Addison heard a knock at outside her bedroom door.
“Come in,” Addison said.
Marjorie entered, closing the door behind her. “Who were you talking to just now?”
Addison reached inside a laundry basket, pulled out a shirt, folded it, then repeated the movement. “Just someone I’m helping out.”
Marjorie crossed her arms in front of her, sat down on a chair at Luke’s desk. “Tell me about it.”
“We haven’t seen each other for months, and then you turn up today and take a sudden interest in my life. I guess I don’t understand why it’s so important to you.”
“I’m just trying to make conversation, catch up, see how you’ve been doing.”
While it may have been true, it wasn’t the only reason she’d asked.
“You know already, don’t you?” Addison asked.
“That you’ve taken an interest in the Clark girls? I do. Milton told me.”
“I’m guessing you know about my visit with Helen the other day?”
Marjorie crossed one leg over the other, resting a hand on her knee. “Among other things. When did the girls come to you?”
“How do you know they—”
“It’s as I told you months ago, when your powers heighten, mine diminish. I can feel it. And I’m glad. I’ve seen all I need to see, helped those I needed to help. I’m ready to let it all go. I’ve been waiting a long time now.”
“It doesn’t bother you?”
“Why would it? You were born for this, and you’ve finally embraced it. I’m so proud.”
“My life is … complicated. Last week it was normal. Perfect. Now it’s a mess. I don’t know how to keep everything balanced.”
“You’re not alone, Addison. You have Luke. He seems plenty balanced to me.”
“He is. He’s perfect. I’m the one who’s a mess.”
“You know he loves you, right? I’ve never seen a man look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
“Sometimes I think he deserves better, someone less complicated.”
Marjorie shook her head. “Don’t talk that way. What you are, who you are, the gifts you think make your life more difficult—those same gifts make you unique. Luke could spend the rest of his life searching for another girl like you. He’d never find her.”
“Why have you decided to stay?”
“When Milton called me, told me about Helen, I started thinking about my own life. You’re the only thing I have left, and I haven’t even taken the time to get to know you. Who knows how long I have left—days, months, years? It’s all ticking away. You’re my legacy, our family’s legacy. I want to be part of your life.”
“Do you plan on staying for a while then?”
Marjorie nodded.
“And you’re not worried about the cops picking apart your past now that you’ve returned?”
“Not anymore. Recently, I had a dream. I saw my own death, if you can believe it. It doesn’t end with me behind bars. Now … we’ve gotten way off topic. You’ve had another vision. Let’s hear it.”
Addison scooted the laundry aside and sat on the edge of the bed. “You’re right, I have.”
She filled her in on the recent events leading up to the current day.
When she finished, Marjorie said, “I fear you’re putting yourself in danger with this one.”
“Didn’t you?”
“I did. Feels different now though—now that it’s you.”
“I’m determined to see it through. I have to for Vivian and Grace.”
“In all my years, in all the visions I had, those shrouded in secrecy always got me in the most trouble.”
“Are you telling me I should stop, that I shouldn’t seek justice for those two girls?”
“I’m not telling you anything. I’m asking you to be cautious. And no matter what you do, you’re better off with Luke at your side.”