Chapter 111
While I attempted to formulate a response that didn’t include the question, “Why did you just change the subject?” I heard my mom say, "Lucy, thanks so much for bringing her home. You're such a good friend. I bet your parents will be so excited to see you, sweetie."
I glanced over my shoulder at my friend who replied, "Oh, yeah, I guess I should be getting home. I’ll see you later, Cass. Call me.” I turned and looked at her, enough to let her know I would. “Bye Cadence. Bye… Aaron,” she muttered. “See you later Mr. and Mrs. F.” her eyes were still glued to Aaron as she fumbled for the door handle and finally made her way out of the house. I wondered if she was as worried as I was, but then, I hadn’t told her how odd the last conversation I’d had with Elliott was, so I doubted it.
My mom and dad started asking me questions about camp, and I muttered responses to them while I strained to hear what my sister and her new boyfriend were talking about. I thought I heard Aaron say something about Lucy having a lot of hair, and I noticed they were holding hands. My stomach rolled.
“How was the competition?” my mom asked, and I realized I would need to actually answer that question.
My trophy was in my bag, and while I’d wanted to get it out and show it to everyone, I wasn’t going to let them get away with sidetracking me this time. I’d had just about enough of being left in the dark. "We came in fourth, which isn't bad, but I really feel like we can do better next year," I said quickly. Then, turning my attention to Cadence, who was just entering the room, I said, "So, you didn't answer me. How come Elliott's not here? Is he at the hotel or something?" I was praying she’d give me a quick “yep” and we could all move on about our business, but I realized the hole that was forming in my stomach didn’t have as much to do with Aaron as I wanted to pretend it did.
My mother stood. "You know what, I was just about to put some cookies in the oven. Eli, darling, can you help me?"
Without a word, my dad got up and followed her out of the room. I could tell by the way Cadence’s eyes were moving that she was talking to Aaron, though he was so much subtler, and he kissed her on the cheek and followed my parents into the kitchen.
Cadence took a very deep breath and sat down on the other end of the couch. It was then that I noticed there was a box of tissues on the coffee table. Those are never there unless someone thinks they’re going to need them. The pain in my stomach was now rivaled by an ache in my heart.
It was taking way too long for my sister to answer my question, and in light of everything that had been going on recently, I needed an answer. Now. "Cadey, you're scaring me. What's going on?" I looked down and realized I was absently twisting the ring on my finger, the one Elliott had given me.
Cadence swallowed hard and brushed her long brown hair over her shoulder. I hoped she wouldn’t beat around the bush anymore and would just get on with it already. I knew in my heart now that I realized what she was about to say, though I had no idea how it could be true. Finally, she opened her mouth and said, "Cass, there was... an incident... at work, a few days ago.”
No longer able to stand the tension, I blurted out the only thing I could think of, the one thing I didn’t want to hear but knew to be certain. "Cadence, is Elliott... dead?"
My sister looked shocked, and at first, I hoped that this was because she was going to tell me how ridiculous I am, and of course, that’s not why she was there. But the longer she held my gaze, the more I began to realize she was surprised because she wasn’t expecting me to know. She had no idea how I’d figure it out. It only took one word to crush my soul. "Yes."
At first, I thought this had to be some sort of cruel joke. I thought perhaps he’d pop out of the closet or come crashing in through the window. But Cadence had just confirmed for me what I’d known was true since the moment I saw that car parked out front, what Elliott seemed to suspect was going to happen when he’d been here only a week ago. As I burst into tears, my sister wrapped her arms around me, and I heard her whisper, “I’m so sorry, Cassidy.”
I could hardly breathe, my throat was constricted, and I felt like my soul was on fire. I began to mutter incoherently. I wasn’t even sure what I was saying at first, statements of disbelief, of denial. "How is this possible? I just talked to him, like, last week. He was here... right here... on this couch, giving me a hard time about how short my cheerleading skirt is, and this stupid boy at school, and now, just like that, he's gone?"
My sister’s voice was soothing as she smoothed my hair and likely struggled to make sense of my rambling. "I know," she agreed. "Believe me, I'm having an extremely difficult time accepting it myself, Sis."
It suddenly occurred to me that I was being extremely selfish. In all of that time, all of those months that I’d argued with myself that Elliott belonged to me, that he was my friend, my protector, my brother, he had meant just as much to my sister. I knew that. She had to be hurting as much as I was, though she seemed to be keeping herself together. I managed to pull myself back a bit, take some deep breaths, and swiped at my tears with the back of my hand. Now, I needed some answers. I was done pretending, done being sweet Cassidy who never causes any problems and is always compliant. Whoever had done this was going to pay, and I had some questions. I wasn’t going to act like I didn’t know anymore. There was nothing left to lose.
"What happened?" I asked, my tears still real but not as abundant.
Cadence pulled a few tissues out of the strategically placed box and handed them to me. She seemed to consider my question and weighed it for a moment before she chose not to trust me. "I can't really go into detail, Cass. But, sometimes our job is dangerous. "
