“I don’t remember you being this hateful to your mother,” Aric argued. “You may have been angry at times, but you didn’t treat her like dirt.”
“I do not treat Mom like dirt,” Sami said, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t say that.”
“That’s exactly how you treated your mother today,” Aric said. “She’s hurt and she doesn’t want to admit it. Look at her.” He pointed at me as I focused on keeping my breathing calm. “You are so mean to her you hurt her feelings every single day. I’m sick of it.”
“I don’t mean to.”
“It doesn’t matter, Sami,” Aric said. “You do it and it’s time you became aware that your actions have consequences.”
“What does that mean?” Sami was bewildered. I was usually the one who doled out punishment. Aric was the one who begged me to lift it early.
“It means you’re grounded for a month,” Aric replied. “Four the next four weeks you can spend Sundays with your grandparents, but other than that you’re staying here. How do you like that?”
Sami’s mouth dropped open as her gaze bounced between us, almost as if she expected me to overrule Aric and save her. When she realized no reprieve was coming she stomped out of the living room. “How do I like that? I hate you, too!”
I waited until I heard the unmistakable sound of her bedroom door slamming shut to lock gazes with Aric. “That went well.”
“I’m not happy with you right now, so I wouldn’t push things,” Aric warned, although he lifted my legs and scooped me up so he could settle me on his lap and share the chair. “You were right. We should’ve given her back that day at the hospital.”
I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling. “She doesn’t mean to be the way she is. She has all of these hormones and feelings that she can’t put a name to. She’s young, but tipping over into a new area of maturity. It happens to all girls.”
“I think you’re making excuses for her.”
“I think I understand what it’s like to have feelings and fears – especially fears – that you don’t know how to control,” I said. “I still have them.”
Aric pushed my hair from my face so he could study my profile. “What are you afraid of?”
“When I couldn’t find her in the store I thought for sure someone took her because I was distracted while talking to Paris and not watching her,” I admitted. “I thought … I failed her. I thought I didn’t keep the promise we made the day she was born.”
“And what promise was that?” Aric asked, genuinely curious. “I don’t remember making a promise. I remember thinking we were going to screw her up because we had no idea what we were doing. We’ve done great on that one, by the way. I also remember letting you talk me into making her middle name Gertrude just because we wanted to be dicks. I don’t remember making a promise, though.”
“The promise was unspoken, but still made the moment we brought her into this world,” I explained. “We promised to protect her, to keep her safe. All I could think about was your face and having to tell you that I lost her.”
Aric tightened his arms around my waist. “You didn’t lose her. She walked away from you. That is not allowed, and we have to drill that into her head because the older she gets the harder it’s going to be to make her understand.”
His words warmed me, even as I knew they wouldn’t assuage my guilt. “It still felt as if I failed her.”
“Zoe, you’ve got to stop thinking things like that,” Aric chided. “We have not failed that child. She’s doing a good job of failing us right now, but the roles are not reversed. I cannot stand it that she makes you feel this way.”
“She’ll grow out of it.”
“She’d better,” Aric said. “We had to cut our naked days down to once a week because of her. If that was for nothing … .”
I didn’t want to laugh, but couldn’t help myself. “I really love you.” I buried my face in the hollow of his neck as he hugged me. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” Aric said, kissing my cheek. “I love you … and I love that kid … but the estrogen in this house is overwhelming.”
“Maybe you need a man cave.”
“No, we need a parent cave,” Aric corrected. “I don’t want time away from you. The kid is another story.”
“I know, let’s send her to your parents for a week and reinstitute the other naked days.”
“Now you’re thinking.” Aric brushed his lips against my forehead as he cuddled me close. “Just keep reminding yourself that in six years we’re sending her off to college. It keeps me sane.”
“Let’s just hope she doesn’t go to Covenant College. Then we’ll never stop worrying.”
“Don’t even joke about that,” Aric said. “I’m sending her to an all-girls school where she has to wear a uniform and gets slapped by a nun when she’s mouthy. I’ve already got it planned out.”
“I don’t think the nuns can slap them, at least, not any longer.”
“They will at my school,” Aric said. “Even if I have to found a college myself, I’m getting my way on this one. No one can stop me now. I’m even going to make myself dean.”
“That kind of defeats the purpose of sending her away to college, doesn’t it?”
Aric shrugged. “We’ll put her in the dorms and change the locks.”
“Oh, now you’re talking,” I said, laughing when he poked my ribs. “That’s the dream right there.”
“We’re already living the dream, Zoe,” Aric said. “The kid is the only one who doesn’t know it. She will eventually, though.”
I could only hope he was right.
Seven
Sami sat through a pouty dinner that mostly consisted of Paris trying to cajole her out of her funk before retiring to her room. She darted occasional glances in Aric’s direction, almost willing him to let her off the hook, but he remained strong. He was ridiculously loyal, and the one thing Sami seemed to forget was that he was loyal to me, too.
Once she was down for the night we moved to the deck for some wine – caffeine-free tea for Paris – and conversation.
“I’m sorry things got so … public … this afternoon,” I ruefully offered our guests as we stared out at the night sky. “These are the joys of having a kid that age, though.”
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Heath quipped. I could tell he was uncomfortable with Aric’s mood, but he was determined to act as if it didn’t bother him. “I hope we have three tweens before it’s all said and done.”
Paris wrinkled her nose. “I’m pretty sure two is my limit,” she said. “After watching that meltdown, though, I’m thinking we might be happy having one.”
“She wasn’t like this a year ago,” Aric said, resting his hand on my knee. “It came out of the blue.”
“Aric, it’s the age.” I’d repeated the same mantra to him so many times I was beginning to worry the record of my life was skipping. “She’ll outgrow it.”
“Well, it had better happen soon because this is just … .”
“You didn’t grow up with sisters,” Heath supplied. “I had four, and each and every one of them went through a period when they were just as rotten. The funny thing is that they were wonderful to other people during the same time.”
“Kind of like how Sami loves Paris and hates me?” It was meant as a lame joke, but it came off a little too pointed.
“She doesn’t hate you,” Aric said. “She’s just … a mean little cuss.”
“She gets that from me, right?” That was another lame joke that fell flat.
“Zoe, you weren’t mean just to be mean,” Paris countered. “You generally had a purpose fueling your acidic tongue.”
That was a nice sentiment, but I didn’t believe it for a second. “There were times I was mean to Brittany – and several of our other roommates, for that matter – just to be mean. I think this is simply my payback.”
“That�
��s crap,” Aric said, gripping my knee tighter. “You don’t deserve it, and I refuse to sit around and watch that kid insult you all of the time. If she wants to be grounded for the rest of her life, so much the better.”
“Besides, Zoe, I already told you that she doesn’t hate you,” Paris said. “She wants to see more of herself in you. She looks like Aric, but everyone tells her that she reminds them of you. She can’t see it.”
“She doesn’t remind me of Zoe,” Aric said. “She reminds me of … what was that movie where the high school kids knocked off all of the mean girls?”
“Heathers.”
“She reminds me of a Heather,” Aric said. “She’s a follower. Zoe was a leader.”
“Oh, I think you just have a crush on me.” I rested my hand on his as I tried to drag him out of his doldrums. He rewarded me with a heartfelt smile. “I guess you want a really long massage tonight, huh?”
This time the grin splitting Aric’s face was so wide I thought the top of his head might fall off. “I knew there was a reason I married you.”
We slipped into a more relaxing discussion, reminiscing about old times and enjoying our drinks. I had a slight buzz going after about an hour, which is why it took me longer than it should’ve to realize what was happening. I got to my feet and moved to the edge of the deck, peering down as whispering voices infiltrated my mind.
“What is it?” Aric asked, appearing at my side. “Are you going to be sick? I remember when you could drink four bottles of wine on your own.”
“I’m not going to be sick,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Aric cocked his head to the side, adopting the same expression I’m sure dogs do when doing the same. “There’s nothing.”
“There’s something,” I said, briefly pressing my eyes shut and reaching out. When I brushed against Sami’s mind I realized she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. “It’s Sami. I think she’s sleepwalking again.”
“What?” Paris was on her feet and scanning the yard. “Where?”
“Downstairs.”
Instead of hurrying toward the stairs with me, Aric vaulted over the edge and landed on the ground below with a loud thump. His eyes were already accustomed to the dark, so when he scanned the unlit area beneath the deck he latched onto Sami quickly. He was watching her when I joined him a minute later.
“What is she doing?” I asked, my chest heaving as I tried to collect my breath. The race down the stairs took more out of me than I envisioned. I opted to blame the wine instead of age, but I’m not sure it was the actual reason. “Is she awake?”
“Her eyes are glassy and she’s staring into nothing,” Aric replied, his voice low. “I think her lips are moving.”
“Can I see her?” Paris asked, Heath’s arm wrapped around her waist to steady her as she caught up. “I need to see her face.”
“Why? What do you think it is?”
“I’m not sure, Zoe,” Paris said. “I just need to see her face.”
“Back up,” Aric ordered, causing everyone to take several steps back in unison. As if on cue Sami walked forward, stopping only when she was four feet in front of us. Without the deck obstructing the moonlight Paris was able to get a good look at her features. “She looks possessed.”
“She might be,” Paris muttered, shuffling closer. Sami reacted to Paris invading her space by shifting in the other direction. “Hmm.”
“We need to wake her,” Aric said. “Maybe if we show her that she’s out here she’ll be able to control herself.”
“We can’t wake her,” I argued. “I read … or heard on a television show somewhere … that waking a sleepwalker is bad for them. We might give her brain damage or something.”
“I think you’re making that up,” Aric said, although he didn’t step in Sami’s direction. “I remember hearing that it could cause emotional upheaval, but nothing earth-shattering. I could carry her back to bed.”
“She might just get out again.”
“I don’t think she’s sleepwalking, but I believe Zoe is right,” Paris said. “How did you get her to bed last night?”
“I kind of hopped into her head and told her to go back to her sleeping bag,” I answered. “She was in her bedroom, like a dream.”
“That doesn’t sound like a normal dream to me,” Paris mused. “Do you just sit in your bedroom when you’re dreaming?”
“It depends on what we’re doing.” I realized how off-color the joke was when it was too late to haul it back. “Forget I said that.”
“Oh, gross,” Paris said, mimicking Sami to perfection before sobering. “Go into her head Zoe. Tell me what you see.”
I did as instructed, slipping through the outer layer of protection – which wasn’t much of a deterrent because Sami had never shown interest in learning how to hone her skills – and walked into a … huh. Where the heck is this?
“What do you see?” Paris asked.
“I think I’m in a bowling alley,” I said, spinning around and frowning when I heard the whispering again. I’d forgotten about it in my haste to get downstairs. “Someone is … I don’t know … murmuring or something.”
“That’s interesting,” Paris said. “What made you realize Sami was out of bed? Did you hear the murmuring then, too?”
“How did you know that?”
“It was the way you cocked your head,” Paris replied. “You looked like a dog.”
“That’s what I was thinking about Aric.”
“Great minds think alike,” Paris said, forcing a tight smile. “Perhaps you guys are one of those couples that have been together so long you’re starting to resemble each other.”
“Well, he is better looking than I am,” I said, glancing around the bowling alley. I found Sami sitting at a table staring at her phone screen. “She’s here.”
Aric pressed his hand to my back. At first I thought he was offering solidarity and then I realized what he really wanted. “Take me with you,” he instructed.
I mutely nodded as I opened myself up and absorbed him, allowing him to see what I was seeing. He popped into existence in the dreamscape, making a face as he glanced around before focusing on Sami.
“This is the bowling alley near my parents’ house,” Aric said. “I brought Sami here a couple of times when we were hanging out with my dad. That was years ago, though.”
“She must have fond memories of it,” I mused. “Let’s talk to her.”
Aric drew my hand into his as we walked over to Sami. “Hey, kid.”
Sami glanced up from her phone and furrowed her brow when she saw us. “What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here?” I challenged. “Who comes to a bowling alley to text?”
Sami shrugged. “I don’t know why I’m here. I just woke up here.”
“And you didn’t think to look around?”
“It’s a bowling alley,” Sami said. “I’m pretty sure I know what’s here. Although … do you remember coming here and Grandpa getting the turkey and yelling really loud when it happened, Dad?”
Aric nodded. “He’s always been a humble guy. I just don’t understand why you’re here.”
“I don’t understand either.”
“Okay, well, you’re asleep, Sami,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Your mind isn’t exactly resting, but you’re not conscious either. Your body is outside the house. You’re sleepwalking again.”
Sami screwed her face up as she tried to understand what I was saying. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“It is true,” Aric countered. “Do you know why you’re walking around?”
“I don’t think I am.”
She looked so confused and worried I couldn’t stand it. “It’s okay,” I said. “You’re probably just upset about what happened earlier. Can you do me a favor and tell your body to go back to bed, though? You can’t wander around in the dark like this and we’re afraid to wake you.”
&nb
sp; “Because of that Lifetime movie we watched where the woman lost her mind when she was sleepwalking and her husband woke her up?” Sami asked.
“Oh, that’s where I saw it.” Now that she reminded me of the movie I felt a little ridiculous. “Still, make yourself go back to bed.”
“Okay.” Sami was unbelievably agreeable in her head. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was on purpose. “Am I still in trouble, though?”
Aric scowled at her earnest expression. “We’ll talk over breakfast if you get yourself in bed right now.”
Sami brightened, almost as if sensing she’d already worn down her father. “Okay. Let’s have pancakes for breakfast, huh?”
“Blueberry,” Aric said, nodding as Sami dissolved from her spot, disappearing in front of us.
By the time we returned to the backyard, Sami was already moving into the house. We followed her until she was back in bed, making sure she didn’t show signs of leaving again, and then returned to the deck.
“Well, that was weird,” Heath said. “And you say she just started doing this out of nowhere?”
I nodded, keeping my mind open should Sami get up again. Aric was more vigilant as he rested against the deck railing, making sure he had a clear view of the yard in case she left the house.
“She doesn’t seem to know she’s out of bed in her head,” I supplied. “She doesn’t believe us when we tell her.”
“But she managed to control her actions and go back to bed,” Paris said. “Her subconscious is still strong enough to control her body even though she’s not sure she believes you.”
“What do you think that means?”
“It means that she’s not sleepwalking,” Paris replied. “I didn’t think she was when I looked at her. I had an aunt who was famous for sleepwalking and she didn’t ever appear as glazed as Sami.”
“So what is it?” Aric asked. “What’s happening?”
“I think she was in a trance,” Paris said, her expression wary as it bounced between Aric and me. “I think someone is trying to control her externally.”
“To what end?” Heath asked.
Dying Covenant: The Complete Series Page 7
