One Moment (The Little Hollow Series Book 1)

by Danielle Dickson

  Spotting Kee and Lewis in the waiting room, I went on over to them.

  “Kee, I need you to take me home.” She looked at me with wide eyes.

  “Everything alright?” By the time I’d told them my plan, Lewis was already texting away on his phone and Kee had a huge grin on her face.

  “Road trip?”

  I shook my head. “Sorry, Kee, I think this is something I need to do alone. Plus, we need you here to look after the salon, we can’t both be out.”

  The ride back consisted of us finalizing all the details. She agreed to ring around my client’s and move them about for the rest of the week. I didn’t know how long I’d be gone for so it was better to plan ahead.

  Arriving back at the apartment, I jumped out and ran inside. “Kee, did you forget to lock the door?” She paused in thought.

  “I could’ve sworn I locked it. Sorry, Sammy. Nothing’s missing is it?” Luckily, everything looked untouched, not that I’d be overly worried in this town but you could never be too careful.

  Lewis insisted he went up to our apartment first and I saw the look Keeley gave him, I was so used to eye rolls off of her that her sweet smile was so out of character that I laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” She narrowed her eyes at me, daring me to say something.

  “Oh, nothing.” I winked at her and she blushed.

  “Well, it seems everything is fine here, ladies.” He gestured for us to go into the apartment and I went to throw my things into a duffle. “He hasn’t text back yet, Sam, but I’m sure he will.”

  I’d gotten Lewis to ask Connor for his address, he made up something about sending him some old photos from school.

  “Thanks, Lewis, I really appreciate it. Wait!” I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about it before. I loaded up my laptop and clicked on Connor’s business site. If I had the city he lived in, then at least I’d know where I was headed

  “Woah.” Kee came in then and stuffed my toiletries into my duffle.

  “What?” She came and scanned the screen. “Sam, that’s like an eleven-hour drive away. There’s no way you’re doing that alone.” I sighed.

  “I’ll get a motel half way, okay? You can’t leave here too; we’ve gone over this.” I plugged the city into my phone’s GPS and got up to zip my duffle.

  “You guys just text when you have an actual address and yes, I promise I’ll call as soon as I stop.” I gave Kee a hug and Lewis a quick wave before it really hit me. What was I doing? “What if he doesn’t want to know?”

  It was Lewis who answered first. “That man loves you more than life itself. If you don’t do this, you’ll never know just how much.” I grinned at Kee and she blushed. She had a romantic one there.

  “Okay, I’m going. You look after her.” I pointed to Lewis and he gave me a grin before Kee started pushing me out the door.

  “Just go.” With one last wave, I made my way to my car and peeled out of my parking spot.

  I woke up in the same position I’d crashed in. Rubbing my eyes and stretching out my arms, I reached in my jean pocket for my cell. I couldn’t believe it, I’d slept for eight hours straight for the first time in I don’t know how long and it was nearly dinner time.

  I sat up and read a text from Lewis.

  Cindy woke up, has agreed to go to rehab. Sam’s a lot better too so that’s good news. I found some old photos from school, funny shit. Send me your address so I can pass them on! Lew

  I was stoked everything was going smoothly back there, I fired back a quick text with my address on and made my way to the en-suite bathroom.

  I couldn’t remember a night that I’d slept that long without having a nightmare of some kind. Maybe I was finally ready to let go of the past?

  I went downstairs and followed the sounds of pans clanging, and my mom’s whistling, into the kitchen. “Good afternoon, sleepy head.” She had a smile on her face as she stirred something that smelled delicious.

  I kissed her on the top of her head and went to sit at the counter. “I didn’t mean to sleep so long but I feel great for it.” She smiled at me before turning the hob down.

  “I’m assuming you’ll stay for dinner before you shoot off?” It wasn’t a question; it was a ‘mom said so’ statement posed as a question.

  “Sure, smells great.” It really did, my mouth was already watering. “Where’s Pete? Can I do anything?”

  She wiped her hands on her apron and pointed to a loaf of bread. “Cut that into thick slices will you? He had to go collect something from the office but he should be back by the time dinner is done.”

  I got a knife out of the block and started to slice into the bread.

  “How’s your job going at the shop?” I asked.

  She bent down to pick a dish out of the oven. “It’s a boutique, not a shop.” Smirking, she put the dish back in. “Still needs ten more minutes, but yeah I love it there. There’s no pressure, I can choose when I work and the other women that work there are becoming fast friends of mine.”

  I didn’t think she knew how happy it made me to see her smile and talk about normal, everyday things. I finished slicing the bread and sat back down at the counter where she joined me.

  “I don’t want to ruin a lovely meal but while Pete’s out I need to talk to you.”

  I looked down at the counter. “I don’t need to talk, mom, I just needed to sleep it off. I’m a grown man, I’ll be okay.”

  She had her mom face on. “Connor Hartley, I don’t care whether you’re twenty-five or fifty-five, I’ll always be here for you to talk to, especially when I know there’s something big on your mind.” She paused and waited for me to say something. “Now spill, because what you said to me earlier was disturbing, about Sammy not being able to grieve because of you?”

  I tapped my fingers on the counter. “Well it’s true, in part. She needed someone from the moment it happened and I don’t need to explain to you about her mom, you know enough already. But she wasn’t there for her. You already know the morbid story, it was the same as every year, except this year I got caught. I wasn’t careful enough when I was there, I really upset her.”

  I looked up at her and she looked confused. “What do you mean when you say you ‘got caught’?”

  I was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I was at the beach, on the dock like always, but I stayed too long and Sammy turned up. All hell broke loose and I guess I got what I deserved. She told me that she could never forgive me for leaving her and it broke my heart to hear her say that.”

  My mom was silent for a minute. “Connor, you were just kids yourselves back then. That poor boy…” Her voice broke before she righted herself. “What you two had to go through that night was nothing more than a horrific accident and the aftermath was no one’s fault but…” She took a deep, steadying breath.

  “I know that, mom, you don’t have to say his name.” There was no way I’d ever tell her that he was still living in Little Hollow.

  “I can’t even begin to imagine how hurt and scared you both must have been.”

  “The beach to watch the sunset? You said we were going on an adventure, Sammy.” Tommy pouted in the truck beside me.

  “Hey, bud, who said we weren’t? Watching a sunset is an adventure.” He frowned and threw his arms over his chest.

  “Sunsets are for girls!” Sammy cleared her throat to stop herself from laughing and looked out the window.

  “The sun isn’t setting for another hour. We have all that time to look for buried treasure. ARGHHH.” Sammy snorted at my pirate impression.

  “Can we be superhero pirates, Con?” That kid had such an imagination.

  “We can be anything you want and you’re already dressed for the occasion, with that awesome cape.” He looked at me contemplatively.

  “You don’t have a cape.” I stopped the truck just before the beach and parked up.

  “Well, I guess you’ll have to help me make one out of one of the blankets.” I winked at him and jumped out
, keeping the door open for him to get out behind me.

  “Sammy doesn’t have a cape.” He looked at me expectantly as I looked over at Sammy.

  “That’s okay, I’m going you let you guys have all the fun. I’m going to soak up the last of the sun.” She smiled at me and took the blankets out of my hands.

  “Let me help.” She handed Tommy a blanket as I got the rest of the gear I’d packed for today out of the truck bed. They had no idea I’d packed a water pistol, I secretly stuck it in the back of my shorts and covered it with my tee before picking up the bucket and spade. It’s a good job I’d thought ahead, otherwise Tommy would not be a happy bunny right now.

  The weather was still warm and I took a moment to close my eyes before Tommy shouted at me as he went running into the sand, blanket dragging behind him.

  I chuckled. “Right, who’s ready to find some buried treasure?” I showed him the bucket and spade in my hands and he whooped.

  I looked over and saw Sammy beaming at me. “You’re such a dork.” I shrugged and started walking towards where Tommy was struggling to set up the blanket.

  “Here, you take these and start looking and I’ll put this down for your sister.” I flicked the blanket in the air to get all the sand Tommy had dragged all over it off and laid it down.

  “Your majesty.” I did a bow and she swatted at me.

  “Yep, I was right about the dork comment,” she retorted.

  I bent down towards her to whisper in her ear, “But you wouldn’t have me any other way.” I turned and ran towards Tommy who was digging furiously in the sand.

  “Arghhh! Have you found anything yet, superman pirate?” He shook his head and did an arghhh of his own.

  “No, sidekick pirate. Wait, where is your cape?” I held a finger up and ran towards Sammy again. Grabbing the spare blanket, I tied it off around my neck and ran back towards Tommy with her laughter in the background.

  “Use the bucket to dig over there, we need to find the treasure before it’s too late!” I took the bucket and moved two-meters away to dig my own hole.

  We dug up and filled in holes for thirty minutes, only recovering the odd bottle cap. I could see his attention span waning.

  “We need weapons, superman pirate! I see some enemy pirates coming to steal our treasure.” I pointed out towards the water.

  “We don’t need weapons, Connor, dur! We’re superhero’s, we have special powers.” I laughed at his attitude.

  “Well, okay then, get ready for an attack!”

  He got into a fighting stance and after we counted to three, we started hollering and running towards the water. We spent the next fifteen minutes pretending to fight the fake enemy with karate moves.

  I stopped suddenly and Tommy looked at me.

  “Sidekick pirate, get them! Sidekick pirate?” I stayed frozen to the spot, not moving “Connor?” He got closer to me and I reached to secretly pull out the water pistol from the back of my shorts and pointed it at him.

  “Superhero pirate...I’ve...been...brainwashed. I can’t fight it...any longer...run!” I took off after him across the little man made beach, the water pistol squirting him making him squeal. I ran out of water and he turned around.

  “My turn! Let me fill it up.” We walked towards the waters edge and filled it up, taking it in turns to squirt each other until we were both soaked.

  I ran the pistol back to Sammy and she put up her hands. “Don’t even think about it!”

  I stalked up to her with a sly look on my face. “I mean it, Con!” I put up my hands in a peaceful gesture.

  “You’re safe.” She smirked at me, feeling triumphant. I took the soaking wet blanket off from around my neck and rolled it up. “For now.” I added as I walked back towards Tommy.

  I picked him up and ran up the beach, his cape flowing in the wind. He was pretending he was flying and I couldn’t help but glance back and see Sammy watching us with a huge smile on her face.

  I watched her for a minute, she sure was beautiful. She got up and started walking over to the dock. I collapsed in the sand, spent from carrying Tommy.

  “You need to get up, sidekick pirate, the enemies are back.”

  I held up a finger. “You need to let me catch my breath first, bud, how about we go spend a little time with your sister. She needs keeping an eye on, I’m pretty sure she’s been eyeing up the treasure.”

  A wicked grin spread across his face. “Let’s get her.”

  We started creeping up to the dock, trying to make as little noise as possible. Tommy was a bit heavy footed and I knew she’d heard us but continued pretending she hadn’t.

  “Rawr! Scared you, Sammy! Now you’ve got to fight us.” Tommy put his hands in front of his face and pretended to karate chop her.

  “I’m tired, guys, you go play. I’m just watching this sunset.”

  Bad move, Sammy, bad move, I thought.

  “Oh, you’re too tired are you?” I took a step closer to her and she stuck out her hand.

  “I’m serious, Con!” I lowered my head, a mischievous grin on my face. Tommy was watching this play out and as I stalked her, she took several steps back.

  “Get her, Con! I mean, sidekick pirate!” I turned to look at him and shot him a quick wink when a big splash of water hit me square in the side of the head.

  I brought my hand up to it to wipe it off and Sammy stared wide eyed.

  “Did you just use my own pistol against me?” She looked at the gun her hand and put it behind her back, smiling innocently.

  “Who? Me? Never.” She smirked and pointed it back at me.

  “Oh, it’s on!” At that I sprang for the pistol in her hand. I managed to grab it and started squirting her. She dodged around me and ran back towards the beach, squealing as I ran after her.

  I could hear Tommy cheering in the background, which spurred me on. I ran faster before grabbing her and pinning her down on the ground. “Say you’re sorry.” She giggled up at me.

  “Never!” I squirted her again.

  “Say you’re sorry for squirting me and I’m the bestest friend in the whole entire world.” Yeah, I knew I was being childish but it felt good to act like this for once.

  “I said never!” Right, that’s it.

  “Superman pirate, I need your help! This enemy seems too strong willed for a measly sidekick.” She thrashed about as I sat on top of her. “Superman pirate, I need your powers urgently!”

  I waited for a moment before looking back to see what was taking him so long.

  Where was he? I looked around some more before getting up off Sam and helping her up.

  “Where did he go?” Sammy was looking around in a blind panic.

  “Tommy!” We both started shouting his name.

  “This isn’t funny Tommy; you need to come out right now!” Sammy started power walking towards the dock and I went in the other direction. A sudden shriek made me spin around and run towards Sammy. I didn’t know what was going on but as I ran on, I saw that she was stood pointing at a spot of disturbed water by the end of the dock.

  Tommy.

  I started sprinting towards it in a frenzy, Sammy screaming at me as she ran behind me. I hit the dock at break neck speed and jumped in where the water was bubbling. The water was cold and murky; I couldn’t see a thing.

  I didn’t know how deep the water actually was at this point so I just kept on swimming down. I started to reach in all directions, frantically trying to find him. Swimming back up for air, I heard Sammy shriek my name.

  Not wasting any more time, I tried to get my bearings and took another deep breath to dive back down, this time holding onto one of the dock poles for direction. The grimy water stung my eyes as I struggled to keep them open, I was running out of breath fast.

  I couldn’t find him and I was starting to panic when my finger clasped onto something soft. I pulled desperately at whatever was in my fingertips, it wouldn’t budge so I forced myself down some more and came face to face with Tommy’
s weightless body.

  Grabbing him, I tried to swim to the surface but something was stopping me.

  I realized his cape was caught on something.

  I tried ripping at the silk material but it wouldn’t budge. My lungs were screaming at me but there was no way I was leaving him. My fingers shook uncontrollably as I ran them along the edges of the cape until I found a knot. I pulled at it indelicately until it loosened enough for me to slip it off of his neck.

  I grabbed his arm and pushed our way through the water, coughing and spluttering as we broke the surface. “Sammy, go call an ambulance!” I shouted.

  I started hauling Tommy out of the water onto the dock and hauled myself up after him.

  Putting my ear to his mouth, I couldn’t feel or hear anything. No! This wasn’t happening!

  I checked that his airways were clear, then started to pump my hands up and down on his chest, right where we were taught in school, then tilted his head back, pinched his nose and blew through his mouth.

  I continued to do this as Sammy ran back onto the dock and threw herself beside his body.

  “Tommy!” She sobbed and rocked back and forth beside us as I continued the CPR.

  Nothing was happening. “Connor, why isn’t he breathing! Do something!”

  I pumped furiously, trying to rid his lungs of the gunk infested water. “Come on!” Tears were making tracks furiously down my face and falling onto his as I blew some more air into his lifeless body.

  “Tommy, you need to get up now, bud, come on, it’s time to stop playing around!” I pumped his chest furiously, not daring to stop. If I stopped, it would all become real. Hearing sirens in the distance, my head swam but I refused to stop.

  “Tommy! No no no! Wake up…Wake up...Connor, help him!” Sammy knelt beside him, stroking his hair.

  I looked up into her grief stricken face, my heart constricted upon seeing her. Figures in uniform running towards us caught my eye and I looked over her shoulder. I moved back as the paramedics started where I left off.

  “How long was he under for?” One of them aimed the question at me and I just stared as he waited for my answer. “I know this is hard, kid, but I need you to talk to me.”