I could see many old and weathered stones in the trajectory that led to where I could faintly remember where my father was buried. On the other side, however, lay a plethora of fresh, pristine stones.

The distance ahead of me rolled up to the magnificent structure of the church, its spire piercing the azure blanket of the sky.

My father’s headstone was well-weathered and shrouded in lichen. Nevertheless, the inscription was very much legible. It read;

Here lies Adam Alexander Reece, beloved husband, father and friend. May he rest in peace.

There were no flowers at the base of the stone, but a couple of dried leaves made a crunching sound when stepped on. I hadn’t premeditated my visitation, so I didn’t have any flowers.

However, I thought I could pick a couple of flowers from the bushes bordering the cemetery and hold them together with a firm twig, so I went ahead.

I picked the flowers, the very best ones I could find, humming to myself. I wondered sometimes how different our lives would be if my father had been alive. Would we have remained at Laketown? Would we have been happier if we stayed?

It didn’t matter, I thought to myself as I placed the flowers and a kiss on his headstone.

“We’re doing really well, Dad,” I said. “We love you.”

I turned away and headed home, making a mental note to check up on my mother when I got home.

******

When I arrived home, I thought it wise to let Allison in on everything that had transpired between me and her mom. So, I gave her a call.

“Mom’s seriously gone overboard,” she sounded agitated. “And she’s really being selfish. She and Dad. I’m very sure that Dad knows about this.” She continued, annoyed. “I hope she wasn’t rude to you.”

“No, she was quite desperate, so she was nice.” I honestly said.

“Have you told Christian about this?”

“No,” I responded, staring out of the window. The lights in his duplex were out, so I felt he was not yet back.

“Do you plan on telling him?”

“I think I should.”

“Yes, Christian definitely will not appreciate you keeping such a thing from him.” She agreed, sighing. “I think I may have to return sooner than planned.” She added.

“Oh, when will that be?”

“I will ask for some time off work tomorrow. I should be in Laketown by Wednesday.” She responded.

“That’s okay. Christian will be happy to have you here.” I commented.

“I just hope I can help him get rid of that woman as soon as possible. I can’t help but think Dad is selfish, seriously. Everyone knows Christian is already pressured by the affairs of being the company’s CEO and living up to his expectations, but he is still not satisfied. He wants to control his love life as well!” She groaned, infuriated.

I had always known Christian and Allison to be protective of each other, so I was not the least surprised that she appeared more concerned and upset about the situation than Christian.

“Everything will be resolved.” I tried to sound assuring.

“Hopefully,” she sighed again. “I’m boring you with our personal issues, aren’t I?” She cried.

“No, not at all. I also want the best for Christian.”

If only she knew how precious her brother was to me.

“Thanks, babe, for being there with Christian.” She purred.

“You are always welcome.”

Chapter Ten

Christian

Imerely couldn’t afford to spend the night at my parents’, so I drove back to Laketown and arrived at dawn on Monday. Though I tried to clear my head of the trash I might just have imbibed the previous day, I couldn’t. The more I thought about my time at the meeting, the more frustrated I became.

While deliberating on whether to drink or not, the alarm rang. It was already time to get ready for work. Then an idea crossed my mind, I might just as well go to Fiona’s. Funny how I had missed her during the weekend when we were always together most of the time.

Decidedly, I shut the door to my house and walked over to her place.

At once, I rang the doorbell, and she opened it almost immediately as if she were expecting someone. I made sure to voice my thoughts to her.

“No, I wasn’t expecting anyone,” she denied, and I made my way in.

I caught a look of surprise on her face when I slumped on the nearest sofa.

She was still in her pajamas.

“You have dark circles. Did you not sleep?” She frowned.

“I couldn’t get myself to sleep.”

“I’m sorry about that. Do you think you’ll be able to go to work in this state?” She queried.

“Ah, I must look so terrible,” I let out a self-mocking laugh.

“Well,” she ambled to the kitchen and returned, minutes later with a hot cup of coffee.

“It will calm your nerves.” She said,

“I need to get ready for work. You have quite a lot on your plate.” She mentioned.

“Yeah.”

I watched her leave the living room. I started feeling an excruciating headache gradually rise. Could my morning get any worse?

Sluggishly, I walked to the kitchen to wash away the coffee cup’s remnants and return the cup to the shelf. However, I found myself in a mental spiral, and the coffee cup crashed to the floor, shattering into a million ceramic shards.

I could hear hurrying steps, and soon, Fiona appeared, short of breath and panting profusely.