by Groves, B.
“How does this shit get turned on me all the time?” Dean asked in genuine wonderment.
“And, she’s your neighbor? This is fucking brilliant!” Robert said.
“Is this something out of one those Hallmark movies?” Dean wondered out loud.
“I don’t know, but my wife loves that shit,” Robert answered.
Robert looked around and made sure the hallway was empty. He then leaned in to speak to Dean in a hushed voice.
“Margo was out for revenge for something or someone. When I saw her, I know she shot me to get me the hell out of her way.”
Dean was confused now. “What do you mean?”
“Haven’t you ever heard of the little private clubs around here?”
“I have. Even when I was attending school here, but that’s just a rumor that goes around every so often.”
Robert looked at him steadily. “Are you sure?”
“Well, if there was, I was never invited,” Dean half-joked.
Robert was serious, so Dean didn’t joke any longer.
“I think you need to talk to Gabrielle. I also think you need to ask questions,” Robert said.
“Like what?”
Robert looked past Dean deep in thought. “Talk to Gabrielle.”
Robert turned in his wheelchair and left the room without another word leaving Dean dumbfounded.
Chapter 12
Dean didn’t run on the treadmill today. He walked. He should have been with his team for practice, but since the official first practice wasn’t for another handful of weeks, he wasn’t taking advantage of it today. The television was blaring in front of him, but he wasn’t paying attention. His thoughts were reeling from what Robert told him, and it made his anxiety jump a few notches. He knew his best outlet was to work it off instead of turning to a bottle or something more illegal.
“She shot me because she wanted me the hell out of the way. She wanted revenge on someone or for something.”
What though?
Why wasn’t any of this in the report? What was Margo aiming for?
Dean placed his hand on his shoulder absentmindedly as the discomfort caught up to him while the memories raced through his head.
It was all so jumbled that trying to put the pieces together now was like trying to find that one missing piece of the puzzle. No matter how much you shook the box it just wasn’t there.
What surprised Dean the most over the years was how normal the day started off. He got up, ate breakfast while Janet scolded him about staying up too late again, and he drove to school.
Jake was begging him for help on some tests coming up or he wouldn’t graduate, and Dean told him to meet him at the library at lunch. He remembered Jake arguing the library was boring, but Dean knew if they went out he couldn’t keep Jake’s attention.
Little did Dean know one decision would change his life for eternity. He remembered being downright stunned to see Gabrielle enter the library not long after while he waited for Jake.
God, how he longed to say something to her.
He remembered how she smiled at him when he chanced a glance towards her.
He dug deeper into his memories. Yes, she smiled at him, but she looked subdued about something.
Gabrielle Ryan was alone that day. She was never alone. She had a lot of friends.
It made Dean question how many of those people were still her friends or if she made new ones over the years.
He knew Pam would stick by her no matter what, but how many people could she allow into her life these days? She was his neighbor, and he admitted he kept an eye on her house. No one visited, and he wondered if she shut herself off from most of the world because of her sister.
That’s no way to live, he thought. Choosing loneliness over the fear of the rest of the world judging you so harshly.
That was not the Gabrielle Ryan he remembered.
The library was quiet that day. One time Gabby rose from her chair and walked over to Jennifer Smith. The shy, chubby girl who had no friends at all and spent her breaks in the library.
He remembered Jennifer’s face lighting up like a Christmas tree when Gabby was talking to her. Then Gabby walked back to her seat. Dean chanced another glance, and she was eyeing the clock. It was clear her mood had darkened as she watched their lunch tick by.
He never knew what Gabby said to her that day, and poor Jennifer never lived to tell the story either.
He had kids like Jennifer over the years. Kids whose parents struggled to make ends meet. Kids who were bullied not only in school, but their home lives were also in shambles.
He never appreciated kids like Jennifer until he became a teacher and did his best to help them through rough times.
Gabrielle obviously cared about Jennifer since Dean could never recall anyone ever talking to the poor girl besides her.
Dean stepped off the treadmill. Part of him was hoping Gabby would show up the same time as he did, and part of him was grateful. He still had a lot to think about. So much he wanted to say to her.
On top of all that he had a speech to write.
He groaned out loud and got looks from other gym customers.
Baseball practice, school, and now the speech. His schedule was full.
He rubbed his eyes. He used to look forward to busy times like these. It kept him from wallowing in his memories, but now he needed to make some time to clear his schedule.
He promised himself when he was ready he would knock on her door when she was home so they could have a conversation.
Dean showered and changed in the locker room. He needed to grade more term papers tonight, but first, he’d stop at the grocery store and pick up something easy for dinner. His refrigerator had been looking bare.
March was in full swing, and there were hints at warmer weather throughout the month.
He couldn’t wait for spring, but his allergies always made him regret his eagerness for the season.
Dean jumped in his car, and headed over to the grocery store, found a parking space, and entered the store.
He was browsing the deli aisle when a voice called out to him.
“Dean!”
Dean turned his head to see who called his name. He tried to hide his disgust but knew he needed to keep a cool head.
Great…
Randy and Melanie White waved to him.
Goddamn small towns, he thought.
Dean plastered a fake smile on his face and said, “Hey!”
Randy and Melanie made their way over to Dean with a cart partially full of groceries, but Dean knew better. The rest of their money will go towards their booze budget after this trip.
Randy and Melanie were now in their early fifties. Randy had grown quite the beer belly over the years that hung over his jeans. His white T-shirt dirty from grease from his car repair business. His jacket’s sleeves were also dirty from years of working on cars. He wore his hair long and slicked back in a ponytail. The hair had turned scraggly and gray.
His face was even deeper lined then when Dean last saw him.
He was short and had the farmer’s tan on his arms and face.
Dean had always seen Jake in Melanie. Melanie had been beautiful in her younger days, but the years of hard living and hard drinking took their toll.
Her long hair turned salt and pepper from a chestnut brown. Her face was creased with laugh lines everywhere making her look older than her actual age.
She’d gained at least fifty pounds, and it showed through her clothing. She was in denial about her weight because her clothing was too tight for a woman her size.
Her green eyes looked faded and dull.
Dean knew part of their aging was the loss of their only son, but the drinking had a lot to do with it.
Randy shook Dean’s hand, and Melanie gave Dean a bear hug. She smelled of stale cigarettes.
“How are you?” Dean asked.
“Getting along. How are you?” Melanie asked, her face crinkling into a smile.
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“You look so handsome,” Melanie commented putting a hand on Dean’s cheek. “As always.”
Melanie was always the touchy-feely type, and Dean hated it. He remembered one time when he was sixteen, and he was at their house. He got up to go the bathroom and bumped into Melanie on the way out, and she ended up giving his butt a nice squeeze, whispering in his ear that she’d love to take his virginity.
It was the last time Dean ever went there.
“Thank you,” Dean said pulling his head away from her hand.
“Where’ve you been, son? It’s been a while,” Randy asked.
“School and baseball are keeping me busy,” Dean answered politely.
He glanced around for a means to escape. He willed his cell phone to ring so he could excuse himself.
“That’s good. Anyone special right now?” Melanie asked with a grin.
Dean laughed lowly and coughed. “No. Just getting along. Listen, I have papers to grade—”
Randy’s look changed, and Dean knew what was coming.
He didn’t want to talk to them right now about the speech and he knew what else would come up.
“Dean, I know you’re speaking at the memorial. I appreciate you talking on Jake’s behalf, though, I don’t agree with it,” Randy said.
Dean could see his facial expressions turning to anger. He understood that Jake was their son, but the town knew them and their antics very well.
“I wish it was you, but I am honored to speak about Jake,” Dean answered trying to be diplomatic.
“That fucking mayor. Does she think I’d be drunk talking about my own son?” Randy asked.
Melanie nodded in agreement.
“If you don’t want me to do it…”
Randy waved his hand in the air. “No, it’s fine. I’m glad it’s you and not anyone who didn’t know Jake.”
“Thank you,” Dean answered.
He needed to make his escape. Randy had a temper, and it was coming full circle in the middle of the store.
Randy put his finger out to point at Dean. “But, let me tell you this, son. If that Ryan girl shows up, I don’t know if I can keep my mouth shut.”
Jesus, he thought. He knew it.
“I’m sure her intention—”
“No. She has no right to be there and stomp on those kid’s memories especially my kid. I think I’ve made it clear how I feel about that family,” Randy continued.
Randy’s mood was darkening even faster. Melanie placed a hand on his arm, but he pulled away.
“I embarrassed them on TV many times, and I won’t hesitate to embarrass her in front of everyone if she shows up,” Randy declared.
No, Dean thought. The only person you ever embarrassed was your son’s memory, you idiot.
Dean scratched his cheek. “I don’t know if she will be there or not.”
“I saw her on TV,” Melanie piped in. “She’s back in town. She’s doing just fine for herself while the rest of us suffer.”
“Didn’t we all receive a settlement from them?” Dean asked.
“Yes, and that won’t bring back my son,” Melanie said, her eyes flashing with grief.
Dean understood what the couple meant. He knew they’re reliving their own nightmare as the time for the ten-year anniversary crept closer.
Yet, it was them who were never the greatest parents. Jake practically raised himself when they were passed out drunk and forgot to cook him something for dinner.
It was Jake who felt the full brunt of their wild drinking nights, and Randy’s temper when he had too much.
It was Jake who tried to hide a black eye while teachers questioned him on where it came from, and he refused to report his parents.
It was Jake who said he couldn’t wait to get the hell out of that house forever when they graduated.
It was Dean’s family who practically adopted Jake for so long just to give him a break from his home life.
He always refused Dean’s parents offers to help but appreciated when he was fed and clothed by them.
Randy and Melanie were always in denial about what kind of parents they were.
Dean shook his head.
“I get it,” Dean started. “The money will never bring back Jake, but she has a right to move on with her life too.”
Randy scoffed and muttered that he should have known Dean would say that.
“I will tell you one thing, son. If I see her there, I’m gonna make her life hell,” Randy said.
Dean’s anger boiled over. It wasn’t about him becoming protective of Gabby, but the other kids didn’t deserve a disruption of their own memorial because of one angry drunk.
“Think about what you’re saying. Even if she is there, please show respect to Jake and the other victims,” Dean shot back. “Including myself.”
Randy put up another finger but then went silent.
“I understand, son,” Randy said. “Since you put it that way, but that doesn’t mean I can’t speak my mind.”
Dean knew there was no talking the couple out of it, and Dean only hoped that he didn’t spot Gabby in the crowd. That’s if she showed up.
He hoped she didn’t.
“They deserve better Randy,” Dean warned. “For once in your life, and for your son, why don’t give respect to all of us?”
“In fact,” Dean vented. “Why don’t you honor Jake and stay the hell away from it? I know you both will be drunk, anyway. At least, you can’t hurt Jake anymore.”
Melanie gasped and placed a hand over her mouth.
Randy’s jaw clenched, his face flushed. His hand balled into a fist as if he was getting ready to hit Dean.
Dean was never one to back down from a fight. He’d had plenty of his own over the years although his shoulder was slowly deteriorating from tissue loss over his injury.
Randy unclenched his fist and instead came up to Dean and stood right in his face.
Dean held steady in his stance.
“You’re an asshole,” Randy whispered.
“And, I see right through your self-serving bullshit,” Dean answered.
Randy and Dean stared each other down. Dean could feel eyes on the back of his head and knew they were growing an audience around them.
Melanie put a hand on Randy’s arm. “Let’s go, Randy. It’s obvious Dean cares more about a murderer than his own best friend.”
Dean admitted internally that one line hit him straight in the gut, but he held his ground.
“This isn’t over Dean. Eventually, that family will pay for what that little slut did to my son,” Randy said.
Randy struggled out of Melanie’s grip and the couple walked away.
The manager of the store approached them and spoke with them for a few minutes before they angrily pushed their cart into line.
“I’m sorry,” Dean said when the manager came up to him.
“It’s okay. No one was hurt, and no need for the police to respond. I know emotions are running high right now. I heard the whole conversation,” the store manager said.
Dean scratched his head as the crowd dispersed. He wanted to pick up something and get out of there.
He needed to talk to Gabby and quick whether he was ready to or not.
Dean paid for his deli selections and drove home. He turned into his driveway and cursed when he didn’t spot Gabby’s SUV in her driveway.
Dean pulled out his cell phone. He had Pam’s number and hit the button when her name came up on his contact list.
“Hi, Dean!” Pam answered cheerfully.
“Hey, Pam. How are you?” Dean asked and rubbed his eyes.
“I’m good. Is everything okay?” Pam must have caught the edge in his voice.
“Pam, do you know when Gabby will be home again? I don’t see her car out there.”
There was a moment of silence, and Dean thought he heard Pam mumble something.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering how long you two will do this danc
e,” Pam said.
“Not now, Pam. This is serious.”
“Okay… tell me what’s up.”
“Gabby cannot go to the memorial.”
“Why not?”
Then Pan interrupted him before he could speak further.
“Is this about the night she went out with Jason?” Pam asked.
Ugh! Not now! He should have known Pam would be like this.
“No, Pam.”
“Okay, because that didn’t go too well.”
Dean couldn’t help himself. He knew Pam was being manipulative—in the kindest way possible, and he fell into her trap.
“Why? What happened?”
Pam took a deep breath and said, “Dean, Gabby has P.T.S.D. and she saw Margo’s and her picture on the bar TV. She kind of freaked out. Jason wasn’t nice about it either.”
Dean knew Pam was digging her claws further into Dean, and he fell for it.
“I am not surprised. Why did she do it?”
“She had her reasons.”
Dean shook his head and ended the Jason conversation right there.
He didn’t want to hear any more about it.
“I ran into Randy White tonight,” Dean started.
“Okay? So?”
“He made threats. I’m afraid he’ll do something at the memorial.”
“Do you think Gabby doesn’t know this already?”
Pam sighed in frustration.
“Are you surprised? Randy has been ranting and raving for years. I’m sorry for Jake, but we all know what a dick his father is,” Pam said.
“No, but…”
“Well, she is away right now. She’s a freelance designer, and ninety percent of the time she can work from home, but some old-fashioned clients need to see a face to a name. So she has to leave on a whim.”
“When will she be back?”
“Could be a day, could be a week. Oh, wait…” Pam shuffled papers around on the phone. “She has an art gallery she’s attending in New York.”
“How long is that?”
“A weekend,” Pam said.
“Jesus,” Dean muttered.
“Dean?”
“Yes?”
“She knows. She will be with me and Tony, okay?”
“Okay, Pam” Dean leaned back in the car seat and closed his eyes.