MY SILENT KILLER

CHAPTER 6: SIX WEEKS LATER

These six weeks have flown by so quickly. I remember running out of the hospital the night that James had succumbed, his funeral four days later, and the school memorial a couple of days after that. Everything probably seems like a blur because I was incredibly busy; I had speeches to prepare and questions about The Boy Who Was to answer. In fact, now that I’m reflecting, I haven’t mourned at all.

Beginning the next term at school was difficult. Everyone was deeply sympathetic towards me, seeing as I had lost my only friend. Maya was the first to pay her respects, but after the standard, “I’m sorry for your loss,” she asked questions concerning everything besides James and his family. Mackenzie was the second and her presence was about a thousand times more awkward than Maya’s absurd questions.

“Val, I’m awfully sorry,” she wept before embracing me warmly.

“Thanks,” I muttered in a strained fashion.

She looked at me for a good few seconds before bursting into tears. This had undoubtedly caught me by surprise.

“Oh Val, I’ve been such an awful friend! I should have not taken Maya’s sudden interest so seriously. But she seemed really nice and I thought she really was my new BFF but how wrong I was! She’s absolutely awful, just like how you’d presumed her to be, and I was so naive to take her seriously.”

Admittedly I was astounded by Mackenzie’s confession and part apology.

“Oh, well uhm, thanks. No sorry, it’s okay, really. I understand. What are you trying to say Macks?” a thin, weak smile adorned my pale face.

“I’m sorry Val. I’ve missed you so much. Would you like to be friends again? I wanted to apologise a month after the biggest mistake of my life, but then James came along and we were convinced you two had something going on, and Maya said horrible, absolutely appalling things about the two of you so I kinda chickened out and dug myself a bigger grave. I really am sorry,” she concluded.

I accepted her apology with a slight nod of my head before we hugged again. It was one of the most absurd feelings ever; it was like meeting a new person, even though she knew me better than everyone else. Even after all this time.

  That was one of the few things to bring me joy during this trying time, the other was going to the old age home every Saturday, even more so now because of the situation. The old folk were obviously shattered, because for most he was the only one who had actually cared about their existence. I decided to put on a mini memorial there as well; it consisted mainly of pictures I had taken when James and I came every Saturday. Many of them wept quietly into handkerchiefs, as if they had never experienced death of someone before, I realised that James was one of them.

Two days ago I decided to pay Mrs Swift a visit; the first time I’d speak to her since the funeral. It was the second time I’d walk up that ramp; except this time someone responded, however slowly, to the doorbell.

“Valeria,” she cleared her throat to rid her of that hoarse voice, “Do come in.”

I walked into that incredibly spacious lounge, even roomier since half the stuff was packed away in boxes.

“You’re moving?” I half expected it. There was no reason for two people who had tragically lost both their children to live in such a large house. Memories of their loved and lost took up majority of the space, and they certainly didn’t need a room for those.

“Well yes, yes we are. Brian and I decided a week ago already. He’s found a nice little cottage home away from all the supposed glamour of city life.”

I knew there was a little lie hidden in that reason, but I understood completely. “So when are you planning on leaving then,” I asked mildly.

“Tomorrow. We were supposed to have left already but then you called and wanted to visit so I persuaded Brian to hang on till Saturday at least; so hopefully tomorrow.”