Chapter 14: Stupid Prizes

Edward came inside Cori's bedroom timidly, unsure what he was walking into. She was there on the bed, hunched over her hands softly weeping. He closed the door behind them and walked to her. He sat on the side of her bed as she tried to keep her tears hidden. His hand glided up her back, never comforting anyone who was crying before, he hadn't an inkling what to say or what to do. All he knew is he wanted to hold her. Make the tears dry on his clothes and be forgotten. Birthing her smile once again.

She huffed, "I'm sorry."

He uttered softly, "You don't have to be sorry. You don't have to be sorry to anyone. You're not wrong."

"He's kinda right. I didn't ask, I just did it. If this goes the way I want it to, then yeah. They're gonna have to relive all of it. I don't know all of it like they do. I only know my side."

"Your side is valid, though. Doesn't matter how old you were when it happened, it happened to you, too."

A knock was heard at the door. Cori angrily called back to it, her voice still muffled from her tears, "Go away, mom!"

"It's Jiji, Hana. Can we talk?"

Cori's breath dwindled, she looked to Edward, and he said, "You don't have to if you don't want to."

She closed her eyes and sighed before calling, "Come in."

Her grandfather opened the door like it was pushed from a light breeze. He came in with a shuffle, and his face was written in guilt. Jiji asked kindly, "Edward. Would I be able to have a moment alone with my granddaughter?"

Edward looked down to her, and Jiji amended, "If she wishes."

Cori agreed, "Yeah. We won't be long."

Edward sat up from the bed and left them to their discussions in private, closing the door behind him. Jiji came and sat on the bed next to her. Both not saying or really breathing in the silence of her room. There was the occasional chatter and muffle downstairs, but nothing to break the tension.

Cori bowed her head, feeling the shame he had for her in his words. Jiji muttered, "I am sorry, Hana. I lost my temper downstairs. I acted not as a grandfather. I acted like something I never wished for you to witness again. You've seen enough hate between your parents. More than anything, I wanted to protect you from that. I failed you then. Please forgive me."

Cori glanced to him and saw his warm eyes bordered in the wrinkles of many tales. Many tears formed those wrinkles, much laughter and experiences. He was sown in wisdom, making his words downstairs cut deeper than anyone else.

"I don't see it as tormenting her spirit, Jiji. I know you see differently but… I feel like not avenging her is letting her soul be tormented. Forever being silenced while your pain is all that's remembered."

"I know what you see, Hana. I was wrong. It is not dishonourable. You want to bring honour to her. I was not thinking of her downstairs. I was thinking of myself. Twenty years ago, sitting before the television, listening to these strangers discuss her pain in detail for all of the world to hear. Knowing I was helpless in saving her or taking the pain away. I could scream to the top of my lungs about who Celeste truly was. That she was a little girl who used to paint murals. Who saw her art gallery in the world and harnessed it to create beautiful things. How her home was with us, and a piece of paper, drawing us like she used to. Do you remember that?"

Cori smiled, "Yeah. Mom still has her drawings. All of them."

"She never battled her parents. She was so helpful. So affably kind. She barely threw fits… unlike… someone," he playfully nudged Cori, making her scoff a chuckle. "I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would want to take that innocence from our world. Maybe you're right. Maybe that kind of evil needs an answer. The only way to find it is this way. Maybe it is what will truly put her to rest. Sometimes I swear I can still see her. Yet, she's never smiling."

Cori whispered it, "I do, too."

Jiji looked at her and said, "As if she's asking for help."

"Yeah," wept Cori, sniffling and choking down her tears, "I couldn't ignore it anymore, Jiji. She's my sister."

Jiji took her hand, "Yes, she is. Loyalty shines brightly in our family. I couldn't see that until the tears of my rage dried away. If this is what you want to do, I will not question you."

Cori hugged him tightly, letting her tears dry on his wool sweater, "Then I forgive you, Jiji. I just wanted you to understand."

He folded his arms over her, "I do, Hana. You want what is best for Celeste. Even in death, she is still your big sister."

Downstairs, Yumi was saying farewell to the family. She gave a warm hug to Eiko who asked in concern, "I wanted to go see how Cori is doing. Can you text me later? Give me an update."

Yumi agreed, "For sure, sis. Papa is up there now, he's gonna make it right. You guys can stop by tomorrow before you leave. She'll be in better spirits then."

Eiko nodded a flat smile and looked over to Edward who stood like an awkward statue among them. She smiled and went over to him with her arms out, "Come here, you big lug."

Edward had the air from his lungs pushed out as Eiko throttled him in an embrace, "She likes having her hair played with when she's upset. Just a tip. A massage wouldn't hurt, either."

Edward mumbled back as she released, "Thanks."

Eiko pointed her fingers to her eyes then to him, "Just remember, Romeo. I'm keeping my eye on you."

Edward nodded an amused smile as she gathered her coat and bag. Kimmy and James hugged Yumi, and James parted, "See ya later, Edward. It was nice meeting you."

"You too."

"Got your first taste of a traditional Chisaka get together. Prepare yourself. They usually end like this."

Eiko yelled from the deck as she and Kimmy walked to the truck, "You've got the keys inside, asshole!"

James sighed huskily and said, "That's my queue. Happy Thanksgiving, dude."

He watched as James left ranting at Eiko on their way back to their vehicle. A seldom fear as he indulged the idea it could be him and Cori one day. However, despite the notion, he couldn't see it.

Sobo took Edward by the shoulder getting his attention, "I'm so sorry for the ruckus, Edward. Truly, it was childish behaviour on our end. I hope we didn't startle you. Is Cori okay?"

Edward replied, "She's okay, I think. I think she's just… trying to do the right thing."

Sobo was a bit startled to hear it, but sullenly nodded, "Yes, I know. You were a good man displaying such poise and maturity at that table. I would be honoured for you to join the next family holiday. I think we all need a bit of that common sense."

Edward hadn't been showered with so many compliments before, and unknowing how to respond his just meekly nodded and let her leave to her vehicle. Jiji came downstairs after some time with Cori close behind. Yumi called up in relief, "Oh, thank God. How are we then?"

"We're good, mom. Where is everyone?"

"They left, but Sobo's waiting in the car for you, Jiji."

Cori stopped on the steps for a bit, disappointed she didn't get to say goodbye. Jiji said, "I best be going. Leave you all to resemble the night as much as you can. Of course, heaps of leftovers to enjoy. I'm sorry, Yumi."

He gave her a hug and she patted his back, "It's okay, pa. Just go get some rest. We'll visit tomorrow."

Sobo and Jiji gave their final embraces before leaving. Cori crossed her arms to her mom, who returned a startled look, "Ugh. What did I do now, Coraline?"

"Can we talk?"

"I can't, honey. Singh is here and he's been alone in my room for this whole shitstorm."

Cori scoffed, "He's still here?"

"Yes, and he's staying the night. What's so important that we need to talk about it right now?"

"You know what."

Yumi exasperated and relented, "Fine. Out on the deck."

Edward went back upstairs to the bedroom, certain that another heated argument was going to take place.

The two went out as Sobo and Jiji's car drove away. Yumi asked impatiently, "What, peanut? What is it?"

"Way to put me on the spot in there, mom. That fight was completely your fault."

Yumi squawked, "What?! I wouldn't have said anything if you hadn't been probing Singh like a fucking interrogator! You were supposed to tell them, anyway!"

"No!" Cori snapped, "You chose your fucking pharmaceutically paid boyfriend over me in that room. You left it for me because you knew exactly how'd they'd respond, and you were too chicken shit to do it in the first place."

"Oh, that's a load of bullshit, Cori. They responded how they would, either way. You made up with them, so who cares? It's water on the bridge, honey! I'm sorry I didn't say it beforehand, but it was always your place to tell them. You're a grown woman, and you should be responsible for your own bad news."

"What? Like how you didn't tell them about Singh? Do you have any idea how many medications he has you on? How dangerous it is for you to take them?"

"I told you before, Coraline. My medication regime is not your business, just as you don't have a say in who I'm seeing!"

"He's using you, mom! He wants you buying those prescriptions because he gets paid from it, don't you fucking see that?!"

Yumi waved her hand up and scoffed, "Alright, I'm not doing this."

Cori stepped before the door, "No! You don't see it, so I'm gonna make you see it."

"Why can't you be happy for me?! Ever? He's not the only man I've brought home that you've decided to dissect like every small little flaw is a deciding factor to end the relationship! Ever since your dad, no man has been good enough. You don't think I deserve love?"

"No, mom. This isn't about dad."

"Oh, fuck yeah it is! It always is! You think the only man that I deserve is one who gets pissed drunk and screams at me? Tells me I'm a horrible mother, tells me I'm this and that? Is that what home feels like to you, Coraline? Because it sure as shit isn't for me!"

Cori snapped and shrilled, "You're so fucking stupidly stubborn, I'm trying to protect you! This isn't about fucking dad!"

"I took abuse from him and regretted it ever since. But I'll tell ya, I'm not going to accept abuse from you. This conversation is over, it's not going anywhere! Now let me inside my damn house."

Cori huffed and clenched her fists, biting the inside of her cheek again as she glared her mother down not moving.

Yumi barked, "Coraline Kimiko Atkins! Now!"

"Fuck me!" Cori swung from the doorway, letting her mother angrily push inside.

Cori leaned over the railing of the deck growling into her hands. Warblers and loons filled her head with her own frustration against the silence. After a few minutes she went back inside. Edward was on the bed on his laptop doing work on his account. When she walked in, he slapped it closed and shuffled to a sitting position off the bed. Cori grumbled, "I really don't wanna talk about it."

"You don't have to, I heard most of it. It was pretty loud."

Cori groaned as she started to take off her clothes and get something more sleepwear on her skin. She muttered, "Yeah, she doesn't fucking listen."

"You just need to lay down."

"I've had enough of my family, and I haven't even been here a full week." Cori threw her old clothes to the floor. She crawled into bed quickly, flopping down face first in the pillow.

Edward slowly laid back with her, flicking his eyes back to the ceiling and to her. She stayed her position for sometime, then sighed long and low into her pillow. She turned her face to him and her eyes exhausted, she looked up to him defeated.

Edward muttered, "I'm starting to see that… family comes with a lot of trials. So many different problems that each of you are concerned about but can't seem to fix unless that person fixes it, themselves."

Cori mumbled back, "So, we just watch. Wait in vain. Get used to disappointment."

Edward said quieter, "How do you do it?"

Cori slowly blinked, "Does it look like I am?"

"Looks like you're trying. Sometimes that's all you can do."

Cori brought her hand up to his chest and nudged closer, "You are the only uncomplicated thing in my life."

Edward smiled, "I wanna keep it that way. I think your aunt would hunt me down if I didn't."

They both lazily chuckled, but Cori quickly going back to her wallowing. Edward turned to his side and kissed her forehead, patting her back down slowly.

"For some reason, I still feel like I'm not doing the right thing."

Edward amended, "You're just bruised. Tonight was a lot. Tomorrow you'll feel better."

It was early, only nine in the evening, but they turned off the lights and went to sleep. Hoping for a day that would more forgiving tomorrow.

However, during the early hours of morning Edward and Cori did wake up. A sound so disturbing to a child in their family home it might as well be traumatizing. Cori flew up and sat on the bed to the sound of her mother's rambunctious moans and repetitive thumps of her bed frame meeting the hardwood floor. Edward shuffled off the bed in response with her. She shot one mortified glance to him and made a heave. Cori then scrambled off her bed turning the light back on to grab her jacket and put on another pair of sweatpants.

"Come with me, please. Dress warm."

Edward mumbled with sleep in his voice, "Where are we going?"

"Outside in the backyard. I can't hear this."

Edward fumbled on another sweater and put on his coat, "Outside?"

He followed Cori downstairs and the sound of Yumi and Singh's bedroom was getting louder. Cori covered her ears as she raced for the sliding door and slipped her shoes on. Edward did the same and followed her outside. The air was cold as soon as they reached the patio. It was almost pitch black in their rural scenery, with large pine trees bordering the fence. The only light was from the dim starlight above. Thankfully for Cori, the sounds of her mother and Singh were gone, drowned out by the night birds singing. Cori walked out to her hanging hammock by her garden and looked back to him, "You ever sat on one of these before?"

Edward chuckled, "No. You wanna sleep out here?"

"Anywhere that isn't in there."

Edward sighed and admitted, "It's pretty cold out here, Cori. We can't sleep out here."

"Then just long enough they stop. Please?"

Edward tilted his head to the side as Cori crawled over the hammock, letting it swing with her. She had a small giggle to that, making him adoringly smile in turn.

"Come on, it's fun."

"Can this thing even support both of us?"

"Let's find out." She chirped, "Come look at the stars with me."

Edward struggled over the hammock, clumsily hanging on as Cori chuckled and tried to help him. He gasped and fell over her, letting his feet off the ground and the hammock went swinging. Cori childishly laughed in response.

Edward ached, "Move over."

"You have to squeeze in!"

"How?"

"Make it happen."

Edward forced himself beside her, weaving his cold hands under her coat making her squeal and jolt. He started to laugh, as well, letting the swing take them as they struggled and nuzzled their bodies together. Finally, they found a fit that worked for them. Edward's left arm snug under her neck, and his body turned to the side. Their legs entwined together with their arms wrapped around the other's torso. Cori's right arm was squeezed up under his arm, her hand tucked under his armpit.

He said goofily, "I'm in a cocoon."

Cori giggled, "We both are, it's kinda cozy."

Edward had the rim of his glasses pressed up against her head, but she didn't mind. The mist from their breath would rise up, taking their eyes to the clear skies glittered in stars. The weaves of the Milky Way were distinct above them, offering a view Edward had never seen given a life inside a hazy city. They were captivated by the view, just staring up at the skies.

Cori finally muttered, "You see what I'm seeing?"

"Yeah. I've never seen the night sky like this before. I can actually see the Milky Way. As if I'm in space."

"Don't you see the aurora gathering?"

"The what?"

"Look over there." Cori pointed to the east of the skies, and green swirls of aurora borealis was coming in. It moved by itself like oil in the puddles outside his apartment.

Edward gasped, "Oh my God, that's the northern lights."

Cori replied excitedly, "Yeah! Another first?"

"Yup."

"Pretty amazing, huh?"

"Yeah… small particles and energy from solar storms come down the magnetic fields from the north and south pole. Interact with the atmosphere and gases resulting in a display of light."

Cori curved a brow and looked up to him, "Thank you, professor."

"I'm just saying. When you think about the science of it… it's kind of amazing. A little bit of the universe's mystery in our world."

Cori said quietly, "In some Native American culture, the northern lights are spirits dancing in the skies. Even an omen, of good or bad. They feared that if you whistle at the lights, the spirits will come down and sweep you away."

Edward was silent for a bit after she said it, then pursed his lips and started to whistle. Cori slapped his chest, making him laugh.

"Don't!"

"What are you afraid of? You really think that's what's going to happen?"

Cori nuzzled her head to look up to him, "Don't take away the magic."

Edward held his tongue, seeing it as her own magic. Her own sanctuary for her imagination to take her. The same enthusiasm in her smile and laugh. The love she held for him, all weaved from her belief in tales and happy endings. A shred of it he never had, until now. The imagination and wishes he never had as a child he had in her fold. He wanted to nurture it a bit longer, even if his own beliefs didn't align.

He managed to turn his head to the side, gliding his nose against her own. That was all he needed to kiss her fully. Their cold lips meeting again as the shimmers of green danced above them a moment cementing. They were squeezed up to each other in the hammock, yet he pulled her in closer. Her tongue warmed him against the frigid air, as well as her body. Every kiss didn't last long enough, always leaving them wanting more. But Cori spooked at the skies above and rasped, "Oh my God, look!"

The northern lights were above them now, weaving in purple and red with the existing green. It swirled like a live art show before their eyes. Not beauty found in the city haze. He was pulled to a corner of her life, shown something he could tell people for the rest of his life.

Cori whispered, "Maybe it's Celeste. Maybe she knows something I don't. It's so beautiful, I can't help but feel like it's good news."

Edward didn't take his eyes from the colours rippling in the night sky. They were transparent against the stars, giving the weaves of colours a glimmer. He said back weakly, "If you believe it is, then it is."

Cori was heard smiling, fully submerged in the story of her sister among the northern lights. She was looking down just above, showing her she did the right thing. She was celebrating in the stars with the other lost souls who would be returning to their ethereal home. Where her suffering and pain would be forgotten, and a memory of her life as her sister would be left behind to remember.

Eventually they did go inside as they started to catch a chill. To their relief the sounds were gone, saying that Singh and Yumi had gone to sleep. The next morning Cori awoke early, around six in the morning. Edward and everyone else in the house still slept, but she was on a mission driven by overbearing thoughts. A mission to make things right with her mother. She was in the kitchen trying to cook as quietly as possible. She was making crepes, her mother's favourite. Eventually someone did skulk into the hallway, passing Cori at the table as she enjoyed a cup of coffee. To her disappointment it was Singh. He stopped like an opossum caught in the garden. He met Cori's steely glare like she was Medusa turning him to stone. He had his bag and coat on his arm, going for his shoes in the walkway.

He muttered, "Good morning. Didn't realize you were up."

She didn't respond, just blinked and glared him down with her discontent eyes.

He added, "Smells amazing. Did you cook?"

No response still, it was beginning to set him on edge.

"Right," he chirped, "Very stimulating conversation. I best be going."

"I know what you're doing."

Her voice finally breaking was enough to freeze him to the ground

He asked, "Pardon?"

"My mom might be too dick-drunk to see it, but I do. I see it clearly."

"What might that be?"

"You know what."

Singh sputtered his speech but went silent when she continued, "I can't make you leave her alone, but I can definitely fuck with your license. You play stupid games; you win stupid prizes. You're about to get yours."

Singh scoffed it off, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Cori's voice went dark, "Oh, you do. You know exactly what I'm talking about. And you should be scared."

Singh's confidence fleeted quickly, unable to tangle a word to counter act Cori's threat. So he fumbled to the front doors loudly. Fearfully. Slamming the door behind him and unlocking his car. Cori slowly closed her eyes and breathed from her nose long, clutching her mug with her nails. She didn't exactly know what she would do, but she hoped in scaring him it would deter his attempts with her mother. However, it wasn't good enough for her. She wanted to exact something more impactful, feeding her anger.

Then another set of footsteps came from the hallway. It was clearly her mother. Yumi turned the corner and her tired eyes shot wide in excitement.

"Oh, my gravy. What is this?"

Cori smiled, "Made you breakfast, mom."

"Crepes! You remembered! Oh, sweetheart this is wonderful! Look at this spread!" Yumi croaked a jolly laugh and came over to Cori, kissing her on the forehead. "Oh, honey. You didn't have to do this."

Cori shrugged, "You're right. I wanted to."

Her mother pulled a chair up to Cori closely, "Baby, I've been thinking about last night. I just feel awful about the way we spoke to each other. We shouldn't be talkin' like that. I didn't get any sleep last night!"

Cori's memories flushed back to the rigorous sex noises from her room last night, "You don't say."

"I need you to know that I would never, ever choose a man over you. I would… skin the flesh from my bones, eat the shit off the gas station washroom for you, you know that."

"That's sweet, but I sincerely hope you wouldn't."

"I love you, Cori," cooed Yumi as she took her hand into her's, "And no man is ever going to change that. You come first, always."

"Mom. I want you to have love. I really do. I want you to find someone who always treats you with tenderness. Who puts your needs and wants above his own. Who makes you feel young again. You will find him, he's out there. But… Singh is not that guy."

Yumi dejectedly sighed but Cori continued, "I can't stand idly by as you do this to yourself. I wouldn't be a daughter if I did. I'm asking you to please… don't choose me. Don't choose Singh. Choose yourself. Please, mom."

Yumi didn't answer, just went to pour herself a coffee, leaving Cori with the words hanging from her mouth. It was the first time her entire holiday in her home that her mother had fallen silent. Even with Cori's pleas for her to, she didn't speak. After she ate a few bites of crepe, she went back to her room. Cori slumped over the table, battling the tears in her eyes that kept trying to fall.

He deserves to suffer for this. Not her.

Edward eventually came downstairs. He was showered in some clean clothes and glasses. He saw Cori at the table, who hadn't left her seat the entirety of the time. He knew immediately she was upset. Edward sat down with her quiet, waiting for her to unload her recent pain. But even Cori was quiet, unable to conjure a word even with his caring and comforting eyes. Then without saying a word, he moved his hand over her own, folding his fingers between hers. His silent way of saying 'I'm here'.

He crooned softly, "It's nice not to have to speak. It's safe. But… I'm ready to listen when you are."

His tenderness was the ideals of what she hoped for her mother. The man she deserved but never had. Perhaps her father was that man a time ago. That short glimpse of love wasn't enough for Yumi in Cori's eyes. Cori glanced up to him and a single tear fell. She squeezed his hand back and weakly smiled.

Then the door to Yumi's bedroom opened again, following sniffling and gasping. Cori and Edward took their hands back as Yumi entered the room, a face fresh in tears.

Cori whimpered, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"I didn't have to do anything, Cori. He just texted me."

"What?"

"Told me he can't see me as a patient anymore… or as a lover. He broke up with me. Over a fucking text!"

Cori asked in concern, "Mom, I'm…"

"I did some digging on my phone. You were right about those meds, Cori. I asked him about it and he flipped out. Calling me every word under the sun, telling me I was too old and used up, anyway."

Cori's wide eyes flooded in rage, listening to her mother's choking weeps. Edward looked up to her wanting to console her, but didn't know how. Not even Cori did, she was wrangling in a different matter.

"Mom. You're not. You're not at all."

"Yes I am! Why would I… find anyone at my age? Find anything remotely stable when I've been set to pasture a long ass time ago."

"He's a fucking misogynistic curry-head, mom. He doesn't know shit."

Yumi wept, stuffing her face into her hands and stomped back to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Cori flinched, shaking in the silence. Dreading to the noises of her mother crying in her bedroom.

Edward muttered, "What the hell did I miss?"

Cori grabbed her phone from the table and immediately dialled the physician complaint line. She reported him, full name and offence, all with Edward on the edge of his seat proudly listening. When the phone call ended, it still wasn't enough. Cori was still vibrating in rage.

She uttered it, "It's not enough."

"What?"

"That fucker. He needs to pay for what he did to my mom. To her, specifically."

"Cori…"

"No. He needs to. I'd go to his house right fucking now and call him out if I knew where he lived."

Edward took her hand again as she laid her head to the table, breathing to calm down. Then he said, "Let's find out, then."

Cori looked up slowly, "What?"

"Come on."

He took her hand upstairs to her room. She watched his every move carefully, trying to pick apart what he was doing. He opened his laptop, raising further questions.

"I already looked him up. I couldn't find him."

"That's not what I'm doing," he said back, typing fast into his computer, "Do you know the clinic he works at?"

"Yeah it's… Dayside Clinic in Blue Valley."

"Perfect. That's all I need."

Cori finally sat down next to him and asked, "Okay, what the fuck are you doing?"

He had a tab from Nigma open, it was all in code, however. He copy and pasted it to the url of a much different browser, one she hadn't seen before. It was encrypted. She spooked, "Okay, what the hell is this?"

Edward sighed and explained, "I'm hacking."

"You're hacking? You know how to hack?"

He stopped what he was doing only to say, "I'm disappointed you think so low of me." He lightheartedly smiled.

Then he pulled up another tab of the Dayside Clinic. However, he was able to get into the staff log in. He was now inside their database, and skimming the names of staff. He landed on Singh, and to her unbridled surprise, had his address on it.

Cori gasped, "Oh my God. There it is! It's actually there!"

Edward gratifyingly grinned, looking to her smile as his reward. He asked her cheekily, "Is that what you wanted?"

Cori squeaked and leapt over him, nearly making his laptop fly from his hands. He set it to the bed and laid back with her, letting her kiss his temples, chin, and neck. She chirped, "That was so fucking hot I could deep throat you right here and now."

Edward sniggered and said, "I'll take you up on that later. For now, don't you wanna go pay a visit to Singh?"

Cori hesitated at first. Waging short battle if whether or not she was going to go through with it. The excitement in Edward's face wasn't usually seen. It excited her, too. She leapt off him and grabbed her jacket. Cori went to her mother's door and knocked, "Mom. Edward and I were gonna run to the store. Can we use your SUV?"

Her voice sullenly replied behind the door, "Keys are hanging in the kitchen."

"Do you want anything?"

"A bottle of wine."

Cori sighed dejectedly and went to snatch the keys. Edward was already waiting at the front door putting his coat on.

She walked up with him and they went out to the SUV, scared any minute she'd change her mind. Edward was already pulling the address up on his maps app. Cori pulled out of the driveway, letting Edward direct her. They barely spoke as they encroached to Singh's home. Only the directions from Edward.

When they pulled up to cul-de-sac, they saw his middle class home. A sports car in the driveway. Cori was about to leave the vehicle, but then strangers left his home. A woman, and a little boy and baby on her hip. Cori didn't believe it right away, "Is this the right place?"

"Yeah."

Then he came from the front door, kissing the woman and the kids farewell as they got into their SUV. Singh waved to them as they drove off, and he walked back inside the house oblivious to them parked nearby. Cori was left with a slack jawed glare, disgusted but not surprised. Knowing now for certain Singh never cared for her mother. She was a source of income to be manipulated to his benefit. Making it possible to go home to his family without the consequences. Living a normal life as he poisoned her.

Edward could hear the steering wheel creak against Cori's clenching fists. He asked her, "Do you want to go back?"

Her mother's pain was vividly remembered. She said, "No. Wait here."

She popped the door opened before pulling her hoodie up. She slammed the door closed and marched to the tailgate pulling out a tire iron. Edward saw in the rear-view mirror, "Whoa, what're you doing?"

She pushed the tailgate down in the middle of his question. Cori stomped to the driveway across the street. The tire iron swinging her in fist. Holding it in both hands she pressed the sharp end into the back tire of the sports car. There was a struggle to wedge it into the rubber, but it finally ripped and popped. Edward whispered to himself in the passenger seat of Yumi's SUV, "Holy shit."

Cori walked around to the passenger side of the sports car and did the same. Cutting into the tire easier than the first. The car rattling and air hissing from the tires was a small exhilaration. She was completely quiet aside from her breath. But internally she was screaming.

She wasn't done yet. As she walked around the front of the 60k sports car, she slapped the tire iron into the windshield. At first it left a crack, then she'd keep going, not satisfied until the entire windshield was completely spider cracked. Edward paced around the area for any prying eyes. Any cameras on the neighbour's homes. They were fortunate in solitude, but he feared her luck wouldn't last for long.

Cori finally had enough and walked back to the SUV spritely, like she was rejuvenated. She reached the drivers seat and lazily tossed the tire iron to the foot space in the back. When the door closed, Edward was aghast, staring at her as if he was waiting for some kind of rant. Any kind of reaction or reasoning. But she didn't say a word, just breathed low and bit her lip. She finally put it into drive and uttered, "We can go."

The car started to roll, and she made a tight U turn out of the street and back home. As silence continued, Edward's shock lifted to amazement. Even curving a small smile as he admired it more and more. Her place on his pedestal going up a few pegs. He wanted to tell her, but figured it was better to exalt her in silence. Appreciating the beauty of her fury for himself.