Dragonflies The Duncan Peters Files
Page 29
Curt is staring at the road and then says with finality in his voice, “I get that, Addy. I don’t want to do this either, but we need to make choices together, I’m not going to make all the decisions.”
As we pull into the driveway of our house, I see that the normally quiet street is lined with cars. I take in a deep breath and pull my sandy blonde hair into my signature ponytail before I exit the car. My best friend Jessalyn Rumley runs out to greet us, her auburn hair shining in the sun. “Hey, babe,” she says as she gives me a hug and kisses my cheek.
“Hey” is all I can say back.
“Susan is inside and has made enough food to feed an army. I am going to put some in the freezer for you guys, because there is no way in hell you are going to eat all of it.” Jess states.
I look at her. “Just take it home to your hubby. He will eat it, I’m not hungry and Curt doesn’t eat leftovers.”
She looks at me and says “Okay. I will take some food home, but I am putting some in the freezer in case you or pansy ass over there gets hungry.”
Curt rolls his green eyes. “Wow, never a dull moment with your mouth, huh, Jess?”
She glares at him and says, “Don’t! Don’t even start with me and your shit today, because I swear to God above I will rip your balls off!” I look at her, slightly shake my head and give her the “not now” look. She gives me a tight smile before we turn and retreat into the house.
As soon as I enter the house, I smell the food my Mom, Susan, has made and it fills my eyes with tears. She has made Autum’s favorite meal, fried chicken - or as she called it “frisky chicken”. Mom rushes over to me and engulfs me in a warm, loving bear hug and kisses the top of my head. “Thanks, Mom this is very thoughtful of you.”
She looks right into my eyes. “You are my daughter, and this is what we do when there is a crisis.” Ever since the accident my Mom has called it a crisis, which in all honesty I guess is probably right.
Her face, like mine, is red and blotchy from crying, black surrounds the skin of her baby blue eyes; evidence of not sleeping well. Her blonde hair streaked with grey, is in a tight bun upon her head with several loose strands circling her face “Where is Dad?” I ask.
“He is out on the deck with Uncle Jon.”
As I turn around to walk to the sliding glass doors, Jess stops me. “We need to talk,” she says with a serious look.
“Okay, let me go and say hi to my Dad, and then meet me in my office.” She nods her head once and I head out to the deck.
My father, Arwin Alcott, and his brother, Jon, are twins, both financial advisors, both 6’ 2, both with brown wavy hair. The only difference is my Dad has hazel eyes and Jon has blue and Jon’s hair is shoulder length, where my Dad’s is cut short and peppered with grey. They are sitting at the patio table as I walk onto the deck. They both stand as I walk over to them. “Addybell,” my father says as he kisses my forehead and hugs me. A kiss and a hug follow from Jon.
Dad says, “Listen, I am not going to even ask how you are. Being my daughter I already know.” I hug him harder and my tears fall. “Sweetie” his voice cracks. “We are here, and if you need to come home for a while, then so be it!”
I look at him and give him a sad smile. “Thanks, Dad, but I have to fix some shit here before I can go home.”
My uncle Jon clears his voice and says “Addybell, if I may ask darling, did you have life insurance on Autum?”
I nod my head. “Yes, we do actually, and I need to go and talk with the insurance man in a couple weeks about it.”
My dad pats my hand and says, “We will go with you.” It wasn’t a question, as he tilts his head to my uncle and he nods once.
“I need to go inside and talk with Jess.” I say
“Okay sweetie, if you need us, we will be out here.” My dad says and hugs me again.
I walk back through the house and see many people I haven’t seen in years. Short hugs here and small talk there. I make my way through the crowd and turn down the hallway that leads to the bedrooms and the loft where my office is. As I walk past Autum’s door I stop and notice the door is cracked open. I had shut it two days ago after I grabbed her favorite outfit and shoes for the viewing. I step forward to grab the handle and hear sobbing; I open the door to find Clarissa and Kirk. Clarissa’s body is being wracked by the sobs leaving her body. Kirk is sitting up against the headboard holding her head in his lap as the tears are streaming down his cheeks. I rush over to them and Clarissa practically jumps in my lap. I rock her back and forth and kiss her hair as her tears fall. There are no words spoke between us for what seemed like eternity and then Kirk asks “Is it Okay that we are in here?” I nod and give him a tight smile.
Clarissa sits up and now her sobs have turned into hiccups. “Please don’t be mad,” she says, her face is in so much pain that I crumble.
“No, sweetie, this is fine. She loved you two so very much, there would be no way I could not let you guys in here.”
She smiles a sad smile and Kirk says, “We better go, my dad has called a few times and mom is picking us up.”
Clarissa grabs her coat and then helps Kirk up off the bed. Clarissa stops at the door. “I miss her so badly; it’s like part of me is gone.”
I look at her and say as the tears slide down my cheeks, “Me too, sweetie.”
*****
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