Alissa grunted. It did cross her mind to throw the dead animal in the man’s face, but in respect to the animal, not to the man, she didn’t.
“From now on, you’d better find someone else to sell you meat. And to save your crops.” Alissa left, stomping her feet with the little girl in hand. “Asshole,” she muttered to herself.
She caught sight of Dhalia sticking her tongue out at the man, and it brought a smirk to Alissa’s lips.
The rare sense of amusement was replaced by a flinch of horror when she bumped into Mrs. Monlard on the way home. Alissa had hoped to end the day without another unfortunate interaction; the day had already been hard enough. Hiding behind a mask of indifference was the only way she could afford to face the woman now.
“Alissa, how are you two girls doing?” Mrs. Monlard asked.
“We’re good, Mrs. Monlard. How about you?”
“Great. Concerned as expected this time of the year…”
Alissa only nodded in response, her chest getting tighter as the words left the woman’s lips.
“I hope we’re safe tomorrow and that when the siren rings again, it’s not for any of us or those we love.”
Alissa felt an instant knot in her chest, feeling bad for the woman.
If she only knew…
Alissa rested her hand on Mrs. Monlard’s shoulder. “Stay well, Mrs. Monlard. Enjoy the night with your family.” A sad smile graced her lips.
Alissa wished she could tell her everything, but she couldn’t. Instead, she pretended once again to live in the bliss of ignorance like everyone else in Bryniard.
When they parted, she watched from a distance as the woman reunited with her husband, sharing a tender kiss. Both were completely unaware of what the future held for them.
Alissa arrived home more melancholic than when she had left that morning. The door creaked, and a startled Freyah jumped from the couch, rubbing the back of her hands on her chin. In an attempt to get rid of the drool and any remaining evidence she had been sleeping on Alissa’s couch.
“What are you doing here?” Alissa asked in greeting.
“Wow, that’s how you welcome your dearest friend into your house?”
“You’re already in my house, if you haven’t noticed, my dearest friend,” Alissa replied, annoyed.
She didn’t mean to be rude, but exhaustion was getting the best of her. When her mind was so worn out, it was hard to keep her temper restrained.
“I came here to bring Dhalia something.” The child had already run to Freyah’s lap, hugging her aunt for dear life. “You see? She missed me. I think I’ll promote Dhalia to be my best friend,” Freyah teased and ended up receiving a smile from Alissa’s grumpy face in return. It was a small victory indeed.
“Unfortunately, it is now time for little children to go to bed, Aunty Freyah.” Alissa raised her eyebrows to Dhalia, who willingly kissed her aunt on the cheeks and went to the bedroom holding her mother’s hand.
The nighttime routine with Dhalia was always peaceful. Within minutes, she was tucked into bed, her wool blanket pulled snugly up to her shoulders. Her brown eyes, bright and full of wonder, sparkled in the dim light as she gazed at her mother.
Alissa kissed the girl on the cheeks. “Good night, baby.”
She headed to the door but was stopped by small hands on her callused ones. “Can you tell me a bedtime story tonight, Mommy?”
“Maybe another time, sweetheart.”
“You said that last time,” Dhalia answered, her lips twitching in sadness.
“Tomorrow. I promise.” With a wink, Alissa shut the door. Behind the closed door, the little girl’s eyes filled with tears.
Freyah awaited Alissa, leaning against the wooden table, her arms crossed over her chest. “You know, sometimes I think you are too harsh on her, Alissa. She is just a little girl.”
She rolled her eyes. “What have I done now, Freyah?”
Freyah tapped her fingers on the table in an anxious pattern. Speaking her mind so openly was still hard for her. Even in Alissa’s presence, her nature to comply would often hold her back. Not this time.