Chapter 19
“No, I am not–Sienna said, trying to sound offended.
“Stop the nonsense,” Josiah interrupted, clearly fed up. “Today is the day. Not later, not tomorrow–right now! Do you think I have all the time in the world like you?” With that, he hung up.
Sienna let out a helpless chuckle, her grip on her phone tightening–how could she explain that her way of treating him like something precious was long gone?
“Okay, let it be today, then. But it might be tough, she thought, rubbing her stomach where the pain seemed sharper than usual
Fiona was laid to rest at Bacchus Bridge in the west of the city. The weather wasn’t great, and the sun was hidden by thick clouds drifting lazily across the sky.
The cemetery was on a hill. Sienna, grappling with her stomach cramps, made her way up slowly, clutching the bouquet she’d picked up. By the time she arrived, she was worn out, her brow and temples beaded with cold sweat.
She casually wiped away the sweat, then gently set the flowers down on Fiona’s gravestone. She looked at the photo of Fiona etched into the stone and offered a small smile.
“Grandma, I’m here to see you.” Sienna said, her eyes welling up I’m sorry it’s been four years since I last visited. I wasn’t in agood place, and the trip back home was just too pricey.”
After meeting Hannah, life had improved a lot for Sienna, but it was still a struggle, and going back to Jeiacrity felt impossible. Without the Flynn family’s financial help, she wouldn’t have been able to come home now.
Sienna sniffed, I’m back for good this time. No one can make the leave. I’m from Jeiacrity, and I belong here now. I’ll come to see you often,
Through her tears, she smiled and pulled out her wallet from her bag. “Oh, you haven’t met Joyce yet. I’ve got it ready.”
She pulled out a photo and said, “Look, this is your granddaughter. Isn’t she adorable?” Bending down, she placed the photo next to the flowers, then took out a cloth and began gently wiping the tombstone clean.
“Grandma, I’m sorry these flowers are just cheap ones from the market, she whispered, her throat tightening with emotion. “Once I’m back on my feet, I promise to bring you something nicer.
With the tombstone clean, Sienna pulled herself together. Things are gonna get better, Grandma. I’m tough, so don’t you worry,” she vowed, her eyes still a little red from crying, but the tears had stopped.
“I’m leaving now. I promise to visit again, okay?” Sienna murmured, glanced at Fiona’s photo, her heart heavy, and turned to head back down.
On her way down, she unexpectedly spotted several people coming her way. She froze, then quickly reached into her bag, grabbed a mask, and put it on.
The group drew closer, and before long, they brushed past her. Her heart raced wildly–it was them
Abruptly, she turned around to stare at their retreating backs, a sheer playing on her lips. How dare they come to Grandma’s grave? Are they here to disturb her spirit?!
Sienna clenched her fists. She didn’t want any trouble–there were too many of them, and she wasn’t feeling great today. So, she decided to wait it out until they left
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About half an hour later, the group began making their way down. Sienna, still masked, was heading up, and they crossed paths once more.
Suddenly, the middle–aged man in the group turned around, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Sienna’s retreating figure.
“What are you looking at?” one of the group members inquired,
“Nothing,” the man quickly replied, shaking his head and chuckling awkwardly. “Let’s go
Meanwhile, Sienna hurried back to Fiona’s grave. Next to her boliquet, there was a much larger and fresher one.
She scoffed, picking up the larger bouquet, “Grandma, I’m taking this bouquet away so it doesn’t clutter up your space.”
Sienna had thought about just tossing it away but didn’t want to disturb Fiona’s neighbors. So, holding back her disgust, she carried the bouquet out of the cemetery and tossed it straight into a trash can.
Feeling satisfied, Sienna started heading back. Because of the cemetery, Bacchus Bridge was a bit off the beaten path, so it was a ten–minute walk to the nearest bus stop. She checked her watch–it was II AM, and she had plenty of time to spare.
As she walked, she glanced up at the sky. It was getting darker, with thick black clouds rolling in–rain seemed to be on the
way.
A few minutes later, just before Sienna reached the bus stop, it started to sprinkle. She gasped, quickly lifting her backpack over her head. She picked up the pace and jogged to the bus stop.
Fortunately, the bus stop had some shelter from the pouring rain ‘No worries, as long as I get on the bus, I’ll be fine. Maybe irll stop soon, she thought.
When the bus finally arrived, Sienna jumped on, still holding her backpack over her head. She found a seat and settled in. The ride from Bacchus Bridge to downtown would take about an hour.
Her stomach ached, so she leaned against the window, trying to distract herself. Because she had woken up too early that morning, she began to feel a bit dazed, slipping into a light drowsiness.
Suddenly, a loud noise jolted her awake. Opening her eyes, she saw chaos inside the bus. Passengers were all standing, craning their necks to look outside, and the driver was nowhere in sight.
Confused, Sienna peeked out the window, noticing they were gridlocked in traffic. She turned to the passenger behind her and asked, “What’s happening?”
“Seems like something’s gone wrong, the passenger replied.
Another voice chimed in. “They’re saying a part of the overpass up ahead has collapsed.”
The passenger looked shocked. “It’s terrifying. I can’t imagine how many people might be hurt, or worse.
‘How could something like this happen? I’m not gonna be late to the courthouse, am I?‘ Sienna frowned, a wave of unease washing over her. “Any idea how long until we can get moving?”
The passenger shook his head. “Hard to say.
th the overpass down, they’ll need to clear the road first before we can go.
‘Oh no, this is bad–just my luck, Sienna sighed in her heart.
= ‘oh
Just then, the driver came back on the bus. “Everyone, please stay calm. They’re working on rescuing people and clearing the
road ahead, so we won’t be moving for a while. Just be patient and wait.”
Right away, the bus was filled with grumbles and complaints.
“How is this supposed to be okay!”
Chapter 19
“No one’s saying when we’ll get going again I’ve got plans later”
“Well, what can we do? We’re stuck here.”
Just sit tight.”
Sienna felt just as anxious. She could wait, but Josiah couldn’t. All she could do was hope that the road would be cleared. sooner rather than later.
But time wasn’t on her side. She prayed and checked the clock over and over, until it was 1:30 PM–she had only an hour. and a half left. If they didn’t leave now, she would be definitely life.
Out of options. Sienna grabbed her phone, took a deep breath, and punched in Josiah’s number.
