Defending Jacob: The Aftermath Book 1

Breaking point

The next morning Andy wakes to the door bell going off a few times. He had snuck back home in the middle of the night. He left Charlotte's home at 4am to make his way home. She understood Andy had to leave, he woke up gave her a long kiss in bed. He told her he loved her and go back to sleep she closed her eyes falling back asleep after he got dressed he leaned down, giving her a kiss on the forehead. He remembered how he felt on the way home, he was thinking about the future, how was he going to tell Laurie he loved her but wasn't in love with her anymore. He was worried she would lose touch with reality again. He had found more information with Charlotte's help, all signs where pointing to Derek as the killer. He thought about what she had learned and told him.

They where lying in each others arms, Charlotte's head on Andy's chest, she could hear his heart beating. He was putting his hand through her long brown silk hair. She looked up at him, "Andy I found out something about Derek." she said.

"I know he had access to Jacob's accounts and room all the time, they were best friends. Sweetheart what did you learn?" Andy asks rubbing her arm.

"I know Andy, but Derek his mom she lied, I know one of her co workers, we where talking about Ben. She was asking how I was doing. I do miss my nephew but told her somethings just don't add up. She asked what I meant I said I just don't feel any closure. She told me, that's cause someone's mom was covering a huge lie. I ask her what she meant and she told me Derek's mom came into work early that day. She didn't drive Derek to lacrosse or school that morning. He always walked through cold springs park." Charlotte told him.

"His mom lied, really so than Derek had the opportunity to kill Ben, he had the motive with what happened to Sarah. Plus he stoled Ben's phone and threatened him too. I need to talk to Duffy after the move. I just want to see if she missed anything." Andy says.

"I agree with you Andy, I guess since your moving tomorrow we won't see each other much till you get settle in the house. It's ok Andy it gives us time to do more digging into Derek." she says.

"Baby, I'll be here on Monday I promise or maybe we can meet in the middle at hotel, no one will know us in the downtown city area of Boston. We can do more research into Derek and have time together, I told you Laurie is going away for a week." Andy says.

"Ok we can meet up at The Hyatt Regency downtown, I stayed there before when I first came back to Newton." she says.

"Ok, you make the arrangements for a room, but your not paying a cent I'll cover that myself.  I have an idea it might be helpful for you and Jacob. Plus it's away we could see each other." Andy said.

"How's that?" she asked.

"What if I took Jacob out for dinner on the weekend at the diner, and you came there, just passing by and said Hi to him, that  you know he is innocent. I might remember you from when he was a little kid." Andy suggested.

"Oh I don't know Andy, what if he said something to Laurie, she talked to me other day at my office. She said she remembered I am Ben's Aunt that it came back to her. She said she was so sorry for what happened to Ben." she said.

"Really she remembers you, why is she interested in who you are? You could say you work for Laurie's therapist, I just think it might help him, he remembers everything Charlotte." he said. Hugging her closely to him.

"He remembers everything Andy, poor kid. Ok text me when you go there with him make it Sunday just settle into the new house first a little Andy. I don't know why Laurie is taken an interest in me I just think she was making conversation." she told him.

Andy was remembering that moment with her, as he drove home. As he walked into the house Jacob was sleeping on the bed he set up in the office. Laurie was upstairs asleep he walked upstairs hoping the door was open but for Jacob's sake, she had it lock. There was a note on the door, saying if you going to go to a bar drinking don't be stupid and think your coming in here. Things need to change when I get back from my trip or we can't go on like this Andy. I love you. Laurie. Andy went to the couch to sleep for the remainder of the night. Back the present time, the door bell is ringing and not stopping. 

"Andy the movers are here you are still asleep?" Laurie yells.

"Dad you got get up." Jacob says as he answers the door.

The movers come in they start upstairs with the bedrooms. They going back and forth with the boxes and furniture. They ask them all the best plan of attack on moving everything into the new house. Which Laurie take charge of saying the bedrooms first however Jacob's bed will get set up on the main floor office room for now. One of the guys looks at you all he remembers and tells them. "I am glad you are ok son and doing better now." Laurie glares at the mover for bringing up the accident to Jacob. 

"Please don't bring that accident up to him, we are all doing a lot better now. We want to forget the last year." she says sharply.

Andy looks at her "Laurie he is just being nice to Jacob, he didn't deserve you getting mad at him. I sorry Rick." Andy says the mover.

"Your taking the movers side over mine now Andy? What is going on with you. I don't want them mentioning this to Jacob I have my reasons." she says.

"Mom it's ok really I am fine please can you both not fight." Jacob pleads.

Laurie snaps back to reality something is off with her Andy is thinking. What has been going on with her lately. She is becoming more aggressive and that really isn't her at all. It hurt both Laurie and Andy to see Jacob hurt by their fighting, they promised to stop. Andy said to him just the two of guys for the next week Jacob, we will have some guy fun ok. Andy told Laurie once Monday came he would miss her while she was on her trip. The house was now packed and empty they made the drive to the new house in Burlington Mass. It was a fresh start Jacob was thinking, they all thought that even. However what the weekend of unpacking would bring up with Andy and Laurie no one not even Jacob saw coming. The calm before the storm of the week ahead that Andy never saw coming. How it would be his breaking point changing him forever. That he would have to make a tough choice his happiness or his sons.