The Lavender Butterfly

Chapter 26

“Hey…… Olivia……are you awake?” Meredith whispered to me. I opened my eyes, gave out a yawn and stretched out. “I am now, what time is it?” I replied. “It’s 4:30, we should probably get ready so we can say goodbye to Stella and the others before they head to the airport. And we should probably be on the beach when the sun comes up to help the workers with their search,” Meredith said. “Urggh,” I replied frustratingly. “Why are we doing this, anyway?” I said. “I know it’s a waste of time, and it’s going to be a fruitless effort, but what are we supposed to do, tell the authorities that Chris actually didn’t drown in the ocean, but he actually was transformed into a 13-year-old girl in some freak accident in a haunted hotel?” Meredith replied. She was right, but it still bothered me how many people we would have to lie to before this whole thing finally blows over. I worried that the lying would never stop. I hated having to lie to explain who I was, and where I came from. I hated having to lie about my entire existence. The only saving grace is that telling people the truth would be even worse. I felt that at some point today, Meredith and I would have to make sure we both get our stories straight, as we’d likely be telling them for the rest of our lives. We both got dressed and ready for the day and met with Stella, Evan, and Chloe next door. The three of them were about ready to leave the room, with all their luggage packed up. “You guys have a safe trip home, okay?” Meredith said. “We will,” Chloe said sleepily. The three of them both looked like they hadn’t slept a wink the night before. Stella said to Meredith, “We’re all packed up, do you want to walk with us to the shuttle?” Meredith nodded. “That was the plan,” she replied. “Evan, Olivia, Chloe, why don’t you go on ahead, Meredith and I will catch up with you down in the lobby,” Stella said. “Sure thing, we’ll see you down there,” Evan said, as the three of us started down the hall. “How are you two holding up?” I said to them. “Okay, I guess. I’m still really sad though.” Chloe said. I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her as we got on the elevator. “I’m still really upset about it too,” Evan said. “But, it’s something we’re just going to have to live with…” he continued. He turned over to me as the elevator started moving. “How are you holding up, Olivia?” he said. “I’m doing okay. A little bit confused. I mean, Chris was supposed to be my new father. Instead, he’s gone, and I never had a chance to meet him.” I replied. “You would have loved him. He was like a mentor to me. He would have made a great father.” Evan said. These words gave me a sense of pride; however, the words rang empty because I knew that I never would be a father. I wasn’t particularly upset about it anymore, as I had already grown to accept and embrace my new life. As we walked out of the elevator and toward the lobby, we heard Chloe’s instinctive bellow, “HAAAASH BROOWNSSS!” she yelled as she seemingly forgot how upset she was and ran toward the continental breakfast room, leaving Evan with her luggage. Evan and I both looked at each other and laughed. “That’s my sister,” he quipped. “Listen, you take care of yourself, Olivia. I can’t wait for you to come home. I’ll show you all around town, I’ll take you to all sorts of good places to eat, I’ll show you all the good places to hang out, I’ll…” I laughed. “I really look forward to it,” I replied. Evan tilted his head over to look to see if anyone was around. I looked around as well. Stella and Meredith hadn’t gotten off the elevator yet, and Chloe was still in the other room gorging on hash browns. I lunged forward into Evan’s arms. “I love you, Evan,” I said. “I love you too, Olivia,” Evan replied, as our lips locked for one last kiss before they left. We gazed deeply into each other’s eyes until we heard the ding of the elevator. We then separated and looked in different directions inconspicuously. Stella and Meredith walked out of the elevator. Stella looked around. “Where’s Chloe?” She asked. She looked toward the continental breakfast room. “Let me guess,” she said. “Hash browns.” “You know it,” Evan said, laughing. “Evan, go keep an eye on your sister while I go check out,” Stella said to Evan. Meredith walked over to me, wheeling some of Stella’s luggage with her. “I’m really not looking forward to this day,” Meredith said to me. “Me either,” I replied. Stella shouted from the lobby, “Evan! Chloe! The shuttle is just pulling up!” Meredith and I helped them wheel their luggage to the shuttle van, and we saw them off as they left for the airport. I waved to the van one last time before it left toward the airport. I felt a heavy deal of melancholy suddenly. I found myself missing Evan already. I just wanted to be near him, all the time. I wanted to hop on that plane with him right now. Unfortunately, we had some loose ends to tie up down here first. I’m not entirely sure what these loose ends were. Meredith and I looked at each other. “Are you ready to head down to the beach?” Meredith said to me. “I guess so……here we go,” I said, halfheartedly.