Few Are Angels

by Inger Iversen

  Brett turned to me. “Cam and Anna were sort of dating, and Cam is Mia’s ex.” He turned back to Mia. “We aren’t calling him because he might not know yet, and we are not throwing that kind of news at him, Mia. It wouldn’t be right, and besides, my dad has probably already called his parents.”

  Mia seemed to understand and relented, but I couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t call as soon as she got home.

  Brett turned his green eyes back to me and smiled. “So you go to V Tech?” He switched from a serious conversation to a flirty tone. He probably knew everyone in Cedar Grove and Elmwood and wondered where I’d come from.

  “I haven’t enrolled yet, but I’m going to. You?

  “Yeah, but not this semester. I’m sort of taking a break.” He smiled mischievously, showing off a dimple in his cheek. He was seriously cute even though he had that stupid frat boy attitude.

  Mia snorted. “More like suspended! The loser thought it would be good for him and his Alpha Omega buddies to spray paint the dean’s car,” she said, unable to hold back her laughter. “Problem is, the idiots left all the proof in the Alpha Omega house. When it was searched, they were caught and suspended for a semester.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh with her at such a stupid prank and the goofballs that did it. Brett wasn’t the least bit upset or embarrassed about his screw-up, but instead he seemed proud and laughed with us. Our joking was interrupted by a sharp buzz from my phone. The text from Alex was a pleasant surprise.

  “I’m coming in early. Mom and dad are at the airport with me now so I will be home tonight. See ya around seven. You ok?”

  “Now that you’re back for a bit, yea I think so :} see ya at seven.”

  I placed the phone back in my pocket and let a sappy grin settle on my lips. When I looked up, Mia was smiling and Brett was frowning. My silly grin must’ve caught their attentions.

  “What?” I asked.

  “That was your boyfriend?’ Mia asked, crossing her legs and smiling at me brightly. “Is he hot? Of course he is, right? When can I meet him?”

  The idea of her meeting Alex—even though we weren’t dating—made me uncomfortable. I got up and grabbed a soda and cookie, taking a bite to delay answering her.

  “Don’t be jealous, Brett; it’s an unattractive trait in a man,” Mia joked.

  “Same for you, Mia,” he retorted, earning himself a glower and the evil eye, which made me laugh.

  I readjusted myself on the bed, feeling a little uncomfortable explaining anything about Alex to Mia. Even though she overdid it with the makeup, you could obviously see she was gorgeous. Her slim figure was flawless with legs for miles, a narrow waist, and a perfect chest. Her hair was long and bone straight with hints of strawberry highlights and severe bangs cut straight above her eyes. It pained me to say that he wasn’t my boyfriend because that opened the door for Mia to walk right in and scoop him up.

  “He isn’t my boyfriend, but I have known him since we were kids. He just got back in town for Thanksgiving. That reminds me, he will be home at seven I want to get there before then, if that’s okay.”

  “That’s fine. Sharin is probably counting down the minutes until I leave,” she said. Mia finished her soda then turned to Brett who was back to looking at the laptop screen. “Hey, I’ll be back. I don’t care what Sharin says. You know my parents couldn't care less if I am out after dark even if there is a murderer out there.” She walked out to what I assumed was the bathroom.

  Brett shrugged and turned back to the laptop.

  I looked past his broad shoulders to see what was keeping him so interested, but all I could see was football stuff and what seemed to be a blog about the Washington Redskins. I looked around the room for books or anything that would give me a hint as to Brett’s major, but saw nothing but boy crap and half-eaten food. “Brett, what’s your major?”

  Brett swiveled around in his chair and looked at me like I was insane. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to have already known by something he’d said or done. Brett smiled and pointed at the jersey laying on the corner of the bed. He stood up and grabbed it, spreading it open so that the number fifty-five and name Dauwde was in plain view. So, he played football. That didn’t tell me his major. When he turned his back to me, I could see the muscles straining against his shirt. I wondered why most of the hot guys I met were goof balls, frat jocks, or guys that lived in graveyards. I wasn’t a snob or anything, but there were certain traits I looked for in a guy, and jocks rarely held those traits.

  “My lucky number.”

  “Cool,” I said, unimpressed, but at least he was happy. Mia came back in the room and asked me if I was ready to go, so I waved goodbye to Brett and hugged his mother. She was a sweet person, and I hoped Brett appreciated her. I couldn't help wondering if the fact that I didn't have a mother anymore was the reason I felt such a connection to Sharin.

  Chapter 16

  * * *

  The Elk’s Nose Lodge

  * * *

  In the car on the way back to my house, Mia told me her father owned one of Elmwood City’s smaller lumber mills and the Home Depot a few cities over. He had made her find a job because she wanted to take a year off before heading to college. She seemed pretty angry about being made to work and was pretty vocal about it, but she calmed down when her phone rang. She didn’t answer, thankfully. The girl could not drive to save her life, and if I didn't have to, I would never get in a car with her behind the wheel again. Once we were in my driveway, Mia and I exchanged numbers and made plans to see each other after the holidays. I wasn’t ready to go into the house alone, and Mia wanted to go back to Brett’s house. The driveway was empty, and my nerves skittered when I could no longer stall to keep Mia there without looking crazy, so we said our goodbyes. I headed inside and locked the door. I checked to make sure all of the doors and windows were locked. Secretly, I hoped Kale was somewhere out there, watching out for me. I knew deep down he wouldn’t hurt me, but I was still scared by everything he had revealed to me a week ago. Or maybe I was afraid because I kind of believed him.

  When seven o’clock came, I was plastered to the bay window in the front of the house, waiting for Alex and his parents to arrive. Every sound outside of the window made me jump. I wondered where Kale was, then cursed myself for caring; it was a back-and-forth battle in my mind. I wondered if a murderer was outside waiting for me and chided myself for being so careless lately. A war waged inside of me. Part of me said I knew him and he would never hurt me, but the other part scolded me for being silly enough to believe that any of what had happened between us wasn’t crazy. I couldn’t decide whether I was on the side of my irrational heart or my rational brain. As my internal battle continued, I didn’t hear the cars pull up. I didn’t know that everyone had arrived until I heard the keys jingle in the door.

  Sarah was the first one through the door, a big smile on her face. I hadn’t seen that smile in a while, and it made her heart-shaped face even more beautiful. She moved inside and made room for Eric and Lea. They greeted me, but all I wanted to see was Alex’s big grin, blue eyes, and lanky build. Sarah asked me how my first day of work had gone. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, so I told her it was fine and we were able to leave early.

  When Alex walked through the door, my breath caught. I couldn’t believe who I saw. He was the same boy I had always known, but he had the body and face of a young man—chiseled cheeks like his father and five o’clock shadow. He was tanner than I remembered, and his hair was cut short and dyed light by the sun, showing off his lazy blue eyes. He smiled, and I remembered to breathe. I’d missed him, and the familiar feeling in my stomach when I saw him was more than I could handle. I ran to him and hugged him tighter than I’d hugged anyone since my parents’ deaths. His strong arms held me tight against his chest. At that moment, I thought I would melt into him. He smelled like deodorant and the hustle of an airport, and I inhaled it, feeling more normal by the second. When we let go, he punched me in the arm and sm
iled.

  “Long time no see, Els. How are ya?” He used the nickname he’d given me years ago.

  “I’m good,” I said once I caught my breath.

  We all retreated to the living room. Lea jumped on Alex’s lap as soon as he sat down, and Sarah left for the kitchen to start dinner. Eric looked different—healthier and happier—with his son home. I was happy for them and excited I was going to be able to share it with them.

  “Hey, Els, I hear you are back in school and you have a job. Sounds like you are trying to make me look bad. When I lived here, I never worked,” Alex said with a smile.

  Eric laughed and agreed, with a playful wink in my direction. “Yeah, she is taking American Lit, one of my favorite classes in college.” Eric’s eyes looked rested and bright instead of the dullish gray they had been.

  With the mention of my class, I remembered the assignment I had been researching this morning. I needed to get started. “Yeah, my first assignment is a paper on Moby Dick. I’m sure I will ace it. I read it once, but I really want to read it again and dissect it a little bit.”

  “Good choice,” Eric said, then turned his attention to Alex. “Son, what do you have planned this vacation, other than hanging out with your family?”

  Lea stayed in her brother’s lap, smiling up at him sweetly. She had been awfully quiet the last couple of minutes and I figured out why with Alex’s answer.

  “Well, I was hoping to take my little sister and El to the lodge for some skiing.” He smiled at me and winked at Lea.

  He and Lea had probably played this card before with their parents. The excitement of Alex’s arrival trumped whatever reason Sarah had had for not going to the lodge.

  Sarah came from the kitchen with the note I’d left for her in one hand and a dish towel in the other. “Alex, I haven’t discussed that with your father yet, but if he is okay with it, we can all go Friday until Sunday.”

  I looked at Eric and could see in his face the answer was yes.

  “Sounds good to me, but I’ll need to check if there are any rooms available.” Alex hooted and Lea squealed, but Eric ignored them and continued talking. “We are going to need two rooms—me, mom, and Lea in a double, and Ella and Alex in a double.” Eric looked confused and surprised by his words, but recovered quickly. “Actually, we’ll need three. Sarah and me, Alex and Lea, and Ella you can have a room to yourself. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for you and Alex to share a room anymore.”

  Sarah looked up, and her face said she agreed, but was dumbfounded that Eric didn't realize that from the start.

  Alex smacked his lips and shrugged his shoulders, looking up at me with a sly smile on his face. “Yea, dad, you are right. I don’t want Ella to see me in my tighty whities.”

  I felt the same way. I wondered if it would be different sleeping in the same room with him because he had grown up and gotten hot. My face turned red as I wondered if I snored or drooled. I was glad for my own bedroom.

  “True. I think that’ll be good, if you don’t mind your own room, Ella, or you could bunk with Lea and Alex can have his own room. I’ll leave it up to the two of you to decide. Eric, can you call and see if there is anything available? Hopefully there were some cancellations.” Sarah held up the note I’d left earlier. “Hey, what’s this? You are making new friends already at work and hanging out with them afterward?”

  I hated to burst her bubble by telling her I really couldn’t stand Mia, and the reason I had been with her was because I was afraid to be alone in the house. “Uh, yeah, about that…” I hoped I wouldn’t ruin the mood with my news.

  “What?” Eric said, sitting up at my sudden change in tone.

  “There was a body found in the Elmwoods today. That is why Mr. Knope let us go home early.” I felt like a jackass for ruining the mood.

  Eric sat back and placed his hand on his head. Alex cursed, earning him a stern look from his mother, who had to sit down at the news. Lea was the only one who didn’t react. I guess eleven year olds weren’t affected by death the way the adults were.

  Sarah placed the note and dish towel in her lap. “God, do they know who she is, Ella?” She held her hand to her mouth.

  I explained the whole story about how the body was found, that her name was Anna, and that she used to work at Knope’s. Eric was surprised that Mr. Knope hadn’t called him, but I explained I only knew what I did from Brett Dauwde. Eric knew his father, Elmwood City’s sheriff. After Eric and Sarah discussed a few changes they would make for safety purposes, he called Lakefront Lodge and managed to book three rooms. They had four rooms left, and the last one was booked as Eric was on the phone making our reservation.

  Sarah, Lea, and I prepared dinner, which was odd because we’d never done that before, but it gave Eric and Alex time to catch up. A few times, I heard Alex comparing Tech to the college in New York he’d picked and how he wondered if he’d made the right choice. I didn't know Alex had been having second thoughts about the college in New York. Last year when he talked to me about his decision, he was super excited and thought moving away to be on his own was a good idea. He even wanted to go to grad school in California and stay there after graduating. I thought it was a great idea even though it meant we wouldn’t see each other for months and maybe even a couple of years. Since Alex hadn’t come to me with his concern about school, I decided I wouldn’t bring it up. I’d just wait until he was ready to talk to me about it. Lea and Sarah were talking about skiing and it reminded me that I wasn’t prepared for our trip.

  “I don’t have any ski gear here,” I remembered aloud, as I chopped cucumbers for the salad. Lea and I were in charge of the salad and potatoes while Sarah handled the big stuff like meatloaf and baked macaroni.

  She looked up from the stove, puzzled at my revelation, but soon realized that it was true. On top of that, I wasn’t expecting us to go to the lodge, so I would have to postpone starting my paper. I wasn’t too upset about that, but I still worried about staying on schedule in the accelerated program. Sarah placed the food in the oven, then turned around and examined me. “You’re right. It’s too bad you’re so skinny, or you could wear something of mine.”

  She was probably smaller than me since my regular size seemed to be snug these days, so I could probably fit into her things. ”I could buy something there,” I said. My bank account wasn’t lacking, so it wasn’t an issue to buy new ski gear.

  “You could do that, but try mine first just in case. I don’t want you wasting your money if you don’t have to.”

  We sat down to dinner around eight thirty, which was really late for us. My poor stomach cried at such a long wait. It wasn’t exactly like old times, but a close replica I was willing to take. It was too bad Alex was only here for a week. I thought back to my parents’ funeral and applauded myself for not flipping out. But I knew it wasn’t just my strength that helped me; it was Alex and his knowledge of what I needed to be okay in that moment. I never thought of him as anything other than a best friend. I didn’t have many of those back at home, but whenever I was in Cedar Grove, Alex, Bo, and Lorie were people I felt I could be myself around. Alex’s old high school friends accepted me into their group. They had all left for school, so I was alone. That was good, in a way. I needed to get my stuff together, and that meant Brett and Mia would have to hang out without me.

  After dinner, Alex and I took Max outside. I didn’t know if he’d heard about my face plant in the snow when I had first arrived, and I wasn’t going to spoil our time by filling him in on such an embarrassing story. However, I hoped he would talk to me about his concerns about college. Avoiding the shed completely, I headed toward the other side of the house, wiped off the chair, and sat down. Alex followed, laughing as I slipped and slid on the ice. It hadn’t snowed in four years, and the frequently travelled snow was turning into packed ice. He’d always said I didn’t know anything about snow, like how to walk in it or what it was made of. His silly little joke couldn't have been closer to the
truth. Virginia Beach had probably had ten inches of snowfall the entire time I’d lived there.

  “So you made some new friends, huh?” He kicked frozen ice-snow. “They’re from Elmwood City, right?” He looked over at me.

  His smile was shy and sweet and I wondered if he was being shy or if he was playing with me. He sat down beside me, ignoring the snow on the seat.

  “Yea, Mia and Brett. Mia is a brat, and Brett is a jock,” I said, as if that should’ve explained it all. “They knew the girl Anna that was killed.”

  His smile disappeared and was replaced by something more serious. “You sure it’s cool that you hang with them? I mean, with all that is going on?”

  His worry for my safety warmed my heart, but I wasn’t worried that letting Mia and Brett into my life was going to get me hurt. It was Kale and his secrets that I was worried about. The thought of him pulled my eyes to the shed, and I was reminded of him bleeding on the floor and treating me badly. “No, I’m not worried about them. I mean, Mia has a bad attitude, and Brett speaks in the third person, but as for them being killers or running in the wrong crowd, I highly doubt it.” I leaned over to get a closer view of the shed. It was dark and menacing, and I was amazed I’d ever had the courage to go near it.

  Alex followed my gaze and though I couldn't see his face, I felt his body tense. “Dad told me about what happened back there.” He turned toward me and shook my shoulder tenderly. It was like he was trying to pull me out of the world I’d created for myself, and when he spoke, I realized just how much I’d been shutting everyone out.

  “You don’t have to go through this alone. I know they were your parents, but we all loved them and we all lost them.” Alex sighed.

  I sat silent and waited, hoping the tears burning my eyes would obey me and not fall.

  Alex shifted again and continued to speak. “I guess what I am trying to say is, if you are feeling like things are getting too hard to handle, call me.” He took my hand and tugged at it to get my attention. “I don’t know want it’s like to lose parents, but I know how to listen.”