The Swap(77)

Jamie ushered me out of the room and back into the shop. There were a couple of customers, but the old lady had them well in hand.

“Thanks for bringing the vase. And for coming to say goodbye.”

“Sure.”

“She put us through a lot,” Jamie said. “But sometimes, I still miss her. I’m sure you do, too.”

I pressed my lips together and gave an ambiguous nod. And then I left. I got in my truck and drove back to my family’s homestead.

? ? ?

Did I miss Freya? Of course I did. But her death freed me from so many negative feelings. I was no longer racked with jealousy, envy, and insecurity. I didn’t have to worry that Freya loved Jamie more than me, that Maggie would usurp my position in her life, that Freya was taking advantage of my adoration. That’s not why I shot her; I was protecting Maggie. But I had released us all from her web of cruel manipulation.

And I now shared the most special bond of all with her, an eternal connection. I had taken her life. I had held her corpse in my arms and turned her beautiful body into ash. I was the only one who knew what really happened to Freya, and I had the melted bullet to prove it. Maybe I’d make it into a pendant and wear it over my heart.

She would always be close to me.