A New Life

Dante. Snow tumbled from the sky like feathered crystals, masking the pathway in white ice leading up to the Ketchikan care home. A large mass of smoke formed around me as I leaned against the trunk of my crimson Lexus GS 400, breathing in on a cigar I never thought I’d touch. It was a gift from Drakan many years prior, but I refused to touch it before today. In a dark, twisted kind of way, it was my way of celebrating my victory against my father, hoping it would trigger the nerves of the bastard in the afterlife. Drakan had put his family through literal hell, had turned them against me, and left the remnants of his actions behind in the living world, as he now resided in his grave. “Rot in hell you twisted piece of shit,” I murmured under my breath, dumping the cigar on the snow and crushing it with my boot. I stuck my hands into my pockets, peering at the entrance of the care home. The glass doors slid open, and a nurse walked out, pushing an elderly man out in a wheelchair toward a car. The nurse was followed by a couple I presumed were his children. I waited patiently for the nurse to help the man into the car, greet the couple and turn to push the wheelchair back inside. I hesitated for a moment, thinking how much easier it would be for me to get back into my car a drive off. But I knew my grandmother, Drakan’s mother, was in there eagerly awaiting my visit. I knew I shouldn’t have called her and told her I would drop by. The motivation I had felt when I made that call had slipped away. How was I going to tell the old woman that I adored more than anything, that I’d killed her only son? If anything, she was more of a mother to me than my own mother ever was. I blew out a ragged breath, certain I was going to lose the last family member I cared about. I doubted her heart would handle the news. Pushing my hair back from my face, I felt around in my pocket for a worn-out elastic and tied my hair into a rough knot on my head. Millie, my grandmother, always scolded me about my hair and cutting it. “Sorry grams, but the man bun is staying,” was what I’d respond to every time. She’d laugh it off and tell me she loved me regardless. With a final deep sigh, I mustered the courage and slowly made my way toward the entrance. Millie sat in a chair by her window, peering out at the tumbling snow almost as white as her hair. This morning she had red blossoms in them, complimenting her fair but wrinkled skin. “I was wondering when you would show up,” she turned her head and smiled at me. “You become even more handsome each time I see you. Come, give your grandmama a hug.” Her frail arms reached up, and I didn’t waste a second to bend down and hug her. “Grams, you look beautiful today,” I spoke into her puffy hair. When she released me, she snorted a laugh. “Always trying to flatter the ladies, are we?” I grinned. “Of course, how else?” Millie’s eyes dropped to my chin, her silver brows rose. “You need to get a proper shave.” I rubbed the stubble across my jaw. “I was thinking of growing it.” She clucked her tongue. “Don’t you think the tattoos and the hair are enough? You’ll end up looking like one of those rabid dogs lurking the alleys around town.” “Maybe I am?” I quirked a brow. Millie threw her head back and laughed. “Come, sit, you silly boy. Tell me what you’ve been up to.” When I sunk onto the bed, a frown marred my face. “Why isn’t the bed made? Did you just wake up?” “I’ve been up for hours.” Millie shook her head. “The nurse must be busy attending someone else first. I heard Clark isn’t faring too well, poor thing.” “Really?” My eyes settled on the empty pitcher. “Did they bring you something to drink at least? What did you have for breakfast?” The old woman’s lips pursed. “They haven’t brought any food yet.” “They didn’t?” I was on my feet, my face hot. “It’s almost lunch! So you’re telling me they didn’t attend to you at all this morning?” Millie waved it off. “I told you there must be something wrong. They never neglect me.” “No, this won’t do.” I stalked toward the door, my jaw ticking. “Who is the nurse that’s supposed to tend to you?” Millie shrugged. “Some new girl. No idea what her name is.”