The Last Daughter (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) by Jessica Ferguson

though she had no idea what. Could she tempt him into talking?
    “I’ll put her away if you talk to me.” To show good faith, she placed Tiva on an ottoman. She sat on the edge of it too, shielding Tiva behind her. He wheeled toward her, so close she could have reached out and touched him, given him a daughter’s sweet kiss on the cheek.
    “I’m sorry, but how did you end up in a wheelchair?”
    “Get away from me, girl. Leave me alone and get out of my life. If you want answers, go ask your sorry brother.”
    Dizziness overcame her, her eyes blurred. His laughter made her want to put her hands over her ears. Through it all, she managed one more question. “I have a brother?”
    ****
    Rayna stumbled out the front doors of Sun Meadows Senior Living Facility and into the sunlight. She collapsed onto a bench and let the tears flow, hugging her doll to her chest. She’d never had such a confrontation in all her life. She wasn’t a confrontational person. She felt overwhelmed by her actions, as well as the vehemence Raymond Mudwing felt toward her. He hated her so much he’d physically scarred her for life. He’d taken everyone from her. Even a brother. Where is he? Who is he? Did he know about her? Had he searched for her at all?
    “Rayna?” The voice was soft. Familiar.
    The moment he said her name, all the happenings during the past few weeks made sense, were crystal clear. She met his eyes. “You.”
    He nodded. “Yes, me. Did he tell you?”
    She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
    “He didn’t tell you anything?”
    “No, Louis, he didn’t tell me anything.” Her voice rose. “No explanation whatsoever.”
    She looked around to see if anyone heard her outburst, but oddly the porch was bare. When had the old-timers vacated the area? Had she looked so crazy, so insane that she’d frightened them away? Over the rumbling in her head, the ringing in her ears, she heard a voice. Louis was saying something. She cleared her mind and focused on him.
    “I can take you to our mother as soon as you want to see her.”
    Their mother? He would take her to their mother? “You have a relationship with our mother? The woman who chose her lover over her daughter. She’s here?” She dared not believe everything that was happening. Suddenly, she had a father, a brother, a mother.
    “No, I don’t have a relationship with her. I—I haven’t seen her since she left us. I was waiting for you.”
    He was waiting for her? But, she didn’t want to see her mother. Not yet. Not without knowing the whole story. She shifted on the bench. “I want answers, Louis. I want to know everything. Why would a mother leave her children? Why would a father brand his two-year-old daughter?” She rubbed her chest. “Why—”
    He motioned toward the bench. “May I?” She scooted over, and he sat down beside her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the minute you came to the house. I thought it best that things evolve naturally.”
    “Naturally? Are you kidding me? There’s nothing natural about any of this. Give me the real reason, Louis.”
    He had the decency to look embarrassed about his choice of words. “Our family heritage isn’t one to speak about. Certainly not brag about. I didn’t know how much you’d remember or how you would feel about family, especially me.”
    “I don’t remember anything. And I want to know it all. No matter how horrific it is. Nothing could be more traumatic than this.” She tugged at her blouse.
    He rubbed his hand across his face. “That’s what I mean. I—I was there. I was forced to watch.” Tears popped into his eyes. He looked away. “I couldn’t help you, Rayna. I was barely six years old. I swear there was nothing I could do. Just scream and cry with you.”
    Her eyes filled. “How did you know I was in Oklahoma City?”
    He swiped his face again. “It’s a long story.”
    “I don’t care how long it is. No more games, Louis. Tell me.” The tone of her voice