Melissa Good - Thicker Than Water

Kerry’s eyes filled with tears and they spilled down her cheeks as she blinked. For a moment, she felt very alone, as Thicker Than Water 131

though she were standing on a bridge high out over chill waters.

There was no safe place around her, only harsh, buffeting winds, and if she closed her eyes, she could almost feel the swaying. It was frightening. She knew Dar was waiting for her on the other side of the bridge, but this was something she could only do by herself, a decision she had to make alone.

But there really isn’t a choice, is there? Kerry realized. She considered her accomplishments, both personal and professional over the previous year, and felt a sense of wondering satisfaction settle over her. With steady confidence, she traversed the bridge and crossed over it, leaving her childhood behind her to enter a newly burnished realization of her own reality.

Dar watched intently as Kerry’s eyes opened, a misty green still watery with tears that nevertheless met hers with startling clarity.

“What I want is for my family to understand that my life is exactly how I want it to be.” Kerry took Dar’s hand and ran her fingers over the strong bones and tensing muscles within it. “And I am very proud of who we are.”

Dar kissed her, but remained silent, savoring the sweetness of the moment.

Chapter

Nine

SHE COULD HEAR the murmur of voices, a low wash of sound that mixed soft clinks and footsteps. It sent a wave of familiarity over her, bringing up memories of growing up in this house and hearing those sounds so very often. Kerry soberly regarded her reflection in the mirror. Her charcoal gray, wool suit jacket fitted precisely across her shoulders and draped over the slightly lighter silk dress. She wore her hair clipped back into a knot, and had on only a sober dusting of makeup. “You doing okay?” Her eyes lifted to the mirror, and watched Dar’s reflection in it as she walked to her.

“I’m fine.” Dar eased her collarless black silk jacket over a simple yet elegant dark bronze sheath. The jacket covered the ugly bruising and provided a somber draping to Dar’s tall form.

“Got plenty of drugs in me.” She glanced at Kerry’s profile. “You doing all right?”

Kerry nodded. “I’m fine.” She removed two jade studs from her small kit and inserted one into her right earlobe. “Sounds like a crowd’s finally arrived downstairs.”

“So I hear.” Dar put her own jewelry case on the dresser.

“When you have a chance, it’s tough for me to reach up—could you...?”

Kerry smiled a little. “Sure.” She finished putting in her earrings, opened Dar’s case, and took out the beautiful blue dia-monds that were her favorites. “Sit.” She indicated the low, padded bench. “Make my life easier.”

Dar did as she was asked, stifling a small yawn with her good hand as Kerry moved her hair aside and tilted her head a little.

She felt the warm touch of fingers against her earlobe, then the faint pressure as the posts went through her skin. “I like that dress on you.” She touched the soft fabric that covered Kerry’s hip.

“Thanks,” Kerry murmured, attending to the other ear. “I got it to wear to that executive convention next month in New York.”

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She straightened and observed her work. “Those are so pretty.”

“Should be, for what they cost,” Dar said, jokingly. “Mind getting that necklace, too?”

Kerry fished in the bag and drew out the glittering crystal on its golden chain, then opened the catch and fastened it around Dar’s neck. It matched the one already around her own neck and, with a tiny grin, she settled it into its spot above the hollow in Dar’s throat. “Are we ready?”

Dar tilted her head and peered up. Kerry’s face was grave but composed, and there was a peace about her that had been sorely missing for several days. “I think we are.” She stood up and twitched her jacket straight. “Let’s go.”

They met Angie and Richard on the stairs, and walked down together. Richard had on a dark suit, and Angie had chosen a simple, dark gray dress. Dar was the last on the stairs and had the best view of what waited below. There was a small crowd in the foyer, men mostly, with a few women, and a local television reporter. As they descended they were spotted, and Dar watched the reactions.

Interesting. Eyes fastened on her, and she coolly returned the stares. The television reporter broke off his speech with an older man and turned and hurried in their direction. “Here we go,” Dar murmured, giving Kerry’s back a tiny scratch.

Kerry’s shoulder blades shifted and she stiffened as they reached the foot of the stairs and were met by both the reporter and the stares of the gathered crowd. As she expected, the reporter made a beeline for her, and she met his eyes steadily as he advanced.

“Ms. Stuart?” The man seemed a little more excited than the situation warranted. “Can I get a word with you?”

Kerry sighed inwardly. “Sure.” She stepped to one side and allowed the others to move on. Dar, naturally, didn’t. Angie gave her a sympathetic look as she edged past. “What can I help you with?”

The man glanced at a piece of paper, then obviously organized his thoughts. He lifted his eyes and started to speak, then paused, his gaze drifting up and a little to the left. He blinked, then cleared his throat. “Ah…I know this is a very sad occasion, Ms. Stuart, but there are many people who are surprised to see you here.”

“Really?” Kerry asked. “Why? My father died yesterday. Did you really think politics could interfere with my being here for my mother and my family?”

The camerawoman edged around, getting a better shot. It gave the reporter a moment to regroup. “Ms. Stuart, we’re aware 134 Melissa Good that there have been some strained relations with your family, and—”

“And?” Kerry cut him off again with genteel politeness.

Another shift of his gaze up and to the left. “And…ah…I’m…I mean, it’s good to see the family giving each other support during this horrible tragedy.”

“Thank you.” Kerry rewarded him with a warm smile. “It’s been a very difficult few days. Now, if you’ll excuse us?”

“Uh…sure.” The reporter backed off, with a nervous glance behind Kerry. “Thanks for speaking with us.”

Kerry smiled and ducked around the camera. She waited until they were halfway across the foyer and almost to the large reception room before she paused and lowered her voice as Dar drew even with her. “What were you doing to him?”

“Me?” Dar’s low, musical voice asked. “Nothing. Why?”

Kerry just gave her a look. “I can’t wait to see this on the eleven o clock news.” She glanced ahead and saw several of her extended family near the door to the reception room, and the coldness of their stares was almost a physical blow. She squared her shoulders. “C’mon.”

Angie spotted them as they cleared the door and she hurried to them. “Hey, that didn’t take long.” She latched on to Kerry’s arm and steered her away from the hostile crowd. “Mom’s over there.” She pointed to their mother, flanked by two aides, with a short, stocky older man opposite her. “Chatting with the governor. I think she could use some support.”

“Sure,” Kerry replied. “Aunt Mary looks like she wants to spit nails at me anyway.” She gave her aunt, a chubby woman dressed in unflattering black crepe, a smile, which wasn’t returned. “You’d think she hadn’t spent the last twenty years telling everyone what a bastard our father was.”

“Mm.” Angie snorted softly. “Or that she’d been a flower child who burned her bra and voted Democratic just to spite the family.”