Chapter71

#Chapter71

SHONDRA

Present day

Axel threw a bag on the bed. He stuffed a pair of jeans, a couple of T-shirts, some socks and underwear into it. The sound of the zipper closing, got me moving. That zzzzrrrrp tore a hole big enough through my grief to stop Axel in what would be the biggest mistake of his life.

I snatched the bag form the bed, crossing my arms around it, stepping back until I reached the door.

Axel looked startled for a moment. But just for a moment. /"Stop playing games, Sho, and give me the bag./"

/"Don't do it, Axel. Don't go to the island./" After we'd both cried a river of tears, I told him what happened. I told him how his half-brother had pushed me down the steps because of his misguided sense of justice. I told him how his father and I buried his child in his mother's grave. I told him how I'd written Jacob's name in the Hammersmythe family bible, giving his short life substance and meaning. He had existed. He was real.