Guardian (The Guardian Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

extending her hand,
offering the Davis’ a seat.  “So many people were there.  Your son was very
loved.”
    Mrs.
Davis unexpectedly snaps, “We know.”
     I can
feel the electricity in the room change even though I’m on the landing.
    Mrs.
Davis’ voice is livid.  “Your daughter nearly ruined our son’s memorial!” she
hisses.
     “Carol! 
You said you wouldn’t do this,” Eric pleads with his wife.
     An
image of my parents regarding each other nervously pops into my head.  “You do
know she is devastated, right?” my mother asks, flustered.  I can visualize her
wide, incredulous eyes.
    “Of
course she is.  We all are.”  Mr. Davis’ tone insinuates that he is trying to
diffuse the situation and apologize for his wife’s demeanor.
    “What
my wife is trying to say is that if Emma could have prevented her outburst, she
most certainly would have,” my dad explains.
    Mrs.
Davis doesn’t care.  “Your daughter’s actions disturbed a lot of people,” she
spits her words.  “Our family will forever carry that image in their minds.  We
are all grieving, and witnessing that outburst on top of what’s already
happened didn’t help.  My son’s last moments on this earth are now forever tied
to your daughter’s lack of decency!”
    I am
mortified.  Half of me wants to run away and hide; the other half wants me to
run downstairs and apologize.  To make it right.  But I can’t do either.  Instead
I lean against the wall for support.
    “Why
exactly are you here?” my mother demands.  “Are you looking for an apology?  Because
you’re not going to get one.  You can’t tell my daughter how to grieve!”
    “Okay!”
my dad intervenes.  I’m sure he’s placed his hands protectively on my mom’s
shoulders by now.  “I think we can all agree that everyone is on edge.  Let’s
not make things worse by arguing.”
    Mrs.
Davis is brusque.  “We want to know what happened.”
    “Details,”
James’ father adds quietly.
    “Details? 
Of the accident?” my mother asks, shocked.
    I feel
my body sliding against the wall until I hit the floor.  I pull my knees to my
chest.
    “Yes. 
We assume you’ve discussed this with Emma.”
    “No.  She
hasn’t said a word about that night.”
    “You
haven’t asked her?”
    “Whatever
for?  So she can relive the pain?  She’s barely eating and speaking as it is!”
    I hear
Mrs. Davis huff.  “She has to know something; some detail that would let us
know what led to this.”
    “Carol,”
my dad says softly.  “Would any minute detail change reality?  Emma wasn’t even
with James that night.  She was in her room.  How could she possibly know much
more than us?”
    Mrs.
Davis’ voice wavers, as if she cannot control her emotions.  “I know that my
son is gone.  I know that he spent more time with your daughter than anyone
else on this planet.  And I know that she knows something we don’t.”
    “That’s
impossible,” my mother says with disbelief.
    No one
says anything for a moment.  Tension hangs heavy in the air; I can feel it all
the way up on the landing.  My parents may be retired and in their mid-fifties,
but they’re active.  They could take the uppity Davis’.  Eric and Carol are
soft.  They play tennis and have a lawn service.
    Mr.
Davis breaks the silence in a kinder tone.  “We came here to ask you if you would
let us know if she mentions anything.  For our peace of mind.”
    “Of course,”
my dad replies.  “But I’m sure you can understand why we won’t push her.”
    My
mother has had enough.  “Are you finished?” she snaps.  An image of her standing
with her hands on her hips floats up to me, just like she would do when I was
in trouble as a child.
    Footsteps
head toward the door; one set marches with determination.  I can only assume
its James’ mother by the clicking of the heels.  I hear Mr. Davis quietly
apologize as he leaves.  “I’m sorry.  Things have