Becoming Riley

Chapter 12: Run-ins & Run-outs

Riley Vern might've grown up without the love and care she needed but that didn't harden her. It made her softer. Made her sympathize with others quite well actually. It's what made Anastasia fall for Riley so easily. Anastasia had received a text from Riley that she couldn't hide their relationship anymore and that Riley didn't want to drag her on. So Riley broke up with her. Anastasia at first didn't comprehend what the text said. After all, this was not like Riley to break up over text. She called and called Riley for two days. She knew after Liam's death life would get tricky. But she didn't think Riley would do this. After a few days of not hearing back from Riley Anastasia calls the only other person she knows that's closest to Riley-Mr. Vern. Now Anastasia was fearful something happened to Riley after the death of Liam. Maybe the abuse got worse and she couldn't move. Maybe Mrs. Vern threw one too many punches and knocked her out cold. Whatever it was Anastasia needed to know the situation.
Mr. Vern didn't have her number but she had his. Riley said to only use in case of emergencies and this felt like one. Anastasia presses his contact name and puts the phone up to her ear.
She hears one ring then an answer. It's slow and deep: "Hello?"
"Hi."
"Who the fuck is this?"
Anastasia stutters over her words, not knowing what to say she whispers: "Riley's girlfriend Anastasia..."
There's a silence. FUCK she thinks to herself.
"Uh, huh. Really?"
"Mr. Vern is Riley available to speak?" Anastasia grows a back bone and speaks up.
"No she's not available. She won't be for a while." Mr. Vern sounded like he was grinding his teeth while he was talking. Anastasia pictured it in her mind, his half rotten teeth slowly grinding against each other. She shudders.
"I can take a message but I won't guarantee it reaches her." He spoke again.
"Yes! A message! Tell Riley that I am so sorry for whatever I did and that I cannot lose her. Please sir, tell her that." Anastasia begged through the phone.
"Alright now, good bye Anastasia." Mr. Vern said tauntingly.
Uh oh.
That was not good.
Fuck.

Anastasia looks at the clock. It's around two in the afternoon. They must be just getting done with the funeral, maybe I can make it in time to see Riley. If she's even there. Anastasia grabs her purse, her keys, and rushes out the door.

By the time Anastasia pulls into the parking lot she sees Riley violently running across the street to the gas station. She watches as Riley slams the bathroom closed and she gets out of the car. But she doesn't walk across the street. She knows better than to console Riley when Riley needs alone time. That's what made them tick so well, Anastasia knew that when Riley was upset comforting her wasn't always the best option. It was a good one but not one Riley liked. Anastasia respected that and allowed her alone time. So she was going to apply that to this situation as well.
Instead of crossing the street to the love of her life she walked into the funeral home where she knew the Verns were. Immediately walking in they were walking out. They were holding hands and giggling.
"What the fuck is wrong with you two? Your only son just died and you're laughing? You just made your only daughter run blindly into traffic and you're laughing?!?" Anastasia raises her voice. Not often does she do that but when she does, Hell hath no fury like her.
"Excuse you? Who the hell are you?? Coming in here talking to us like that, bitch?" Mrs. Vern starts in on Anastasia and gets into her face.
"Is that supposed to intimidate me? If so it didn't work, you will never see Riley again, YOU HEAR ME? You two are UNFIT and UNCARING. YOU DO NOT DESERVE SUCH A WONDERFUL DAUGHTER SUCH AAS RILEY. FUCK OFF AND STAY THE FUCK AWAY." Anastasia stands her ground and gets even closer to Mrs. Vern. She didn't care about the consequences towards her, she just wanted Riley safe and in her arms again.
"This must be that dyke whore who just called a second ago" Mr. Vern snickers as Anastasia's face goes crimson red. She didn't appreciate being called that, by anyone. She had enough of them. Anastasia pushes Mr. Vern away from her and spins towards the door. She was leaving and not coming back, not to apologize or anything.
But as she was leaving Mrs. Vern grabs a vase in the funeral home and smashes it into Anastasia's left shoulder, knocking her down. It didn't knock her out however. Anastasia glances back in awe and grabs a lamp that is eye level with her and defends herself again Mrs. Verns second swing with the marble vase. The lamp shatters immediately and glass explodes into both of the ladies faces. Scrambling up and out the door Anastasia grabs her phone to call 9-1-1. Mrs. Vern and Mr. Vern rush to their beat up Van and leave the scene.
Anastasia gets the operator and tells her what happened. She then crossed the street while still on the line and waits outside the bathroom of the gas station Riley is holding herself up in. She wasn't giving up on Riley. No way, Riley helped Anastasia become who she was. Riley found Anastasia and Anastasia was going to help Riley find Riley.