Loving Annabelle

Chapter 3

Annabelle looked over at Simone who just had a smile on her face. "What?" Annabelle asked.

"Nothing." Simone blushed. It's not like she could tell Annabelle the truth.

"Oh nothing?" Annabelle questioned.

"Look it's just I never seen anyone talk to my dad the way you did. Family is a big part of life." Simone said.

Annabelle reached across the table. "Look Simone, I'm not like other woman." 

Simone closed her eyes. She was falling for Annabelle but she didn't know how to pursue. She didn't know what to do. 

Harris brought out some food for each of them. They ate in silence. Simone still pondered over the idea of telling Annabelle the truth but how could she. I mean Immaculata, how would she react? Simone was afraid of the outcome. Then again she thought what if Annabelle wasn't the person they were making her out to be?

"Let's get out of here." Annabelle said.

"Alright." Simone said.

Annabelle went and paid for the food. Simone followed Annabelle outside. Getting back on the motorcycle Simone told Annabelle where she lived. Simone wrapped her arms around Annabelle. Everything about this just felt so right but yet Simone knew that if Immaculata found out Simone would be pulled off the case or possibly worse. Annabelle soon pulled into the front of Simone's house. It was on the beach. 

"You got a nice place." Annabelle said.

"Thanks." Simone said as she dug out her keys from her pocket.

Opening the door Simone let Annabelle into the place that she use to share with Amanda. Simone's heart sank. Annabelle sensed a change in Simone's attitude.

"What's wrong?" Annabelle asked.

"Nothing." Simone said. "Want a drink??"

"Would love one." Annabelle said.

"Make yourself at home." Simone said as she went into the kitchen.

Annabelle noticed the pictures of Simone. Then there was one that caught her eye. It was of a dark hair woman with matching brown eyes. Annabelle picked up the picture and she noticed the paper that fell out. Picking it up Annabelle opened it. Written in perfect cursive was a letter to Simone.

S-

          I know you will not understand why I did this, but one day I hope you can forgive me............... and soon forget me. I've tried to find happiness but darkness seeks to find me and I can't breathe. you were always the strong one. I'm sorry.

                                                                -A

Simone came back into the room. Annabelle heard as the glasses dropped.

"I'm sorry I was just..." Annabelle said.

Simone cut her off by grabbing the letter out of Annabelle's hand. Simone turned to walk away.

"Wait I want to talk to you." Annabelle said.

"You had no right to read that letter." Simone said.

"I'm sorry I read the letter but you can't run away from this." Annabelle said.

"This is bullshit." Simone said.

"Look..." Annabelle said. "Just talk about it."

"I don't want to talk about it." Simone said.

Annabelle grabbed Simone.

"Let me go." Simone said as she tried to pull away.

"I'm not letting you. I'm not letting you go." Annabelle kept repeating each time Simone pulled away.

"Annabelle." Simone said.

Simone started to cry softly as Annabelle held onto Simone not letting her go. Simone finally managed to calm down. Annabelle wiped the remaining tears from Simone's eyes. Why does this have to be so difficult Simone thought. She was into Annabelle but knew she shouldn't be. 

Simone went to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Sipping it she sat down on the couch. Annabelle sat down next to her.

"Do you really want to know about Amanda?" Simone asked.

"Of course I do." Annabelle said. "You're hurt I see that. Did you love her?"

"Yes I loved her with every beat of my heart." Simone said. "I loved her deeply until death took her away from me." Simone took another sip of beer.

"Take your time. I got all night." Annabelle said.

Simone finished her beer and went to grab another one.

"Have you ever been in love?" Simone asked Annabelle.

"Yes." Annabelle said.  She pulled out the Buddhist prayer beads. "Her name was Sandra. She moved to Europe and I never saw her again after that."

"Amanda suffered from severe depression. I mean she smiled she laughed I never realized how bad it was until I found her body." Simone said softly. "It wasn't until a few months later that I found the letter that she wrote." Simone drank the last of her beer.

"Sometimes you got to move on to allow yourself the chance to be with someone that could love you forever." Annabelle said.

"Who would want to love someone that is broken?" Simone asked.

"Someone who is broken themselves." Annabelle said with certain.