The Help

Chapter Twenty One

May 29, 1972

Ed walked into the small diner of West Haven, Connecticut. It had very few people in it, and probably wouldn't for the next few hours.. considering it was only seven in the morning.

Ed looked over everyone, a few people looked at him back; curiosity or anger filled their gaze.

"What can I do for ya, Stranger?"

Ed looked at a young man behind the counter, tired but still gave him a weak smile. "I need help finding someone– some people.. a residence to exact" Ed informed as he walked forward and sat down.

The Young man chuckled and pushed his blonde hair back. "Missing person?" He asked, amused. "What?" Ed inquired as he wiped his eyes, "You look like a cop. Not many come around anymore, out of town cops" The male stated.

"I need to find the Harris household. I'm a friend of Valerie Harris–" "You know Val?! Is she okay?!" The male asked, quickly dropping his notepad.

Ed hesitantly nodded, "She's my friend.. and she works for me and my wife. She's alright. Her birthday is today and a mutual friend wants her family to join" Ed stated, "How is she? I haven't heard from her in well.. since she left!" The male exclaimed.

"Sorry. My name is Jackson, Jackson Miller" Jackson introduced quickly as he held out his hand, Ed took it and introduced himself, "Ed Warren".

The name made the male calm down, maybe Jackson knew Ed.. how wouldn't he?

"And when exactly did Valerie leave? She doesn't talk a whole lot about her childhood.. or even before she met me and my wife" Ed informed, "What.. she's twenty five? Twenty six? Left not long after her eighteenth birthday so.. seven years ago. So maybe '65" Jackson stated as he quickly got Ed a coffee.

Ed looked at Jackson up and down.. his once happy face now seemed upset.

"Me and Val were close.. after her Fathers death and all, my Dad tried to step in–" "Her fathers death?" Ed interrupted quickly, surprised.

"Yeah.. back in.. the fifties I wanna say 58' her Mother attacked and killed her Father" Jackson whispered to Ed, almost as if it was a sin to talk about.

But now Ed had to let this information sit in.. he knew Valerie's mother had killed someone close to the family.. just not that close.

"Who took care of Val after her father died?"

"Her Aunt, she and the Twins still live here.. same house and everything" Jackson stated as Ed took a drink of the coffee.

"And how'd she leave?" Ed asked, Jackson frowned; "Just left one night. A couple of letters.. no goodbyes, not even her siblings. Her Aunt knew the night of, or that's what the twins say–" "The Twins? Valerie doesn't talk about them much.. how old are they? Were they?" Ed asked.

"Jamie and James should be.. maybe eighteen.. seventeen maybe" Jackson stated, "Does Valerie speak with them still?" Ed asked making Jackson chuckle. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" Jackson asked, in a bittersweet tone.

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Ed knocked on the old door; He thought the house to be pretty for how old it supposedly was. The old home was mostly white, the coat couldn't be a couple months old, the porch had nice furniture all over it.
The house itself sat on property and had a barn not so far from the house, he might've even seen a garden out back.

The door opened to see a young woman, her blonde hair was nicely put into a ponytail. "How can I help you?" She asked, a boy with brown hair walked around the corner to stare at Ed.