Part 1: Zayday Kensington
Dear Diary, last night was the first time since I can remember where I slept good. I don’t remember waking up even once with a nightmare. It was because Bram was with me.
In the early hours of the morning, as I wiped the sleep from my eyes, I watched him. Is that weird? He was sound asleep, his breath
It was with reluctance I got up, then showered. While the warm spray hit me, I could still feel his fingertips touching my sensitive skin, caressing me. I drew in a hitching breath as I replayed the memory of his tongue kissing me in places I didn’t know could
Once I dressed, I headed downstairs to see about some breakfast, and I ran smack dab into a little girl about seven with an older lady.
“Oh!” the lady exclaimed.
“Please, call me Kara.”
The woman smiled. “I’m Wendy Baker. I do the cookin’ and take care of this little one here.” She turned to the child. “Now, you listen here, Miss Thang. It is oatmeal for breakfast, or no breakfast at all.”
When I heard Wendy call the child “Miss Thang,” I stifled my giggle as best I could.
The little girl rolled her eyes and said,
Wendy smiled at Miss Thang with a patience angels could not manage.
I winked at Miss Thang, and said, “Well, I was thinking Super Crispy Clusters sounded so good. It’s a shame we can’t have them.” I drove home my point.
“That works for me,” the little girl said, perking up nicely. “Please, Mrs. Baker? Puh-lease?”
“Well, if it’s a matter of life ‘n death
“My name isn’t really Miss Thang. It’s Zayday Kensington. And, I don’t want to live here. I want to go home where my daddy is.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Zayday. I’m Kara.” After we shook hands, I continued, “I’m sorry you’re not where you want to be right now. That happened to me once, and I didn’t like it very much either.”
“What did you do?”
“Well,” I said, “I learned to go with the flow. You know, things change sometimes even if we don’t understand why. Our parents mean the best for us and we have to trust them. It took me a long time, but I eventually grew to appreciate my mom and step-father.”
“Did you trust your real dad?”
The question pricked at my heart a little, but I smiled anyway for her sake. “Yes, I believed in him with everything I had.” Right until the end, I added in my thoughts.
She seemed satisfied by this.
Wendy rolled her eyes.
I took Zayday’s hand, and said,
“Very good, Miss Poe,” Wendy said with a smile.
Part 2: How Does Your Garden Grow?
In the garden, I taught Zayday how to pull up weeds, and water the plants. After a time, she was getting bored, so, I also taught her a nursery rhyme:
“Mary, Mary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockleshells
And pretty maids all in a row.“
“What does it mean?” she asked.
“Yes, but I don’t understand it. Who is Mary, and why is she contrary?”
Oh, boy, I’d really opened a can of worms with this one. How was I to tell her the gruesome truth behind the nursery rhyme? Why were children taught such a thing, anyway?
“Kara, please?”
I sighed as I yanked out an especially difficult weed. “Okay, well, some say it was about the Mary who was a queen a long time ago. If you must know, her garden was actually a graveyard full of all the people she’d put to death because of the religion they practiced. The cockleshells and silver bells were the devices used to torture the people.”
“You asked,” I said.
“What are you teaching my niece?” I heard Bram say.
“Uncle Bram!” Zayday squealed.
“I see that. I also heard all about Bloody Mary,” he said with a chuckle.
“Well, she asked.”
“Why am I not surprised you asked, you little monster?”
Zayday giggled.
I pushed some soil around, enjoying the feel
Without looking at him, I could hear the smile in his voice.
I grinned at him. “That’s wonderful!”
“Let’s see if you think so after you try out some recipes I’m writing,” he said.
I
Part 3: Mom & Perry’s New House… or How I Realized I Had a Big Problem
It’s strange, isn’t it? To think of my parents living anywhere but where I grew up? Yet, here they are in a house that seems completely out of step with their personalities, and tastes.
When Bram and I entered, Mom and Perry greeted us, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the hulking thing in front of me.
“What is this?”
Perry smirked, and it seemed to me this … thing might be a point of contention between them. Mom’s smile was full of accomplishment.
“I’ve taken up sculpting!” she announced.
Bram leaned forward as Perry and Mom began heatedly discussing her work of art, and he whispered in my ear, “What is it?”
“I’m not sure. It looks kind of like a giant claw or something hideous like that.”
“Kara!” Mom exclaimed.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. But what I said was true.
“Your mom is still adjusting to you
Even though he couldn’t see their facial expressions, Bram didn’t seem behind at all because he snickered at what Perry said.
Bram took my elbow, and I led him to a sofa in the living room, where we all sat down.
“Is the old house sold now?” I asked, a frown tugging at my lips.
“Yes,” Perry said,
Mom’s eyes softened, and she soothed me with a soft smile. “I know it’s a big change, but you’ll get used to it before you know.”
“In fact,” Perry added,
All at once, I realized there was something they wouldn’t have packed up because they didn’t know I had it. I knew my eyes were too large, and I was sweating
“Kara, what’s wrong?” Bram asked as if he could feel my sweaty palms and hear my raspy breath.
“Um, nothing. I have to go-uh, just for
“-Bram doesn’t like pork chops!” I said, jumping up.
“Wait, what?” Bram asked.
Before anyone could say anything else to me, I booked it out of there.
Part 4: Sneaking Home
When I pulled up to my old house, I barely recognized it. Mom’s flower beds hadn’t
To make things more difficult, there was a realtor’s lockbox on the doorknob. I knew it was probably one of Mom’s old boxes, so perhaps I could crack the code to get inside. I tried my birthdate, and it didn’t open. Then, I tried Andy’s, and Joey’s. Still locked out. Perry’s birthdate didn’t work either, but then, I remembered another number that might. My parents’ wedding date. That did it!
As I stepped inside the dark house, it didn’t feel at all like the place I’d once lived. It was cold, and empty. It was still daylight out, but that didn’t seem to matter inside where it was dark and gloomy. I had goosebumps as I hurried upstairs to my old room.
The sooner I did this and got out again, the better. I kept telling myself there was no reason to
I opened the storage space in my room where the roof sloped
My fingers lingered above the ziplock bag, hesitating
But if someone else found it, they might get hurt. That’s why I’d stolen it from my mom
Rip the band-aid off, Kara, I told myself in my head.
Taking a deep breath, I yanked the clear, plastic bag out from the floor, and shoved it under my arm. I don’t think I breathed again until I had that wretched thing locked once again in my car trunk.
Part 5: The Cover Up
Once back at Mom and Perry’s, I stepped out of the car, taking deep breaths of the fresh air. It wouldn’t do to go inside right away in this shape. Even Bram would know something was terribly wrong.
No, I needed to get myself under control.
I stepped toward the end of the driveway, pretending to take in the view. Then,
Realizing I’d calmed down, I went ahead indoors to face the music. I knew Mom especially would have questions for me.
The guys were still in the living room chatting, so I skipped making an appearance there.
Standing a moment in the hallway, I followed the sounds of Mom in the kitchen.
“Well, where is it?” Mom demanded as soon as she saw me.
“Where’s what?”
Her eyes narrowed. “The pizza you rushed out of here to get since Bram supposedly doesn’t like pork chops.”
“Oh, um, that.”
“Yes. That.”
My face turned bright red, I could feel the heat in my cheeks.
“I know a lie when I see one, Kara. It doesn’t matter if you’re ten, twenty-three, or fifty. I will always know!”
I tried to provide her with an easy smile, but I’m sure it came off as strained.
“Okay, okay, I went to the house to see my bedroom one last time. I’m sorry I lied.”
The slight wrinkles around her eyes relaxed, and she pulled me into her arms. “I didn’t realize how hard this would be on you. I’m sorry. I should have prepared you better.”
Was it fair to let her think this was somehow her fault? Definitely not. But, I also wasn’t prepared to tell her what I’d really done. So, for the moment, I took comfort from being in her warm mother’s embrace.
Notes:
I hope you like Kara’s story so far. It looks like the mystery will indeed be solved in the near future! 😀
As for the Nursery Rhyme, I know there are more interpretations to that, such as Mary Queen of Scots, and even Mary, mother of Jesus. I used the Bloody Mary interpretation because, if I write this the way I picture it, it will tie in later to our story. 🙂
One last thing is that we’re still having big family things happening around here, so I apologize for being way behind in my Reader. I plan to catch up as soon as I can, but it might be a little bit before I can. I’m so excited to pick up where I left off on your posts, though! I miss your stories like crazy!
Thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting,
Citation:
Goose, M. “Mary, Mary, Q
I’m very late to the party and just getting started but man am I desperate to know what she went back for!!!
Hello! 😀 And, better late than never. Thank you so much for joining in. 😀
I really like Zayday, she’s cute and it’s good to be curious. Most nursery rhymes have some dark meaning. Since you said this will tie into the story, I can’t help but think of what Rosetta’s garden may hold. I think this would have been the perfect opportunity to tell Bea that she had the box. I wonder if Bea will ever find out.
Thank you so much, Heather 🙂 I’m glad you like Zayday, or as she is also known, Miss Thang. lol
That’s a very good question about Rosetta’s garden. You’re right that Kara should have taken the opportunity to tell Bea about the box. I think someday, Kara will tell her.
I can’t believe she still keeps it a secret, after all these years! And that Bea never found out!
I wonder if she’ll eventually let Bram in on it. I mean, they’re a couple and he has good advice, often.
Thank you, Violincat 🙂 I know! All that time, Bea has held a resentment against Ellie because she thought Ellie took it and lied about it.
I think she should definitely let Bram in on it.
I love her and Bram together 🙂 It is a big change to see Bea and Perry in a new place, but I’m sure they’ll adjust in time. What will Kara do with her mystery now….
Thank you so much, Raymond 🙂 I’m so glad you love Kara and Bram together.
Bea and Perry don’t like their house as much as they enjoy their view. But it’s growing on them, I think.
One mystery coming up!
I love your story, I hope to have more episodes. Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂
I made the mistake of going right ahead and reading the next chapter (I was too excited!) and so I think I will make one big comment over there rather than try to separate what happened in each 😀 Regardless, I obviously enjoyed it <3
Thank you so much, Carys ❤️ LOL I’m glad I’m not the only one who does that. haha I’m so glad you found them enjoyable.
Caught up .. thankfully I was not as far behind as I thought I was <3 EVEN tho I hoped to click and get some quick answers
Thank you, Lisa ❤️ I have so much to catch up on. The answers won’t be quick, but they are upcoming. 😀
GOODNESS I have to know! I had forgotten how much I have to know!! Zayday is a cute little contrarian 🙂 The dialog over Bea’s art was hilarious .. poor thing (but she is getting better LOL)
I’m here to remind you how much you need to know! hahahaha ❤️ I don’t think Bea will ever open an art gallery, but at least she’s enjoying it. lol
I’ve heard about that interpretation too about the nursery rhyme. I like how she was just honest with Zayday about it lol. And I completely forgot about the baggy she kept in her closet! It’s a good thing she caught it before someone else did. Great job on her story so far. 🙂
Thank you, Stormy 🙂 Your words are so encouraging.
I think it’s important to Kara to be honest, especially with children. Maybe she is like that to a fault, I don’t know, but we’ll definitely be finding out.
The mystery is upon us! 😀
I guess you could say I’m in a wait and see mode: wait to see what Kara does next, wait to find out if it’s true love or another reason why Bram is in her life (shadows/long arm of the Inheritance?!), wait to see what happens to the stuff she hid away all those years ago. I am a bit surprised by her quickly jumping into bed/relationship considering her past with her father and even more so regarding her not talking to her mom about the stuff she hid now that they are both adults. I also wonder how Rosetta fits into this (personal or if it is one of her many schemes). I know all will be revealed in good time 🙂
Thank you, Addy 🙂 I like your wait and see approach because every scenario you give could be the right one.
Hopefully, the reveal won’t be too long away now. It took a lot to set this all up. 😀
I was so hoping she would fess up to her mom!
Thank you, Jo 🙂 She really needs to, I agree 😀
You’ve educated me as well as little ms thang, because I didn’t realise who Mary was or why she was contrary either 😆
I wonder if/when Kara will come clean about what she retrieved from the old house, or whether her mum will end up finding it somehow by mistake first… as they say, lies & cover ups usually have a way of biting us on the bum! Another great instalment! xx
Thank you so much, Caz ❤️ Nursery rhymes are kind of creepy when you delve into their meanings.
That’s a good question about Kara and whether she will confess to her mom what she did. I’m sure you’re right that at some point, this is going to bite her in the bum. xoxo
I adore Kara and Bram! They’re so, so cute together! <3 <3
But Perry… he's still one of my favorites! I laughed so hard when he just had to praise Bea's sculpting skill the minute she gave him the look, lmao!
I am at the edge of my seat about the contents of that ziplock bag! This is getting more and more intense! 😀
This was great, I can't wait to see what's coming next! ^_^
I hope everything is well in your family and that you'll be able to relax soon! <3 <3
Thank you so much ❤️❤️ I’m glad you adore Kara and Bram.
I’m also glad you found humor in the sculpting situation with Perry and Bea. He really had no choice, did he? haha
I can’t wait for the mystery to truly unfold now! It goes pretty deep. Hopefully, I will be able to write it how I picture it; do it justice, I mean. 😀
The nursery rhyme and the mystery are connected with blood, so much intertesting, so dark !
Thank you so much. ❤️ Yes, very dark indeed! I can’t wait until you find out more.
lol I will do probably , my game is back so I am taking advantaging to be ffocused on my loss in my simself house now. I will be back at you.
I’m so glad your game is back! Hopefully, you didn’t lose much.
No that’s ok only a couple of broken stuffs that are not anymore availible anywhere. I can do a lot with what I got.
That’s good. 🙂
Yes !
It’s nice that Kara is generally having such a nice time with Bram. They’re really sweet together and it looks like Kara will charm the whole family in no time. 🙂
Ooooh, I want to learn about the mystery! 😀 😀 Ha, ha, I was surprised that Bea and Perry moved, but of course it makes sense that they’d want to do be somewhere different and change things up with all the kids out of the house. I lol’d at Bea’s sculpture. She’s always been a bit funny. 😀
Lovely chapter, Kym. <3
Thank you so much, Louise ❤️ I’m glad you like Kara and Bram together. Hopefully, Kara will charm the whole family; we haven’t met Bram’s father Otto yet.
The mystery! It’s looming ever closer now.
Bea’s sculpture… such a work of … art. LOL
Hi Kymber! Love the mystery evolving here. A what izzit or who dunnit. I enjoy how the story flows from one scene to the next and that nursery rhyme, scary stuff, but it’s the stuff that makes a mystery enticing. Cesare looks like he is dreaming up a new campaign for the chickmunks and squirrel brigades. I sustained a battlefield injury to the old L5 disk while storming the toilette in a Paris Café. Looks like no more cavalry charges for this kid. All the best to you and your family. Hoping all will go well for you.
Hi there! 🙂 I’m glad you love the mystery! This has been a what izzit or who dunnit looming over us for a while. Finally, Kara will put it to rest. 😀
Cesare is always dreaming up new campaigns and strategies, it’s true. He enjoys running drills with the chickmunks and squirrel brigades. 😀
I’m sorry to hear of your battlefield injury. It sounds dreadful. Hope you are healing and feeling fit soon.
Isn’t it strange that so many nursery rhymes that we learned as children have such dark meanings behind them? 🤯What were my parents thinking!?!?
Kara and Bram have such a cute and sweet relationship. But I am nervous they are moving too fast.
I am even more curious about the Rosetta box. And what was with the weird typing at the end of the Part 4??
Thank you so much ❤️ Yes! That is kind of creepy, isn’t it?
I’m glad you like Kara and Bram’s relationship. They might be moving too fast, it’s true. Neither of them has a lot of experience with relationships, so we’ll see how it pans out.
Which weird typing? I’m not sure what you mean. 🙂
Best wishes to you and your family. May you, also, find a well of support to keep filling that well you draw from as you support all the others in your life.
I’m glad Kara retrieved the contents of the box.. she’d better get it out of her car ASAP! And I think she just might be able to put the evil to rest, with Bram’s help.
I’m happy you chose the Bloody Mary interpretation. The horribleness underlying nursery rhymes is actually quite comforting to children, who know quite well just how horrible other people and the world they create can be.
Thank you so much, CT. ❤️ Your words are very comforting.
I agree that Kara needs to be careful how she handles the mystery box contents. She definitely feels an evil there and needs to put it to rest.
I like what you said about nursery rhymes and how they are comforting to children. I never thought of it that way.
I loved this update and Kara being so in control of her feelings now. She’s turned into a lovely person. I loved the way she Miss Thang and made a friend. But that nursery rhyme! Yikes! I do like the interpretation you used. It’s fitting for this story! And I adore Bram!
But the mystery of the box or now ziplock bag is looming. I wonder if she’ll share with Bram.. he’s very perceptive so I think she will have to.
Thank you so much, Audrey ❤️ I’m glad you loved this update. Kara really does seem in control of her feelings. Hopefully, she’ll continue to grow without too much happening to her. Nursery rhymes are freaky, aren’t they? Eep!
I’m glad you adore Bram. I think he provides the stability and security Kara needs at the moment.
The mystery looms! More on that coming up soon! I think she will share with Bram, but she may not necessarily want his help. We’l;l see what happens.
I loved how Kara handled Miss Thang…er…Zayday. She’s really good with kids.
Isn’t it strange how many nursery rhymes had dark origins? We learn them as kids but don’t really think about their meanings too much. Grimm’s Fairy Tales could be dark as well.
Ah, so Bea and Perry moved and Kara had to go retrieve Aunt Rosetta’s ghastly goods. She didn’t cover her tracks very well. LOL! It’ll be interesting to see Bea’s reaction when the mystery is finally unfolded. Kara didn’t know Rosetta, but she feels the evil emanating from the baggy. It’ll be interesting to see how she takes it, too.
I had to laugh at the sculpting bit. Bea taking up a new hobby as an empty nester is great, but she probably won’t be a master sculptor. LOL!
Sorry to hear you are still having some family stuff going on. I hope everything works out and that you can return to your normal life soon. I know I really miss your emails and your comments on my posts. I totally understand though because you have to take care of family first. ❤️ Hugs!
Thank you, Sharon 🙂 It’s good Kara’s good with kids because she needs to deal with Jarah. lol
Oh, yes, regarding the nursery rhymes. They are so creepy! Fairy Tales, for sure! Totally agree!
I love how you put that: “…Aunt Rosetta’s Ghastly Goods…” That sums it up perfectly. Wait until you find how deep the rabbit hole goes!
Bea’s sculpting ability (?) is a good thing for her but Perry is probably wishing she’d found something less scary to do. hahaha
Thank you so much for your kind words. ❤️ Hugs!
Miss Thang LOL. I like this Wendy. She’s like a disgruntled employee lol.
LOL Thank you, Jess 🙂 Wendy is totally disgruntled, but she can’t imagine herself doing anything else. haha
I like the new characters. Miss Thang is such a cute nickname! Kara is so in love with Bram, and obviously very happy, it’s heart-warming to see. I wonder how the Bloody Mary rhyme will tie in to the story, oh dear…
Thank you, Jowita. 🙂 I’m glad you like the new characters. Miss Thang lol 😀 I’m glad you found Kara’s love for Bram heart-warming.
Oh, yes, the Bloody Mary rhyme. hehe Hopefully, I will be ale to tie it all together the way I intend.
I was sure you wouldn’t be posting today but I had forgotten about this chapter! It’s a good thing you were pre-organized for this weekend.
I couldn’t help it, but where she said this is love after thinking about their night, but first thought was “Uh no Kara, that is lust.” But I do know she loves him so lust away girly! She needs some real stability in her life and Bram will obviously fit into the family well and she his. I’m very much looking forward to the mystery being solved though!
Thank you, Bee. 🙂 I’m so glad I was so organized before all the stuff hit the fan!
LOL @ the lust comment. I can see where you’re coming from, for sure. I agree that Bram fits the bill in the stability department. Let’s hope there’s no Inheritance stuff that might interfere.