The Last Night

Gabe

By Saturday my nerves are fired. I have yet to run into Molly but the chances tonight are higher tonight. Tonight it's on her turf.

The turn out for the vigil is nothing short of what I had anticipated. I stand in the back as everyone lights candles and chatters. Then Lydia takes the stage and clears her throat. She looks rough.

"I want to thank you all for coming. For standing beside our family during this trying time. This is something we had never anticipated happening to us. While we weather this storm we are beyond grateful for the support of our community and our home. My husband is a wonderful and giving man. He breathes life into us all inside and outside of our home. He gave me my beautiful children." She gestures and Molly and Adam join her on stage. "It is unfortunate that such a drastic thing brought our daughter home but we are so glad to have her back. If I have learned anything to that life is too short." Molly and Adam engulf her in hugs and her shoulders shake causing my chest to burn.

They exit the stage and rejoin the crowd. I take a staggering step back. For ten years I shut out so much and this is my penance. For all the bad I've done. I've isolated myself.

"Mommy!" A little girl with jet black hair bursts through the crowd. My breath catches as I watch Molly snatch her up and hug her tightly. "Mommy, are all these people here for gramp?" The girls asks.

My breath stutters. I blink rapidly.

It's real though. I'm not imagining this.

I need to get the hell out of here.

I sidestep people and head to my car as quickly as I can.

My mind racing and pulse thudding in my ears I pull out of the parking lot. I have no idea where I'm going just that I need to go.

I end up in front of the pier. Now that's it's dark it's deserted. I get out of my car and walk to the end. Sitting on it and closing my eyes.

Each breath more painful than the last.

I always believed Molly and I were meant to be unfinished business.

What started out as something fun had my head spinning and I fell in love with the sixteen year old girl.

When she told me she was pregnant I saw everything I had worked for vanished before my eyes.

Everything anyone ever said about me was about to come true and I panicked. I thought if I told her to get rid of the baby I was doing us both a favor.

The week I left for college I tried to find her but her mother caught me instead.

"Don't you think you've done enough? Just stay away Gabe. Just go. Don't you ever come looking for Molly again!" She'd screamed.

So I did. I left and I never looked back. Even against better judgement. Now it's right here. All my questions can be answered if I ask.

But that means sacrificing what I've built the last decade.