Twelve Years Later, His Canary Flew Away
I sank onto the sofa, a persistent tightness in my chest that I couldn't shake.
Just then, I got a message from Darrel, inviting me to get away for a bit.
I agreed immediately, deciding on the spot to go to his heavily secured private estate on Long Island.
Rolling green hills and blue water, a world away from all the darkness.
That afternoon, I painted in the estate's quiet gardens, an exquisite tea service laid out beside me.
As I painted and ate, I was so at peace that Soren never even crossed my mind.
That evening, just as a flicker of sadness threatened to surface, Darrel mentioned a private concert being held on the grounds.