Oblivion

by Karolyn Cairns

  Chapter Twenty

  The funeral for Everett turner was a somber affair. The turnout was considerable even by Little Bend’s standards. Sara and Dougie lost so much these last few months. They appeared to hold it together through the funeral. Dougie was having a hard time. Jack took him home and they skipped going to Reddy’s for the dinner afterward.

  Sara was composed but looked lost as she sat in the booth with Deborah. Lindsay knew the girl was feeling like the orphan she now was, even if Evie was never there for them. Learning Lance was giving them the farm perked her up. When Marnie asked her to be a bridesmaid the girl was much improved.

  While she and Marnie chatted about dresses Lindsay stood with Jace at the buffet tables, watching Everett’s friends file in to pay their respects. She could see he was feeling miserable he couldn’t participate, only watch the sad affair with nothing to offer.

  “Lance did a good thing here, Lindsay,” was all he said while they endured the mourner’s comings and goings.

  Deborah took Sara home and Lindsay helped pack up some food to take home. Marnie carried the Styrofoam boxes out to the truck as Lance spoke with the reverend who conducted the service. She was proud of her brother.

  He rose to the occasion. He laid a foundation for a relationship with his siblings if they wanted it. Something told her they would once he and Marnie were settled in Georgia.

  She knew from Jace who liked to listen in on conversations it was already discussed. Jack thought Dougie might need his big brother now and agreed to send both kids for the summers if they wanted to go. It was baby steps but it was a start.

  “I’m ready to go,” Jace informed her after she finished up boxing up food. “Let’s get out of here.”

  She glanced at him and could see the day wore on him, being unable to be of any comfort to his brother and sister during their grief. It was so like Jace to feel bad about not being able to feel bad.

  “Alright, I’m ready,” Lindsay told him.

  Lindsay drove back to the apartment and they sat in the truck for awhile without talking. She knew he was suffering more than anyone else, had more issues with his father he never resolved.

  “Jace, it’s ok to be angry,” she told him after awhile. “I was when you died. I was even mad at you for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s normal.”

  “I thought I hated him, Lindsay,” he said as he looked out the window. “I thought this would feel different.”

  “He was still your dad, Jace. You might have been disappointed but it wasn’t hate.”

  “At least he’s with my ma now. I know she was waiting for him.”

  “One good thing is you can leave here knowing you don’t have to worry about all of us, Jace,” she said and smiled. “We’re all going to be okay, don’t you see that?”

  “Yeah, I got half what I came here for,” he agreed and looked subdued. “No matter what happens I’m leaving on Sunday. I’ve been having other people cover for me while I’ve been gone, making excuses why I took off. To stay any longer would put them in a tight spot.”

  Lindsay wondered with some trace of jealousy if he referred to this Daphne she heard so much about. He regaled her with some of the tales from Oblivion, enough to know he told her only half of what his real mission there was.

  “The party is tomorrow night after commencements,” she said and grabbed her purse as she got out of the truck. “We’re going to The Point afterward. It’s our last chance before you leave.”

  “Whether he admits it or not, I don’t want you taking any chances Lindsay,” he warned. “Cameron is sick. He would think nothing of killing you.”

  “Sheriff Wilson will be out there, you forget. I’m not as worried knowing you’ll be there.”

  “You just keep your cool when you go to graduation,” Jace said and eyed her knowingly. “Don’t let them take that from you too. When you walk across that stage; you just think that’s your ticket out of here like you always wanted.”

  “You know, all these years I just wanted out of this place,” she mused and shook her head. “Now I’m kind of sad to be leaving.”

  “Just don’t ever look back, Lindsay,” he said softly and shook his head. “It’s a waste of time.”

  “I know but we have so many memories here, Jace.”

  “Go make new ones, Linds. That’s what it’s all about,” he urged and she could see in his eyes he wanted her to go.

  She went inside and set the food on the counter, seeing the answering machine was flashing. It was Sheriff Wilson. She hit play. She called him back right away. He answered on the first ring.

  “I got word from Dan that Cameron’s court date was moved to next month. We got some time now. Marianne told my wife she’s sending him to his grandparents until then. We got to do this thing and we got to do it now. He isn’t coming back until his court date.”

  “I’m going up to The Point after graduation,” she told him. “He’ll be buzzed up and feel safe with all his friends around him. It’s perfect.”

  “I don’t like it, Lindsay,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Lots of woods up there. Can’t you get to him at his house?”

  “His mom and dad aren’t going to let me get anywhere near him,” she told him. “You forget I’m the one who turned him in? No, this is perfect. He’ll talk. I know he will.”

  “I’m going to have a hell of a time covering you if anything goes down, Lindsay. You need to take that gun,” he warned.

  “I will, don’t worry. I’ve been practicing too.”

  “He comes after you just shoot the little son-of-a-bitch,” the sheriff told her. “Don’t take any chances.”

  “We need to make sure that wire is set up,” she said and her eyes found Jace watching her grimly from the doorway of the kitchen. “I want to make sure you hear everything.”

  “What time is graduation?”

  “It’s at one-thirty. The party starts at eight,” she told him. “Meet me in my lot at three-thirty and make sure that thing’s working.”

  “No problem. Lindsay, I don’t know how to thank you for doing this,” he told her solemnly. “I know it’s been hard on you. Just know Jace will get the justice he deserves come Saturday.”

  “That’s what I want more than anything, Sheriff.”

  She hung up and could see Jace was regretting his decision to give into her. He brooded over it now. She could see it in his eyes.

  “Nothing is going to go wrong, Jace,” she told him with a fleeting smile. “I can do this. You just make sure you’re right there with me.”