Sand dollar

by Hollye Davis

  forget that.”

  “I won’t. I love you too. Good night.” “Good night my love”

  Once off the phone, she grabbed a book she

  had bought at the airport and settled down but

  never went to sleep.

  The morning light signified that it was

  indeed Wednesday. The day of the funeral she

  dressed in a slim simple black dress that her

  aunt bought before she left California

  accompanied with a black floppy straw hat that

  reminded her of the ladies who attended the

  Kentucky horse races. Her dark black glasses

  seemed to make the outfit of a grieving heiress.

  Funny it was to an old rundown pretty much

  worthless farm that she inherited.

  Cloe still didn’t understand why her

  grandmother left the farm to someone she hated

  and blamed for the death of her husband. Maybe

  she wanted to leave her a permanent reminder of

  what happened there or maybe it was a sort of

  compensation for the hell she put her young

  granddaughter through. Either way she would

  never know and tried her best to put it out of

  her mind.

  The funeral was simple and the few people

  who showed she had recognized from neighbors and

  acquaintances that she knew. She didn’t know what

  the proper way was to act but she did her best to

  act as if she was grieving. She still felt

  nothing. How could you grieve for someone who

  never cared for you?

  Thursday came quickly and she went to the

  lawyer where it was confirmed was indeed the heir

  to the farm. There was also an account created to

  pay the taxes on the property for the next 5

  years making her under no financial obligation

  for it until then.

  The hardest thing for her to grasp was that

  she could do whatever she wanted to do with it.

  Maybe throwing a match at it and watching it burn

  would be fun.

  She seriously considered it for a few

  minutes but although amusing, she quickly decided

  that it wasn’t how she needed to handle this. Once she left the office she called Edwin

  to tell him everything was settled and she would

  be heading home soon. Suddenly very anxious to

  leave on the next possible flight, hopefully that

  evening, she began making phone calls while in

  the car.

  By the time she arrived at Mrs. Schwertner

  she felt depressed. She couldn’t get a flight out

  until Saturday. Morose at dinner she barely ate

  her food, hardly making conversation, and went

  back to her room to sleep. She ended up falling

  asleep quickly.

  She woke up Friday without a clue of what

  to do with herself. She tried to sleep in the

  morning as late as she could possibly stand it.

  When she finally got dressed it was lunchtime.

  She fixed herself something to eat and wandered

  around the farmyard taking a long walk. As soon

  as Cameron came home from school, Cloe begged for

  him to go horseback ridding with her. He was more

  than happy to oblige.

  Knowing she wanted to waste as much time as

  possible she took her time walking strawberry. “What are you going to do with your farm?”

  Cameron suddenly asked.

  “I got in contact with a neighbor and I am

  going to lease the land out to him. It should

  maintain it better and give me some petty cash.

  Other than that I don’t know,” She shrugged. “I think it is cool that you are only 17

  and own a farm.”

  “Trust me, if you were in my shoes, you

  wouldn’t be thinking that. I live pretty far

  away and it’s a responsibility I haven’t decided

  I want.”

  “Why don’t you sell it?”

  She had asked herself the same question

  many times, “Because I have precious little in

  this life and this is the very first thing that’s

  mine. I need to savor it for a moment. Besides,

  who knows, I might need it one day. Or I might

  need the money to pay for college.”

  After their small conversation, they rode

  in silence for a while. The slight breeze, smell

  of cows and leather tickled her nose when Cameron

  asked another question, “You are heading back

  tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I have school, you know,” She cracked

  a smile at him.

  “Yeah, I can understand that. Too bad you

  can’t move back here. You have a house and all,

  independence. You wouldn’t have to rely on

  anyone.”

  That was sweet but all she could think

  about was getting back to Edwin. She wouldn’t care if she lived on Mars as long as he was

  there.

  “No, I need to go back home. To see Edwin.” Cameron sighed and looked off. “Well if

  things don’t work out, let me know okay?” She shook her head rolling her eyes. They slowly meandered around the fence line

  until the ranch house came into view. That was

  when she noticed a car parked outside.

  “Expecting company?” She asked Cameron but

  he looked at the car suspiciously shaking his

  head.

  “Man that is a really nice car. I don’t

  know anyone who would be visiting driving a

  Porsche,” Cameron said perplexed.

  “Oh.” She leaned in her saddle trying to

  make out who was leaning against the car. She stopped the horse. It couldn’t be. No

  way, no how – it wasn’t possible.

  Cameron reigned up beside her, “What is

  it?”

  She shook her head and kicked the horse to

  a full gallop. When she was a few feet from

  Edwin, she dismounted as the horse who was still

  stopping flinging herself into Edwin’s arms. He

  laughed.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked her

  voice was muffled from his chest.

  “Coming to get you obviously,” He answered

  kissing the top of her head.

  “Why?”

  “I couldn’t wait.”

  “Thank God, I didn’t think I could take

  another day without you.”

  Cameron came to a galloping stop, leaning

  down to grab the reigns of the other horse,

  holding Strawberry steady.

  “Well I guess you’re the boyfriend?” he

  said from the top of his horse.

  Edwin sporting a baseball cap and sun

  glasses kept his head down when he nodded. Breaking her embrace with him, she turned

  around and introduced Edwin, who wasn‘t what she

  would call very friendly.Cameron watched him

  closely making the moment awkward.

  Cameron asked, “Hey aren’t you…”

  But Edwin turned toward her cutting him

  off, “We need to get going, the plane is waiting

  at the airport.”

  She nodded and ran into the house leaving

  the two guys alone.

  It took her no time to stuff her clothes in

  the suitcase and change into a suitable outfit.

  She gave Mrs. Schwertner a big hug and told her

  that she was very appreciative of all her help. She was gone from the S
chwertner’s in less

  than an hour. Edwin had chartered a plane and

  when he pulled into a private airport a few miles

  away, the plane engines were roaring.

  He wasn’t joking when he said they were

  waiting. She never thought about a private plane

  much less been on one and therefore it was quite

  a treat. The trip was very short considering they

  didn’t have all the stuff that commercial

  airlines had to go through. Edwin held her as she

  rested her head on his chest. It felt so good to

  be in his arms. When they arrived his car was

  waiting in the hanger making her feel important

  and pampered. She really didn’t care if they were dropped off in Canada, as long as Edwin was there to hold her.

  When they arrived to the cottage, Aunt was so excited to see her, Cloe was worried she would never release her hug. Aunt forbade her to ever go away again.

  Happiness has a way of spoiling a person. I thought nothing could touch me, I thought life was perfect, and I rode that thought all the way until everything fell a part. Sorrow has a way of destroying a person.

  -Cloe’s Diary

  Chapter 14

  It’s all been a lie She was on cloud nine when Edwin drove her to school the next Monday. She held his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. She didn’t think they had stopped touching since Texas. She was surprised he didn’t run screaming from his suffocating girlfriend, but instead he seemed to enjoy the attention, encourage it.

  Cole continued to take Kim to school on his own volition.

  “They are the slowest two people going about a relationship than anyone I know,” she had said to Edwin.

  “I’m glad Cole is slow, otherwise he might have jumped at the opportunity to have you sooner and you might have fallen for him,” Edwin commented as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Cole and the rest of the population didn’t have a chance against you,” she said as she kissed his cheek. He squeezed her hand.

  Britney was standing nearby when Edwin pulled into the school parking lot. Cloe ignored her, kissing Edwin goodbye and walked to Jeff who as usual waiting for her.

  “Was that your illusive boyfriend? He must be loaded to drive a car that nice.” Jeff asked.

  “Yes, that’s him,” and she looked squarely at Britney. Britney put her nose up in the air as she turned away. It never hurt to rub in that she wasn’t a complete loser.

  The day was devoid of many harassing remarks. She hoped people were tired of harassing someone who showed no reaction whatsoever. Not to mention she avoided any real contact by learning where the popular kids hung out. Lunch was always difficult but she found with more people around her the less people were going to try to say or do something mean.

  Even with all her friends, Britney had taught her a valuable lesson, which was to never let her guard down. She could tell Britney wasn’t going to let up and was fuming about the stunt Edwin and the guys played on her.

  Cloe was exhausted with her games but she would continue to find ways to stay one step ahead of her. One day she would make sure she would regret treating Cloe poorly.

  Cloe didn’t think the end of the day would ever arrive but when the final bell rang she bolted from her chair, her heart pounded with the simple thought that Edwin would be waiting right outside, at least she hoped he was.

  Kim was no laggard either as they both practically sprinted out to the parking lot to find in the distance Cole and Edwin were talking. Kim was eyeing Edwin curiously but Cloe had more important news.“Edwin told me that Cole insisted on taking you home now. That is promising.”

  Kim stopped, grabbed her arm, “Really?” Cloe nodded her affirmation. Kim smiled ear to ear and picked up her speed to get to Cole.

  When they got closer to the vehicles Edwin broke off and went to stand by his car, where Cloe embraced him. Edwin opened her door, looking briefly over his shoulder at Kim who was looking so intently at Edwin that it alarmed her. It was almost as if Kim recognized Edwin but it was obvious Edwin didn’t know Kim. How was that possible?

  That night Edwin seemed very pensive and quiet. Her stomach, which seemed to never get better anymore, lurched with pain. She was glad he was looking at the ocean when she put her fist to her stomach to relieve the sharp pains. They ate in silence, she washed dishes in silence, every minute of silence got louder and louder until she thought she would scream, cry, or go insane.

  Edwin had wandered into the living room and was sitting glancing at one of her books when he asked ,“Don’t you get tired of reading the same stuff? Don’t you want to read the newspaper or magazine or watch television? Don’t you feel like you missing out?”

  She thought about his questions for a moment. Relieved he was talking to her again.

  “Sometimes my friends at school talk about TV. They get so excited about it and animated telling these ridiculous plots. That’s when I feel the most different because it seems silly to me. I suppose because I haven’t been exposed to these things ever, then how can I possibly miss it? It’s like craving a cigarette if you never smoked…it really isn’t possible.”

  “That is understandable, but aren’t you curious?” He countered setting down her current paperback book of the moment.

  “Honestly, no. Like I said, it seems silly. I would rather read, cook, draw, walk on the beach, dance, just about anything than rot watching a televisions show.” She made a face.

  “One day that will change Cloe,” Edwin said gravely. He spoke as if it was a flaw of hers and it hurt her feelings.

  “I hope not,” she said defiantly.

  He looked at her a long time then said, “Cloe, there is something you need to know about me,” but before he could continue his phone rang. He walked out to the deck to talk. He seemed upset while he was out there but by the time he came back in to tell her he had to run, he acted carefree. He gave her a kiss and told her he wouldn’t be over to stay the night. As usual she didn’t ask questions. She knew the time was coming to where she would have to break down and ask him what was going on. She was frightened because innately she knew what Edwin was going to tell her was going to change their relationship forever. Not to mention that Edwin didn’t like questions anymore than she did.

  That night she didn’t sleep well. Edwin’s departure played over in her head. What was it that he was going to tell her, what did she not know about him except everything? Something was wrong and had been for a while.

  Her stomach lurched again when Edwin didn’t arrive to take her to school, not wanting to bother Cole she boarded the bus.

  Her stomach was worse than she ever remembered, feeling nauseous at the same time as if those stones were rolling over and over again. The more she thought about Edwin, the more she worried. She clutched her stomach as Jeff shot worried looks her way.

  To her surprise, Kim was waiting for her at her locker when she usually didn’t see her until Art class. She looked as ill as her but Kim’s was laced with anger. Kim waved Jeff off, “I need to speak to Cloe privately”

  After Jeff was out of hearing distance, Kim asked accusingly, “You don’t ask a lot of questions do you?”

  Cloe was confused, she shook her head, “No, I don’t like questions.”

  “Your boyfriend, have you ever asked him what he does?” Kim had her hands on her hips. A defiant glint in her eye, it made her nervous.

  “Well no, he doesn’t do anything but go to college and I think help out with father‘s business.”

  “Right,” Kim mumbled getting angrier.

  “You told me his name was Edwin Corbin”

  “Right,” Cloe leaned on her locker for support, feeling weak, wondering when Kim would get to her point.

  “Have you seen his driver license?” Kim asked.

  “Why would I?” This was pissing Cloe off now.

  “Let‘s go.” Kim started dragging her but
she wasn‘t allowing her.

  “Wait, what is going on, why are you angry?” Cloe demanded. Wanting to cry, why was everyone always so angry at her?

  “I’ll have to show you,” Kim said softly, her eyes softening to concern.

  Cloe looked around, noticing several people watching them. She decided it would be easier to go with her then argue in the hallway in front of people who would take amusement in their disagreement, mainly Britney.

  Kim dragged her into a computer lab where she plopped down at one of the units and opened the Web Browser. She googled “Jason Edwin Corbin McRoy,” then she clicked “Images.”

  Cloe’s mouth went dry. Dizziness began to assault her, it couldn’t be.

  Kim looked over her shoulder, “Is this your boyfriend?”

  Cloe couldn’t answer as she stared. There were over 3000 images of her boyfriend and several with Christoph, Sandra, and others she didn’t recognize.

  “What’s this?” Cloe asked, swallowing down bile. The pain in her stomach intensifyied.

  “You seriously don’t have a clue do you? That bastard!” Kim was very angry.

  Cloe looked back at the screen reading the captions out loud, “Stars from hit drama series “Chardonnay” hit the clubs in Los Angeles.”

  “Star Jason McRoy suspected dating co-star and on-screen lover Victoria Bouche.” Victoria was a gorgeous, blonde who was kissing Edwin. Her Edwin.

  Pictures and pictures of Edwin with women, Edwin lead actor, fan pages swam before her, waving as she felt her body sway.

  Kim sounded far away, “I don’t what kind of game your boyfriend is playing but he is the most famous movie-star our age.”

  She felt hot and cold all that the same time. When she looked at Kim she was blurry and tilted. The last thing she remembered was Kim saying, “Hey are you okay?” before everything went dark.

  I was fighting. I was fighting to get somewhere, anywhere. My eyes wouldn’t open. I heard voices but no one I recognized. I strained to hear. I must have died.

  - Cloe’s Diary

  Chapter 15 Hospital “That girl has caused quite a stir. She has some very famous friends.”

  “Did you see her aunt? She was screaming at Jason McRoy that this was all his fault.”

  “Yeah and Christoph Campbell looked as if he was going to hurt somebody.”

  “Do you suspect that she is Jason’s girlfriend?”

  “No way, he is dating Co-Star Victoria. They have been dating for months, all the papers say so.”

  Bile rose in Cloe’s throat and she began choking. A pan was shoved in her face just in time for blood to come rushing out of her mouth.