Duskwood After Story

Memory, Part 2

“We know that Jennifer had ripped off the contact information of Michael’s first daughter from one of his reports. She must have kept that with her when she got into the accident. And now with what Hannah just told us, Michael’s first daughter must be me.” – I blurted out all the thoughts that were racing in my mind. My lips quivered as each word found its way out of the lump in my throat. 

Jake pulled me into a hug. He squeezed me so hard it seemed like he was trying to extract every ounce of suffering from my body.

“I have so many questions, Jake. I don’t know what to feel anymore. Should I be happy? Should I be sad? Should I be angry at him?...”

“Shh” – Jake hushed me quietly – “For now, don’t think about that. Just cry all you want. I am here for you, my love.”

He moved his hand up and down my back, and patted my head. I finally let go of the sack of tears that had been stuck in my chest. And then when it was all over, I hiccuped against his shirt as I tried to catch my breath. 

“Sorry, I messed up your hoodie.” – I rubbed my eyes as I placed my hand on the spot where my face was. 

“Don’t worry about it.” – He picked up my hand and placed a kiss on its back.

“I still have so many unanswered questions, Jake. Do you think I can ask them when we meet him in Helianford?”

“Of course. You can take all the time you want with him, Bailey. You deserve answers.”

I smiled and thanked him through my stuffy nose. As I turned the key in the ignition, I rubbed my bleary eyes again.

“Are you sure you want to drive right now? I can do it again. I don’t mind.” – Jake looked at me, his eyes were filled with worry.

“Yes, I’m fine. You need to rest, Jake. You drove for so long already.”

Met with my stubbornness, Jake didn’t know what else to do besides sitting back in his spot and letting out a big sigh.

“Alright, but if I see you’re tired, I will take over.”

“Okay, deal.” – I chuckled as I started driving away. 

***

All the joy they experienced moments before vanished from Bailey’s face. Jake watched as she focused her gaze on the full view ahead. She was continually biting on the inside of her lower lip. Since they left the parking lot, she hadn't once turned to face him. They were sitting right next to each other, but he felt like she was a million miles away from him.

“Bailey” – Jake called out to her. But she was too deep in thoughts to hear him.

“My love” – He called her again, this time a little more desperate.

She still didn’t hear him.

“My… sunflower” – Jake tried one last time, with every ounce of courage in him to say something as corny as that.

“Huh?” – She looked at him for a moment before swiftly looking away. But at last, she laughed – “Haha, Jake, that’s such a corny thing to say, especially for you.”

“You didn’t hear me the first two times so I had to do it.” – Jake explained himself, feeling a bit hurt inside.

“Oh, sorry…” – Her smile faded away again. She shifted her gaze to meet his. She smiled but her eyes looked like she was about to cry – “Thank you, I actually love it.”

He stroked her silky hair with his fingers, attempting to soothe her.

“What are you thinking about?”