Page 4 of Red Waters

Grabbing the water charm at my chest, I could almost hear my brother calling me from our lake, repeating words once said. “I will always be in those blue waters, waiting for you.”

Remembering how vigorously Link swam to Crash and me as we were drowning, how determined he was to save our lives, I realized Timothy didn’t lie. He taught Link how to swim and how to relax under the water to hold his breath even longer.

It was at that monumental moment, in a hotel room in Russia, that I understood my brother had never left me at all. Timothy’s presence, and his uncanny outlook for such a young man, will be with me forever through my best friend and the wisdom my brother left behind.

That glorious morning, I smiled and sighed. It’s time to go home. I told those message delivering sunrays, “Okay. I will pull my shit together and go back,” I tucked hair behind my ear—like Link always would, “for a fresh start.”

That’s exactly how it felt. Fresh. A new perspective can change anything…

Picking up my cell phone from the desk to call Link and explain my temporary insanity, and that I was coming home, I decided to surprise him instead. Giddy with how happy he would be to see me, I suddenly admired him so much more. What a strong person to have set this bird free… I wanted back in any cage that had Reether Jones in it. So, at my little desk, I bought a ticket to fly out that night. A one-way ticket to hope. My strongest link.

I peered around my room from my chair, joyful for the first time in almost two months, and checked in for the flight from my phone. I giggled. “I guess I don’t need to repack. Never unpacked.” I lifted a brow. “Why are you talking to yourself?” I waited for a reply… “Whew. No answer. I’m not completely mad, even though I am in fucking Russia.” I rested my forehead to my folded knees. “Jesus…What was I thinking?” My stomach growled. “This is not my smartest move. Link should’ve kicked my ass. I haven’t even fed myself since… I don’t even know what day it is.” My stomach growled again to inform me she meant business.

After picking up the hotel phone to ask about breakfast, I was informed they had no breakfast ‘buffet’. Apparently, only Americans fill their plates to the brim to be sure they get their eight dollars and ninety-nine cents worth of grub, then moan and groan about how lousy the food was and how full they are.

So be it.

While informing the woman on the phone that I was checking out early and needed a car back to the airport, I also ordered room service because taking an adventure outside only screamed, “Time for Whit to get lost.” No need for all that jazz.

While showering, I thought of Mr. Jones in his office, telling me, “He laughed at me. Laughed, claiming he will never be with another.”

With a bar of soap in my hand, I was amazed by the feeling of being so loved. “Link wants to marry me.” That realization no longer scared me.

It felt pure.

It felt right.

Cheerfully, I thought about how I could use my money to get a little apartment or go to school somewhere near Link. By the time I was getting dressed, I had practically picked out a little home with a white picket fence for me and Link to live happily ever after in. Slipping on comfortable shoes to travel in, I kept laughing about thoughts of our kids and what we would name them. To represent their daddy, I chuckled at names like, “One Chain, Two Chain, Three Chain—” Laughing, I shook my head. “Fuck that. I’m not having three kids.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Skipping to the door to retrieve my room service, I mocked my future kids’ name, “One Chain, I said go clean your room before Daddy Link beats your ass.” I jolted to a stop and sighed. “Crash. Oh, yes. If Link is up for marrying a crazy bitch someday, we will name our boys Crash and Timothy.” I choked up. “And if we have a girl, Franky.” I nodded to myself. “Crash would love that.”

Opening the door, all dreams of Link Juniors drifted away… and a dire coldness took its place.

His strong accent was as sly as his menacing smile. “Hello, Little Treasure.”

There was more blood to be shared on the battlefield…