Left Behind
By D.J. Pierson
Copyright © 2014 D.J. Pierson
All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
ISBN 13: 978-1499759730
ISBN 10: 1499759738
Cover by: Samantha Bagood @ Cover Pub http://coverpub.samanthabagood.com
Edited by: Kim Young @ https://www.facebook.com/KimsEditingServices2013
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to anyone who has had to watch someone they love suffer until the very end, then be forced to move on without them.
This is for those of us who have been Left Behind.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter One
Kacie
Moving back home after being away at college for the last four years really isn’t something I’ve been looking forward to, especially when I’ve purposely avoided my family by being over a thousand miles away. Unnecessary summer classes and an off-campus apartment were the perfect excuses to stay in Pennsylvania, rather than coming back to the Sunshine State. The fact that I’m making myself sound like the world’s worst daughter isn’t lost on me. However, once you meet my parents, you’ll understand. I know what you’re thinking. Why doesn’t this girl just stay away? As awesome as that sounds, it’s not an option for me. There are a few things I need to accomplish here.
A little over a month ago, Jade, my best friend since childhood, reminded me that I don’t have to live under the same roof as my parents. Just the thought of living with my father again, where he can lecture me day in and day out on how to live my life the way he wants me to, is enough to make my skin crawl and my head ache. Of course, Jade was being completely selfish when she suggested I move into the house that once belonged to my late grandparents. It just so happens to be right next door to her place.
Pulling into the familiar U-shaped driveway gives me chills and an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I haven’t been here since the night my grandmother passed away, a week after Christmas. My car slowly creeps along the driveway until it reaches the spot closest to the front door. After turning the engine off, I eventually emerge from the car. I look up at the huge house, waiting for the front door to open. Gram used to always be standing on the top step, waiting for me. Tears have filled my eyes at how empty the house feels, even from the outside.
Gently closing my door, I hesitantly walk around the front of the car and up the steps. The unexpected sound of a car horn startles me. Spinning around, I see Jade pulling up in her black BMW. When she gets out, she motions to my car and whistles. “You said you got a new car, but you didn’t say it was beautiful!” she yells to me as she takes her time checking it out.
Lightly chuckling, I reply, “It’s just a car, Jade.”
“Just a car? Isn’t it a Lexus IS?” She pauses as she walks to the front of it and looks up at me.
“Yes, it is. How’d you know that?”
“I know an awesome car when I see one. Thought you hated red, though. And I distinctly remember you complaining about convertibles messing up your hair.”
“I hate to wear red, but this car shouldn’t even be available in any other color,” I respond. “And I distinctly remember someone telling me how you just need to let your hair get tangled in the wind once in a while.”
“Yeah, that was totally me,” Jade giggles as she comes up the steps. The second she reaches the one I’m standing on, she pulls me into one of the tightest embraces she’s ever given. “Welcome home, Kacie. I’ve missed you something fierce!” She’s one of the very few people who actually mean it.
“I’ve missed you, too, Jade,” I say honestly. “I’m so glad to see you, but shouldn’t you be at work right now?”
“I took the afternoon off. You didn’t think I was going to let you go in alone, did you?” she says, looking up at the house. “I was trying to get here before you. Guess that new car can really fly, huh?” I shrug my shoulders. “What happened to not getting in until later this afternoon?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I checked out of the hotel early and hit the road. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to stay here,” I sigh, trying to hold back tears. There’s no need to hold them in for Jade’s sake. She’s seen me cry plenty of times. It’s the fear of not being able to stop that worries me.
“It’s your house, Kacie. You’re going to have to go in eventually.”
“It’s not technically my house. Gram said there would be some stipulations. My parents aren’t thrilled she left it to me. They will probably try to gain ownership. My mom has always loved this house. She’s pissed I’m staying here instead of at their house with them,” I admit.
“Yet. It’s not technically your house yet,” she corrects me. “Don’t worry about that right now. Mary didn’t seem to be concerned when I mentioned how this is bothering you.” Mary Spencer was my grandmother’s best friend since they were in grade school. She also happens to be one of Tampa’s best attorneys, as well as Jade’s employer. “Your mom will be pissed no matter what you do. Stop worrying about what her or your pain in the ass father want and don’t want. Got it?” I nod. “Okay then. Shall we?” She holds her hand out for me to take. Doing this alone really would have been impossible.
After taking a deep breath, I put the key inside the lock and open the white front door. Surprisingly, the stuffiness I was expecting from the house being empty since the beginning of January isn’t what hits me. Cool, refreshing air encircles me as we step over the threshold into the two-story foyer. Jade walks over to turn off the alarm using the code my grandmother had given her to check on things. “I had the cleaning crew come in last week. We made sure everything was ready for you when you got here. There’s some basic groceries in the kitchen to get you started, fresh bedding on your bed, that kind of stuff. I assumed you’d want the same bedroom you’ve always used…at least for now.” She looks at me nervously, waiting for me to react.
“Gram’s room?” I ask, instantly worried someone may have touched something of hers. “Please tell me her things are still in there.”
“No one was allowed to go near her suite,” Jade assures me. “Everything in there is just as she left it. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have someone back here to clean it. I’m sure it’s pretty dusty.”
“Not yet,” I say. She nods, acknowledging my request. I glance up the wooden staircase that starts on my left, then wraps around the foyer behind me to open up on the second floor to my right. There are five bedrooms upstairs, including the suite at the end of the hall that my grandmother insisted belong to me. The master suite is on the first floor, off of the kitch
en on the opposite side of the house. Looking back, I wonder if Gram designed it this way on purpose so the many sleepovers I had throughout the years wouldn’t disturb her.
“Ready?” Jade grabs ahold of my arm this time and lets me walk at my own pace through the foyer and into the great room. One of my favorite things about this luxurious home is the wall made of actual coral that extends all the way up to the ceiling and down the whole right side of the room. It also houses a beautiful fireplace and a large screen television. I can see the pool and the bay through the floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors along the back of the room.
“You had the pool uncovered?” I ask, walking toward the back of the house. Gram never used it so when I stopped coming home, she had it covered.
“Of course,” she says. “I know you’ll be doing laps in it tomorrow morning.” Swimming has always been one of my favorite things to do, especially when I’m stressed. The more laps I swim, the more tension disappears.
The kitchen is just as if it’s been used for the last five months. There’s fresh fruit in a wrought iron basket on the charcoal gray granite countertop. The white cabinets and stainless steel appliances are in perfect condition. A quick glance at the hallway, which leads to Gram’s room, has me panicking again. “Jade, I really don’t think I should stay here. Maybe I should just put the house up for sale.” Would I really be able to live with myself if someone else was living in Gram’s house?
“Are you kidding me? What other twenty-one year old gets handed a completely paid off, almost three million dollar home on the bay in Tampa?” she sighs. “Look, Kacie, I understand your fears. Really, I do. If, after being here for a year, you still want to sell, we’ll talk to Mary. But for right now, let Gram take care of you. This is what she wanted to do. Okay?”
“Did I tell you how happy I am that you’re here?” I ask.
“I know.” She smiles. “Now, I have something for you.” She walks over to the refrigerator, pulls out a bottle of champagne, then grabs the two glasses already set out on the counter. Jade pops the cork like a pro and fills both glasses to the very top. Handing one of them over to me she says, “Congratulations on your graduation! You’ll make one kick ass teacher, Miss Foster!” We clink glasses and a genuine smile finally comes to my face as we each take a sip.
“Why, thank you! I really hope I’m up to the challenge. Special Education isn’t for wimps, you know.”
“No, it’s not. That’s exactly why you’re perfect for the job,” my best friend tells me. “Your interview is tomorrow, right?”
“Bright and early.”
“Okay. I won’t keep you up late tonight, but we are partying hard at your brother’s promotion party tomorrow night. Got it?”
“You didn’t tell anyone about my graduation, right?” I question, nervously. My parents aren’t aware that as of two days ago, their youngest child became a college graduate. They don’t even know I changed my major freshman year. As far as my parents know, I’m taking extra classes for at least one more semester before starting medical school. I’m putting off telling them for as long as possible. Once they find out, they will probably…no, definitely disown me.
“Your secrets are always safe with me. You know that. Come outside. I need to show you one more thing, then we can order a pizza or something.”
We exit through the back of the house. Momentarily, I pause at the in-ground pool. It’s crystal clear and ready to swim in. I kick off my flip flops and dip one foot into the warm water. It’s perfect. I hear Jade laughing at me. “Remember when Gram couldn’t get you out of there almost every night? Sometimes, I swear I can still hear her yelling your name.”
I follow her through the yard. “I was such a pain in the ass. I’m not sure why she loved me so much,” I admit.
“Oh, you’re still a pain in the ass,” she chuckles. “She loved you because of the great person you are. You have this hard outer shell, but once that’s cracked, you’re one of the sweetest, most loving people I’ve ever met.”
I give her a wicked glare. “You better never tell anyone that or I’ll seriously hurt you.”
“See,” she replies, still laughing. Then she motions for me to look at what she wanted to show me. How did I not realize where she was taking me? At the back edge of the property, hidden from the bay by shrubs, is the garden of wildflowers Gram and I planted.
“How are they still alive?” I wonder out loud.
“Well, she made me promise to check on them. You know me. I don’t like getting dirty so I had a gardener come out to keep an eye on all the gardens until you got home. How you two didn’t have one to begin with is beyond me. If you want to keep him around, I won’t complain. He barely speaks English, but he’s nice to look at.” She winks. “On really hot days, he’ll even take his shirt off.”
“Why did you do all of this, Jade?” I ask her. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful, but this is a lot.”
“Gram was always there for me, too. I would have done anything the woman asked of me, but all this stuff was in her will. I just volunteered to be the one to look after everything. This is me attempting to repay her.”
“I miss her so much,” I whisper.
“I know, sweetie,” she says, putting her arm around my shoulders and pulling me in tightly. “Me, too.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for coming home. This place has sucked ass since you left.” I laugh at her. “Let’s go order something to eat. I’m starving.”
As the two of us go back into the house, we can hear the doorbell ringing continuously. There’s only one person I know who holds the button in and doesn’t let go until someone opens the door. My eyes immediately fall on Jade, who isn’t even trying to stifle her laughter.
“Guess he missed you, too!” she calls as I run to the front door before the jerk breaks the doorbell.
When I open it, one of the most handsome guys I’ve ever met is staring at me. He’s tall, with dark brown short hair and the brown eyes to match. He’s one solid block of muscle from head to toe. I know this for a fact because I’ve seen him in his boxers more times than I care to admit. It’s a sight no girl in her right mind would ever forget. He’s currently wearing blue jeans, work boots, a green t-shirt, and is sporting a five o’clock shadow. Not many people can pull that off the way Jake Quinn can.
“Hey, Kacie. Welcome back to the neighborhood,” he says.
“Hi, Jake. Thanks. Now, can you please stop ringing the doorbell?”
Laughing, he walks in, kissing my cheek on his way by. “I’m so glad you’re home. My sister has been a miserable bitch since you left,” he says, walking through the foyer.
“Shut the hell up, Jake. You’ve been bouncing off the walls since I told you she was coming home,” Jade counters from the kitchen.
“Well, no shit. If Kacie’s around, you’re out of my hair,” he teases. “I brought the wine.” He holds up two bottles before he continues, “And I ordered pizza on my way over here. It should be here any minute.”
“You’re the best big brother ever,” Jade announces, taking out wine glasses from the cabinet for us and grabbing a beer for Jake. How awesome is it that my best friend even put alcohol in my refrigerator?
“Tell me something I don’t already know,” he tells her.
“Doesn’t anyone work around here?” I ask, setting plates down on the counter.
“You coming home is a big deal, Kacie,” Jake says. “How long are you planning on staying this time?”
Jade and I exchange a look. Apparently, she didn’t even tell her brother about me graduating. “I’m planning on hanging out for a while, Jake. Is that okay with you?” I tease.
He smiles enough that both of his dimples are visible. “Of course,” he says, almost shyly. The doorbell rings, announcing the pizza has arrived. “I’ll get it.”
Once he is out of listening range, Jade says, “You just made his night.” She giggles, flipping her long,
brown hair over her shoulder.
“I’m pretty sure his little crush on me is over. It’s been a long time,” I reply, climbing up on the stool next to her and taking a long sip of my wine. Years ago, Jake tried to get me to go out with him on numerous occasions. Even now, it wouldn’t be right. Jade has been my best friend since we were about ten-years-old. I’m afraid if Jake and I didn’t work out, it would ruin my friendship with her. She’s repeatedly told me not to worry about it, but our friendship is not something I’m willing to risk for anyone. Jade means that much to me.
“On the contrary, my friend,” she whispers, as he comes back into the kitchen with the pizza.
“Who’s hungry?” Jake asks. When Jade starts laughing, he looks at both of us. “What did I miss?”
“Jade’s just being Jade. Pass me a slice. I haven’t had anything to eat since around five this morning.” Good thing he’s not curious enough to keep asking.
For the rest of the evening, Jade and Jake try to fill me in on everything I’ve missed since being home last. Most of our old friends are still in the area or on their way home from college. Their parents finally divorced and instead of selling the house, Jake and Jade get to share it. Apparently, neither parent was willing to give it up entirely. Jade’s mom is off traveling the world with a new, much younger boyfriend, and her dad hangs out at local bars most of the time. So, really, nothing has changed with them.
Before he heads home, Jake brings in the bags from my car and carries them up to my room for me. “Is this all you brought?” I nod. “Guess you aren’t staying that long then.” He looks disappointed.
“Longer than you think, Jake.”
“Are you going to be alright staying here?” He doesn’t mean in Tampa. He’s referring to the house.
“I’m not sure yet, but I have to try. It’s all I have left of Gram.” My eyes water up again, but I still refuse to let the tears fall.
“I understand.” He gives me a hug. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”
Left Behind: Left Behind Series #1 Page 1