Lost Game Notes (Novel)

Chapter 30: A Life Of Lost Notes

~One month later ~

Alexander Brooke slipped through the crowd of familiar, smiling faces, fingers wrapped around a solo cup of cold cider. An upbeat K-pop song thrummed in the speakers, adding a spring to his step. Festive ribbons and bright balloons adorned every nook and cranny of the house. The vivid colors matched Dawn's rainbow colored polka-dot dress Conan bought for her. Bright and happy. That was what it felt like right now.

Bright and happy.

Alex had almost reached the front door when he walked straight into someone, who in turn grabbed his arm to keep him from falling, the contents of his cup almost sloshing over. Alex looked up into the face of Conan, who grinned at him, a twinkle in his eye.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Uh...I have somewhere to visit real quick." Alex straightened and waited for him to ask where, eyes averting. One month after everything, the game of lost notes, he was still pinching himself and expecting to wake from a dream. Conan was nothing like he expected, full of surprises and qualities that reminded Alex of himself.

Conan misinterpreted Alex's hesitance, smile fading a little, but his ocean blue eyes were just as bright. "Take your jacket," he said softly, leaning against the wall. "And take your time. We have lots of it."

Alex let out a breathy laugh. He could have squealed like Dawn when she opened her gifts earlier that day. Instead he flew forward and Conan, clinging on to him, breathing in his pineapple scented perfume. "You're the best. I mean it."

Alex withdrew, slightly embarrassed. Conan just smiled back, eyes flickering to the ceiling, but Alex knew he was trying not cry. It would be the fifth time that day if he did. Alex handed him the cup of cider, nudged open the door and stepped through, donning his jacket. He shivered in the chilly September breeze that greeted him like an old friend, engulfing him in a hug, dancing through his neatly trimmed blonde bangs.

He mustered his courage and began down the path. Dawn was engrossed in recounting a recent book and adding a little twist to the plot. Or make that a big twist. Her large audience, fan of mystery or not, was captivated and listening closely, due to Dawn's exceptional story telling and miming skills. Alex had seized the chance, convincing himself it wouldn't take long. No one would miss him.

He jammed his hands in his pockets and began down the street. It felt amazing to stretch his legs after being cooped up in a dreary hospital for so long. Or at least if felt like decades. But still, his room had been the brightest one in the entire hospital, with balloons of every shade of the rainbow, get-well cards, and drawings and flowers.

Even now, he couldn't fit it in his brain how he'd gotten so lucky.

Alex slowed his footsteps as he turned the corner. The worn path below his feet sparked a myriad of memories fresh in his mind. He swallowed back a rising wave of emotions and pushed open the wrought iron gate, crusty with red rust.

The atmosphere was dull, fitting the bleak weather like a piece in a puzzle. Tall grey trees offered protection from the sun, but now they did nothing but add another aspect of dreariness. Leafy bushed strained with large, colorful blooms, a nice contrast to their surroundings and, as a wooden sign proclaimed, "free for picking".

Alex weaved through gravestones, attracted by a particular, sunset-petaled flower. He remembered with clarity it had been his mother's favorite color. He plucked it without remorse. Then, he knelt down in front of the gravestone recently re-marked with the name, Olivia Simmons, courtesy of Kamila.

He drew in a lung-full of the dank, moss-scented air, hugged his jacket closer to himself, then began.

"Hey, mom. It's been a while since I was here. Actually scratch that. It's been months. So many things have happened. Most of all we got dad back. Crazy, huh? I never thought I'd be saying that. It's been one heck of a journey. Thanks to Dawn for making this game of lost notes, believe it or not. She wrote down all the secrets, sort of subtle, and hid the notes everywhere.

"I had to search for them and put the clues together. Sometimes I wonder why she couldn't have just told me in some secluded place somewhere, but I guess I've come to understand that the person I was back then would have—I don't know, broken down? Blown up? I see that now." Alex paused to breathe in the sweet, fragrant scent of the flower. He wished he hadn't uprooted it now, but there was bound to be some more around. If there were, he would take one home for Dawn.

"I'm not making much sense," he continued. "But you know all about it already. Let's just say it all worked out in the end. Your friend Kamila had your case righted; the new mayor permitted Conan to try Lawrence at court. Of course he's been sentenced to jail, with the ton of evidence Kamila had. And guess which cell he ended up in? The one right next to Mr. Connell. He's the previous mayor, you remember him. I heard Lawrence was making deals with the Mr. Connell so he would bend the law to his favor. So they're both in jail. I felt bad for Jude at first, but he said he and his mother are doing much better now. The Silver Spoon Diner business is booming. And about Jude."

Alex shifted his weight to get more comfortable, and propped the flower up against the gravestone.

"I'll admit I was almost—kind of scared of him at first. He was intimidating just like Lawrence, but he's changed. He even took down that gang of his, now that his father is gone and no longer there to control him. Lawrence hasn't changed, I don't think he ever will. And that's the difference. Also, Jude, Erin, Sky and Dawn were visiting me everyday when I was at the hospital. Can you believe it? I've never felt so...so loved before. And I can finally say I have friends. Once more thing. Today's Dawn's birthday. She's so happy and excited and all over the place. You should be proud of her. Thirteen years, and many more to come without you."

A lump formed in Alex's throat, and he struggled to breathe past it. Tears pooled in his eyes and slid down his cheeks, but this time they were tears of joy.

"The best thing is," Alex concluded with a snivel, "Even though you're not here, Conan is. And he's exactly like you."

That did it. A dam broke somewhere inside Alex, and he burst with tears. He let it all out. He was finally accepting that his mother was gone forever, that the blue-eyed, blonde-haired Conan was going to be all he had...

But he had noticed something. The way Conan's eyes lit up when Kamila would stop by with a basket of freshly baked pastries. The way he would lean on the doorway, arms folded, and watch Kamila enthuse over Dawn's latest adventures. A smile was always curved on his lips, and more than once he would reach up and brush a tear away from his eye as he probably thought about how much he had missed.

Alex wouldn't blame Conan. Kamila was a lot like Olivia, interested in all their affairs without being pushy or nosy, even though her journalist status required for those qualities. Come to think of it, the two would be perfect. Alex knew deep inside Olivia would be happy for them both.

Alex suddenly became aware that his legs were getting stiff, folded beneath him. He jumped to his feet, feeling a prick of guilt. Would his friends notice he was gone? Would they care? Alex could have slapped himself for such doubtful thoughts. He nearly had a heart attack when he turned around to find Jude, Erin, Sky and Dawn, all lined up like sparrows on a telephone wire, staring at him.

"Wow," Dawn breathed, a look of awe in her eye.

"I'm glad we didn't go all out with our plan and scare you," Jude attempted to grin, but instead a tear worked down his cheek and huddled at his chin.

"Are you crying?" Erin questioned, blinking at him.

"Aw, don't act as if your eyes are dry," Jude pretended to swat her, and Erin shrieked and ducked away, braids flying.

Sky didn't try to hide the tears behind the strands of his white hair, or his blooming grin. "That was the most heartfelt rant I've ever heard."

Alex didn't know whether to cry or laugh as Sky smothered him in a hug, something he had grown quite accustomed to over the past few weeks. He had just let out all that was in his mind, heart, like a flowing tap, and those goons had stood there and soaked it all in.

A sudden bubble of laughter from Dawn had Alex's cheeks flaring. "What are you laughing at?" He demanded.

"You should see your face, Lexy. Torn. Completely torn."

Sky leaned back to have a look, and snickered. It was almost comical, the way seconds later they were all doubling over in laughter.

Alex laughed until his stomach hurt, glad the stitches in his side had sealed, even though there would be a curious-looking scar there for the rest of his life.

"Okay, okay," Alex croaked, wiping a tear away from the corner of his eye. "My face was that funny. Now I'm going to sign up to be a clown."

Dawn smirked. "You know, that would be perfect. A full minute of laughter ensures a promising career."

Alex folded his arms, mocking a wounded look. "Don't get sassy on me, Dawn. You're only thirteen, remember?"

"Only!" Dawn huffed, mirroring Alex's stance. "A couple of hours ago, I was twelve."

Jude interrupted the good-natured banter. "Enough bickering, kids. We're heading to Silver Spoon, the five of us, to celebrate. On the house."

Alex shot him a grateful look. "Great. Dawn's mature attitude was starting to scare me."

Dawn stuck out her tongue, satisfied. The group left the cemetery, closing the rusty gates like the end to a long chapter, said and gone, merely history to be recalled in the future. They began down the leaf-laden stone path, lost in random conversation. It was then that Alex remembered the flower he had planned to pick for Dawn. He promised himself another time, determined not to put a damper on his mood.

Sky grabbed Alex's arm then, and Alex slowed, turning to search Sky's face. He was grinning ear to ear.

"I've got good news," he said, whispering even thought the group was out of earshot. "My mom's surgery went...really well. They say she'll get better, just give her some time."

"Sky, I'm so happy for you," Alex breathed, relived enough to give Sky a side hug, once again forcing back rising emotion. For a moment, he thought of what could have happened if history hadn't taken place. If Jude hadn't handed the eight thousand over, claiming he hadn't touched a dollar, never intended to. Mrs. Anton wouldn't have received surgery.

"And Alex...?" Sky trailed.

"Yeah?"

"I thought you might like to give this to Dawn." Sky shyly held up a sunset-petaled flower pinched between his fingers.

In the past few months, Alex had been on an emotional roller coaster. But now, he was overcome with such a deep feeling of gratitude for his friend it couldn't be expressed in words.

"I—I don't—geez, I don't know what to say. I—"

Sky silenced him by stretching up on his tiptoes and placing a kiss on his cheek. Before Alex could respond, he spun around and sprinted off, laughing. "Catch me if you can!"

Alex stayed rooted to the spot. He rubbed his hot cheek and muttered, "Oh, boy."

He began forward as if in a dream, towards the group ahead of him, who were engrossed in a debate about the best and latest mystery series. No doubt a subject struck up by Dawn.

Alex's life was a mess, a jumble of secrets scribbled in notes with pink, glittery ink. Crooked. Hidden.

But when the sunlight hit the truth just right, it was beautiful.


~The End~