Forgotten

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

   Daren Cassidy, Lena’s husband, opened the door and instantly his face went pale, as if he knew what was coming. His dark brown hair was slightly ruffled and his white t-shirt wrinkled. He stepped back and stretched out his arm directing Jenna, Dave, and Brandon into the house. They came in, all with grief-stricken faces. Daren rubbed his whiskered chin and walked ahead to the living room to the left of the front door. He sat down without a word. Brandon looked back at Dave and Jenna for reassurance as they followed Daren into the living room.

   Daren sat on a dark blue armchair and Dave and Jenna took the small couch cross from the fireplace. Brandon leaned up against the fireplace and ran a hand through his hair. Daren looked from one face to another and worry was written all over his expression.

   Jenna started to speak, “Mr. Cassidy…we found Lena yesterday afternoon.” Her face was pale as she spoke and the look in her eyes told Brandon she was overcome with sorrow for the man. “I’m so sorry.”

   Brandon pushed off the side of the fireplace and cast his eyes to the floor and back up at Daren. He had his elbows on his knees and he covered his face with his hands, shaking with silent sobs.

   “There’s something else you need to know.” Brandon said, tuning his head to one side, waiting for Daren to look up. A moment later, he looked up with a red face and swollen eyes. He dropped one arm and balled one hand in a fist, covering his mouth. Brandon took a deep breath before he spoke, “Lena was five months pregnant when she was found.” Daren’s face grew redder and his other hand snapped into a fist. His jaw clenched and he stood. Both Jenna and Dave stood with him and Dave put a hand on his shoulder.

   “No!” Daren yelled out. “No! It’s not her, she’s alive!” his shouting turned to a whisper, “No, it can’t be her, she’s alive and okay and safe.” He covered his mouth again and let out a sob.

   Brandon hurried to his side and gripped his other shoulder. Dave and Brandon gently nudged him back in the chair. He was in denial. Brandon, with his hand still on his shoulder asked him,

“What was your best memory with Lena, Daren?”

   Daren looked up at him with confusion. “Um...” He thought a moment, his face twisting with emotion. He thought a moment longer before he spoke again, his blue eyes flickered with a happy memory. “When we went on our first date, she was 20, a sophomore in college, and I was 22, a senior. We walked along the boardwalk on a cloudy day and it looked like it was about to rain. She was wearing a white sun dress with white polka dots and a faded denim jacket. We got to the end and Lena dared me to jump in the water. It was February so it was cold.” He stopped and a sad smile spread across his face as tears continued to slip down his face. “I grabbed her hand and we jumped together. The water was so cold and we swam as fast as we could to the shore. We were laughing as we ran across the beach to my car, acting like young teenagers in love.”

   Brandon looked over at Dave and Jenna who were intently listening to the fond memory Daren was recalling. He looked back down when he heard Daren whispering.

   “Is she really dead?” he looked up expectantly at Brandon.

   He couldn’t speak so he just closed his eyes and slowly nodded his head.

   Daren took in a shaky breath, “Can I see her? And the baby, can I see the baby?”

   Brandon looked at Dave and he took over, “Yes, we are done with the information that we need and you are able to continue with the funeral preparations. She is…not exactly the way you remember her. She was…” he stopped, struggling to find the words, “beaten before she passed away.”