Holly and the Framed Friend

by Dianne Harman

  But if I don’t read it, I’ll never know, she thought. Taking a deep breath, she took the hair tie from her wrist, and pulled her hair back in a messy bun. She pulled back the covers, got into bed, and started to read.

  The first few entries weren’t all that interesting. Her mother had written about her grades and various classes. Girls that were mean and boys in general. Nothing she read was shocking other than she discovered that her mother had gotten good grades. Great ones, actually.

  “So that’s where I get it from,” Holly said to the empty room. In a way, she was imagining that Brigid or her sister, Fiona, was there, listening and offering support as she read. It helped her feel like she wasn’t terribly alone. Not that she felt that anyone here didn’t welcome her fully, it was just with the secrets her aunt was hiding, it was hard for her to feel completely comfortable. She trusted her cousins, but she still wasn’t sure about the adults. She hadn’t been around Allen all that much and wondered if he even knew the whole story.

  Skimming through the next few pages, Holly began to look for something a little more interesting. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to read all of her mother’s diary, it was just that while she was in Springfield, she wanted to find out why her mother had left the city and her family. The diary was somewhat thick, and she didn’t want to waste time while she was in Springfield on the parts that didn’t have relevant clues.

  Reading on, her mother seemed to have a large group of friends, and it seemed as though she may have been one of the more popular girls in her class. Holly slowed down and began to really pay attention to what she was reading. She was trying to fit the pieces together and get a mental image of what her mother had been like when she was younger.

  She imagined her mother had looked a lot like she did, since Aunt Katie had mentioned the strong resemblance and so had her grandfather. She tried to picture Maggie as if she was a character in a book, and she was reading about her. She was routinely reading along when she found one day in the diary that made her sit up. In it, her mother mentioned that she’d met a boy.

  I met someone today, although I don’t know if I should even write about him. He’s tall, handsome, and has beautiful golden blonde hair that shimmers in the sunlight. Even on the cold winter day that I met him, he looked like a ray of sunshine. I don’t want to go into too much yet, because I’m not sure if Katie has been reading my diary.

  I’m going to have to hold off until I know for sure if my hiding spot is safe. She’s always nosing around in my room wanting to know what I’ve been doing. I don’t want her opening her mouth and ruining a good thing.

  Do you know how when you meet someone amazing, it seems like the world stands still? Even just the slightest touch from them can make you feel as though you’ve been charged with electricity. That’s how I feel right now. As if I’ve been running around with only half the life I was supposed to have and now… now I’m fully charged.

  It’s as if for the first time I can see how great everything can be. Oh, how I want to say more, but I just can’t. Once I know my hiding place is safe, maybe I’ll write more. I need to. I don’t know how much longer I can keep it all in, but for now, I have to.

  “I wonder who it was,” Holly said aloud to herself before she took a drink of her soda. She leaned over the side of the bed and picked up the notebook she’d been writing things down in about her mother. She flipped it open to a fresh page and wrote, “Beautiful mystery guy?” and below that she wrote “tall, blonde hair” before tossing it back down on the floor.

  It might end up being nothing, but maybe not. Her instincts told her this guy wasn’t just some random person that her mother never heard from again. No, he might be the clue she’d been looking for. Better to write it down and not need it, than to not write it down and waste time trying to find it later.

  Her feet started to tingle, letting her know she’d been curled up on the bed for too long. Holly stood up and headed over to the window, pushing the curtains back. She had no way of knowing what direction she was facing, but she imagined she was facing home. She thought about Wade, her boyfriend back home, and all of her friends in Cottonwood Springs.

  Brigid and Linc weren’t there, because they were on their honeymoon, but Fiona and her husband, Brandon, along with Missy, and everyone else were. She was having a good time in Missouri, but with everything that was happening, she couldn’t help but be a little homesick for Cottonwood Springs. She wished she’d brought someone with her, then maybe she wouldn’t feel so out of place.

  She looked at the clock and wondered if it was too late to call Wade. He was always there for her when she needed to talk. Day or night, it seemed like he always had time to listen.

  Before her mom had died, they’d spoken in passing at school, but Holly never had a clue that he’d even noticed her. He was the most popular kid in their grade, athletic, and easygoing, the opposite of how Holly thought she was. But when he’d asked her to tutor him, things began to change. They’d been a couple for a while now, and Holly couldn’t be happier.

  She went over to her phone and sent him a quick tex. Nothing long or drawn out just, Hey, what are you doing?

  It wasn’t long before she got a response. Nothing. I was just thinking about you, actually.

  Holly couldn’t help but smile. It was great having Wade in her life. He kept her sane when school stuff sometimes got crazy. She knew she could always talk to Brigid, but she was much older than Holly. Wade was like her calm place in a storm. If she had a bad dream about her mom or just needed to vent to get things off her chest, he was the one she turned to.

  Hope it was good, she replied as she smiled.

  Of course it was, he replied. How’s Missouri?

  Pretty much like Colorado. Just with less people I know, she typed back.

  Try to give them a chance, he responded. I’d call you, but my parents just went to bed, and they’d probably hear me talking.

  That’s okay, I understand, she said.

  Still, I wish I could hear your voice. You don’t have any boyfriends in Missouri yet, do you? He sent along an emoji that looked like it was scratching its chin.

  Holly smiled and thought about Chloe’s brother. He definitely wasn’t her type, but he was obviously interested. She decided she wouldn’t tell Wade about him. No reason to.

  Then he texted, But seriously, everything okay?

  Holly began to type “sure” but then she erased it. She made it a point to never lie to him, and she wasn’t sure if she felt everything was okay. She was feeling small in a big world, and these two mysteries seemed way out of her league.

  Just trying to figure out what made my mom not want to be around these people anymore. It’s all a little much, you know? she texted back.

  He took a moment to respond, but when he did, she knew she’d made the right choice in texting him.

  They’re just new people, and I know how you are about new people, he wrote. Give them all and your mom the benefit of the doubt. People change. Maybe they aren’t the same people your mom grew up with?

  Holly thought about that and then sent, You’re right. As usual. What would I do without you?

  Who knows? He replied.

  They texted a little longer before she told him she was heading to bed. She knew she needed some sleep. Morning would come quickly, and she wanted to concentrate on finding out who was framing Chloe. She needed a good night’s sleep so she could think clearly.

  She charged her phone, slipped a bookmark into her mother’s diary to save her space, and tossed back the covers. With her heart feeling a bit lighter after chatting with Wade, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  CHAPTER 16

  The next morning Holly woke up earlier than usual. She’d been dreaming of her mother and home before it morphed into her being in Missouri and being stuck there. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t seem to get back home to Cottonwood Springs. She tossed and turned, trying to get some rest, before finally getting
out of bed.

  She quietly opened the door to her room, having decided to see what she could find in the kitchen for a snack. Her stomach was growling so loudly as she crept down the hall toward the stairs, she was sure she’d end up waking everyone in the house.

  After finding some cereal, she hurried back to her room, and slipped back under the covers. She saw the diary she’d been reading the night before, and it called to her. She shoveled a spoonful of cereal into her mouth, and then began to wonder if the whole thing was just a waste of time. Although the diary had mentioned a guy her mother had met, that didn’t mean she’d written anything else about him. Since she’d expressed concerns that Katie had been reading her diary, it was possible she never wrote anything substantial in the diary.

  “I don’t know if this is even worth the trouble,” Holly said aloud, but even so, she found herself reaching for the diary. Her hand slid over it, and she felt a chill on her hand. Would her mother even want her reading this? Even so, her hands opened it where she’d left off the night before, and she parted the pages. It was as if they had a mind of their own. Deciding she should go with her instincts, she began to read.

  There wasn’t much at first, just more of the same about school and friends plus the gossip that went along with it all. But then, something caught Holly’s eye.

  February 20th

  I don’t think Katie has been reading this, and I just have to get all of this out. I haven’t told anyone and having this big of a secret makes me want to explode. Remember the guy I said I’d met? I’d been standing in front of a bulletin board just inside the library, looking at a flyer for an upcoming cooking class. I’ve always dreamed of being a chef, so it sounded like fun. It promised to teach more than just the basics, and I could afford it with the money I’d been given for Christmas.

  While I was standing there, deciding if I wanted to spend the rest of my money on this class, a guy walked up and started talking to me. This is the guy I wrote about before. He’s tall, super cute, and definitely older, like 23 or 24. We got to talking, and he asked if I was going to take the class. I said I was thinking about it, but I wasn’t sure. He told me he really hoped I would because then we could get to know each other a little more. I was on cloud nine! I’m sure he doesn’t realize how young I am, but who cares? He didn’t ask, so it must not be too important to him. I signed up for the class.

  Last night was the first class, and we partnered up. He was a complete gentleman, and asked me if we could go out sometime. He wanted my phone number, but I lied and told him I didn’t have one right now. There was no way I’d give him my home number and run the risk of my sister or parents answering the phone. I know I probably shouldn’t be lying to him about my age, but I really like him. It’s not like I’m a child. Besides, I know what I want and I won’t let anything get in my way. I’m really drawn to him. Oh, and by the way, his name is Charlie.

  Holly stopped reading and grabbed the notebook she’d written in the night before. Next to her notes she wrote the name “Charlie” and sat back against the headboard. As she finished her cereal and set the bowl on the night stand, her imagination began to take flight. There were so many things that could go wrong in this scenario. Did he find out how young her mother was? Did he get in trouble because the police got involved? There were so many possibilities. Holly knew the only way to find out for certain was to keep reading.

  Just as she was picking up the diary again, her phone vibrated. She looked at the screen and saw that it was a message from Brigid.

  How are things going there? she asked.

  Holly smiled, knowing that even on her honeymoon, Brigid couldn’t resist checking in. Holly had told her to not worry about messaging her, but she had to admit she was glad Brigid hadn’t paid any attention to her. Right now, she felt as though she could use Brigid’s calm reassurance.

  Okay, I guess, Holly replied. Getting a little homesick.

  It’s tough being away from home, but enjoy it. You’ll be back to your room and life before you know it, and you’ll wonder what you were in such a hurry for, Brigid answered.

  Holly knew she was probably right, but it still didn’t make things any easier. How’s the honeymoon going? she asked, changing the subject.

  We’re having a wonderful time, Brigid typed. We’re going to go lay on the beach today and just soak up the sun. I’ll email you some pictures when I get the chance, she promised.

  Good, I can’t wait to hear all about it. Are you staying out of trouble? Holly questioned. She knew how Brigid attracted people in need, as if she was some sort of an invisible magnet. Hopefully she hadn’t found a mystery to solve while she was supposed to be relaxing.

  So far, she said. Is your family nice?

  Holly wanted to type out a novel about the whole situation. How everyone was extremely nice, but she still felt like an outsider with her aunt. She was determined that by the time she headed home that was going to change.

  Yes, everyone’s really nice. It’s just a little awkward sometimes, Holly admitted.

  Give it time, Brigid responded. They’re probably not sure what to think of you, either.

  You’re right, Holly replied. Now go and enjoy the beach for me. Bring me back some seashells. She finished her conversation with Brigid and set down her phone. She felt much better, even though Brigid really hadn’t said much. Maybe it was just knowing she’d been thinking about Holly, even while she was on her honeymoon.

  The sounds of movement in the hall told Holly that people were starting to stir. The sun was rising higher in the sky, and it wouldn’t be long before she would have to put the family mystery on the back burner in order to focus on who framed Chloe.

  She reached for the diary and began to read quickly. Skimming, she saw where Maggie mentioned Charlie a few more times. They’d meet somewhere away from her house, so he wouldn’t find out where she lived. Holly couldn’t believe how far her mother had gone to keep her secret. It all seemed so exhausting, and she was just reading it. She couldn’t imagine how exhausting it would be telling lies and twisted truths to avoid telling anyone she was dating an older man and that he had no idea how young she was. She justified the whole thing because of how she felt about him, but Holly felt anxious for her just reading about it.

  Frustrated with how her mother was handling the whole thing, Holly shoved the bookmark in the diary and slammed it shut. She’d read more later. It was time for her to get up. The smell of breakfast being cooked was luring her from her room.

  CHAPTER 17

  After breakfast, Steven and Lissa followed Holly back to her room. They were all still a little bleary eyed, but they were starting to come alive and prepare for the day ahead of them.

  “I was thinking that we should try to talk to the rest of our suspects today. I’d really like to get this wrapped up as quickly as possible,” Steven said after he shut the door.

  “I agree,” Holly said. “When it comes to real life cases, Brigid says that it’s important to try and solve them as quickly as possible. You never know when someone may get rid of evidence that links them to a crime.”

  “Sure makes sense in this case,” Lissa added. “Whoever did it not only has a blonde wig, but they also have Chloe’s jacket. They’ll probably want to get that back to her as soon as they can, so it really will look like she did it.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking,” agreed Holly. “Tell Chloe to check and make absolutely sure the jacket isn’t in her closet. I’m sure she’s looked a million times already, but we want to make sure the real vandal hasn’t already returned it.”

  “Good point,” Steven said as he pulled out his phone to send her a message. “I’ll check and see if Allison and Carrie are busy today. Leah lives farther away, so we’ll have to get a ride if we want to see her at her house.” His fingers began to type furiously as he sent out his messages.

  Holly nodded. “We’ll get it figured out. Trust me. Everything will fall into place. Let’s get dressed while you w
ait for their answers. It’s probably better if we’re ready, just in case someone has plans for the day.”

  Steven and Lissa headed for their own rooms to get dressed for the day, while Holly began to pull out her clothes. She tossed her favorite ripped jeans on the bed before digging to find the Smashing Pumpkins shirt she’d been waiting to wear. After getting dressed, she ran a brush through her hair and pulled it back into a messy bun.

  It looked like it was going to be a nice day, but she could see from the trees swaying outside that it was a little breezy. Her hair blowing around in the wind would drive her nuts if she didn’t pull it back. She slipped out of the bedroom and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. It wasn’t long before the three of them met downstairs.

  “I’m sorry, but your dad and I need the car today,” Holly heard Katie telling Steven. “You guys can ride your bikes, can’t you?”

  “But what about Holly?” he asked as she entered the living room. “It’s not like she’s got a bike to ride.”

  “Holly can ride mine,” Katie suggested. “It should be perfect for her. She and I are about the same height.”

  Steven looked a little disappointed, but Lissa smiled at him. “It’s been a long time since we’ve ridden our bikes. It won’t be that bad.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Katie said as she stood up from the couch. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, but there’s plenty to eat for lunch.” She gave each of them a hug goodbye and left.

  “Have you heard back from anyone?” Holly asked as she sat down on the couch next to them.

  “Allison says she’s home. I thought we could go see her first,” Steven said. “I’m still waiting to hear back from Leah and Carrie. Since it’s summer vacation, who knows when they may get back to me. For all I know, they might both sleep until noon.”

  “There’s no way Allison did it,” Lissa said as they headed outside to the garage. There were white puffy clouds moving across the blue sky casting shadows in places. It was nice when one would move in front of the sun, giving them a moment of respite before shining brightly again.