“You want to go for a walk?” she asks, patting her pocket with a wink.
“Yes.” I beam, swiping my tears, observant of the fact she has treats.
Once out of sight, we walk along the shore. I slip out of my shoes to feel the sand between my toes.
“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate our friendship.” She looks out across the ocean. “When Clara…died, I feared I’d never have another friend.” She swipes a tear falling from her eye. “I didn’t think I’d ever have a friend like her again, but you have been such a good friend to me. So understanding when all you have ever known is what your father preaches.”
“I read.” I shrug, grinning. They are books she sneaks to me from the outside world.
“I’m leaving,” she states, matter of fact.
My heart skips a beat and my stomach twists. I knew it was coming, but today of all days?
She slows to a stop and grips my hands in hers. “I’ll take you with me if you want that.”
Da-dum. Da-dum. Da-dum.
Do I want that? Yes.
Mother’s words collide with my own desires to flee this place, to seek out the good Clara was searching for. To feel closer to her, live for her, for us both.
“Promise me you’ll never leave me.” Those words have stuck with me all this time, holding me captive.
“I understand this is a lot and I shouldn’t be dumping it on you, but my father is pushing for me to marry, to produce children.” She shudders. “I’ve met someone.”
My eyes widen, my stomach flip-flopping like I’ve eaten a fish plucked straight from the water. “How…who?” I breathe.
Her cheeks blossom into a pink glow, a dreamy look in her pretty eyes. “She’s one of our suppliers. I want to be with her.”
“You’re really leaving us.” I sigh.
“If I don’t, I’ll be living a lie. That’s not fair to me or whoever they force me to marry. I can’t pretend anymore.”
She’s a breath of fresh air. She brings hope to my heart that I, too, can find a place beyond here.
“I’m proud of you.” I take her in my arms, so happy for her, but so sad because I’ll miss her. She’s the only person who understands my compulsion to see for myself what’s out there.
“My girl is going to help me get a place to stay, a job. I see you hate being tied to this place, just like Clara, so if you want to come with me, meet me tonight at the dock at midnight. If you’re not there by five past, I’ll leave and you’ll never get the chance again.”
“What if I’m there and you’re not?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Then you get on the boat and leave this place. Don’t wait for me.” There’s no humor in her tone. A silent promise passes between us to live the life we deserve.
My heart thunders in my chest, a swirling in my stomach, leaving me unsettled.
“Here.” She pulls candy from her pocket, filling up my palms. “Happy Birthday, Mona.”
“Oh my gosh!” I squeal.
“Midnight, remember.”
“Midnight.” I nod.
I’m halfway through the candy by the time I get home, hiding the rest inside my jacket and swiping at my lips to remove any trace of the sweet sugary forbidden treats.
My eyes collide with a neatly wrapped package on the porch steps leading up to the house.
A gift? It’s small with a ribbon tied neatly in a bow.
The red ribbon falls away in my hand when I retrieve it. There’s no card or tag to say who it’s from. I look around to see if anyone’s lurking, but I’m alone. Biting my lip, I surmise it must be for me.
A flutter of anticipation stirs inside me. I tear at the paper, scattering the torn pieces to the ground until I’m left with a matchbox. I stare at the box, confused why someone would gift these…or wrap them.
It rattles when I shake it. I frown, pushing it open.
No…
My legs buckle beneath me. I collapse to the steps, my lungs squeezing the air from my body.
It can’t be…
I pluck the chain from inside, dangling it from my fingers. The heart that matches the one inside my pocket.
The letter M carved into the silver for Mona so I was always close to her heart.
The dainty red jewel.
It’s Clara’s necklace.
The one she was wearing the night she left.
How did this get here? Who would do this?
Pain grips my heart as tears blur my vision. I need to understand what happened to her. I need to find the heart thief.
Seven
Mona
Going back inside the house, all eyes turn their focus on me. My legs feel unsteady. My head is fuzzy. Eli pushes through the small gathering of people, his brows tugging together. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay? Where did you go?" I don't take the offer of his outstretched hand despite wobbling slightly on my feet.
"I'm fine."
"Good. Because…" He turns to face everyone, raising his hands to gain their attention. "I appreciate we're all here to celebrate Mona's eighteenth birthday, such a special age. And she is such a special woman. I want to take this moment in front of all she holds dear to tell her…" Turning, he drops to his knee.
No, no, no. This is not happening.
"I love you."
No…stop.
He reaches in his pocket, pulling out a box.
Blackness edges in from the corners of my eyes. I'm going to pass out. My stomach stirs. "Mona Walters, will you make me the happiest man on this island and in this world and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Heat rushes up my gullet. My mouth opens as my stomach heaves. I can't control it or stop it as all the candy vomits out all over him.
A shockwave of gasps fills the room.
My eyes blink back glassy tears. "I'm so sorry," I choke out, holding my hand to my mouth, dashing past him and into the bathroom to escape.
I spit the acid residue into the toilet and swill my mouth with water before splashing my face.
A few moments later, my father taps at the door. "Mona, are you okay? Are you ill?"
"Yes," I groan, dropping my head in the sink. Lies, lies, lies. This island is a sickness.
"I'll tell everyone to leave. You should wash up and rest before the cleansing."
"I think I'll have to miss it. I'm sick." Lies, lies, lies.
I splash my face with water again and brush my teeth to clear the sickness breath. God, how mortifying the whole thing was. Eli knew I’m not ready for marriage. Eighteen may be standard for girls of our island to wed, sometimes even younger, but to me, it was a sign of the end. Giving up my youth, my freedom. What's expected after marriage is children, and I don't even know if I want kids.
I can't do this. I open the door and gasp, stepping back when my father crowds around me, forcing me to retreat inside. Gripping my face, he pushes his fingers into my mouth, forcing it open and smelling my breath. He holds up a candy wrapper. "You dropped this in your hurry to flee!”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
"It's not mine."
"Liar!" he roars. Plugging the sink, he fills it with water.