Jessie's Dirty Little Secret
jade Twilight
Copyright 2008 Lyrical Press, Inc.
Jessie jerked awake. She sat alone next to Aunt Juliet's hospital bed holding the older woman's hand. Juliet's hazel eyes flickered open, and turned to Jessie.
"It's time," her great-great-aunt whispered. Swallowing, Jessie nodded in understanding as Juliet removed the amulet she wore around her neck, and pressed it into Jessie's hands. "It's your turn, sweetheart. I've taught you everything you need to know." Auntie Jules fell into a coughing fit. When it subsided she continued, "You're the daughter I never had, Jess. I love you."
"I love you too, Auntie Jules." Blinking back tears, Jessie held her aunt's hand and watched her eyes close, never to open again.
Around her, monitors went crazy and medical staff swarmed into the room. Jessie quietly left the room knowing there was nothing they could do now. Her boyfriend, Todd, met her in the waiting room and silently wrapped his arms around her. That's when the tears came. Clutching the amulet to her, she sobbed against Todd's chest. She heard the doctor telling them her aunt was gone and there was nothing else they could do, but she had already known that.
"Auntie Jules is gone…" she finally said once the sniffling subsided. Todd nodded, stroking her hair and rubbing her back at the same time. "I want to go home."
"Sure, honey, we'll go back to our place and…"
Jessie pulled away from him, shaking her head. "No, I mean the mansion."
"Jess, I don't think that's such a good idea, maybe you should wait at least until tomorrow."
She ran a hand through her hair then walked over to where he'd been sitting and picked up her purse. "I have something I need to do." She glanced at Todd then down at her amulet in her hand. "I promised."
