Broken Butterflies by Shadow Stephens Read Free Book Online Page A

can’t win, but that’s where I come in. One factor is on your side; he’ll never attack you in front of people. The biggest rule of our world is you never reveal yourself to humans.”
    “You can’t watch me every second.”
    “You’re worth the sacrifice.” Bram said, staring into Ilisha’s brown eyes.

 
    The days turned from winter cold to spring chilly. Throwing on an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, Ilisha walked around the square shaped hallway that encompassed the second level, past her mother’s room. The door was slightly ajar. She stopped, looking in, but remaining in the shadow of the hall. Dena sat on the edge of her bed holding a picture frame. Ilisha’s mouth came open as her mother wiped tears from her eyes. She knew the picture from the frame it sat in. The image was her dad in his army uniform. Dena fondly wiped dust from the glass. “I wish you were here.”
    Ilisha pushed the door open with the tips of her fingers. “Mom,” she said concerned.
    “Oh, honey, you scared me.” Dena quickly wiped her eyes and placed the frame back on the night stand. “I didn’t know you were home.”
    Dena stood and pretended to make the bed. Her hands stuffed the bedspread under the pillows and smoothed out every wrinkle.
    “Are you okay?” Ilisha asked.
    “Yes, of course, just cleaning.”
    “It’s okay to cry,” Ilisha replied softly.
    “What good does that do? Things are the way they are.” Dena waved her hand dismissing the thought.
    “Sit,” Ilisha said, pointing at the bed.
    “I just made it.”
    “I don’t care, sit.”
    Reluctantly Dena sat beside her daughter.
    “If you don’t let your emotions out, you’ll end up breaking down one day. It’s okay to grieve, it’s normal. Be normal for crying out loud.” Ilisha’s hands rose in frustration.
    “I moved on, that’s the only thing I could do. He’s gone, and nothing will bring him back.”
    Ilisha thought for a second about what her father’s butterfly looked like. Did he have peace?
    “No, you hold everything in and never break that poised and perfect exterior. That isn’t healthy. I’m not trying to sound rude, but I look at you like some kind of mindless robot sometimes. This is the first time I’ve seen you cry, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you just let go and laugh.”
    Dena got a tissue from a box on the nightstand. “I guess I just don’t like to feel the pain. It’s not something I deal with well.”
    “But if you don’t deal with it, you’ll never be able to let it go.” Ilisha picked up the frame and stared at her father. “He sure was handsome.”
    “You were always daddy’s girl.”
    “Yeah, I miss him.”
    “You were always my girl too, even if I showed it poorly.”
    Ilisha wrapped her arms around Dena and buried her face in her shoulder, tears pooling in her eyes. “I love you, even if I show it poorly.” She sniffed and sat up. “Can you please try to relax a little? I worry about you. You’re going to have a heart attack.”
    “I wish you lived closer, Ilisha.” Dena dabbed at the tears with the tissue.
    “I’ve been thinking about moving back.”
    “What about your job?”
    “I have a ton of vacation time to burn off and some money saved. I can make it work.”
    Dena nodded her head. “What would you like for dinner?”
    “Your famous lasagna,” Ilisha quickly replied.
    “You got it, kid.” Dena gave a smile as she left the room.
    Ilisha looked at the photo one more time and sat the frame back on the nightstand. “Miss you, Dad.”
    A couple hours later they sat together on the front porch swing eating homemade lasagna.
    “I’m thinking of going over to the hospital and talking to Rich, the E.R. manager,” Ilisha said, popping a bite of lasagna in her mouth.
    “I’m sure he will be happy to have you.”
    After helping her mom clean up the dishes, Ilisha drove to the hospital. As soon as she walked in, it was like a mini high school reunion. Rich bumped her