Connection Lost

Arc 4

Andrea looks down, a little disappointed that she didn't handle her response better. She slowly shuts the door and locks it, heading into her bedroom for the night. Morning comes and Josh wakes up early, he gets their kids up and ready for the day. Sam and Melissa are ready at the door, while a half asleep Valerie is struggling to get out of bed.

"Do we have to go this early? Can't the train wait?" Valerie asks as he helps her to get dressed.

"It's already 10am sweetie, you were up late with your mom and her friends. You knew we had plans for the day" he reminds her. "Not to mention you're old enough to get yourself up on time. Your brother and sister are outside, hurry up."

"Okay, okay, I'm coming" Valerie says tiredly. She gets to the door before stopping outside by the mat. "Isn't mom coming with us?"

"Maybe, she might meet with us later" Josh says before they get in the car.

Cate wakes up early in the morning to get dressed for work. She looks across the room to her sister's bed, which lies empty. She sends a text to her as she heads out the door, asking where she is and if she's alright.

After the events of last night Cayda had walked home alone, crying to herself at the reminder of her failed relationship. She tried her best to not break down in front of her friend, but now that she was alone she couldn't hold back. She was jealous of Andrea, for her happy family and soon to be a long lasting marriage. She's never had such success.

Cayda met someone a year after graduation, who she thought was the one for her. On the outside, and what she thought was on the inside too, was someone who loved her. They had been going out for almost a year and a half, and Cayda started to wonder if he would want to take it further with her. She couldn't wait any longer, so she proposed to him. A little uncommon, but the result was what she had hoped for.

Cate, along with their parents and friends, attended that special day. She watched her sister walk down the aisle, her face steaming with tears as she got married. Cate was happy for Cayda, happy her little sister could find her joy in life.

Yet, Cate was kept from many secrets. On most nights, and days, Cayda would come home from work cheery and happy. She was almost delirious with love and spent all her free time with him. Cayda eventually asked to talk with him about the possibility of having kids of their own. He told her he wasn't ready to be a parent yet. And to this Cayda should have listened.

One night they were relaxing at home, both had come from work and we're exhausted. Cayda went to the kitchen, thinking having a few drinks would help them both to feel less anxious from the work day. Cayda never took advantage of him with the drinks, however when it seemed to have a small effect on him, she forced things along.

Eventually time started to show her signs of pregnancy. Her husband wasn't too thrilled about it. As much as he loved her, he did make it clear he didn't want to be a parent. Cayda tried to reason with him that they were ready, and he snapped and told her he would never want to have kids with her. Cayda took that in a bad way, and the way he said it implied that he didn't seem to truly love her.

Cayda woke up the next morning to a half empty bed. None of her texts were answered, and her calls weren't returned. After the additional news of a miscarriage, she decided to move back in with her sister. Cate let her in of course, though she was only told that he had to leave for a business trip. And Cayda never told her the truth for many years after.

"Hey sis, it's me again," Cate says as she's set on voicemail. "I didn't know if you came home last night after we went to Andrea's, I hope everything went well. Anyways, I'll be out all day today. Call me if you need anything, I'll probably stop by the main square to see the unveiling of a new attraction. Alright, see you later sis."