by Karen Pokras
She knew she’d rather have Max stay back with her, but she could never forgive herself if he did. It’s not like he’d be able to watch her 24/7 anyway. She’d figure out a way to manage. She could always move back on campus and get a roommate or two. Plus, there were campus police all over the place.
Max smiled. “We’ll talk about it later. You really do look tired,” he said, “and now that I think about it, I am a little thirsty. I’m going to take your mom up on that drink. You want anything?”
Ava shook her head.
Max kissed her lips, then her forehead, before stroking her hair tenderly. “Okay, try not to worry, babe.” He kissed her again and headed toward the kitchen.
Chapter 35
Ava was completely out of sorts when the phone rang. She reached in the air for it while half asleep, wondering why it was she was on the couch in her parent’s living room in the pitch dark. She suddenly remembered. Max. He was there in the house with her, telling her to get some rest. Where did he go? Where was everyone? What time was it?
Ava pushed the quilt off of her and sat up. She inhaled deeply, relishing the aroma that brought back so many memories of her childhood. It must be close to dinnertime. There was no mistaking the smell of her mom’s pot roast. Ava reached for the wall to guide her out of the living room and into the hallway. A small light shone through the kitchen door, and she could hear her father’s hushed voice coming from inside.
“I see,” he said. “Well, it’s never good news to get, but it’s definitely a relief … yes, sir, you have a good night as well. Thank you for calling.”
“So what did he say?” Ava heard her mom ask.
All eyes turned to Ava as she walked in the room. Her father was just hanging up the phone.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“You’re awake!” Max got out of his seat and offered it to her. She gladly took it, still feeling groggy.
“How was your nap, sweetie?” Ava’s mom asked. “You slept for a long time. Over two hours.”
Ava looked around the table. “I hope you weren’t holding up dinner on my account. Sorry about that. You should have woken me up.”
“Don’t be silly, Ava,” her mom said. “I’m just heating the leftovers from last night. They can wait.”
Max put his hands on Ava’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “You obviously needed your sleep. I came right back out to the living room after I’d gotten a drink, but you were already fast asleep. I didn’t want to wake you. Your family was all hanging out in the kitchen, so I thought I’d get to know them while you were sleeping. We’ve been talking this entire time, actually.”
Ava cringed. “Oh,” she said, looking up to Max. “Sorry.”
There wasn’t anything wrong with Ava’s family per se. It’s just that this was the first meeting of the boyfriend. True, it wasn’t the ideal situation. Normally Mrs. Haines made a big dinner, a minimum of three courses with extensive menu planning, whenever one of her girls invited a boy over for the initial meeting/interrogation. There was much stress, plenty of nervous laughter, and usually a few kicks under the dinner table. It all went smoothly as long as nobody broke the rule: under no circumstance were you to leave said boyfriend unattended with said family for more than three minutes.
Holly nudged Ava. “Now stop, you know we are all perfect hosts. Well, everyone except Tessa. She got bored after fifteen minutes and went over to her friend Emily’s house.”
“That sounds about right.” Ava laughed, but quickly stopped when she noticed her dad. He was sitting still at the end of the table with his head in his hands and hadn’t said a word since she had walked into the room. “Dad?” Ava asked. “Is everything okay?”
“That was Captain Andrews on the phone,” he responded flatly, motioning to the receiver on the counter behind him.
“The police officer who was here earlier?” Ava asked. She felt Max’s grip on her shoulders tighten.
Her dad nodded. “He received a call tonight from the Wolfenson police department. They found Thomas.”
“Oh thank heavens,” Mrs. Haines said.
Ava breathed a sigh of relief. “Did they arrest him?” she asked.
Mr. Haines smacked his lips together and replied, “No … they didn’t.”
“What?” Ava cried. “He’s clearly dangerous. First he drugged and attacked me, and now he’s stalking me. Not to mention the fact that he threatened me. Surely those are criminal offenses. Max, why didn’t they arrest him?” Ava looked at Max with tears in her eyes. She couldn’t believe this was happening. This horrible man, was going to get to go free, to wander around the same town as Ava? Did they really think a piece of paper signed by a judge would keep him away?
“Mr. Haines,” Max said, “did Captain Andrews say why they didn’t arrest him?”
“Yes,” her Dad answered, looking first to Ava, and then around the table to everyone else. “Thomas is dead.”
“Dead?” Ava whispered over the gasps coming from her mom and Holly.
Her dad nodded before explaining. “They found his body this evening when the police went over to the room he was renting to deliver the restraining order. He was hanging by his bed sheet.”
Ava turned and buried her head in Max’s chest. As much as she hated Thomas, she didn’t wish him to be dead. She only wanted him to be out of her life … preferably somewhere where he could get help. Apparently he needed more help than she thought.
“Captain Andrews said he left a note,” Mr. Haines continued.
Ava closed her eyes. The words would most likely haunt her forever. “What did it say?” she asked, hesitantly.
“There was a lot of stuff in there about how his career was over, and how he is nothing without his career, which the detective said is pretty typical in these situations. He apologized to you and several other women. He also talked about some stuff in his past. A lot of the note was written incoherently in gibberish. It was on the back of a photograph … one of his own, the police assumed. There were several photographs scattered about the room. Maybe fifty or so … landscapes.”
Ava nodded without responding. Whether her father knew more and wasn’t telling her, she didn’t care. She didn’t need to know his exact words. Max wrapped his arms around Ava, and she rested her head against him. The reality that she no longer had to worry about Thomas was starting to set in. She was ready to put this part of her life to rest.
Chapter 36
Max followed Ava as they drove back to Wolfenson. He helped her unload her car, stayed for a short while, then left to go to his own apartment. He would be leaving for California in just one week and had plenty of packing to do. After they received the news about Thomas, Ava insisted Max call back the admissions office to his flight school to tell them he’d be starting on time. For the first time since the incident, Ava wasn’t afraid to be alone in her own apartment, although she selfishly wanted to spend every minute of the week with Max.
She had just unzipped her suitcase to begin the arduous task of unpacking, when she heard a knock at her door. He couldn’t stay away. She laughed as she swung the door open.
“Ava!” Carly shrieked, throwing her arms around Ava and nearly knocking her over. “I’ve been sitting in my car across the street, waiting for Max to leave. I didn’t want to walk in on you two … you know.”
Ava pushed Carly away. “You’ve been stalking me?” she asked.
“Stalking’s such an ugly word, Ava. I just missed you, that’s all. Didn’t you miss me, too?”
“Of course I missed you, Carly.” Ava looked at her friend and smiled. In a strange sort of way, she actually did miss her. They kept in touch regularly over break, but as with the case with her and Max, it just wasn’t the same as having her around in person.
“Well, you sure seem a lot happier,” Carly noted. “No offense, Av, but most of your texts the last few weeks were just downright depressing. To be honest I was kind of worried about you. That’s why I called Holly.�
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“You called Holly?” Ava asked, feeling both confused and annoyed.
“And Max,” Carly said. “They didn’t tell you?”
“No, they didn’t,” Ava replied. “Why did you call them, and how did you get their numbers?”
Carly smiled and shrugged.
“See? You are a stalker!” Ava hollered.
“Don’t be mad. I just … you really sounded awful in your texts, like about to take a bottle of pills and wash it down with a bottle of booze upset. And that’s not easy to do in a text, you know. Usually, texts are kind of like … hanging out with my family again. Grandpa ate too much chili, and now the whole room smells like road kill … blah – blah – blah. You know?”
Ava looked at Carly. Honestly sometimes that girl comes up with the strangest stuff.
“I’m surprised neither of them told you I called,” Carly said.
Ava rubbed her temples. “No, they didn’t say a word.”
“Oh well, everyone was just concerned that’s all. They probably didn’t want to get you even more upset. But now that Thomas is—” She stopped mid-sentence.
“It’s okay, Carly. You can say the word dead. I've stopped feeling guilty over the fact that I’m relieved he is dead days ago. Although the way he went was pretty gruesome.”
“If you asked me, he should have been strung up by his—”
“Carly!” Ava yelled. “Stop. Let’s just move on. You were saying? Now that Thomas is dead?”
“Well, I was just going to say that you can be a little more relaxed now, and maybe you won’t be so bummed out all the time.”
“Yeah,” Ava said, going back over to her suitcase. She pulled out clothes and transferred them into her dresser. Sure. Why should she be bummed out? The love of her life was across town, preparing to move three thousand miles away in a matter of days. Life was just grand.
“I mean, I know you’re going to miss Max and all, but you still have me!” Carly walked over to Ava and put an arm around her shoulder.
“Thanks,” she said. She knew Carly meant well, and she appreciated the effort. It wasn’t Carly’s fault Max was leaving. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.
“Hey, did you get a chance to pick up your schedule yet?” Carly asked. “I thought maybe we could go into town together to get our art supplies for class and then stop at The Spot for some lunch. What do you say?”
Ava picked up her phone; nothing from Max. He said he was going to text her when he was ready to go get a bite to eat. As much as she wanted to see Max, she really did need to get her schedule and supplies. Things tended to sell out quickly at the beginning of the semester. She quickly typed:
Hi. How’s it going? What time do you want to meet for lunch?
Max: Hi babe. Didn’t realize I had so much stuff. Can we make it dinner? Love you. xoxo
Ava: Sure. I’m going to grab a bite with Carly then, and I’ll see you later. Love you back. xoxo
“Okay,” Ava said. “That sounds like a plan. Do you want me to drive?”
“No. You’ve been driving all day,” Carly replied. “I’ll drive.”
Chapter 37
Ava looked at her class schedule as they sat at their table waiting to order at The Spot. For the first time in a long time, Statistics 101 wasn’t listed. In fact, she only had one class left for her business degree—a marketing class. All the rest were art classes. Graduation was in sight, and a job with Cynthia was pretty much guaranteed. Everything she wanted was within her reach. Everything but Max. She had to wait longer for him. Why did there always have to be something? Why couldn’t she just have it all for once?
The line at registration was ridiculously long; not that Ava was surprised. Everybody returning from winter break had the same thing on their mind: getting their schedules so they could pick up their supplies to be ready for the first day of class. Of course, they would have gotten through a lot faster if Carly hadn’t insisted she was thirsty and needed a drink that very minute. She made Ava leave the line with her to grab a drink at the student center just when they were starting to move closer to the front. Carly had said if she didn’t get a drink right that second she would surely pass out. Ava thought she was being a bit over dramatic, but whatever. Sometimes it was just easier to go along with Carly than argue with her. Ava noticed that Carly was checking her phone a lot as they got back in line—the end of the line that is, which seemed even longer. Ava wondered if maybe she had a new boyfriend, although she didn’t ask. She wasn’t really in the mood for the details.
After they finally received their schedules, they headed over to the art supply store. As predicted, it was packed with students. Ava grabbed what she needed pretty quickly, but Carly seemed to be taking her time—texting someone all the while. Ava was starting to grow impatient. She was on limited time as she wanted to get back to Max, and they still needed to eat lunch. Finally, just when Ava was about to suggest they skip lunch, Carly appeared ready to head to the cashier.
“Earth to Ava,” Carly said.
“Huh?” she asked, looking up to see the waitress staring at her.
“Lunch, Ava, remember?” She motioned to the waiting waitress.
“Oh, sorry. I’ll have a cheeseburger and a diet cola. Thanks.”
The waitress scribbled the order on her pad and walked away.
“Is something wrong with your schedule?” Carly asked. “Did you forget to get something at the art store?”
“No, no. I think I got everything. I was just thinking that for once, my schedule looks decent.”
Carly took it out of Ava’s hands and glanced at it. “Yeah, you look like a real art student, finally,” she teased. “I’ll bet Cynthia will be excited.” She checked her phone again and smiled. “Hey, we should stop by the gallery when we’re done so you can show her.”
“Actually, I really just want to get back. I can tell her about it on Friday when I go in for work,” Ava replied.
The waitress brought over the food and drinks, and Ava and Carly thanked her. Carly took a long sip of her drink.
“Oh, hey, speaking of the gallery, have you seen it? Cynthia had the whole place redone. Honestly, Ava, we should really just swing by. It won’t take a minute. You’ll love it.”
“I already saw it,” Ava responded, taking a bite of her burger. “Before I left to go home. You’re right, it is pretty awesome. Why the sudden interest in stopping by the gallery anyway?”
Carly sighed. “Okay, well, I didn’t want to tell you this, because it’s supposed to be a big surprise, but Cynthia scored a big exhibit while you were gone. You know that painter Julien Henri?”
“Of course!” Ava said. “He’s one of my favorites! We studied him last year in Art History. Are you saying Cynthia has his pieces in the gallery?”
Carly nodded.
“I thought most of his works were either in private collections or museums?”
“I don’t know,” Carly added. “You have to ask Cynthia. So, now do you want to stop by the studio and see Cynthia? Or do you still want to wait until Friday?”
Ava looked down at her phone to check the time. It was getting late, and she really wanted to get home to Max. They could always stop by the gallery later that evening or tomorrow.
Carly took the last bite of her burger. “I’ll tell you what,” she said. “You think it over while I go use the restroom.”
“Okay,” she agreed. She glanced back down at her phone and started typing a message to Max:
Hey babe. Just finishing up lunch. Trying to get back to you ASAP so we can spend some time together.
Ava twirled her straw through her ice while waiting for Max’s response. He seemed to be taking forever. Finally, her phone buzzed.
Max: Sorry for the delay there. Wasn’t sure what time you’d be back with Carly, so my pal Ryan stopped by with a six-pack. We’re going to watch the game for a little bit. Still on for dinner, though, right?
Ava: Sure. See you later.
Carly came out
of the bathroom just as the waitress came by with the check. “So,” she asked, “what’s the story?”
“Oh why not,” Ava replied, feeling annoyed. “We might as well stop at the gallery.”
Ava stewed for the entire three-block walk. Her and Max only had one week together—that’s it—and they’d already spent most of day one apart. She understood that he needed to pack and all, but now he was just sitting around drinking beer and watching a game. Didn’t he want to see Ava as much as she wanted to see him? Maybe he wasn’t going to miss her after all. Just the thought made her even more upset. By the time they got to the gallery, she barely remembered why she was there.
“You’ve been so quiet,” Carly remarked as they approached. “Everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” Ava replied. “Let’s just go in.” She hoped that seeing fine art would cheer her up.
Carly opened the door, allowing Ava to go in first.
Ava looked around the room, and then at Carly, who had the biggest grin on her face.
“What’s going on?” Ava asked.
Chapter 38
“Why are the lights off?” Ava asked Carly. “And where’s Cynthia?” She glanced around the room, lit only by a small amount of fading sunlight coming through the windows. “Cynthia?” she called out. “Something’s not right here, Carly.” Ava wasn’t sure if she should stay and investigate, or leave and call 9-1-1. She just knew she felt extremely uncomfortable … and Carly still had that goofy smile. She was definitely up to something.
“You made it, Ava,” Cynthia said as she finally came out from behind one of the curved walls. “I’ve been waiting for you.”