The Glass Voice

The Glass Voice — page 7 — 2 Chantella sang the whole song right there in the graveyard and when she was done she was still crying My sunshine is gone Chantella whispered to the stone placing her hand on its cold hard face I miss you Mommy She’s gone completely insane said a voice from behind her It was Mara’s son Colin And that surely meant Colin’s twin Colleen was there as well Talking to dead people Colleen said nearly cackling Twisted Go away Chantella said It took all her effort to hold back more tears Happily Colin said He leaned toward her though and added in a whisper We’ll see you in the limo sis With that her new stepsiblings departed laughing as they went Now that she was alone with her mother Chantella let the tears flow again

The Glass Voice — page 8 — Chantella couldn’t linger in the cemetery much longer From the corner she could see her dad’s long silver limo as it pulled away from the curb Behind it flew a ghastly banner Just Married And with that her father’s limousine was gone headed to the reception Still at the curb was a black limo its back door wide open so the twins could take their places The driver was waiting for her to climb into the back with those miserable twins If she didn’t get there soon she could only imagine what lie the twins might tell him so they could leave without Chantella She pushed through the creaky iron gate of the cemetery and headed for the front of the church I hope we don’t get stuck in traffic Chantella thought as she headed toward the limo She was sure she could only stand the twins in doses of five minutes or less For once Chantella was glad her father’s work schedule was so hectic He wasn’t going to take a honeymoon with Mara which meant she wouldn’t be stuck at home alone with the twins

The Glass Voice — page 9 — She sighed as the crowd of well-wishers began to thin heading for their cars and she quickened her pace to reach the limo before the twins could convince the driver to leave her behind Before she reached the door though she felt a hand touch her shoulder Chantella was too upset to be friendly It was no doubt one of her dad’s friends or business partners ready to offer hearty congratulations She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to brace herself Then she put on her best fake smile opened her eyes and turned around Hello little wonder said the woman in front of her She was around Chantella’s height and about ten years older with startlingly red hair worn high on her head Suddenly Chantella’s fake smile turned real an ear-to ear shining grin Verna she shouted with glee She threw her arms around the woman’s neck

The Glass Voice — page 10

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