by Ava Walsh
There it was, Aron Keels’ smiling face staring back at her. It was a series of shots of him leaving an LA nightclub. Two girls, in seemingly matching sequin dresses, clung from both his arms. They were all smiling. She could see the glittering Rolex on his wrist and the long black Limousine behind them, waiting to take them back to his place. The gossip column detailed out his relationship with the girls, who were both rising models. Aron Keels definitely had a reputation in LA. He was the hot stuff that everyone wanted. They wanted to sleep with him, to be seen with him, to endorse him, to shower him with advertisement deals. And Aron Keels happily obliged.
She could feel the rising anger in her gut. That was not the guy she knew growing up, but that was clearly who he had become. She threw the newspaper away from her and walked back over to Ruby to brush her soft, black curls away from her forehead. She didn’t know how she was going to deal with this, with any of this.
The phone rang and Chelsey jerked around to look at it where it was lying on the coffee table. There was a loud rap on the door simultaneously, and Chelsey could feel herself losing control. Who could be calling her at this hour? Who could be knocking on her door? She wanted to remain where she was, Ruby and her, locked up and out of sight of the world. But the phone kept ringing and the knock on the door kept getting louder.
“Chelsey! I know you’re in there. Open up, will you?” Hannah’s shrieking voice pierced through her soul. She was still frozen on the spot.
“Chelsey, open up! What’s going on?” Hannah shrieked again. This time, Chelsey finally stood up, took in a deep breath and walked over to her phone. It was Hannah calling, and she cut the call. Then she walked over to the door, trying to maintain an even breath, and opened it.
Chapter 3
When Chelsey opened the door, Hannah was standing outside in the hall with her hands on her hips. She looked furious.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” she said in a breathy voice, and tried to push past Chelsey and into the house. Instead, Chelsey shut the door behind her and stood with her back to the adjoining wall, crossing her arms in front of her.
“I’m busy, Hannah. We’ll have to talk later,” she said, as calmly as she possibly could.
“Busy with what? Do you know how many people I had to call just to figure out where you live now? I thought you still lived with your mom.” Hannah’s voice was still high-pitched, as she had not yet managed to calm herself down. Chelsey nodded in response.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Hannah. I’ve just been very caught up with things,” she said quietly, trying to avoid looking directly into Hannah’s eyes.
“I have no idea what’s going on with you, Chelsey. Firstly I didn’t even know you’re back in town, now I find out you’ve been living here for close to two years. Why have you been hiding all this from me?” Hannah took a few steps towards Chelsey, who turned her face away.
“Hannah, I’m sorry. I just don’t have the time right now,” she said, placing her hand on the doorknob, hoping Hannah would get the hint and leave.
“What’s going on? Is there someone in there with you? Are you married or something?” Hannah’s eyes went to the door knob and then back to Chelsey’s face.
“No. I’m not married. I’m just busy. I really can’t talk right now,” Chelsey said, and let out a deep breath. Hannah’s face changed. She was going to try a different approach; clearly rage wasn’t working.
“Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? We’re best friends. We tell each other everything.” Hannah reached out and placed a hand on Chelsey’s shoulder.
“We used to be best friends, Hannah. Let’s just face reality. We’re not even friends anymore,” Chelsey snapped, and moved a few inches to let Hannah’s hand drop back beside her.
“And whose fault is that? You completely cut me off. I’m back here trying to figure all this out and you’re still pushing me away. What did I ever do to you?” Hannah’s eyes were tearing up and Chelsey couldn’t handle it anymore. She knew she would start crying as well if Hannah kept probing and pushing.
“Nothing. You didn’t do anything. Sorry, it’s not your fault,” Chelsey said, and turned her face away.
“Then tell me what’s happening. Whatever it is, you don’t have to go through it alone.” Hannah placed both her hands on Chelsey’s shoulders now, and they looked into each other’s eyes.
“I have to go back in now, Hannah. Let’s talk later,” Chelsey said quickly, before either of them had the chance to get any more emotional than they already were. Hannah stepped away, rubbed her hand under her nose and sniffled.
“Alright. Whatever. Just promise me that you’ll show up at the anniversary party tomorrow. We’re having it at our house. My parents expect to see you there and so do I,” Hannah said, in a quieter voice. Chelsey stared back at her and tried to smile.
“I’ll try my best to make it,” she said, after a few seconds had passed in silence. But Hannah shook her head.
“After all the years you spent with us…we practically grew up together, Chelsey. You’re a part of the family. Everyone will be disappointed if you simply don’t turn up. That’s all I have to say,” Hannah said, and turned on her heels to start walking down the hall towards the stairs. Chelsey remained standing where she was until she heard Hannah’s footsteps on the stairs, descending down.
She stood for a few more minutes with her back pressed against the door, until she heard Ruby wailing.
“Hi, baby. Mommy’s back. Sorry, were you scared?” she said, trying to sound cheerful as she opened the door and found Ruby standing in the pen, pouting.
The television was playing a repeat of the news segment and Aron’s face was on the screen again. Chelsey found the remote, switched the TV off and picked Ruby up into her lap.
Back in the kitchen, she was more careful with the stew this time. She simply didn’t have the time or money to waste. She couldn’t work several hours in the day and afford a sitter for Ruby at the same time, so money was always tight. How did I end up here? she thought to herself as she ladled stew into two plastic bowls for Ruby and herself. She had been on her way towards success. She had bagged a fancy New York internship, she was creative and competitive. She used to be an artist. Now she didn’t care anymore. She gave people regular, unimaginative haircuts and made barely enough to pay the bills.
And now, Hannah and Aron were back in town to complicate her life even more. She shook her head in distress as she pushed a spoonful of stewed vegetables towards Ruby, who turned her head away with a stubborn pout.
“Eat your dinner, baby,” Chelsey begged her, as her mind reeled with indecision. She didn’t know what she was going to do. She wanted to see Aron, she wanted to see Hannah and her parents. She didn’t want to be so rude as to simply not turn up. But she also knew that seeing all of them, seeing the new Aron, would destroy her emotionally. How would she ever get over something like that? It had taken her nearly three years to get over him the first time he left. Was she even over him now?
Chapter 4
Chelsey had picked out the only dress that remained unwrinkled and clean in her closet. It was a knee-length navy shift dress that she’d bought during college, several years ago. She styled her hair into a neat chignon on the right, lightly dusted her eyes with a muted copper eyeshadow and picked a matching copper lipstick for the evening. Thankfully, she had a pair of black pumps and a black velvet clutch to go with the dress.
She caught a quick reflection of herself on the top of the Keels’ front door just before Hannah opened it. Hannah was in a long, red silk dress with a back that plunged right down to the small of her waist. She had on a matching bright red lipstick and dangling gold earrings. She looked ravishing, as always.
“You made it.” She lunged forward and gave Chelsey a tight hug. “And you look amazing. Your hair is gorgeous” she added, as they gently pulled apart.
“Thanks, Hannah. You look lovely too,” Chelsey said, as Hannah shut the door behind
her. Their house was teeming with people and there was low classical music playing in the living room. Chelsey recognized several faces from the neighborhood and people she had been introduced to when she frequented the Keels home.
“We have to talk when I get the chance. Can I get you a drink first?” Hannah asked with a smile, as if the dramatic scene outside Chelsey’s house the previous night had never even happened.
“Yes, please. I could do with some wine,” Chelsey said, and Hannah smiled and flew away towards the kitchen, her beautiful dress trailing behind her as she walked, exchanging smiles and nods with people along the way. Hannah was always the center of attention; it clearly ran in the family.
“Hello, Chelsey.” She heard a voice behind her and whipped around, almost dropping her clutch. Aron was standing at the door of the living room with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was in a dark tailored suit which matched his hair. A gray shirt peeped out from within the folds and the collar was left slightly open at the neck. He was looking at her with his piercing green eyes, a soft grin lingering on his face.
“Hello, Aron. How are you?” she managed to say, and dropped her gaze towards the floor. She could feel herself blushing. He was aging gracefully. The sharpness of his jaw was more pronounced now and she could smell the masculine, musky scent of his cologne from several feet away.
“I’m very well. Hannah was worried that you wouldn’t turn up,” he said, and took a few steps towards her. Chelsey looked up and tried to smile at him.
“I’ve been busy. But here I am,” she said, adding a flourishing laugh at the end of that. He didn’t laugh, but he continued to grin at her. He was standing very close to her now, and try as she might Chelsey couldn’t look directly at him any longer.
“Where have you been, Chelsey? It’s like you fell right off the Earth,” he said, taking a long, slow sip from his glass. She noticed the same Rolex on his wrist, how his voice had changed a little, grown deeper and smoother over the course of the three years since she last saw him.
“I’ve been right here. My plans for New York didn’t work out,” she said nervously. With her beating heart and her sweaty palms and his eyes focused on her, she couldn’t come up with appropriate excuses or lies. He leaned towards her more, and she could feel his breath on the loose strands of her hair that were resting on her nose.
“Why? Why didn’t you tell us that you’ve been here all along? I’ve been thinking of you,” he said, and when she lifted up her eyes to look at him, he was staring directly into hers. The smile on his face was close to mocking her. She could barely breathe. It was like he was gripping her heart with a tight fist.
“There you are. You found her!” Hannah’s voice interrupted them and she came up to Chelsey with two glasses of red wine in her hands. Chelsey grabbed a glass from her and sipped from it quickly, thankful for the distraction.
Aron smiled at his younger sister and then looked back towards Chelsey.
“I was trying to find out why she’s been in this godforsaken town all these years,” Aron said, and Hannah laughed.
“Good luck trying to extract that information. I’ve been trying since yesterday. My guess is that Chelsey has secretly married a man who she wants to keep hidden away from us,” Hannah said with a laugh, and nudged Chelsey with her elbow.
Chelsey’s eyes were on Aron and she noticed how his eyes darkened. His expression changed for a second and his lips tightened to a straight line. But that only lasted for a few seconds. He cleared his throat and looked away from them.
“Is that true, Chelsey? Have you gone and found yourself a husband?” He looked back at the two girls with a wide smile on his face, which Chelsey instantly recognized to be forced.
“Like I told Hannah last night, no. I’m not married,” she said, and took another long sip from her glass of wine. Aron’s eyes seemed to relax, and he nodded and smiled again.
“I’m going to go see if I can find mom and dad and tell them you’re here,” Hannah said, and patted Chelsey on her back before walking away in a flurry.
“There’s nothing Hannah has ever loved more than a party,” Aron said, watching his sister walk away, before turning his eyes back on Chelsey.
“By the looks of it, if the papers are to be believed, you don’t mind a good party yourself, do you?” Chelsey said, surprising herself by the caustic tone of her voice. Aron’s eyes widened and then he laughed.
“You’ve been keeping track of me, then. I knew you would,” he said, with a short laugh, and then he emptied the remnants of the whiskey into his mouth. Chelsey didn’t respond to that, but only rolled her eyes to dismiss his statement.
“Come with me. I wanna show you something,” Aron said, and suddenly he grabbed Chelsey’s arm, dragging her with him towards the spiral stairs that led to the bedrooms upstairs.
“Slow down. Where are we going?” Chelsey yelled out, trying to make herself heard over the loud conversations and the music around her.
“To my old bedroom,” he said, turning around to throw her a quick smile and a wink. Chelsey felt faint.
Chapter 5
Chelsey wriggled her hand free from Aron’s as they walked down the corridor towards his old bedroom.
“What are you doing? What do you have to show me?” she asked him. She couldn’t hide the dread and anxiety from her voice. Aron stopped in front of his door and turned to face her.
“Don’t worry. This’ll only take a minute. You’ll like it, trust me,” he said, and pushed the door open. Chelsey breathed in deeply before following him inside, into the room she remembered so well. It looked exactly the same: the neat double bed, the NHL posters on the wall, the bottle-green curtains at the window and the photographs of Aron and his family on a board.
Aron was shuffling through papers and books on his study table in the corner of the room, while Chelsey stood looking at him in the dim light of the table lamp. She couldn’t believe this was happening, that she was alone with him, in his room, again. It was like his last night in town, three years ago, all over again. He turned to look at her suddenly, and they held each others gaze for a few seconds.
“What do you have to show me, Aron?” Chelsey asked him, curtly. He smiled. He was holding a piece of paper in his hands, which he stretched out towards her now. It took her only a few seconds to recognize it, after which she looked away, refusing to look at it.
“What’s the matter? It’s the letter you left for me on the table after I went away. I found it this morning.” He wasn’t smiling anymore, and his arm remained outstretched towards her. Chelsey continued facing the window.
“I know what it is. Why are you showing it to me?” She tried to keep her voice level, but it was a struggle. She couldn’t understand why he would put her through this, after so many years. What kind of joy was he deriving out of putting her through this misery?
“Because it’s lovely and sweet. I didn’t even know it existed until this morning. I’ve been an ass and haven’t visited home since I left,” he said softly, taking a few steps towards her.
“You’re embarrassing me, Aron,” Chelsey snapped at him and, to her surprise, he laughed.
“Dear Aron…” he said and she realized to her horror that he was reading from the letter now. She breathed in sharply, her nostrils flaring. She could feel her limbs shaking. “You might never find this, or you might not care. I just wanted to write to you, to let you know that last night was very special…”
Chelsey whipped around and walked over to the bed, to sit down at its end with her face in her hands. He was torturing her.
“…it was beautiful and you were beautiful. I know you had to go, but I wish with all my heart that you didn’t. Maybe it didn’t mean anything to you, but I’d wanted this ever since I could remember,” he continued, taking a few steps towards her, towards the bed. Chelsey still had her face in her hands. She couldn’t bear to look up or look at him.
“…you will always remain my special someone, the boy who got a
way…” he continued reading, and Chelsey suddenly cried out.
“Stop it, Aron. Please stop.”
He looked up from the paper in his hand. He was standing right in front of her now, and a smile lingered on his face.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed,” he said, and she shook her head, rage pouring out of her eyes.
“It’s more than embarrassment, Aron. You’re hurting me,” she said, and looked away from him. Aron was silent for a few seconds and then he kneeled down in front of her, dropping the paper to the floor.
“Hey. What’s the matter, Chelsey? I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just thought we’d laugh about it. Reminisce about the old days,” he said, placing his hands on her bare knees. Chelsey looked at him, certain that he could now see the tears glistening in her eyes.
“There’s nothing to laugh about. It might be a joke to you, now that you have lots of women writing you love letters. That’s the only one I ever wrote. It’s not a joke to me.” She hoped that she could keep her emotions under control. She had to try and remember that none of this was his fault. He just didn’t know. He had never known what she felt for him, and he had never known the truth.
He was silent for a few seconds again, looking deep into her eyes. His expression had changed from confusion to concern and he spoke very softly now.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Chelsey. It isn’t a joke to me, either. There might be several women who throw themselves at me, but this is the only love letter that matters. I can’t describe to you how happy it made me to find it here.” He squeezed her knees with his hands and stared back at her. She could see his chest rising and falling with every breath. His lips looked pink and delicious. Chelsey wasn’t sure if she could keep her emotions in check for much longer now.