Darkness at the Edge of Town (Iris Ballard #2)(43)

Same with Britt and her mother. “The universe made her part of my journey so in the future, maybe, I could help others with mental illness. I want to go to college instead of working at Walmart, but I have to save money and pitch in around here.”



I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere with my invasive questions, but I saw the opening and had to take it. Just like I’d stuffed the fork Helen used into my purse to get her fingerprints when all their attention were on their tasks. I liked the women, I did, but I never forgot my mission. “How does that work, exactly?” I asked as I finished grating the cheese. “Do you just hand over your paycheck to Helen and if you need gas or something she gives you the money?”

“No, we keep some walking-around money,” Britt said, “and Mathias does make me set aside ten percent of our checks for savings for college.”

I wanted to ask if she’d seen proof of this alleged account but held my tongue. Carol would never think to ask that. “I hope you get to go. I liked college.”

“I am going. The universe keeps showing me guideposts, and I even help lead seminars when Helen can’t,” Britt said. “I—”

The little boy from the day before, Nessa’s Deacon, and a little African American girl a few years older, maybe seven, with her hair pulled into two curly pigtails came running inside. “Hello, handsome,” Nessa said as she scooped up her son. She looked down at the girl. “Gorgeous.”

“Nessa, we’re thirsty,” the girl whined.

“Sofia and Caleb too?” Nessa asked, moving toward the fridge. The girl nodded yes. “Four milks coming right up.”

The girl looked over at me. “Are you moving into The Temple too?”



“I—”

“Keisha, you’re being rude,” Nessa chided. “Don’t ask someone that until you’ve at least been introduced.”

“Okay. I’m Keisha. You’re very pretty.”

“Uh, thank you. So are you.” I held out my hand. “I’m Carol.”

The girl shook it. “I’m Keisha. I’m eight. Are you the one Paul’s in love with?”

“Keisha!” Britt said.

“What? Megan told Mama Helen he was!”

“Okay, big mouth, go outside and I’ll bring the drinks to you. Go!” Nessa ordered. With a pout, Keisha stomped back outside. Nessa sighed. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay,” I chuckled, though I could still feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

“It’s true, though,” Britt said.

“What?”

“Paul. He hasn’t been able to shut up about you since last night. He was grilling Meg and Helen like a cop in a movie,” Britt said. “And he was up all night learning a song he said was your favorite.”

Dear God. “Why? He barely knows me.”

“Come on. You don’t believe in love at first sight?” Nessa asked as she poured the milk.

I did, actually. I’d never experienced it, but my husband sure had. “I guess, but…”

“You didn’t feel it for him?” Britt frowned at me. “That’s just because you’re not as in tune to the universe as he is. You’re still clogged up by the white noise of the modern world.”



“You must have felt something when you saw him,” Nessa said, putting the milk away.

“I mean…he’s attractive without question, and seems very sweet and romantic, but—”

“Knew it! You like him back,” Britt said in singsong.

“Who likes who?” Helen asked as she walked back in.

“Carol likes Paul,” Nessa sang as she went into the backyard.

“Can we please drop this?” I asked, my cheeks hot again.

“What’s the problem? You’re both single. You’re both attracted to each other. The universe obviously wants you to be together. We all sense it. Why not go for it?” Britt asked.

“Because I don’t think I’m ready,” I said. “I love…loved my husband.”

“But that part of your journey is over,” Britt instructed. “Carol, he’s gone. He is never coming back. And I think…it’s not that you’re not ready. I think you’re scared and you’re allowing that fear to keep you standing still. You have a great man in your life now. The best. It’s time to move on. The universe wants you to. Why else would it have put you in each other’s paths?”

The whole conversation was hitting a little too close to home. “I, uh…maybe. I’ll, uh, definitely think about what you’ve said.” A change in topic was desperately required. “So, uh, how many children live here and at The Apex?”

“Seven,” Helen said.

“So many. Do they go to school, or—”



“School’s a brainwashing facility,” Nessa said as she walked back in. “All they do is teach to a test. They’re stifling creativity and individuality. Independent thought is ridiculed and loathed. And ninety percent of what they do teach is useless in the real world. I do not want my son to be a soulless zombie.”

“I hated school,” Britt said. “The kids were so mean. I used to cut myself every day after school because they were so cruel.”