Stockholm

Chapter 15

Leaning back in the chair at my desk, I can hear the faint sound of the tv playing in the living room. Last time I got up and checked, my mom had finally passed out, Bud curled up on the back of the couch, fast asleep.

I've been going through a list of names. Scotty had remembered the name of the couple, his memory of them precise even with the countless drugs he was on at the time. His exact words "you don't forget the first time you kidnap a person" and I suppose there's some truth to that regardless as to how fucked up it is.

So I went through the database searching for a man named Sean Whittaker and his wife Kate. There were a handful of people that may fit and it's been tedious work trying to weed out the ones that won't. But I find myself constantly coming back to a Sean and Kathryn Whittaker that seemingly disappeared from the area 30 years ago. Seems fishy if you ask me.

They were in their late 30's themselves, lived outside the city by an hour, some rural town. He worked for a bank, she was a teacher. I found their old address.

I was hoping to swing by tomorrow after work, poke around, ask any neighbors that might still live there if they remember them, but Wyatt called. My truck is done. It's probably for the best, I can do a little more research, be that much more prepared.

My phone starts to clatter across my desk, Lorna's name on the screen. I answer it immediately, unlike her.

"Hey."

"Hey back, are you coming to see me tonight?" She asks.

I had mentioned briefly maybe I would but that was before I found my mom stumbling drunk down the street. And before I narrowed my search down.

"I can't tonight, sorry." I tell her, swallowing down the guilt that wants to climb its way through me.

"Is everything okay?" There's concern in her voice, genuine concern and any swallowing of my guilt I was attempting to do causes me to choke. She's too good for me.

I nod my head, knowing she can't see me. "Yeah, my moms just not feeling well."

"Oh. Well I could grab some soup...bring it over..." her words trail, hope clinging to them because the one thing I've never done is invite Lorna over.

I always go to her.

"No it's okay, just enjoy a quiet night."

She's silent and I hold my breath waiting to see what she's going to do. Will she let it go, will she give me that? Or will she push back. Has she finally reached her limit wit me?

"Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?" She asks and I go to deny it because I'm not, she knows me, but she pushes on. "What is it? I mean Jesus Kyle, I haven't even met your mom yet, I don't even know where you live."

Her southern accent lingers in the hurt and frustration that fills her voice. I can't do this right now. Not with my moms drunken words still on a cycle in my head and how close the answers feel, I can almost touch them; they're so close, hovering just out of my reach.

"There's nothing, I promise."

"Is there someone else?" She asks, her words forceful and crisp like she refuses to ask more than once. "Am I some side piece or something?"

"What? God no, Lorna. There's only you. I swear." I try to appease her, make her understand I'd never cheat on her. She's who I want but also I need her to leave it alone tonight. Maybe some other night but not right now. "My mom's just sick and I've got some paperwork I didn't finish at work. I'm just working and going to bed."

She goes silent again, I bet trying to decide if she believes me or not.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise. I love you Lorna."

Silently I beg her to give in, to just let it go. One more time.

She blows out a reluctant breath, "I love you too."

"I get my truck back tomorrow after work, I'll swing by after." I purposely leave out the word "try".

"Sure."

She's still mad but she hasn't completely iced me out and I'll take it. Besides, she normally cools down after a while anyway and by the time I roll into her house tomorrow evening with flowers and some hot Cheetos, hopefully she'll have forgiven me.

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Oh Kyle. What're you doing?

Anyway Merry Christmas Eve! I definitely slacked and didn't make Santa any Christmas cookies. Thank god there's a bakery down the road and they did 😅.

Also Michigan decided to give us a white fucking Halloween but not a white Christmas and I'm sour about it.

Stay jolly everyone. 🎄🎅🏼🦌(that's an unfestive reindeer)