Beyond the end

The things that come back

Brandon was waiting for Barret that morning. He wanted to hurry up soon enough. By now the report was almost ready and they had decided to launch it just before Brandon's de partire but the city council had just decided to build a new stadium for the minor leagues and even then the contract had gone to companies that were friends of the councillors.
New research was needed, it was a endless work. The problem of the record was in the feedback. There would be complaints about defamation complaints and once the news was released the federals would probably have seized all the material, the newspaper would be at the mercy of the waves, and that in New York they knew and loved it.
Perhaps he should have gone back to the original idea of choosing a few more contributor to this story. Making directive decisions, approving articles, and following this story was starting to get really heavy.
And the red circle on the day of departure for Washington was approaching.
Cell phone. Zero messages.
Sometimes he felt relieved at the idea of leaving. Sometimes he just felt the need to drink something strong. Others felt a white nostalgia.
Brandon over time had bowed to feelings. Especially after he had been at war. Ties were really what kept the world knotted.
"Yes Betty?"
"Director Walsh, there's Director Barret on the phone"
"Pass it to me Betty"
"Bran, I'm not coming today, Mandy is not well"
"Don't worry, I'll go on alone"
Silence on the other side.
"Can I do something for you?" Brandon asked
"I don't know, no, I think not. SHe's not doing well."
The voice was broken. But a sharp, painful break.
Bonds are what keeps the world knotted, Brandon thought. He took his cell phone, wrote and canceled a couple of lyrics, he didn't know what to say. He was an idiot.
The cell phone he was holding light up "Kel".
Bonds are what keep the world knotted.
"What are you doing?"
"A couple of talks with naughty kids, you?" Kel answered
"Something that has to do with impertinence."
He would have liked to ask her something more than last night but he didn't say a word.
"We went to Walsh's house yesterday."
"Really?"
"Yes, we met the new owners."
"How was it?"
"Nostalgic."
"Some times I've been in front of it too."
"Really? It's not on your way"
"Eh I know.. but you know me, I'm a romantic. I lived wonderful years there. We were basically having dinner at your house every night. I don't know how Cindy did it. I can barely make it with one.
"You're doing great."
"Did you mean?"
"I do. Anyway," Brandon picked up, "they gave us back two boxes that stayed there. At the bottom of the garage. One was from Brenda, one of mine."
"I sent everything to Washington."
"This wanted to stay at Walsh's house."
"What was in it?"
"Books. Unnecessary Notes. The ring."
Kel remained silent.
"Ah," Bran sighed laughing, "I don't blame you... that ring brought us a sting."
Kel burst out laughing.
"The bewitched ring," resumed Brandon, "even managed to stay hidden in the Walsh house, I mean, it's scary."
Kel was still laughing, he couldn't stop "oh my God Bran... ah ah"
He liked to make her laugh.
"Anyway formally it belongs to you," he said more seriously, "you bought it back. That's why I have to ask you, even if I'm afraid for your safety, do you want it?"
It was true, it belonged to her. It was she who put it in one of those boxes shortly after Brandon left. DHe didn't want to see it. sHe didn't want to keep it.
"No," Kel replied seriously.
The answer hurt Brandon a bit but he understood it "but I'm ashamed to go back to the jewelry store after seven years to return it, maybe I'll take it to Cindy. Do you bet this thing is capable of coming back from Minneapolis ?"
Kel laughed again "ah Bran..I just wanted to say hi, I called you for that."
"I'm glad you called. I had written a couple of messages. I deleted them all. An idiot"
Kel made a hidden smile, she was happy to hear Bran, just happy.
"See you tonight."
Brandon hook up the phone and opened the drawer. The ring was there, in its blue velvet box. The bewitched ring. He had wanted to drive, to press the accelerator like a fool. To take the slaps of some alcohol. To fill up the car and watch the trains passing by. Put a sign on the door with a written do not disturb. He closed the box and put it back in the drawer. It was late to wonder who had won and who had lost.
It may be that she didn't love him or didn't want to love him.