Chasing Dragonflies by Tee Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

they had called by and seen her in the hospital. She smiled and accepted hugs from a few well-wishers, but it was horrible. She wished she could be anywhere else but here. In the weeks since she had escaped the shed, she had been overwhelmed everyday by people and the general goings on of life.
    In a quiet moment, when she thought she would be unnoticed she slipped off on her own and headed for the far side of the building. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes and listened to the birds chirping in the near-by trees. Minutes later a voice came filtering in, breaking her quiet reverie.
    “Ah Maddie...are you ready?”
    She looked up to see Asha standing beside her, holding her good arm out to her. Maddie looped her arm through Asha's and they headed for the building. Working their way to the front row, they each took a seat beside Xavier.
    Xavier had opted for a funeral service with a private burial. As they were not religious, he had asked a celebrant to officiate. The celebrant greeted the small audience and began the ceremony. It was a double service, so the celebrant took turns in speaking about their parents individually, being careful of course not to mention anything bad. It must have been difficult for Xavier to construct the eulogy given there was so much bad. Dad had kidnapped his own daughter and held her hostage for years. Repeatedly beat his wife. The wife who knew he was holding his daughter captive. Then he had kidnapped his son’s girlfriend and they had only escaped when her mum had killed her dad and turned the gun on herself, managing to shoot Asha in the process. Not exactly something you sprout at a funeral.
    Instead he talked about how they had met, about her and Xavier growing up. About Mum being sick with cancer, and how they both loved their kids. Even Asha got a mention. But he managed to somehow gloss over the bad parts.
    Hearing soft sobbing she glanced around and saw a few people with tears in their eyes. She guessed a lot of them had not seen the same side of her parents as she and Xavier had. Peering over at Xavier, she noticed his cheeks were wet and she reached out, taking his hand in hers and giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze. He responded with a sad smile.
    When it was finally over, after what felt like hours, more people insisting on hugging her and telling her how sorry they were. As they returned to the limo more photographers appeared. Xavier politely asked them to leave when one whipped a microphone out and shoved it in her face.
    “How do you feel now both your parents have gone Maddison?”
    “You must feel relief that it's all over, do you Maddison?” Came another voice.
    “That's enough, leave her alone.” Xavier boomed, wrapping his arms around her pushing her toward the open car door.
    In the limo, she moved to the furthest corner. Her body trembling, she pulled her feet onto the seat and hugged her legs to her chest. Xavier came in next to her and pulled her close to him in a hug. She rested her head on Xavier's shoulder and her trembling began to subside.
    “Do you want to go straight home?” he asked leaning forward into her face.
    “No,” she shook her head. “I'll be okay. I just need a minute or two.”
    They had planned on going to Xavier's club, Ex's and Oh's for the wake. Rather than have the funeral guests at the house. At least she had somewhere to escape to when she had enough.
    Aunty Polly instructed the driver to take an alternative route back into the city, in an attempt to lose the press. The club was not open to the public at this time of the day and they had the driver deliver them to the staff entrance which was not visible from the road.
    Maddie had heard about this club, but she was not prepared for what she would find. It was amazing, with beautiful long velvet drapes and comfortable couches. She could hardly believe Xavier had managed to set this place up all on his own. Who knew her big brother had such good taste?
    She settled on one