by Jenn Cowan
6
“What’s wrong with you?” Liam shouts at Jana.
Jana smirks and glares down at Cat like she’s a piece gum stuck to her shoe. “This is why Cat didn’t stay on the dance team. She’s so klutzy.”
I stare at the scene in horror. Cat’s on all fours on the floor trying to salvage the daisies and wipe up the pitcher of soda that’s now all over the table and floor. Liam’s helping her while shooting Jana and her friends dirty looks. I hurry to the broom closet and grab the mop then head to their table in time to hear Jana tell Liam he’s wasting his time with Cat. I grip the mop handle so hard it might snap.
Travis rushes over and takes the mop from me and begins to work on the sticky floor while demanding, “What’s going on here?”
Jana puts on an academy award winning performance with eyelash fluttering and a megawatt smile. “Oh, Detective Mills. Congratulations on your engagement! We came over to congratulate Cat on her new mother and she got all flustered and spilled the pitcher of soda over these simple daisies and well everywhere.” More eyelash fluttering ensues.
I want to puke and call the little faker out, but Cat shoots me a teary plea with her eyes. I clamp my mouth shut and snag a plate to put the soppy napkins on it.
Allison comes over and strikes up a conversation with Jana. Apparently, Allison cuts Jana’s and her friends’ hair. They are acting like besties.
Cat glares at them before slapping the napkins on the plate I offer her.
I help her to her feet and take the plate to the trash.
Pete claps Travis on the back and takes the mop from him. His white chef outfit clings to his bulky frame and his salt and pepper hair is covered with flour. “I’ll finish up here. You take your new bride-to-be back over to your table. I have a special dessert for you two. Carla is bringing it out shortly.”
Travis hesitates, unsure what to do. His green eyes meet mine and they seem to be pleading with me to say something to get him out of this.
I frown and place an arm around Cat. She’s staring down at the soda covered daisies in her hands.
“I’m so sorry, Cat. I’ll get you some new ones,” Liam says, softly.
Cat shakes her head. “No. It’s fine.”
Liam’s hopeful face turns into a sad one. “Cat ple-,”
“I want to go home,” Cat states, still staring at the flowers.
“I can take you,” Liam offers.
“Are you even old enough to drive?” Travis steps in and begins interrogating him.
“I am, sir. I’m sixteen.”
Travis’s nostrils flare and it’s clear he doesn’t like the fact that Liam is older than Cat by a year.
I step in before Travis embarrasses Cat. “I’m actually heading out. I can drop Cat off at your house or better yet, why doesn’t she just spend the night at my house.”
Travis’s eyes snap to mine. “What? Why?”
I squeeze Cat’s shoulder so she goes along with my plan. “Cat’s helping me with some things for the funeral tomorrow.” The words feel like sandpaper in my mouth, but I press on, “She’s going to help me sort through some pictures and stuff of Josh’s for picture boards.” Tears form in my eyes without me even realizing it. I brush them away. Ugh. Quit crying, Autumn. Josh isn’t dead. At least my tears seem to convince Travis.
His eyes soften and he reaches out to squeeze my arm. “Of course. You may swing by the house to grab some clothes for the night and for the service tomorrow.”
Cat nods and places her head on my shoulder. Her shoulders slumping forward and she looks about ready to curl up into a ball in the corner.
I give Travis a tight smile and turn to Liam. “Thank you for delivering all those flowers to the spa today. Daisies tomorrow at the church will be lovely.” I lift an eyebrow so he catches onto my meaning.
He smiles sadly and tries to catch Cat’s eye, but she’s staring at the ground.
I squeeze her shoulder and begin to lead Cat toward the door.
Allison stops us before we get very far. “Oh, Cat. I’m so glad you came tonight.” She gives her a quick hug then turns to me. “Thank you for coming, Autumn. I know this can’t be easy for you.”
I frown. Easy? What does she mean? Does she think I still have feelings for Travis? I open my mouth to set the record straight, but she continues.
“Josh was a good man. You’ll find someone in time.” She squeezes my hand then turns back to the terrible trio.
I force a smile when my phone rings. “Hello?”
My mother’s voice fills the phone, “Autumn. Are you still at Pete’s?”
“Yes.”
“Please come home as soon as possible.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” I can hear the stress in her voice.
She pauses then says, “We have some news.”
“Good or bad.” My heart begins to pound loudly in my chest.
“Just please come home.”
“Is this about Josh?”
My mother sighs. “I’m not going to discuss this over the phone, sweetie.”
Another question is on the tip of my tongue, but I know she’s not going to tell me anything else so I say, “I’ll be right there. I’m leaving now.” I hang up and realize everyone’s staring at me with expectant faces. “I better go.” I turn to leave, but not before I see Travis checking his phone with a deep frown on his face.
His eyes slowly drag up from his phone to meet mine and he declares, “I’ll drive you.”
Allison’s eyes grow wide and ping pong back and forth between us. “What’s the matter, Travis?”
He shakes his head. “The party’s over everyone.”
Allison frowns. “Wh-what? We just got here. We’re supposed to be celebrating our engagement.”
“We shouldn’t be.”
She gasps.
He grabs her hand and gives it a squeeze. “This isn’t the time for celebrating anything but Josh’s life. Thank you everyone for coming out tonight, but right now our focus needs to be on the Parker family and Autumn.”
Allison blinks back the tears forming in her eyes. “Of course, how silly of me. I’m so selfish. Forgive me, Autumn.” She reaches out and embraces me.
I pat her back and narrow my eyes at Travis. He knows something and he’s refusing to meet my eyes. “It’s fine. I’m happy for you both and this was a nice distraction.”
“Travis and I will take you home and Cat can stay the night another time. You need some time alone.”
Cat grips my elbow and her eyes are pleading with me.
I smile at her. “Cat’s no trouble. In fact, I’m looking forward to having her stay with me.”
Allison lets me go and studies me. “If you’re sure.”
I nod. “I am.”
“Well let’s get you home and see what’s going on.”
Travis runs a hand through his hair. “Actually, Allison, I need to head to the station after I drop off Autumn and Cat so it’s probably best for you to just go home.”
Allison narrows her eyes at him. “Fine.” She forces a smile and addresses everyone, “Thank you all for coming and sharing this happy time with us. Have a great night.” Then she turns on her heels and stomps out the door.
Travis trails behind her like a puppy with its tail between its legs.
Cat hooks her arm in mine and we make our way to my Jeep. There’s really no need for Travis to drive me home. My mother tends to be slightly dramatic although Travis got a message on his phone. Maybe they found Josh. Hope blooms in my chest only to deflate when I remember Travis’s words about focusing on the Parker family. My chest aches and I rub it to soothe away the pain, but it doesn’t work. I brace myself against my Jeep and realize the news I’m going to receive is bad… really bad.
7
I burst through the front door to my home. My mother’s sitting on the couch sipping from a floral tea cup. It smells like spearmint in here and I wrinkle my nose. I hate spearmint, but she loves it. My father’s staring int
o the fire with his arm resting on the ledge of the stone fireplace. They both turn when they hear me.
My parents exchange a glance then notice Cat and Travis and snap into welcoming hosts. It’s almost as if they are procrastinating. Mom starts to fuss over Cat, offering her some cookies while my father shakes Travis’s hands and they start whispering. My nostrils flare. I’m done with this nonsense. Someone better have some answers. “What’s going on?” I demand, stomping my foot as if I’m a toddler and I don’t even care.
Everyone stops and stares at me like I’m three and throwing a temper tantrum in the grocery store. They all glance around at each other before my mother steps forward and leads me over to the couch.
Travis and my father hover by the fireplace, watching me like I’m fine china in a child’s hand.
My mom sighs. “Autumn.” She clears her throat, fidgets with the hem of her sweater then gives me a fake smile.
“What do you need to tell me?” I inquire, shifting over so Cat can sit next to me.
Cat grabs my hand and squeezes like even she knows what I’m going to hear is bad.
I pat her hand and focus back on my mother. “Tell me.”
Tears fill my mother’s eyes and she grabs a tissue off of the coffee table then shakes her head.
My dad steps in and props himself on the arm of the couch then places an arm around my mother.
I blink at them expectantly. “What is it?” I ask, feeling anxious.
“The coast guard found some of Josh’s things.”
I blink again, not processing what he’s saying. “Okay. Finding his things will lead them to Josh, right?”
My mother hiccups as tears run down her cheeks.
A knot begins to form in my stomach and the room begins to spin. I swallow the bile rising in my throat and take a deep breath to center myself. I need answers. “Did they find Josh? Is he hurt?”
Another hiccup from my mother.
Sheesh, someone get this woman some water. I take another breath and calm my emotions.
My father clears his throat. “No. No one has found Josh. His things…” his voice trails off and I notice tears forming in his eyes. He glances at Travis and shakes his head.
I focus on Travis. He has answers. “Travis, tell me. What’s going on?”
Travis runs a hand over the back of his neck. “Autumn.” He clears this throat. “Josh’s things were stained… with blood.”
I blink and fight back the tears threatening to spill over. My voice cracks as I ask, “What things?”
Travis checks his phone. “A blue Tom Petty t-shirt, his wallet and a sock.”
“How do they know they’re Josh’s? Besides his wallet, tons of people wear Tom Petty shirts and socks.”
Travis glances at my father. “Autumn, everyone knows Josh writes his name on his clothes. His name is on the tag of the t-shirt and sock. They were found by some locals on the beach.”
“Maybe Josh left them there when he went for a swim.” I’m grasping because I don’t want to believe what they’re telling me. Josh isn’t dead. I know it.
“It wouldn’t explain the… blood.”
“He could have cut his foot on a seashell. Maybe-”
“Autumn. Stop.” My mother grabs my hand. “Just stop. I know you don’t want to believe Josh is… gone, but he is. They may never find his body. You have to be ready to say good-bye tomorrow. I know it’s not ideal with the holidays, but Abby thinks it’s best to not drag it out and ruin everyone’s Christmas.”
I rip my hand from her grasp and gape at her. “Ruin everyone’s holiday? Really? This is Josh we’re talking about. What part of this holiday is going to be great when he’s not here?”
My mother’s jaw drops. I don’t blame her. I have a great relationship with my parents and normally don’t act like this, but my world’s falling apart.
I don’t stop because I can’t. The past couple of days of holding it together come crashing down. I’m a tower of dominoes spilling onto the floor. “We have plans. We’re buying the spa from Sally.” I begin to shake. “We’ve wanted to own the spa for years. Now, is our time. Together.” Tears spill down my cheeks and now I begin to hiccup. Great. I continue, shaking my head. “Josh doesn’t know. I never got a chance to tell him.”
My mother finally snaps out of her shock and puts her arm around me. “Tell him what, Autumn?”
“That I love him and want to marry him. Have babies with him. Spend our life together. He’s my best friend. I can’t live without him.” I burst into tears and sob into my mother’s chest.
She strokes my hair and whispers things I can’t make out because I’m crying too loudly.
When my sobs turn into whimpers I can barely see, but I do notice Cat and Travis are gone and so is my father. “Where did everyone go?”
“They went to the police station with Abby and Brian.”
“Why?” I croak, needing some water.
My mother stands and heads to the kitchen. “Tying up some things.”
“What things?”
She sighs. “Autumn, please.”
“What?” I wipe my eyes and follow her into the kitchen.
Cabinet doors open and close as my mother busies herself with making me some tea.
I sit down at the kitchen table because I’m feeling kind of dizzy from all my crying. “Mom?”
She sighs again. “Autumn, this is hard for all of us. Abby needs closure. Josh is… was her only child. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. If anything were to happen to you…” Her shoulders hunch and she tries to stifle her crying.
I pop up from my seat and wrap my arms around her from behind and cry right along with her. This can’t be how my story ends. Not without Josh.
My phone pings from the living room. I think about ignoring it, but part of me is still holding out hope Josh is alive and maybe he’s texting me. “I’ll be right back.” I give my mother another quick squeeze before dashing into the living room.
I fumble with my cellphone, hands shaking as I open the screen. My heart is pounding then sinks when I see who is texting me. Cat. I smile then cringe. She’s probably a mess, worrying about me. This season is hard enough on her without her mother for Christmas and now everything with Josh and those awful girls. I open her text and read it only to realize, I’m not reading a text from Cat. It’s from her phone, but this is definitely not from Cat. It can’t be and if it is, I need to get to Travis’s ASAP.
8
I’m driving like a maniac through the streets of Daysville, trying to get to Travis’s house as fast as I can. Travis isn’t answering his phone and neither is Regina. I thought about trying Allison, but I’m not sure how Cat might feel about that. If nothing is wrong and I’m overreacting then she might be furious with me. I try Cat again. It goes straight to voicemail. Why isn’t Cat answering her phone? My stomach churns. This isn’t good.
My mother sends me a quick text to check on me, but I don’t respond. It’s dark and the backroads to Travis’s house aren’t well lit. I’m not even going to risk texting and driving. She must think I’m having a nervous breakdown. I ran out of the house without much of an explanation.
There’s no time.
Something’s wrong.
Seriously wrong.
Why is Cat alone right now? Everyone’s hovering around her all the time and now, when she really needs us, no one’s around. This is my fault. She probably thought I didn’t want her to stay when the dam burst and I began melting down in front of everyone. Ugh. Why can’t I keep my emotions in check?
I skid to a stop by the curb in front of Travis’s house then push open the door and race up the steps. I pound on the door then wait a second and pound again. There’s a light on in the living room, but I can’t see anything through the curtains. I try the door, but it’s locked. I contemplate breaking the window then remember Travis keeps a spare key underneath one of the bushes. Who hides a key in a bush? A cop that’s who. I roll my eyes and crouch do
wn to begin digging for the key when the front door flies open. I hold up my hand to block the light.
“Autumn? What are you doing?” Cat’s standing perfectly fine in her white bathrobe with a white towel around her head.
I rush at her and wrap my arms around her. “You’re okay.”
She pats my back. “Yes. I’m fine. Why? What’s wrong?”
I step back and study her. “I got a weird text from your phone.”
“What kind of weird text?” Cat tilts her head as if she has no idea what I’m talking about.
I shiver against the cold and motion for Cat to go inside then fumble with my phone before pulling up the text. “I’m leaving town. I can’t do this anymore. I miss my mom.”
Cat frowns. “I didn’t text you, Autumn.”
“It didn’t sound like you, but I came to check just in case.” I squeeze her hand. “I know this year’s- “
She cuts me off, “Stop. I’m fine, Autumn. I don’t know how someone sent that text from my phone, but it wasn’t me.”
I glance around the tidy living room. “Where’s your phone?”
Cat bites her lower lip and heads over to her bag by the front door. “I put it in here after Jana and her crew knocked over my soda. I didn’t want it to get wet.” She digs then digs some more. “I’m positive I put it in here.” She grows frantic and begins throwing things from her bag until it’s completely empty. “I know I put it in here,” she wails, tears begin falling down her cheeks. “Someone has my phone, Autumn.”
I bend down and put my arm around her. “I know. Now, we have to figure out who and why?”
Cat sniffles. “We know who. Jana. She’s torturing me. Thinks I’m into Liam.”
