20 Reasons to Let Go

[ Reason Eight ] - White Lies

Cady unwrapped a loaf of bread with tired eyes, barely managing to keep them open.

She had hardly slept at all the night following her conversation with Kendal. Rubbing her sharply underlined eyes, the same unnerving question shot through her sleep deprived mind.

Kendal's dad struck her?

It was unthinkable. Sighing, she slid two pale slices of bread into the toaster and waited.

Cady's mother entered the kitchen, her heels clicking rhythmically on the hardwood floor. "Your father is returning from his business trip tonight. He wants a full explanation as soon as he gets back."

Nodding, Cady caught the slices of toast midair as they suddenly popped from the toaster. "Gotcha."

"Don't you 'gotcha' me." Cady's mother snapped, leaning against the smooth granite counters, "This is a serious matter."

A deep magenta flourished on Cady's cheeks, "I was talking to the toast, Mom."

Mrs. Somber's eyes widened, and she looked at her daughter incredulously, "That's even worse." She said sternly, turning on her heel and strutting out. 

Cady sat her toast onto a small plate and fetched the butter dish from the other end of the counter.

Today was Sunday. How in the world was she supposed to face her classmates tomorrow? Being involved in a murder was hardly something she could discuss with her peers.

Shrugging the thought off, Cady buttered her toast and then squeezed a thin layer of honey on top. Contented, she eagerly grabbed her plate and plopped down onto a barstool several feet away.

She raised one half of the toast to her mouth, but just as she was about to take a bite, she heard a knock at the door.

Knock knock.

Straightening up, Cady called out, "Mom?"

Knock knock.

She was sure that her mom had already left for work. As a nurse, she wasn't allowed Sunday off and often worked late nights at the hospital.

Hopping off the barstool, and giving her toast one more glance, Cady made her way to the door.

Straining to look through the peephole, Cady saw that it was a man.

This man was very peculiar looking. With a navy blue uniform and shining copper badge, it almost looked as if he were a member of the police force.

The police.

Cady felt as though her heart was being dragged down into her small intestine. This wasn't right. Why were they here? How could they possibly have tracked her down so soon?

Cautiously opening the front door, Cady peeked out at the police officer, "What do you want?" She asked, a bit too defensively.

The officer took a large step forward, "I understand you were out the night this young lady was murdered." He told her, holding up a newspaper article with Leyla's face printed on it.

Cady cowered, intimidated, "Yes, yes I was." She gulped.

He smiled from the other side of the threshold, "Okay then. I simply need to ask you a few routine questions."

Cady scowled, "My parents aren't home."

"Oh, that's quite alright." The officer grinned, "I've already taken care of that. Your mother is on her way back home right now."