Virginia Gone (8 page)

 Riley leaned in the doorway, his expression one of pure torture. “You may have gone to the store, but not with Lizzie.”

  “Do you need to go sit down?”

 “No! I don’t want to sit! I want to talk to Bandon!”

 The door banged open. Her eager steps sounded on the wooden stairs as she ran towards fresh air. As soon as her bare feet were buried in ankle-high, dew covered grass, she froze, gaping at the back of her parents’ home shrouded by a black, starlit sky. All the windows were darkened in the home. Crickets chirped over by the swing set her father had built for Brandon and her. She turned in place, staring up at the apartment over the garage.

 No, it couldn’t be.

 “Please, calm down. Let’s go back inside and talk.” Riley shifted awkwardly, doubting his decision to tell her everything. 

 Her hand came up. “Don’t…”

 She took off towards the house. Tears blurred her vision as she ran.

 “Brandon!” she called busting through the back door. She flipped lights on as she went through the house, searching, searching for answers. Riley stayed a few feet back. Her mind was erratic, so was her movement making it hard to predict which way she was headed next. She made her way to her brother’s bedroom, slung open the door, a groped for the light switch. She inhaled, the breath whizzing through her front teeth at what the light revealed. It revealed a bare room, a made bed, and an empty closet.

 “I don’t understand.” Dresser drawers banged open and closed as Virginia rummaged through…through nothing, nothing was in them. They were all empty!

 She turned and charged at Riley. Her balled fist pounded his chest. “What did you do with his things? You’ve always wanted him gone. You chased him away, didn’t you! I hate you! I wish you’d never come here!”

 Riley seized her wrist, looked deep in to her eyes. “Brandon’s dead, so is your mother. They died in a car accident three years ago on the way home from the fair.”

 Virginia drew a breath and held it.  “Liar!” She screamed crossing the hall to her mother’s room. “She’s just sick, not dead!”

 She froze in the doorway staring at the bare bed. All anger faded from her voice, there was only sadness. “She’s can’t be gone.”

 “What’s going on? I heard screaming.” Her father stepped in the room his gaze immediately landing on Riley. “You told her? The doctor said it would be too traumatic. Why would you risk it?”

 “I had no choice. It was either that or be satisfied with her out there talking to herself. Where has the lies gotten us? Nowhere….she’s better off knowing the truth.” Riley went to the dresser, picked up the medicine bottle and brought it back to Virginia. Tears welled in his eyes as he tucked the bottle in her trembling hand. “Here, this is yours. The doctors have had you on so many pills, and none of its ever came close to working. This time we were hopeful…you showed signs of improving, but then you just started slipping away again. That’s what I was looking for in your suitcase…I wanted to make sure you were still taking your medicine.” his voice broke.

 She pressed the flat of her hand to her forehead, studying the name on the bottle.

 Virginia Benet.

 “The night I came home Brandon let me in. You and he gave each other dirty looks in the foyer, Brandon and I watched movies together, and that day you kissed me…Brandon saw us and….”

 “…he was angry.” Riley finished for her. He turned her to face him cupping her flushed cheeks with his hands. “He’s always angry, don’t you see, we ditched him that night, or I ditched him. We went to park leaving him no choice, but to ride home with your parents. When you and I got home, we had no idea about the accident until your father called us from the hospital. I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.”

 “And you survived?” she asked glancing at her father. “You’re really here…or are you a part of my imagination too.”

 He choked on a sob. “I’m really here…I don’t if I was spared for a reason or just meant to suffer the worst kind of hell. That’s what it is Virginia…its hell not being able to help you. I lost more than my wife and my son that night…I also lost my daughter.”

 She cleared tears away from her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to be a burden.”

  “Honey, you’re not a burden. I love you…you’re all I have left.” He embraced her. Both of their bodies shook with emotion, Virginia’s head lying on his shoulder. He smiled over at Riley, the two of them knowing this was her first real step toward recovery.

 
Eleven

 Virginia kneeled replacing the vase of roses by her mother’s headstone.

 “I love you.” She pulled stray grass forcing its way up around the granite base. As she stood and took a step back, Riley laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. He handed her the New York Giants baseball cap folded in his hand.

 “Thanks.” She smiled up at Riley feeling the texture of the worn cap with her fingertips. She stepped to the grave next to her mothers and stooped gently placing the cap on the damp earth. “I know you never went without it. Goodbye, Brandon.”

  She stood her gaze traveling the length of the grave yard. “It looks like it might rain soon. We should probably head back.”

 Riley’s arms came around her. “Take all the time you need. I’ll go get you an umbrella if I need to.”

 She ran her hands along his arm, smiling.  He was strong and steady and it felt good to have him to lean on. “I’m glad you’re here.”

 “Me too,” he returned with a kiss.

 “I’m ready. Let’s go,” she said.

 As they turned to leave Virginia noticed movement over by a large pin oak, her stomach dropped. She froze mid-step, her body going ridged. There, leaning against the trunk of the tree was Ava, Virginia’s childhood friend. Ava waved, with a silly little girl smile plastered her face.

 Riley followed the direction of Virginia’s gaze. He frowned. The muscles in his jaw tensed.  “What is it? Do you see something?”

 She gasped, “No, of course not! Are you always going to think the worst? Am I not allowed to look at a tree?”

 The corner of his mouth rose. His hands went up in surrender. “Yes, you may look at a tree.” He pulled her to him. Their lips barely touched. “I love you Virginia Benet.”

 “I love you too,” she said.