The Art of Dying
Epilogue (An Early Christmas Gift)

“So, have you thought about how you’re going to tell your mom?” C.C. asked me, for probably the millionth time since the dinner two weeks ago. I rolled my eyes as I put my books in my locker. “You know, you got to replace a way tell her everything. They belong together.”

“I know… but I didn’t have time to come up with anything yet.” What with the exams before the holidays, I didn’t have much time to do anything but study. I didn’t even have the time to start learning all there was to know about angels of death and my wings are still a mystery that I haven’t seen yet. Plus how do I tell my mom that my dad ─whom she thought was dead for close to seventeen years─ is alive, when only the mention of his name makes her shut down? “It’s just not that easy, you know? She won’t listen. She’s…─” I got interrupted by the intercom of the school.

“Delphine Valiquette, please report to the principal’s office. Delphine Valiquette, to the principal’s office. Thank you.” That’s strange. Why would aunt Trish call me to the principal’s office on the last day of school? Maybe she wants to wish me a safe flight for tomorrow or merry Christmas or something…? But then I saw that C.C. was trying to hide a big smile while looking at me in a suspicious manner. What’s up with that? What does she know?

“Why is aunt Trish, calling me to the principal’s office, C.C.?” I looked at her suspiciously.

“Well, you know… since she took over the evil bitch’s job, things have been pretty slow… and well… she’s had a lot of time to think and…” I closed my locker and looked at her closely. “We came up with a way to tell your mother.” She finished apologetically. Oh, gosh. What did they do? I hurried to the principal’s office with C.C. hot on my heels. “Hey, wait up. You know, I wear heels!” I slowed down a bit for her to keep up with me but I kept on going. “Thanks.” She said once she reached me.

“What did you do?” I asked as we walked. Before she could answer me, we reached the reception and went straight for aunt Trish’s office. I’ve really grown close to her and my dad in the last two weeks ─since the revelation of my heritage. We still haven’t heard from Ellianna but C.C.’s parents (my aunt and uncle) are on the lookout in ‘Ellithia’ for any news of her or of ‘Sinx’ activity. So far they found nothing…

I knocked once on the office’s door but didn’t bother to wait before going in. “Ah, Delphine.” Aunt Trish said as she stood up from behind her desk. Her blond hair had streaks of black in it now and she was wearing a black blazer with dark blue jeans and an ‘Iron Maiden’ T-shirt. “Come in, come in.” C.C. followed me in and we both took seats in the red chairs in front of the desk. Aunt Trish sat back down and said: “Your mother should be here shortly.” I looked at her aghast.

“What!?” I exclaimed. “Why?” Why did they bring her here? And what did they tell her, to make her come here? She wouldn’t come all the way over here for nothing.

“We figured that the best way for her to believe you…” It was C.C. who answered me. “Is for you to show her that your dad is alive.” Does my dad know about this? I somehow doubt it.

“Seeing is believing.” Trish said simply.

“Yeah, ok but does my dad know about this?” I asked. “And how did you convince my mom to come down here? She wouldn’t fly all the way up here for something trivial.”

“I said that you broke you leg in gym class and that you had a slight concussion.” Trish said dismissively. What!? OMG she must be freaking out, on the plane right now. “And about my brother… let’s just say… it’ll be an early Christmas gift.” So he doesn’t know. My mom is so going to freak, well more than I’m sure she already is. I groaned. This is awful.

“Hey, everything’ll be fine.” C.C. said. “If she freaks out too much I could always ask Olly…─” I cut her right off at that.

“No, uh-uh.” I said immediately. “Oliver is not going to brain rape her again.” She sighed exasperatedly.

“It’s not brain rape.” C.C. said. “It’s just damage control.” The phone on the desk suddenly rang and Trish answered it.

“Yes? ... Send her right in.” She said before hanging up the phone. C.C. then stood up.

“I should probably go.” As C.C. opened the door and left I saw my mother walk in. She looked panicked, rushed over to me and crouched down before me.

“Del, ‘cocotte’ are you alright?” She asked as she looked me over with her eyes.

“I’m fine mom.” I said and as she assessed me with her eyes, she seemed to grow confused. She looked up at Trish but Trish held up a finger as she picked up her phone.

“Come here…” She said into the phone. “Yes, now.” Oh, gosh, she’s going to make them meet like that. Oh, man.

“What’s going on?” My mom asked as she straightened back up to look at Trish. “My daughter is not injured. What…─” Before she could finish her question, the door swung open and there stood my dad with an irritated look on his face that soon turned to amazement as my mom turned to see who it was.

“Maude.” My dad whispered reverently.

“Heath?” She whispered just as shocked with a hint of disbelief. I looked at Trish. She had a smug look on her face as she looked at them. Oh, this can’t be good…