Absolution

by Jennifer Laurens

  Weston opened the door and the scent of cinnamon and baked bread filled the air. My stomach grumbled. I hadn’t eaten since we’d ice skated.

  I tried not to think about what had happened last night, and instead focused on what was happening. Weston looked so radiant and happy, I wouldn’t mar one second of the night with my worrying about whether or not I was going to see Albert again.

  A tall, slim woman with dark hair pulled back in a sleek knot met us in the entry. Her flattering black slacks and turtleneck sweater reminded me of something Audrey Hepburn might have worn. The woman floated with grace over the hardwood floors as we followed her to two tables, dressed and ready for our dining luxury.

  Luke and Krissy sat at one, Weston and I at the other.

  White lacy table cloths, linen napkins, a spring bouquet in the center surrounded by crystal goblets and pink china—the table was too beautiful to eat on. “Wow,” I whispered after being seated.

  “Like you, I thought it was only a reception center. Mom told me they do special stuff like this, so I thought, why not?” Weston placed his cloth napkin on his lap.

  “So, you and your mom… things are better?” He hadn’t said much and I didn’t want to pry or bring up something painful, so I avoided the topic.

  He snorted, shrugged. “We’re being civil. I have to say, since that whole blow up, things haven’t been as intense.”

  Maybe Brady was gone for good. I hoped so. “You’ve taken control.

  That’s cool.”

  “Damned right.”

  I laughed, and glanced out the window into the vine-covered patio lit with pink and white lights. My heart stuttered. Albert stood watching me from against the farthest wall. How long had he been there? Why hadn’t I sensed him—felt him? My stomach churned. Weston continued talking, but I didn’t hear what he said, fixated as I was now on Albert’s presence and worrying about what he was going to do.

  “You okay?” Weston’s gaze searched my face.

  I tore my attention away from Albert momentarily. “I—I’m fine. I could use some water.”

  Our water glasses were empty, and our waitress had yet to visit our table. Weston vanished in search of help.

  When I glanced back out the window, my heart jumped. Albert stood next to the table. Oddly, the submerging evil I usually felt whenever I was in his presence wasn’t in the air. I wasn’t accustomed to seeing him in anything but black. Last night, his suit had appeared lighter bathed in the brilliant light surrounding the being. His suit was even lighter now, a soft shade of dove gray.

  His shirt was the same color and—that hideous rope tie had been replaced by a simple, slim gray tie.

  His eyes had changed. I tried to figure out what was different. They were that Matthias blue, and still mesmerizing in their own way but I couldn’t put my finger on what was different.

  His attention lifted from me to something behind me, and I whirled around. Weston was heading my direction with a goblet of water. When I turned back, Albert was gone.

  I swung left. Right. But he wasn’t anywhere. Had I imagined seeing him?

  How bizarre.

  Weston sat next to me. “Drink this. You look kinda…pale.”

  “Thanks” I said, sneaking in long glances around the room just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating after last night’s events in the forest. “I’m fine.” I sipped the icy water. I hoped Albert wasn’t gearing up for more. I was tired. I was beat. I wasn’t sure where Matthias was, but I wanted my prom.

  y y y

  The Governor’s Hotel was in downtown Salt Lake City. The Victorian gothic architecture made for a stately building, surrounded by modern skyscrapers, making the historic hotel stand out. From the thirty-seventh floor there was an unobstructed view spreading out in every direction in colorful, twinkling lights.

  The Roof Ballroom was where prom was being held and after the valet parked Weston’s truck, Krissy, Luke, Weston and I joined the throngs of students in flowing gowns and sleek tuxedos parading into the four-story lobby on their way upstairs.

  Marble pillars held up an ornate, open balcony—the second floor—above the main lobby. A monstrous crystal chandelier hung with thousands of dangling, carved crystals.

  The place was stunning. I felt like a princess. How different it was to be at an event like this with someone special.

  I stole a glance at Weston, admiring the strength in his chin and the way his chestnut hair feathered at the back of his collar. We strolled arm-in-arm through the elegant, busy lobby to the elevators.

  On tip-toes, I kissed his cheek.

  His skin flushed when he looked at me, and his arm tightened around mine.

  In the cramped elevator, girls eyed my dress. I kept my gaze on the floor numbers whirling past as the car sped upward.

  Once on the thirty-seventh floor the throngs of prom-goers threaded into the giant, mirrored ballroom where a DJ worked dance music from a small black stage. On one side of the room tables were set up with chairs and a refreshment bar was located near the door.

  Luke and Krissy, who had for the most part remained close by during our trek from the truck to the elevator, now stood staring at the room and its occupants.

  Music blasted from dozens of well-placed speakers, so I leaned close to Luke’s ear. “Having fun?”

  He nodded. He hadn’t let go of Krissy’s hand all night. “Good,” I said, and gave him a quick hug. I loved seeing him happy. I felt like the pieces of our family that had floated out into oblivion were finally gravitating back home.

  Weston tugged me away from Luke, shooting my brother a nod, which was returned. Then Weston led me onto the dance floor. A slow, haunting song played, and when Weston wrapped around me and his body moved in that easy rock next to mine, I started to float.

  “This is the best.” His warm breath in my ear sent feathers of warmth through my body. “Being here with you. This is the best, Zoe.”

  “I agree.” I rested my head against his chest, then thought better of it, not wanting to get my makeup on his black tuxedo. Besides, I never tired of looking at him.

  He studied me so intensely, I shivered. “What?”

  “There’ll never be anyone like you, that’s all,” he said. “The things you see, the way you are… you’re irreplaceable.”

  I knew how he felt. I felt that way about Matthias. “That’s nice of you to say, but—”

  “Don’t.” His brows knitted together. “I’m serious. I don’t think… I can’t…” He looked away for a moment, as if struggling with words. “I’m not sure I will ever be able to love anyone the way I love you.”

  Weston held his heart out to me at that moment, the most vulnerable part of a human soul. The responsibility was daunting, but I wasn’t frightened.

  “Don’t think about that right now. Be here now. That’s all.”

  His vulnerable expression remained exposed. He held me tighter, dipping his head against mine so his lips coursed my neck, but not in a kiss, he just kept them pressed against the pulse beating alongside my throat.

  I closed my eyes for a while, enjoying the way our bodies moved together. I hoped he understood how the heart was capable of holding many loves, though I, too, knew that when deep love penetrated a spot, there it remained. Forever.

  When the song changed, we eased apart and jumped around with the rest of the student body celebrating. I caught Chase standing by the refreshment bar, and grinned.

  I pointed him out to Weston. “Let’s go say hi,” I yelled over the music.

  Weston nodded and we wove through bouncing dancers toward Chase.

  He wore a baby blue tuxedo that looked like it might have been from the 80s, complete with ruffled shirt, black cummerbund and black shoes. He looked eclectically in style, though I was pretty sure he hadn’t planned to look that way. He sipped a drink and waved as we approached.

  “Hey, guys.” He was adorably happy. Chase and I hugged. “Wow, Zoe, you look gorgeous.” Chase turned to Weston. “You�
��re a lucky guy, dude.”

  “Yeah, I am. Dig the tux, man.”

  “Where did you find it?” I asked. Weston grabbed two pre-filled drinks in clear cups and handed me one.

  “Mom insisted I wear Dad’s wedding tux.”

  “Looks good,” I said, sipping something lemon lime. Chase pulled off the look in a Clark Kent kind of way.

  “It works.” Weston shrugged.

  “Who’d you come with?” I glanced around.

  “Myself. I took your suggestion and am covering the event for the paper.” Chase eyed Weston from head to toe, as if deciphering what Weston had that he didn’t.

  I whispered in Weston’s ear, “Mind if I ask him to dance?”

  Weston smiled, shook his head and took my drink. I extended my hand to Chase. “Let’s dance.”

  Chase whirled around, searching for a place to put his drink. Weston’s hands were full with our drinks, so Chase set his nearly-empty cup on the nearest banquet table.

  We went out on the dance floor. The song was slow, and Chase shot glances Weston’s direction, not sure what to do. I held out my hands and he eagerly wrapped around me. “So,” his voice warbled nervously in my ear, “you guys having fun?”

  “It’s been a great day, yeah.”

  “Weston’s a nice guy.”

  I leaned back and smiled at him. “So are you.”

  His cheeks bloomed in a bright pink shade. His eyes sparkled, but he appeared speechless.

  “I’ve got stuff to tell you,” I said. “Something happened last night you’re going to want to know.”

  “Yeah?” His brows arched. “What?”

  “Tonight’s not the night, but we can meet next week”

  He seemed pleased with that idea, relieved even—like, just because I was with Weston didn’t mean he would never see me again. “Okay.

  Starbucks?”

  “Starbucks.”

  When the song ended, he escorted me back to a waiting Weston.

  An awkward tension suddenly zapped the air between us. “I’m going to go to the ladies room.” I kissed Weston’s cheek and started on a search for a breath of fresh air.

  Outside the ballroom on the floor were windows lining one side of the wall. The view was incredible, so I stepped out on the balcony and enjoyed watching cars zoom through traffic below. The scent of city air, both dirty and with a bite evergreen carried on the light breeze coming from the canyon, tasted gritty in my mouth and nose.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” That voice.

  Albert stood next to me.

  Chapter Twenty

  ____________________

  I reached for the balcony ledge and held tight, waiting for dense evil to submerge me. But the air surrounding us remained untainted.

  “Don’t be afraid.” His voice had changed. Softer. Not for the sake of seduction, but the delicate tone of respect. Shocked, my mouth opened but I wasn’t sure what to say.

  He wore the same gray suit I’d seen him in at The Bungalow. Up close, I noted that the gray threads were actually twined with white. Where was his noose tie? What had happened to him?

  “Thank you.” His Matthias-blue gaze held mine in unblinking sincerity.

  As shocking as this moment was, the air around us was clear, crisp—like an open conduit to heaven. “I hope someday you can forgive me, Zoe.”

  I didn’t know how to respond. Mercy shed a peculiar light on Albert.

  Maybe I could forgive him someday.

  A layer lifted from his countenance, lightening him yet even more: his skin, his eyes, his suit—from head to toe.

  His lips turned up slightly, and a faint aura emanated from him. He turned, facing the city and the noose tie suddenly appeared in his hands. The rope tie of souls writhed, their screams like distant screeching, filling the night air. Albert’s face twisted in grief. He lowered his head for a moment, as if touching the tie brought him unspeakable agony.

  I stood spellbound, my hand over my pounding heart. Tears streamed from his closed eyes, down his taut cheeks. He held the noose tie in the palms of his hands as if he held delicate tissue paper, then he lifted the tie heavenward and the white bundle of souls broke free, swirling into the black night, each sinewy thread spinning upward toward the stars until I could see no more.

  Slowly, Albert’s hands returned to his sides. His face remained heavenward. Long moments passed. How we were able to remain alone on the balcony was one of God’s gifts to him, I supposed. Enabling him to complete what he needed to.

  “Thank you,” he whispered. To me? To God? I wasn’t sure. He remained facing outward, and all I could see was his profile. But relief spread through his back and shoulders.

  Laughter startled me. I glanced right. Four couples burst through the glass doors and joined us on the balcony. They looked at me, and I noticed one of the boys pulled a bag of white powder out from the inside of his jacket.

  He didn’t bother trying to disguise the coke; in fact, he held the bag out to me and jerked his head in invitation to join them.

  My stomach twisted with revulsion. Nothing would compare with what I’d just witnessed—most definitely not some fleeting high.

  I shook my head and turned back to face Albert.

  He was gone.

  Weston came through the door and the kids with the drugs acknowledged him. He gave them an impersonal nod, and his gaze searched the balcony. When his eyes found mine, he strode my way.

  “Are you okay?” His hands wrapped around my upper arms. He peered into my face. “Zoe?”

  “Um, yeah.” I shook out my head. Had I really just seen Albert? Maybe my hopes and fantasies were getting the best of me. “I just needed some air.

  Look at this great view, huh?”

  Weston eyed me as if trying to decipher truth. I turned and faced the city. The sparkly lights stretched out in an endless weave, crisscrossing the black fabric of the valley floor. Protecting the valley, the rocky peaks of powerful mountains reached heavenward in leaping black shapes.

  Matthias, where are you? Do you know that I saw Albert? Do you know he’s changed? I hoped so, for Matthias’ sake.

  Weston’s shoulder and arm brushed against mine, his warmth comforting. Real.

  “I want to dance with you.” Weston turned toward me. I felt his gaze examining me, and faced him.

  The moonlight, partially hidden behind a bank of traveling clouds, cast his face in white. He inched closer and wrapped around me. Behind him, the group of kids laughed and whispered, and I was vaguely aware that they were talking about taking hits.

  “Right here?” I asked.

  He seemed totally focused on me, but when one of the boys let out a groan, he frowned. “Inside.” Taking me by the hand, he led me through the glass double doors back into the warmth of the 37th floor where couples strolled. Some sat on couches, talking.

  Music pounded from speakers, and the dance floor rocked and waved with gyrating bodies moving to the beat. Weston started jumping, so I did too.

  We danced through the crowd until we were on the dance floor.

  Chase waved from the edge of the bouncing mass. I suppressed a chuckle at his attempts to dance. Each limb moved to its own internal beat, none of which coordinated with the pound blasting from the speakers.

  But his grin was huge and he didn’t seem to care.

  When the next song filled the air, the whole room slowed. White and gold flashing lights shifted to soft pinks and reds in the shape of hearts, spinning in tandem with the romantic melody.

  Weston pulled me close and I locked my arms around his neck. The tips of his hair fell around his face, moist with sweat from dancing, and his spicy cologne filled my head.

  He smiled and held me closer.

  I rested my head against his chest, enjoying the perfect evening.

  Through the crowd I caught Luke and Krissy swaying in each other’s arms.

  The sight brought a smile to my face. My gaze continued skipping those around us. Most
faces familiar, all caught up in oozy happiness as they danced to the slow tune.

  I saw him then—Matthias—a steady pure, white vision in the crowd. I stopped. I was astounded that no one else saw him but me.

  Weston stopped, too, and followed my gaze. His grip around me tightened. Weston sees Matthias? As amazing as that miracle was, I needed to go to Matthias.