AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‡
Daniel had saidhe had a lot to accomplish between now and Monday, but when I woke Sunday morning with nothing but him and Bobby on my mind, I decided to drive over and stop by. If he didn’t have time for me, then I’d use the opportunity to take some photos of the Kingston area, and then I’d drive home.
But at least I’d get a hug from him, maybe a kiss, and we could give each other comfort and reassurance.
The day was sunny and bright, so I gathered my Minolta and several rolls of 200 speed film and a roll of 400 for good measure. I left a note for my parents and got into the Volvo.
Daniel’s house was a pain to get to, and the weight of Bobby’s death still sat on my shoulders, but neither could keep my anticipation from rising. Soon I’d see his face, get a hug, and hold him tight to soothe his grief. Our shared sadness would bring us even closer.
I parked next to Betty Blue, gathered my stuff, and rang the front doorbell. As I waited, I looked at the gray Lincoln Town Car that was parked next to Daniel’s car. I wondered if it was his mom’s or if they had visitors. Daniel’s grandparents maybe?
Once again, Kennedy swung the door wide to let me in, but this time she was crying, wiping at her red, tear-streaked cheeks with her palms. No greeting, just wrenching sobs.
I looked around for Daniel or his mom or Paul. Anyone. But I didn’t see them. Ididhear loud banging sounds coming from the kitchen, wordless shouting between a man and a woman, and a smashing noise, like shattering plates.
My heart pounding, I knelt by Kennedy, and she came into my arms at once, crying against my neck. “Hey, where’s Daniel?”
She pointed back toward the kitchen.
“Where’s Paul?”
She shrugged, but sobbed out, “Upstairs. With Milky Way.”
I hesitated, not sure what to do. Eventually, I pressed a kiss to the side of her head and whispered, “Wait here, okay?”
She shook her head, clinging to me harder.
“I need to go check on Daniel.”
“Me too,” Kennedy said, still crying. “Take me, too.”
I didn’t want to take her with me to the kitchen, because I wasn’t sure what we’d find. Daniel’s mom was screaming at him now, calling him names, and still breaking plates from the sounds echoing down the hall.
“You can’t have them,” Marlene screeched.
“Mom, you’re just making things worse for yourself,” Daniel shouted.
Another smash.
“Fuck!” Daniel roared. “Stop this! Now!”
Not seeing another option, since I knew Kennedy would just follow me anyway, I rose with her in my arms. She was heavy and dense, like she was made of sturdy material. When we reached the kitchen, I paused in the doorway, taking it all in. There was Marlene perched on a counter like a wild bird, hair a mess, face red, and her dark hair everywhere. She held two more plates in her hands, panting with emotion. Tears streamed down her face. She was poised to break apart.
Daniel stood next to the breakfast nook, arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes dark with rage. Next to him stood an older man and woman—his grandparents—wearing khaki slacks and loose, Floridian-looking shirts. They looked to be about sixty, and both of them stared at Marlene, aghast.
Daniel’s eyes swerved to me and then to Kennedy in my arms. He shook his head and motioned for me to go. I knew he wanted me to take his sister out of the house.
I nodded and backed away, heading to the front door and out into the sunshine. A fresh breeze raced up from the river. I cradled Kennedy closer and whispered, “Let’s get out of here.”
Clinging to me, she snuffled, “Where to, Mister?”
I didn’t really know, but I put her in the passenger seat of my car, buckled her up as best I could, and took her away from the awful scene. We didn’t go far. We stopped by several fields of Queen Anne’s Lace, wild roses, and blue cornflowers. I let her pick bouquets in each field, and, at her insistence, showed her how to take photos with my camera. I let her waste a whole roll of film.
By the time I decided it must be safe to take her back home, she’d stopped crying and was singing a little song she’d made up. I was grateful she hadn’t asked me questions about what was happening at her house.
Pulling up into the driveway, I was slow about getting out of the car, and so was Kennedy. The door opened and Daniel stepped out. This time I got a good look at him. He wore black jeans and a white T-shirt with Sinead O’Connor’sThe Lion and The Cobraalbum cover printed on it.
Kennedy ran to him, and he swept her up like she didn’t weigh much at all. She pushed the bouquet she’d gathered into his hand and wrapped her arms and legs around him, hugging him like a monkey. Daniel rubbed her back, his eyes on me as I settled the camera in the abandoned passenger seat and shut the car door.
