Entwined

Chapter 7- Gale

Chapter 7

I reach into my pocket and take out my cell phone, immediately going to my gallery and looking at pictures of Dewey and I through the years, stopping every few pictures to take in the memory of the picture. Chills go down my spine as I listen to some of our videos together and ones I have taken of him over the years. His voice is as sharp and clear as if he is sitting right next to me. Tears fall from my eyes, more and more with each video. What I wouldn't give to see his goofy smile, and hear his contagious belly laugh.

I bring my hand up to my eye, with my phone still in my hand to wipe my eyes, barely able to hold together the amount of pain I am in. No pain I have ever experienced in my life compares to this.

I sniff once more before taking my thumb and opening my phone, to go to my address book, my thumb quickly scrolling downwards in my contacts until the name Sid appears on my screen.

I bring the phone up to my ear, choking my tears back as I listen to the line ring. I don't know what I am going to even say to Sid. What could I say? Nothing will change the fact of what I have to say, and how it will make her feel, how it will change her life. But she needs to know everything has changed.

"Gale?" the voice on the other side of the line says.

"It's me Sid."

"How—how are you? It—It's been forever. Did Dewey call you? Do you know? Did you go back? Are you—you okay?" she says beginning to ramble off questions. "Are you safe?"

"Sid, stop," I interrupt, trying to not to completely break down on the phone. "Wait, there is something that you need to know. It's something about Dewey."

*****

Dewey's clothes, along with his wallet, house keys, and badge are placed on my lap, with my arms tightly around them. I look down towards the items in my hands, bringing Dewey's badge into my two hands. It says Sheriff retired. I close my eyes and let a half grin come over me, as I remember clearly the day that the mayor pinned this on him, and made him Sheriff. I never had been more proud to see the mayor pin it onto his uniform, while looking on at Dewey and the excitement, and happiness that swarmed over him. He gave me the goofiest smile, as I clapped proudly looking on with so much love and pride. It was his lifelong dream to be the sheriff of Woodsboro, and when it finally happened, he just couldn't wrap his head around it. He never thought he'd ever be even considered for the job of Sheriff or deserved it, much less it actually happening. He was proud to wear that badge. I pull it towards my chest, hugging it tightly, as if by doing that would bring Dewey back.

I'm still sitting in the hospital waiting area just thinking about everything that has happened. I am only here, waiting on info for Dewey, so I can make the necessary arrangements, and begin the process. Unfortunately, it is all on me, and my decisions as I am still legally Mrs. Dwight Riley. I'm not ready to leave him, and even if I was, where would I go? I can't just go back to my life, and do what I love to do, but pretend to be happy about it. Tears are still sporadically falling from my eyes as Dewey continues to be plastered in the center of my mind. I'm numb and I still don't know how I am going to move on from this. I don't think I can live in a world without Dewey.

Telling Sid was harder than I thought it would be. I was under no disillusion that it was going to be easy, but it was almost as worse as coming to the initial terms myself. Dewey was her big brother in many ways, and always made sure that she was safe. He put his own life on the line many times for her.

Dewey is the essential reason that Sid and I have any sort of relationship. Sidney and I went from bitter enemies, rivals, to indifference, to friends, and ultimately family. Our mutual love and respect for Dewey, and all that we have been through together is why we have the relationship we do now.