Edges of Gone (The Gone Series Book 2)

by Jessica Gouin

  She was everything—beautiful, caring, and funny. She may never have a library or street named after her. She won’t be in any historical books. But, she was the light of my father’s eyes. The life of every room she entered. The heart and soul of our little family. It tears me apart that now when I close my eyes, all I can see is the gray shriveled shell of the mom that once loved and nurtured me. The same mom who held my hand and walked me to class on my first day of school. The same mom who chased monsters out of the closet and tucked me into bed at night, the same mom that dropped everything she was doing to blow bubbles outside in the summery air with Skylar and me.

  Sadly, no. I can no longer see my angelic mom. What I see haunts me when I close my eyes. For that matter, it haunts me when I’m awake too. Since the cancer stole her from us last March, she haunts me every second of every minute, of every hour, of every day. A never ending torment of my existence. People around me voice their sympathy and try to understand my loss. They want to fix what’s broken by saying things like time heals all wounds, and she’s in a better place now. Well, what I have learned is no amount of endless time ever granted will be enough to heal the darkness that seeped inside of me when I witnessed my mom exhale her last ragged breath. For damned sure, there’s no place better than being with your children whom you’ve birthed and raised, or your soul mate who you’ve made a life with.

  So, here I am today, standing before my full-length bedroom mirror, attempting to comprehend why the reflection is that of a girl who outwardly appears so normal. As though she hasn’t a care. As though her world wasn’t picked up and shook like a snow globe a few months earlier. Those flakes may settle now, but the image is no clearer than the storm. The girl appears to look the same and maybe even sound the same. But I must give warning to make no mistake, this girl is anything but the same Scarlett Stone.

  I untie the damp towel from around my body and dress in faded blue jeans and pale pink three-quarter length sleeved shirt. After brushing my long, wavy chocolate locks that flow to my waist, I unplug my cell phone from the charger on my night stand and toss the phone into my school bag before I step out to embark on the day that once held many promises of a bright future. A day that now holds the sullen reminder of another life event she wouldn’t be here to witness; my first day of senior year.

  With a bit of hesitation, I open the door and leave the safety and comfort of my bedroom.

  “Good morning, Scarlett.” Skylar mumbles as I enter the kitchen.

  “Morning back at you. I heard you creeping in after midnight last night. How did your first date with Landon go?” I ask my big sister.

  After spending the last six months piecing our lives back together it seems overnight everyone grouped together and decided to move forward from the ache we suffered. My twenty-one-year-old sister, Skylar, decided she was ready to date, which is the first time she’s voluntarily left my dad and I since mom passed.

  She smiles at me and shakes her head causing her long dark-brown hair to sway as she pours orange juice into two glasses, handing me one.

  “No details?” I ask, taking the glass from her.

  She bites on her bottom lip staring off into space. “It was great. Really great actually. Landon is...different, but in a good way. From the moment he opened the door to the café and walked in I had this...feeling. It was like he filled this hole inside of me. I mean, nothing will ever heal any of us completely but, I think he helped. I’m willing to take anything that will help get my mind off life, you know? He’s exactly what I need right now. I somewhat understand how much Hunter has helped you.”

  We take our glasses and sit at the small table in the corner of the kitchen as she continues. “At first it was a little strange to get out and do normal things again. But Landon had this way of making it normal. It made me think. I know you’re not looking forward to today. Starting your senior year after being off for a few months seems overwhelming, but trust me, getting back to your routine and seeing your friends is exactly what you need. It may not seem like it now, but this is a good thing. I promise.”

  I inhale and blow the air out through my mouth. “You’re probably right, I want my life to go back to normal, however hard it will be to get there.”

  More like impossible. It’s a good thing I’ve mastered the art of masking emotions. I can’t stand people staring at me with sympathetic eyes and talking about me behind my back, telling one another how sorry they are for the poor motherless seventeen year old girl. So I wear my everything is fine mask. It seems to work.

  Our dad stumbles into the kitchen half asleep and heads straight for the coffee maker percolating on the counter. He looks exhausted, and it takes him almost a full minute to realize Skylar and I are sitting at the table staring at him.

  “Morning dad,” both Skylar and I speak in unison. Our dad looks up, blood-shot eyes, from his steaming mug long enough to mumble a good morning before returning to his coffee.

  Skylar eyes him. “I thought you were working at the office today?” Being the eldest Stone, My big sister took it upon herself to take care of dad and me. There were days I knew the stress of trying to be the replacement got the best of her, nonetheless, every day I’m thankful she’s here there to step in.

  “There were three emergency C-sections at the hospital last night. I believe it’s a record for this town. Anyhow, I was the only doctor on deliveries so there was no way I could leave. It was a long night. I’m just getting in now. I have to be at my office by nine, but I’ll have Diane move some appointments around this afternoon so I can grab a few hours of sleep.”

  Taking a seat across from me at the table, it’s my dad’s turn to eye me. “Scarlett, you look very nice for your first day. Are you ready for your senior year?”

  My dad has been the family rock during the most detrimental times of the last few months. When we first received news of the severity of mom’s cancer, we broke. Separately, Skylar and I took turns going through the stages – denial, anger, blame, sadness, acceptance and finally grief. But dad didn’t. I thought at first it could have been because everything happened so fast. Our family only learned of her illness right after New Year’s. Then three short months later, poof, she’s gone. Tears shed at her wake of course. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church when Skylar belted a heart-wrenching song she wrote for mom. Dad kept his sorrow inside himself though. Through it all, he was determined to be the rock his girls needed him to be. As I stare into his eyes now, I remember the day the rock gave way. When the loss of the love of his life hit him. It hit hard. It was a dark period we don’t talk about. Ever. My dad is the main the reason I wear my everything is fine mask.

  “I’m good dad, honestly. I want to try to get some of my life back to normal. The parts I’m able to get back at least.” I force a hint of a smile and he does the same.

  I finish my yogurt and drink my juice while glancing at the clock. I’m calmer than I thought I would be today. While loading the dish washer, the doorbell chimes.

  “That must be Hunter. He’s early. Do you have classes today Skylar?” I ask as she rolls her eyes.

  “Unfortunately, yes. My classes start at eight. Crap that reminds me, I should get going. Try to have fun today little sis. It’s your last first day of high school after all,” she says as she passes, lightly touching my arm.

  “Thanks,” I mumble. “You have a good day too.” I retrieve my school bag and apply lip gloss in the hallway mirror.

  Skylar is in her second year of nursing school at Evermore Bay College. Following in our mom’s footsteps to becoming a registered nurse. I always loved that my parents met and fell in love while working together at the hospital. I had planned on following that same dream of becoming a nurse like our mom. Everything changed though. Witnessing firsthand what nurse’s see day after day has given me second thoughts about that career path. I don’t know if I would be strong enough to see sadness every day.

  My dad is talking to Hunter, which brings a smile to my face.
Hunter Montgomery has been my boyfriend for three years now. He was there for every moment, every stage, every tear shed. I honestly don’t think I could have made it this far without him by my side, he is my other rock. I wedged myself in between him and dad for the roller coaster ride. It was because of these two men I made it off the ride in one piece. Somewhat.

  “Hey you. Good morning.” Hunter gives a cute-boy-melt-my-heart smile. His flawless olive toned skin offsets deep emerald green eyes. Dark blonde hair styled to perfection as always. Dressed in dark jeans with a lime green golf shirt which highlights his muscular build. Hunter is extremely easy on the eyes. I am biased though.

  “Morning.” I smile back and peck his soft lips. Dad clears his throat, uncomfortable with the display of affection. Nevertheless he smiles and wishes both of us good luck on our first day.

  When Hunter, his younger brother Riley and his parents first moved to Evermore Bay the summer before grade nine, he was the talk of our small town. I just turned thirteen and was entering the boy-crazy phase. All the girls my age wanted him to notice them. Make them feel pretty. Right from the first day he visited his cousin Grayson, who was my next-door neighbor and best friend, Hunter only had eyes for me. From the first time he held my hand by the lake in town and then walked me home, he was all mine.

  As we walk toward Hunter’s sixteenth birthday present from his father, a midnight black Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Edition, a slamming door catches my attention. I glance up and lock eyes with Grayson Hayes strolling down the sidewalk. He smiles as he reaches his truck and shoves up the sleeves of his gray shirt revealing several tattoos which run up both arms and disappear under his clothing. His dark messy hair falls over his forehead in a complete mess that only a few guys can pull off as a style. Unlike his straight-laced cousin, Grayson has the bad-boy/rocker thing nailed. The tiniest curve of his mouth sends nearly every girl swooning. He tosses his book bag into the truck.

  “Morning guys,” he greets.

  “Hey Grayson. How’s it going?” Hunter squeezes my hand before he lets it go to open the car door.

  Grayson leans against the back of his truck propping an elbow on the tail gate and shrugs casually. “It’s going, I guess. Made it to senior year.”

  “I know, I can’t believe how fast it came.” I can recall, in vivid memory, hanging around with Grayson, envisioning how our high school years would be. Dreaming of how one day we would make it to the end of the four year journey. Although, my visions included my entire family.

  Grayson sighs and pushes himself off the tail gate retreating to the driver’s door. “Well, destiny awaits. See you guys there.” He stops before ducking into the truck and adds. “It’ll be nice to have you back, Scars.” I smile, mumbling a thanks and hop into the vehicle.

  Driving the short distance to school, I scan the radio stations. Hunter changes the station back to what he originally had ignoring my pout. “I almost forgot to tell you and seeing him just reminded me. Grayson and Kayleigh broke up a few days ago. I wasn’t sure if you and her are speaking or not.”

  Kayleigh Hart and I have been friends since the third grade. Unfortunately for us, our friendship became strained when she dated Grayson last fall. Kayleigh was a possessive girlfriend which isn’t a good thing when you date a well-known player. Somehow I got assigned to ‘Grayson watch’. She would call me at the most random times to ask if his truck was in the driveway or if he had anyone over his house. I wasn’t okay with spying on him and on top of that it was annoying. I told her that and our friendship suffered. Plus, she’s one of the many people who became awkward around me after my mom got sick.

  On some level, the news of the recent break up doesn’t surprise me though. They were never right for each other. I could never figure out why. “Who’d you hear that from?” I ask Hunter skeptically although I know it’s the truth. The masses of small towns love nothing more than to gossip. Their stories are usually from direct sources and hold high accountability.

  “Kate told Matt. Matt told me,” he says as a matter of fact. Kate is the new girl in school, she seems nice enough and fits in with everyone.

  My eyes shift from Hunter to the scenery. “Did Kate say why they broke up?” I inquire as he drives into the parking lot.

  He stares at me impassively before saying. “Yep, she did. I’m sure you could take a wild guess what happened between them. It was only a matter of time. I’m surprised they lasted as long as they did.”

  Hunter and I walk through the front doors of Evermore Bay High School early to get our schedules, locker assignments and other information we need to begin our senior year. Since my locker is on the second floor and Hunter’s is on the first I kiss him goodbye and say I’ll see him in second period for history class. Sadly, it’s our only class together this semester.

  Hunter bought me a cute locker organizer for a good luck this year/welcome back gift. I thought it was sweet this morning when he gave it to me after walking to my locker. Now that I’m trying to set it up however, it’s not so cute. I’m regretting not asking him to install it for me. Every time I think I got it, the stupid shelves collapse to the bottom of the locker. It’s more than frustrating. I turn it over it my hands to see if I’m missing a step or something to get it to stay in place.

  “Mornin’ again you.” I jump and turn to stare straight into coy eyes. “Looks like we’re going to be locker neighbors, too,” Grayson states, winking at me. He opens his locker, chucks his bag and books in and then closes the door. No organizers for him. He watches me, humored for a minute, before offering his assistance. “Need help with that thing?”

  I sigh officially giving up and hand the pieces over to him. “Yes, please. I can’t get this thing to stay together.” I step back to give him some room, and within ten seconds the organizer is in place. He chuckles and steps back to view his handy work.

  “Show off.” I smile back.

  “Scarlett, hi!” Kayleigh exclaims, bouncing over. She throws her arms around me in a bear hug harder than I thought a girl her size could squeeze. She looks like she should be on the cover of Cosmo magazine or something, not walking a high school hallway. Her black pants hug her slender hips and her tight canary yellow shirt is probably going to get her to into trouble today. Long blonde hair flows over her shoulders as she flips it back out of her way. Her pale blue eyes dart toward Grayson. “Can we help you with something?” she barks. He shakes his head, tells me he’ll see me later and walks away.

  “Good morning to you too, Kayleigh. F.Y.I. Grayson’s locker is next to mine,” I inform her.

  She flips her hair back again and shrugs. “Whatever, I’m sure you must have heard by now we broke up.” She lowers her voice and continues. “But did you hear why?”

  “No, I didn’t get any of the details.” But I’m sure I’m about to get filled in with a play-by-play.

  “He cheated on me with that skank, Taylor Saunders.”

  Taylor Saunders? There’s no way I believe her. I wouldn’t put it past Grayson, but Taylor is a genuinely down to earth good person. I just can’t see her doing that to Kayleigh or to herself. But then again, people change. Or maybe you never truly know someone.

  “He cheated? What an asshole! Are you sure? With Taylor Saunders? Did you catch them or something, I mean, how do you know for sure?”

  If it’s one thing I hate about Grayson, it’s his player side. She narrows her eyes. “I didn’t need to catch them. I’m positive he was sneaking around behind my back,” she says as she cracks her gum. “Everyone else knows it, too. I mean, I should have seen it coming, I had a feeling for the longest time that his eyes were wandering, but with Tay….” She trails off just as Taylor rounds the corner. Kayleigh clears her throat and walks past Taylor while I smile apologetically. I can’t help feeling sorry for her getting tangled in the spider’s web. It’s never fun to be on the tail end of an ugly rumor, if it is just a rumor.

  “So, how are you today?” Kayleigh asks, changing the subject. “
First day back to school and all. Is it weird being here after being gone for so long?” I look up to Kayleigh who now stares bleakly at me. Time for the mask. “No, I’m ready to move forward. This year will be epic.”

  This is going to be a long day.

  Kayleigh hugs me once more than rambles on about how if I need a friend she’s here for me. I pretend to listen and look over my schedule of classes and teachers. We walk to our first period English class with Mr. Koloff and I nod periodically during the one sided conversation.

  And so begins senior year.

  Chapter 2

  The first day is better than I expected it to be. It’s surprisingly easy to wear my mask all day. My friends bought it without asking twice. Even the teachers and guidance counselor, who wanted to make sure I was “transitioning well”, bought it. I’ve given a lot of thought to this and the way I see it is once I graduate I can move away. I can go be someone else, someone who is a whole person. Someone new and different. I can be whoever I want. I don’t know exactly who yet, but that’s not the point. My focus is just surviving this year. Once it’s over, I’ll be gone.

  Hunter offers to drive home after school, but I walk instead enjoying the sunny weather while it lasts. Passing the friendly shops, which have been thriving local businesses in Evermore Bay for as long as I can remember, I inhale the familiarity of my cozy town. The narrow streets are lined with Great Oaks in full bloom. Soon those summer greens will transform into orange, crimson and golden shades and then fall to the streets, welcoming the autumn to the small population of folks who reside here.

  It’s not long before I reach Meadowbrook and stroll to the end of the quiet cul-de-sac. I take in my modest two story home. Faded-yellow siding and cracked white trim. The home backs onto the woods that houses hundreds of Sequoia and Evergreen trees which border the town. One of my favorite pastimes is sitting on the wooden porch swing which encompasses the corner gazebo of the porch, with a good book and warm blanket on the cool evenings.