#Chapter 209: Words

Grace The car ride was a cacophony of chatter. Richard cooed in his baby seat, oblivious to the world around him. Cecil, bless her heart, gabbed excitedly about her new colors and the pictures she planned to color with them. Occasionally, she peppered Eason with questions, which he answered gladly. And I... I felt wholly out of place. Out of sync. Out of tune. Something in me felt like I should be somewhere else. I looked out the window as though trees continued to rush by. “Where did you say we were going?” I asked. “I didn't,” Eason said. I looked over at him as he grinned. “It's a surprise.” He looked at Cecil. “Cecil, don't you think your mom deserves a surprise?” Her eyes lit up. “Yeah, Mommy deserves a surprise! Don’t you want a surprise, Mommy?” I smiled lightly. “Surprises are nice.” Just not right now. Ever since Eason pulled me out of the basement and out, I felt at once on edge and relaxed. The anger was still there, but it was softer, more distant, almost settling