The Right Kind Of Wrong

by L. B. Reyes

  My friend wrapped her arm around me, squeezing my arm. “Here are medical records, Evie. Nate is open for you to get any doctor, whoever you want so that they can reevaluate her condition, but these tests were done earlier today and nothing has changed. In fact, she's deteriorating.”

  “So there's nothing left to do?” I asked.

  Jenna shook her head sadly. “I'm sorry, Evie. I know the last thing you want to do is be at the hospital but you need to be there for your Nana. If there's anyone that your Nana would want to be with her, it's you.”

  ***

  I walked through the hallways of the hospital. The day had arrived and I was nowhere near ready. I would never be ready. When I arrived at Nana's room, Nathan was sitting at the edge of her bed, running a hand through her hair. Carter stood behind him, a hand on his shoulder while my mom stood at the other side of the room, looking at her watch.

  “Hannah is never late. We need to work on your punctuality,” my dad scolded me. “You're half an hour late.”

  I was, and I didn't care. I would have done anything to keep Nana alive if only a few minutes more. Hannah wasn't there yet.

  The room was tense and by the way my parents looked at Nathan, it was clear I'd missed an argument.

  “I'll go get a nurse.” I took a step back.

  Nathan cleared his throat and stood up, gesturing for me to take a seat. “You shouldn't have to get the nurse,” he said with a small smile. “I'll go.”

  I nodded and sat, completely tuning out my mom and dad. Their business talk didn't matter. Nothing else mattered but these last few moments I'd have with my grandmother. She looked so weak and as I took in the sight of her lying motionless and fragile, I knew that this was the right decision. Nana had always been so full of life. This wasn't what she'd like.

  “I love you, Nana,” I told her one last time, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I miss you already, but you can go. Everything will be okay.”

  The next few minutes went by rather quickly. The doctor walked in along with a nurse and explained what would be happening. I couldn't focus on what they said though, my eyes were glued on the woman who'd been my mother and friend; the only one worth it in the family and now she was leaving.

  Swallowing, I watched as the machines keeping her alive began to shut down, the tubes helping her breathing removed from her body. I pretended not to hear the strangled gasp that left her throat.

  “Is Hannah not going to be here?” I asked Nathan.

  He shook his head. No further explanation was needed; I perfectly understood what my sister's priorities were.

  That didn't make it hurt less.

  It didn't take long after that. The sound coming from the monitors sped up as her heart slowed down until it ended in one continuous beep.

  Nana was gone.

  ***

  “Are you okay?” Nathan asked again, squeezing my hand gently. I shook my head, gazing outside the window. I felt anger taking over, threatening to explode. It was only a matter of time. Being around my parents wasn't an option, but I knew I wanted to see what they had planned for the funeral. I didn't want it to turn into a circus.

  When we pulled up to the house, my sister's car was already there. Nathan tensed, running his hands over his face. He looked far more distraught than my own mother did. I was anxious for his parents to arrive, he needed the support because he wouldn't find it here.

  My family was an absolute disappointment.

  I didn't understand how my grandmother had been such a kind-hearted woman and my mom had turned out this way. Disappointment towards my “family” was the only thing I felt. They filled me with shame.

  Animals had more compassion than they did.

  As we made our way up to the house, Nathan set his hand on my lower back, silently encouraging me to step inside. I opened the door, walking directly into the kitchen where I knew I'd find my sister sitting at the dinner table either on her phone or laptop.

  Sure enough, there she sat with her laptop open, focused on whatever she saw on screen.

  “Hey,” I said, walking over to the refrigerator, needing something cold to drink. Nate's gaze was fixed on me, worried…apprehensive. “What have you been up to?”

  Hannah finally acknowledged me. She shut her laptop and stood up, walking over to me. “Working,” she said with a tight smile. “How did it go?”

  I snorted. “It's not like it was a party, Han. But just in case you cared, Nana's dead now, so I guess that's one less thing holding you back at work.”

  Nate's eyes widened as did Hannah's. There was still much I had left to say though. “I hope you don't regret this later on, Han. You should have been there. Work doesn't matter, not when family comes into play.”

  “She was already dead, Evelyn.”

  I lost it.

  My fist lunged forward, but before I hit her precious little cheekbone, I was pulled back. No matter how much I kicked and tried to get away from Nathan’s grip, I wasn’t strong enough.

  “You selfish bitch,” I hissed, aching to run my nails over her delicate face, eager to destroy the perfect appearance she always tried to maintain. She looked frightened and perhaps with reason—I had completely lost it.

  I was going insane.

  Nathan’s voice was calm though I could sense the desperation in it.

  “Nana is dead and you all could care less. Fucking vultures,” I yelled, struggling to get out of Nathan's grasp. The grief and fury had taken over and there was no stopping it now. However, he was stronger than me, there was no way I would maneuver out of his arms.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Hannah said, struggling to stand up. She placed a trembling hand over her chest, eyes wide with fear.

  I raised an eyebrow. “You are lucky he’s holding me back,” I spat.

  Faintly I heard footsteps in the house, alerting us my parents had arrived. Nathan cursed behind me but didn't let go, insisting on calming me down before my parents saw me lacking so much composure. It was too late however, my mom rushed to my sister's side, showing the concern she’d never been able to show me.

  “What the hell happened?” My dad asked, looking over at me.

  “I see who you really are now is what happened,” I stated, letting anger fuel my words. “Blindfold's off, Charles. Just remember, karma is a bitch. That goes for all of you.”

  I shrugged myself away from the man holding me back and ran upstairs to my bedroom where finally, I would let myself grieve.

  CHAPTER 19

  Nathan

  I could literally see Evelyn losing herself. Bit by bit, the happy, energetic woman I knew was disappearing. Heartbreak was foreign to me until now. Her eyes didn't sparkle and were as lifeless as her grandmother's when she'd found her.

  It was understandable. She was finally seeing her family's true colors, none of them were hiding anymore. Not when I made the call to disconnect Anne, not at the funeral, and not now as the group of “friends” of the family had gathered at my house. I'd flown Karla in from Florida but it didn't seem to help.

  Evelyn sat alone on the sofa, her gaze lowered, and her makeup still intact.

  I could almost hear the record playing in her fragile mind.

  Keep up appearances.

  Don't cause a scene.

  There will be important people there, try not to mess it up.

  I groaned, running a hand over my tired face. Half of the people here didn't even fucking know Anne well. Hell, they didn't give a damn while she lived; never called, never visited except for Jenna's mother.

  A hand on my shoulder brought me out of my thoughts. I set the glass of bourbon down on the island when my mom cleared her throat.

  “Your wife seems to be dealing well,” she said, gesturing towards Hannah who was laughing softly with Josh Nicholson's mother. I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. The woman had plastered her face with makeup, looking as flawless as ever. As if her grandmother hadn’t just died.

  “Better than you think,�
�� I scoffed.

  “Your sister-in-law, not so much.”

  Evelyn stood up, smoothing down her black dress and crossing her arms over her chest; as if that would shield her away from the people surrounding us. She walked past everyone, ignoring those who even attempted eye contact.

  “If anyone asks, I'm in the restroom, yeah?” My mom seemed confused for a moment but nodded, letting me know she'd cover for me if need be.

  I followed after the person I was worried about the most: Evelyn Carson. She ended up in the backyard, my chest constricting at the sight of her. These…feelings for her, they hadn't been planned. Sure, I'd made mistakes, fucked up by getting involved with her family for the wrong reasons and years of hell had been my karma, but with her it was different.

  My friendship with her had always been sincere.

  She'd been young when I met her, yet immediately, I knew there was something special about her. The differences with her sister were vast; one was energetic, the other one was more serious than a judge in court. Still, it was how pure her heart was that drew me in.

  If things didn't work out with her, I didn't care. I wanted to see her happy, and now she was anything but. I stood next to her without saying a single word, knowing she'd sensed my presence by the way her shoulders relaxed.

  She shifted slightly on her feet, her arm grazing my own before she turned around, her eyes meeting my own. I swallowed. She was gone too.

  “Am I supposed to feel this numb?”

  For the first time in three days, I heard her voice.

  I pushed aside the uncomfortable feeling that settled in my chest at the thought of her crying alone in her bedroom at night. She'd rejected everyone's company since her grandmother had passed. “I don't think there's a right or wrong way to feel,” I said, answering her question. “When something like this happens you have the right to feel however it is that you feel, no one can judge you for it.”

  She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “My mom says I'm being irrational.”

  “Your mom is being a bitch.”

  The worry that I'd said too much dissipated when a half smile formed on her lips. “I don't think she was always like that. At least, I hope not. If not, Nana must have had a hard time raising her.”

  My eyes followed the movement of her throat as she swallowed nervously, the unexpected mention of her grandmother taking a toll on her. I brought my hand up to her face, memorizing the way her eyes fluttered closed at the contact. If there was a way of taking away the pain she felt, I'd do it.

  “I don't know what to feel,” she whispered. “It would be easier if I knew how to feel, what to think but I'm so lost, Nate. I'm so lonely.”

  “You're not lonely,” I stated.

  She shook her head sadly. “I know it, but that doesn't mean I don't feel this way. I want to strangle Hannah and at the same time, I want her to tell me it'll be okay. I want my mom to hold me, my dad to treat me like the daughter that I am, not like I'm some sort of freak for grieving. I want Nana back.” Her voice broke at the end as she finally surrendered to her sorrow.

  I embraced her, wrapping my arms around her while she began to tremble. I knew eventually she'd have to give in to it; no one can hide what they feel forever.

  Anne's death was a big loss for us, but I knew she'd hate to see her granddaughter this way. She always did worry about her, saying that Evelyn's heart was far too sensitive to be a part of this world.

  I glanced back towards the house, catching Hannah's suspicious gaze. Without caring, I held Evie as she sobbed quietly, Hannah's face hardening at the sight. I'd deal with her tantrum later.

  ***

  The rest of the evening Evelyn made small conversation with her friends and my parents who'd taken it upon themselves to offer the support she needed.

  When they met the Carsons, they were taken aback by their frivolous and monotone routine. We'd been well off, so they never thought that I'd make the decision of pursuing someone for money, but when my mother fell ill, I grew desperate. After that everything just seemed…easy.

  However, after spending years with them I realized that not everything that shines is gold. With them, it was all dull, rusted metal. Crooked money. Corrupt deals. Hidden flaws that shone through when it came to getting what they wanted. Perhaps they'd never purposely hurt someone, but they sure as hell did what they had to do to get ahead.

  The only person who many times managed to stop them from making the wrong call was Anne and now that she was gone, I couldn't even begin to fathom the types of deals they'd begin to make.

  “Honey.”

  My grip on the glass I held tightened. Hannah's voice seemed to silence the ones in the room and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evelyn look up at us. I turned around only to meet Mrs. Nicholson behind me, a smug smile on her face. I didn't return it.

  “Yes?” I asked, uninterested.

  Hannah cleared her throat, well aware that everyone's eyes were on us. “I was just talking with Mrs. Nicholson about how sorry you were about the way you reacted with Josh a few weeks ago.”

  Fuck no.

  “Oh, really?” I said, an eyebrow raised. She had to be fucking kidding me. “I wasn't aware of that.”

  “You have to understand, Nathan, it looked very bad on your part to behave that way at that gathering over something that wasn't any of your concern.” I gritted my teeth. Evelyn had slowly begun making her way over to where we stood. “I'm sure your sister-in-law could have handled whatever business she and Josh had on her own.”

  My blood boiled.

  “I don't understand the point of this conversation,” I said.

  Hannah sighed. She was frustrated. I was too.

  “You wanted to apologize, didn't you honey?”

  Are you fucking kidding me?

  “Let me get this straight,” I said. “You want me to apologize to the mother of the scumbag that attempted to rape your sister?” I asked, loud enough to cause stunned gasps throughout the house. Mrs. Nicholson brought her hand over her heart, shocked that I dared say something against the bastard she'd raised.

  “I'm so sorry,” Hannah said, her face flushed. “I'm so sorry, Nathan is just taking Nana—”

  “Cut the bullshit, Hannah,” I snarled. “Mrs. Nicholson, your son wants an apology? Send him over, I'll show him how sorry I am that he was even fucking born. People like him are what make this world such a shitty place to live in.”

  Carter placed an arm around Evelyn's shoulder. I didn't have to look at her to know how sad she was that this was happening.

  “As for the rest of you, you can all get the fuck out of my house.”

  “Nathan—”

  I interrupted Elizabeth, who attempted to calm me down. “You too, mother-in-law dearest. Out of my house.”

  “It's my house too,” Hannah hissed, disbelief etched on her features.

  “You're good with money, Han. I pay the goddamn mortgage, so it's my house. Get these people out before I drag them out with my bare hands.”

  “You wouldn't,” Hannah said, her eyes wide as she took a step toward me.

  “Try me. I dare you.”

  She saw my determination and her lips pressed together. Murmurs invaded the room and when I glanced over, Evelyn wasn't there anymore. Carter gestured upstairs, letting me know that she'd gone to her bedroom.

  I clapped my hands, gesturing towards the door. “Out, all of you.”

  “You can't do this.” For the first time since her grandmother's death, Hannah looked like she was going to cry. Her tears weren't over Anne though. No, they were over this “embarrassment,” as I knew she'd call it later on.

  “Yes, I can,” I replied, gaze unwavering. “You want to know why?” She tilted her chin up, trying to portray strength I knew she didn't have. Her perfect family life had shattered in front of all the people who mattered to her.

  “Why?”

  “Because I'm done. Fuck the month left of the therapy, Hannah. I'm filing for divorce.”
>
  Shocked gasps surrounded us. Yeah, these people were money-hungry but they loved their gossip.

  “Out!” I hissed one last time, reminding them that they had nothing to do there.

  I let out a breath as people started rushing out, knowing that I wasn't fucking around. I was on edge, the shit that had happened the past few days exploding unexpectedly. It was unbelievable that I had actually wanted to be part of this family, of this.

  After everyone left, including Hannah who took off with her parents, I got in the shower needing to clear my mind. I needed to cool down before I saw Evelyn. If there was anyone being affected by everything, it was her.

  Groaning in frustration, I leaned my head against the cold tile. The only progress I'd made throughout this mess was asking for a divorce. Granted, it wasn't the most appropriate way of doing it but I'd reached my limit.

  I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. However, when I walked into my bedroom Evelyn was standing, running her hand over the wooden furniture delicately.

  “Hey,” I said. “Everything okay?”

  She turned to look at me, her eyes widening when she saw that I wasn't wearing a shirt. “No.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “Nothing is okay.” Evelyn's resolve cracked with each word she spoke. “I don't want to feel this, Nate. I keep hoping that it's all a bad dream.”

  “Evie,” I began, following her every movement. Whatever I was going to say was forgotten when her hands went to the hem of her dress and she pulled it up and over her head. Involuntarily, my eyes traveled down her body; a body I'd imagined time and time again standing before me like this, nearly naked. “Evie, what are you doing?”

  “Help me forget,” she said in a whisper. Her hand reached back to the clasp of her bra and she unhooked it, the straps running down her arms. I stepped forward in an attempt to stop her but it was too late. The material fell to the ground, leaving her breasts free and naked.

  Holy shit.