“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you swear, Nan,” I remark, caught off guard by her unexpected choice of language. Despite my surprise, a laugh bubbles up from within me, mingling with the warmth of her smile.
Nan chuckles softly, the sound melodic and genuine.
“Well, my dear, there’s a first time for everything.” Her eyes twinkle with mischief. As laughter dances between us, I can’t help but feel grateful for her unapologetic authenticity.
Amara approaches us with Nan’s medication. My nan’s expression shifts slightly, indicating her disdain for the remainder of her aging body. With a theatrical roll of her eyes, she leans forward in her chair, accepting the pills from Amara’s outstretched hand. She swallows them down with a sip of her tea.
“This is what happens when you get old,” my nan mumbles, her tone tinged with humor and resignation. “You need tablets for your joints and mind.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her candid remark. Turning to me, Amara shifts her attention, her ever-efficient demeanor softening just a touch.
“Miss Tessie, what would you and the boys like to have for dinner?” she inquires, her voice respectful yet warm.
“Please, Amara, just call me Tessie,” I remind her with a smile. “I think the guys and I will have a campfire in the forest and cook some sausages.”
“That sounds lovely,” my nan interjects.
Turning back to Amara, I extend an invitation, hoping to include both her and my nan in our plans. “Would you like to join us, Nan? You can come along too, Amara.”
“That is very kind of you. However, I will be heading home in a couple of hours. Thank you for the invite,” Amara responds graciously, her hands clasped together in a gesture of appreciation.
With a nod, Amara excuses herself and returns to the house.
“I would love to join you, my dear,” my nan says. “However, I won’t be staying up late. I have to be up early in the morning. I’m helping out at the local church.”
CAIN
I glance up from the ATV and see Mavis and Tessie engaging in lively conversation. Their bond is evident as they savor each moment over cups of tea.
“I bet Mavis was a little minx back in the day,” Mike’s voice broke through the moment’s tranquility, his tone laced with mischief. I shot him a reproachful look, a mixture of surprise and amusement playing across my features.
“Dude...What the…” I exclaim, my hand instinctively reaching out to slap him with a cloth covered in motor oil. Mike recoils with a scoff.
“Hey, watch it!” he protests, his expression a mix of indignation and amusement.
With a chuckle, I shake my head, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I turn my attention back to Mavis and Tessie, their laughter echoing in the background.
Nate emerges from the dense foliage, his flannel shirt slightly rumpled from setting up the campfire. I greet him with a nod of appreciation, a grin spreading across my face.
“The campfire is all set for later, guys,” Nate announces, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction.
Just as I am about to respond, my phone begins to buzz insistently in my pocket. Glancing at the screen, I see Paul’s name flashing.
With a quick gesture of apology to Nate and Mike, I retrieve my phone without hesitation, eager to hear what Paul has to say.
“Hey, Paul, what’s up?”
“You are away, correct?”
“Uh...Yeah...Why?”
“Ok, good. The forum isn’t happy that Archie didn’t get hold of Tessie that night at the club. He planned on spiking her drink.”
“Fuck’s sake. Right, ok…”
“Archibald has promised them he would get her no matter what, and umm...”
“And what?”
“He was only meant to be getting videos of Tessie being raped…”
“Makes my blood boil. Stop, Paul. I can’t.”
“Cain. That’s not the worst part. He promised the forum something better than videos. Tessie is going up for auction tonight.”
“What the fuck do you mean auction, Paul?!”
“They are hosting an auction, selling two college girls. It looks like Tessie is going to be their bestseller. I’ve managed to get invited, so I will attend and let you know what happens. It’s not just college boys wanting videos now. It’s bigger now, Cain…Archibald has added some powerful men to the site.”
“Fuck. Do you know what men?”
“Not yet. Unlike some college boys, they don’t use their real names. I’ll be there tonight and find out for you.”
“Thanks, Paul.”
“Cain…I think it’s best you stay away until we sort this out. Better safe than sorry. It has been mentioned that Tessie has gone away, but they don’t know where.”
“Good. They won’t find her. Thanks again, Paul. Keep me updated.”
