Studio Time: Epilogue One

Millwood

Her father came home from the funeral quiet and hungry and not inclined to talk at first.  After he ate, the fire burning across the room, he finally told her about the Gate Rock, the crows, red roses climbing up stone columns, a girl all alone kneeling on the grave and reciting poetry, Rayne and Duff crying.  Well Rayne crying, not Duff crying.  Her father could tell you about a time or a place with such depth and color that you could see the clouds sail over it.  It all sounded fabulously mournful, except Gemma had been there and not apparently in any way devastated.  If Aunt Camilla had ruined her life surely that would be worth mentioning.  Almost certainly.  She would check in.

Jay.

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Jay answer answer answer

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hi Autumn

Dad just got back from the funeral your mom wasn’t there and nothing's happened to Gemma whats up

Mom bought the studio the one Slim and Cooper own. 

Her hope and her certainty dropped so hard she caught her breath and her hands shook.  Aunt Camilla bought a studio, THAT studio.  Did she want one?  Were they going to sell it anyway?  Was it even related at all?  She didn't know for sure that her aunt even meant to do something about Gemma.  She'd assumed she did but what if she was wrong.

whats gemma got to do with the studio

don’t know.

you gotta know something since you know your mom bought it.

Gemma wants it and mom's taking it from her.  You know my mother it’s not the thing she’s taking that matters to her it’s the taking itself.  don't worry.  its happening tonight

She felt enormous shining relief.  Aunt Camilla was coming through.  It really was happening.  And it was definitely her aunt's modus operandi to buy something her enemy wanted and throw it in their face.

Modus was a good word, it had a kind of ominous thump that ‘method’ didn’t quite provide.  It was unfortunate that it sounded so pretentious.

okay and its tonight?

probably about now

thanks for doing this Jay

no problem.  let me know if you want to take down someone else

She got up and started to go back downstairs when she realized she hadn't made it absolutely clear that this was absolutely between the two of them, not counting Aunt Camilla of course.  Jay probably understood that but she was going to remind him.

do not tell Hugs about this

haha try explaining this to clueless hugs.  she’s your friend not mine you make that decision. gotta go 

Hugs knew nothing at all about her dad and Gemma.  Jay was mean to call her clueless but it didn't matter now.  Hugs was safe.  Hugs never needed to know.

It was real.  Somehow she had done something to save her friend and to give her aunt a way to take revenge.  Aunt Camilla wouldn't forget that.  And she knew that since she had done it once, she could do it again.