William Jarvis - Sky Valley 04 - Murderous Coffee Crumble (6 page)

“Is this it?” Emmy asked Daniel. Sometimes, she still felt like a stranger in her own town.

“Yeah,” Daniel said, “that’s the address. Come on.” He helped Emmy out of the car and they made their way to the cottage. It was definitely a simple, humble abode. Maybe, Michelle did not want to make do with the money that she’s being given; maybe she’s still keeping it for future use, but who knows?

They didn’t have to knock because Michelle was outside, watering some of the Roses. It sure was a small house but the garden was beautiful as there were lots of flowers everywhere, the way most houses in Sky Valley have, but what makes this different is the fact that somehow, the house felt one with nature because of the location.

“May I help you?” Michelle asked them. She was obviously not in the mood for visitors; she probably didn’t get any, and that was okay with her.

“Hi,” Emmy said. “I’m—“

“I know who you are.” Michelle said. “You’re all over the papers.” She then eyed Daniel. “And I know you, too, Daniel.” She took a deep breath. “My question is what are you doing here?”

“Uhm,” Emmy said, “We saw…we saw Jimmy today.” She fished the letter out of her pocket. “He wanted us to give you this.” She handed Michelle the letter.

Michelle hastily took the letter from her and opened it to read. Emmy was sure that she did not finish reading the letter because as she was halfway through, her eyes began to fill with tears but she made sure that she wouldn’t cry in front of them just like that. She folded the letter and put it in her pocket. “Come in.” She said and led them inside the house. “You can sit down there,” she said, pointing to the couch. “My daughter’s in school so she’s not here right now and I don’t have much to offer but…I have water, tea, and juice, so—“

“No, it’s alright.” Emmy said and took Michelle’s hand. “It’s okay.”

Michelle took a deep breath as she sat across them. “I’m sorry you’re caught up in all these.” She said. “My ex-husband’s insane.” She went on. “I already told him years ago not to befriend Tripp Meyer but what did he do? He’s just the stupidest man on earth. I don’t love him anymore,” she said, “I have no idea what love means anymore.” She laughed sadly. “I just wish he didn’t take the road he took.”

“I think he’s…he’s trying his best to make it up to you.”

“What? By giving us money? Money that came from admitting that he’s a murderer?”

“But he’s not.”

“Yeah, but that’s not what everyone else thinks. He befriended these powerful, evil people and he lost us in the process. He thinks money can save the world and can make this family better. I am not going to use a cent of it. I’m…I’m saving it all up for Rosie’s future but that’s that.” She went on. “Thank you for giving me this letter but…but if ever you see him again, I hope you can tell him that I have no reason to see him and I don’t want my daughter to be around him. He’s a good man, deep down, I know that, but he’s insane for doing all these. We probably won’t be here anymore for long, though. I just want Rosie to finish this school year then we’ll probably move to Nebraska. My parents are there. We should have moved a long time ago, if you ask me. But now, I have the means so…”

“I understand.” Emmy said.

“Look,” Michelle said, “I’m sorry for everything that happened to you but I want you to know that…that this is the last time that you should see me. I don’t want my daughter getting involved in all these. She doesn’t deserve all of these. You can turn things around, though. I don’t think it’s too late for that. Then, once this is all over, you should just focus on your life and don’t think about us anymore. You at least deserve that.”

“Thanks…” Emmy said. She didn’t really know what else to say.

She looked at Daniel. “I don’t know what your kind of relationship is like, but I hope you take care of her. She’s been through enough already. You both have. So, I hope you get your peace after all these. Good Luck.”

CHAPTER 13
BUT WHY?

“Now that sounds like an eventful morning.” Audrina said. She was in her bed at home as she was already allowed to get out of the hospital.

“Audrina.” Emmy said. Even on time like these, she still found time to make light of the situation. Daniel was already home to help Nana sort out some things but he promised to be back later.

“What?” Audrina said, a sly smile on her face. “At least, you had a good one. And anyway, at least Jimmy came back to his senses.”

“He seemed really honest about it.”

“He had to be.” Audrina said. “His craziness caused all of these.” She went on, “I mean, I know it’s not his fault but…whatever.” She said.

“How are you feeling, anyway?”

“I’m okay now.” Audrina said. “You know they can’t kill me. Well, at least now, we know that Tripp is behind all these.”

“Yeah.” Emmy said. “You know, I remember him trying to talk to my mom a couple of times back when I was a kid and she would be so uncomfortable around him. That’s probably because he was coaxing her to fall for him or whatever. Like my mom would ever do that…”

Audrina laughed. “Tripp’s insane.” She said. “It’s like, he’s a kid who’s never gotten over his childhood crush and it just sucks. As for Lena…I’m wondering why she would be in on this unless she’s just a crazy, power-hungry woman, which I bet she really is. Or, maybe she’s in love with your father, too?”

Now it was Emmy’s turn to laugh. “That’s crazy. Dad said they were classmates in High School and spent some time together in college but I don’t think it’s as serious as that. And besides, wouldn’t that be too childish?”

“If Tripp can be childish, so can she.”

“Yeah, but she should be way beyond this. But oh well, she seems to be scheming, too.” Emmy took a deep breath. “By the way,” she asked, “How are you and dad? I mean, anything going on between you at the moment or anything?”

“I was afraid you’d ask that.” Audrina laughed. “No,” she said, “I don’t think your father’s ready for anything.” She said. “I mean, I thought he was all those months ago but maybe, not right now. To be honest, Emmy, I don’t know if I should stay here once all this is over. I don’t think it’s good for me to be in this house when your father’s mind is not…is not decided on anything.”

“He likes you.”

“I bet he does.” Audrina said playfully. “But…I don’t think what he feels is enough. I don’t think he can manage a relationship right now, especially one with me. Or, at least, while he’s around here. It won’t be fair for anyone.”

“I’m sorry.” Emmy said. “But…but I hope you can give him time. Sometimes, I want to whack his head because of the way he thinks.”

Audrina laughed. “I have so much love and respect for Troy, Em.” She said. “That’s one of the reasons why I came back. Yeah, I don’t know, maybe someday everything will fit for us but right now…”

Just then, Emmy’s phone rang. “Excuse me for a second.” She said. Audrina nodded her head and Emmy answered the call. After a couple of seconds, she went back to Audrina. “It’s Dan.” She said. “He wants to see me.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Emmy said, “He just said that nana found an old yearbook, one with his mom and my dad and some old classmates and that I have to see it. He says he has a big feeling that it would help us. Apparently, nana wants to talk to me, too.”

“Whoa.” Audrina said. “So, what are you waiting for? Come see them now!”

“I know,” Emmy said. “I’ll see you later.”

Then she went out the door and made her way to Daniel’s house.

CHAPTER 14
THE YEARBOOK

Daniel kissed Emmy hello as she arrived at his house. “What’s the matter?” Emmy asked.

“Come in.” Daniel said and Emmy saw Nana with an old Yearbook by her side at the couch. She stood up and hugged Emmy.

“Oh my darling girl.” Nana said. “You’ve been through so much. I’m sorry I didn’t get to help you out sooner, this brain is rusty.”

“Nana, that’s okay.” Emmy said. “And what do you mean?”

“I think you have to see this first.” Nana said and handed Emmy the Yearbook. She sat down and opened the pages. Nana told her to see the bookmarked pages and so Emmy did. She found old photos of her dad, mom, Daniel’s mom, Tripp, and Lena. Apparently, they were all part of the pilot section of their batch and they were all classmates. There was a page of the Junior Year Prom where her dad and Lena were together. This confused Emmy because she always thought that her father and her mom were always each others’ dates. Then, on the Senior Year Prom, there was a photo of her father and mother together.

Other pages showed her parents, Daniel’s mom, Tripp, and Lena all hanging out together. There was even a page where Tripp and Emmy’s mom won that year’s school pageant together. Some photos were taken on their graduation day, too.

After scanning the pages, Emmy turned to look at Nana, confused. “I don’t understand.” She said. “I thought…I thought my parents always dated each other.”

“There was a time when they were in Junior year when your father went out with Lena to get back at your mom who broke up with him. I have no idea why they broke up but it was obvious that it would not last long because those kids were always together. But apparently, Lena thought that your father would finally really love her. She always had a crush on him.”

“Oh my god.”

“I remember Amelia telling me how Lena confided in her that she liked Troy so much and that she would always write all these love letters but would never give them to Troy because she did not want to be seen as the heartbroken, lovelorn kid…” Nana then took some papers from the table and gave it to Emmy. “Those are some of those letters. I’m sorry I didn’t get them out right away when all these craziness started happening. I didn’t remember—“

“Nana, it’s okay.” Emmy said. She then proceeded to read the letters.

Troy,

How are you? You didn’t call me earlier. I hope you’re okay.

I just want you to know that I’m thankful that we’re together.

I love you.

Lena

Troy,

Why don’t you look at me the way you look at Rita?

Sure, we’re together, but it’s like, you don’t see me the way you see her when you’re with her. I want that kind of love, Troy. I want to be wanted that way.

Lena

Troy,

When you told me that you were going to break up with me, it broke my heart so bad. I didn’t know what to do because I love you. I love you so much my heart aches because of it. I hope you know that this isn’t just some sort of teenage love. I really do have a lot of feelings for you, Troy. I hope you know that.

Lena

Troy,

Why do you keep on getting back together with Rita? Why do you love her so much?

What does she have that I don’t? I just don’t understand. I guess I never really will, you know?

But I hope you know how much you broke my heart. I hope you know that I won’t love anyone else the way that I love you. And Rita? She can’t love you the same way that I do. She never will no matter how much she tries. Sure, she seems like the perfect candidate; yours seem to be the perfect love story, but it will never be the way that our story could be, if you only would see me differently.

I’ll always be here.

Lena

Nana spoke and handed Emmy another set of letters. “Here are some from college.” She said. “Lena and Amelia were roommates then and apparently, there was a time when Troy hooked up with Lena again, if that’s what you call it, while your mother’s in Scotland as an exchange student…They weren’t officially together then and your mother also had a relationship with someone else so…” Emmy started to read.

Troy,

Last night was magical. It was fun, wasn’t it?

I guess it’s a good thing that Rita’s in Scotland for our mini High School reunion. You see, I’ll always be around, unlike her. I’ll always be here for you, Troy. I think that’s a big sign that you should choose me over her because Rita? She’ll always go places, literally and figuratively. We’re both smart individuals and I just want you to know that I’m here for you.

I’ll always love you. Always.

Lena

Troy,

Why would you even get back together with Rita? Why? What am I? Am I just your rebound girl? Am I just the girl you get together with when Rita’s not around? Why would you do that, Troy?

I love you. Unlike Rita, I’m the one who’s been here for you all these years and yet, you still couldn’t see it. Why would you do that to me? Why do you keep doing this to me?

Oh, I know why. Because I allow you to. Because I’m just the kind of girl who’s…who’s never going to be like Rita. And you only want Rita.

But I know you’ll break up again. I know you will.

And I’ll still be here.

Lena

“And here’s another one,” Nana handed her one final letter. “Lena gave Amelia this after your parents’ wedding, a few days before Amelia got into that car accident…”

Troy,

You know what really broke my heart?

The fact that your special day is the day when my heart got so broken, I have no idea how to fix it anymore.