Cold Ashes

Chapter 10 - Empty

"You don't?"

"No."

She chuckled, opening a bottle of clear liqueur. "Whatever you say."

There was a long pause. She took a sip or two straight from the bottle, gasping in relief as it ran down her throat. Ryan shuffled a little in his seat, unsure how he felt about her saying something like that, about her even talking to him without some insult.

With a gesture, she offered a bit of the alcohol. He snatched the bottle, taking a quick slurp before returning it.

It was strong stuff. The kick that ran down his throat and spine almost knocking him off his chair, but the heat afterwards felt much better. He tried to swear colourfully, but all that came out was a whispered gasp and tears that threatened to go down his cheeks.

"By the way," Heather chuckled. "It's a tad strong."

"Thanks," he wheezed. Then he coughed a little more before taking another few sips.

"Did ya know many girls?"

He shrugged, taking lighter sips of the drink before handing it back. "Yeah I used to. Most of them being my mum."

"And I guess she liked the sparkly stuff."

A pause as Ryan allowed the alcohol to warm his throat. "You could say that."

"Into that lovey dovey bullshit as well?"

"Yeah." He leaned back; hearing his mother's voice as she held his father closely. Like he might run away from her at any time, or disappear. "She liked the lovey dovey bullshit."

"Well Leah ain't like that." Heather leaned in, holding the bottle loosely by the neck. "You wanna bring attention to yourself for being a pompous ass, keep going. Maybe then you can get outta my hair. But if you want respect from 'er, it's earned, not bought."

"You sound like her."

She took a swig from the bottle, then passed it back. "If I do then she's gettin' smarter."

"She told you, then."

"Told me what?"

His eyes glanced everywhere but those eagle eyes, taking another small sip. "What is this, twenty questions? The necklace."

"Necklace? Now what would Leah want with a necklace?"

He blinked. Unsure why she wouldn't rat him out or tell Heather about it, and suddenly curious as to that fact. "I guess... I guess she didn't tell you, then."

Heather leaned back. Taking the bottle in one of her hands before taking another swig. "She doesn't really wanna see you tonight, young Ryan. Maybe it'd be better if you just slept down here tonight."

"I need to say sorry."

"You do, eh? Well it's your funeral."

Ryan wasn't sure what that meant, and in the end he didn't really care. He traversed upstairs, trying not to make too much noise and wake up the kids in the surrounding rooms. It didn't take long before he was in the doorway of Leah's room, working out exactly what he would say seconds before he entered. Hoping that the apology would be enough for her to maybe talk to him.

"Get out."

She was sitting on the bed, staring up at the stars above with a frown the likes of which Ryan was yet to see. Utter sadness and bitterness. The sky was glowing louder than ever, each star brightening the room in its own way but Leah wasn't as pleased with the light symphony tonight.