffee table.”

I hadn’t touched the thing since the day I brought it home, but I felt strong today. Like I had reached a turning point.

Outside, the air was warm, with barely a breeze. I planted my butt in the chaise-lounge, the book on my lap. The sun felt good on my face and I closed my eyes, soaking it up.

Rowdy had sprawled out beside the chair. I heard him get up, chain collar rattling as he lumbered off across the yard.

Footsteps stopped behind me. With a twinge of guilt, I wished Aunt had not decided to join me. Not nice, after all she had done for me. I’d make the best of it.

“I hope you brought a book with you. I don’t plan on talking.” I smiled without opening my eyes.

“Will you listen?”

My eyes snapped open to find Zach, his face upside down over mine. I sat up as he straightened and came around to my side.

He moved my legs aside and plopped on the chaise, facing me. “How are you?”

I nodded, blinking the sting from my eyes. “I’m good.”

“Good.” Zach picked up my hand from where it rested on the book. I pulled it from his grasp. He sat a moment, stunned I think, then fastened his eyes on the lighthouse. Minutes ticked past.

His gaze came back to me. “I can’t do it, Daph.”

A shiver ran up my spine and I hugged my arms. “Can’t do what?”

“Leave you.”

My vision blurred. I swiped at my eyes. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.” He slid closer and brushed my hair back over my shoulders, his hands then resting there.

I dropped the book and slipped my arms around him. “I’m glad.”

Rowdy charged.

For some insane reason, that lug of a dog decided he was a lap dog. He loped across the yard and circled the chaise to leap right on top of us. The legs held up, but the chaise toppled on its side, spilling all three of us onto the lawn.

Zach took the brunt of it; I landed on him squarely while Rowdy pushed off him to leap away.

“Are you okay?” I managed to push Rowdy aside when the stupid dog returned and insisted on trying to lick Zach’s face.

That’s when I spotted the flowers.

So did Rowdy, who grabbed the paper-wrapped end of the bouquet and raced off to the house. Zach slapped a hand over his forehead and eyes. Aunt Dwill came out to check the commotion and tried to catch Rowdy and the runaway flowers.

I burst into laughter, my palm to Zach’s chest. “How sweet!” A quick peck to his lips and I was off and running to try and stop the maddening dog.

Aunt caught him first.

Zach straightened the chaise and plunked down onto it. I crossed to him, and Aunt came up alongside me. “This yours, Zach?”

He screwed up his face at the drool-covered mess of an envelope. “It was,” he pointed at me, “for her.”

Aunt Dwill smiled sweetly and dropped it in my crumpled, grass-stained lap as I, too, sat. “Here you go.”

“Can’t you just tell me what it says?” My eyes pleaded with Zach as heavily as my words.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s from my grandmother.”

Aunt’s expression, I’m sure, mirrored my own.

“Your grandmother?” I ripped the envelope and gingerly removed the card from inside. I wiped my fingers on Zach’s shirt and opened the card.

“She’s invited me to tea.”

“Tea?” Zach and Aunt exchanged a look, their questions simultaneous.

“Tomorrow. She says you can give me directions, Zach.” I folded the card.

Aunt looked at us. Zach looked at his hands. I lowered my gaze to the card.

“All right,” Aunt announced, “you two clean up and figure out what you’re going to do. I’m going to put Rowdy in the house.”

Zach watched her call the dog and waited until she entered the house. “Are you going to go?”

“Should I?”

“It is an honor.” He smiled at me. “And she tells good stories.”

“Any about you?” I batted my eyelashes.