Tears in a Jar
love locket
here’s a new short story..
lennox enters the house that appears quiet and modern at first glance. the door was
left unlocked as if she were expecting them. as they walk down a hallway they notice
the pictures and decor is that of southern spirituality. the house feels warm to them but
they sense something powerful. as lennox gets closer to the door on the right side of
the house they hear whispering. as they approach the door they hesitantly bring a fist
up to knock. it takes them a moment to gain the courage to actually knock.
“come in” they hear from the other side of the door. lennox grabs the doorknob turning
it and entering the room swiftly. “hey sweetie, how are you?” tali says. “i’m ok, how
are ya?” lennox says as they glide across the floor and to the forest love seat across
from the other one. the air smells of vanilla and sage. tali rises an eyebrow not
saying anything but not ignoring the exhaustion in their voice.
”i’m fine, are you sho’? you know you could talk to me?” tali says walking away from
the window she was standing at. lennox looks down playing with their hands as their leg
bounces. “yeah…no actually i need to ask you something.” tali takes a seat across
from lennox in the other loveseat.
“yeah, what’s up?” tali answers. lennox tucks a hand in their jacket pocket and
leaves it there for a bit. “so you know my dad has been trying to get in touch with me
for the last two weeks?” tali nods her head yes.
”i remember you mentioning that…yes.” lennox playfully rolls their eyes. “ why you gotta
be so dramatic? you couldn’t have just said yes.” tali flicks up her middle finger.
“nigga, fuck you but get back on topic.” she giggles and lennox rolls their eyes again.
“well i found…” lennox pauses for a second digging around in their jacket pocket and
then pulls out a heart shaped necklace that is clear as a crystal with liquid inside.
tali looks at the item dangle and swing as the sunlight catches it causing it to
glisten a little. on the outside tali’s face showed no expression nor did her body
language.
”this…that was in my garden. but that’s not what weirded me out.” lennox tales a deep breath wiping their sweaty palms on their jeans. tali gives them a look to say
continue. “it had a name attached. my dad’s name and then i recalled seeing this
before.” tali picks up a cup of tea that was on the table taking a sip. “he never once
cared to come see me or even call. but these pass few weeks he has tried to give me
gifts and tell me he loves me” they chuckle dryly holding back a tear.
”what if he’s changed?” tali asks. “i want to believe that is true but that ain’t him.
he’s not some sweet guy who didn’t know about me’ they say chocking back a tear.
tali places her cup down and then reaches out a hand to touch theirs. “it could b—
STOP LYING! I—I didn’t mean to yell but stop pretending everything is ok and all
normal” lennox cuts tali off. tali’s experisson has changed into confused and
concerned although she knows what she has done.
”what—what are you talking about nox?” tali asks. lennox slowly pulls their hands
away from tali looking deeply into her eyes. “tali please tell me the truth” lennox
sighs brushing a hand down her face. “ok…ok. baby, i didn’t mean any harm. i heard
how much you were hurting about not having family. i did this so you could have
someone who loved you unconditionally and be your family.” she looks away feeling
herself get emotional. lennox hesitantly brings their hand to tali’s jaw gently making
her face them again. “i’m not upset about this but i am upset about not being told. also,
i do want you to know i didn’t need that. i have my family already” lennox says shakily.
“no, you have every right to and you do? who?” lennox smiles small then brings their
lips to tali kissing her. it last for a moment until lennox pulls back placing their
forehead on tali’s. “i do and i kinda am but not at you. and you’re my family. i love
you” lennox says which causes tali to smile. “i love you too honey’ she says bringing them into a sweet kiss.
thank you for reading my short story.