20 Reasons to Let Go

[ Reason Nineteen ] - Giving Up

Kendal's mother watched Cady with distant eyes as she recounted the terrors she and Kendal had been through. Cady spoke gently, taking long pauses between her words. She was afraid to wake the sorrow she knew lay behind Mrs. Winters' expressionless features.

When Cady finished, her muscles tensed in anticipation. She waited for the crying.

To her surprise, Mrs. Winters was silent. She fell back onto the hardwood floor, sprawling her limbs across its cold surface. "Well, that's that." she mumbled from the floor.

Cady blinked, "That's that? That's it?"

Mrs. Winters sat up and smiled sadly at Cady, "There's no changing what has been done. We must only focus on what is now. We owe it to Kendal."

Cady's mom was the first to move, "I'll start the car." she said, walking across the room to the foyer.

"We should pick up Mike on the way." Cady's father suggested.

"That won't be necessary." Kendal's mom told him simply. Cady could see her eyes were sparkling with salty tears.

"He's her father."

"Not anymore."

Cady interjected before her father could say anything more, "Let's just go, Dad. The sooner we get to the police station, the sooner this will all be over."

Sighing, he nodded.

♦ ♦ ♦

Outside the frosted windows of the car, Cady could see Christmas lights were strung up on almost every house. They contrasted strongly with the heavy snow that fell from the clouded sky, and illuminated the snow dusted wreaths that hung from many of the doors. As they passed Kendal's house, Cady noticed that Mrs.Winters' car was not there, and her husband's red truck stood deserted in the driveway.

She felt her bulging coat pocket, checking to make sure that her phone and both halves of the letter were still safely tucked inside. When she verified that they were, she allowed herself to relax and her eyes to close.

When her eyes fluttered open again, she saw that they were passing the sidewalk where Leyla had died. Snow covered the cement where her body once lay, and a line of Christmas lights snaked its way up the lamp post that stood over the sidewalk. Cady wondered how such a place could look so beautiful.

Several minutes later, they pulled up to the police station. Even it had not escaped the Christmas spirit, and Cady smiled when she saw that it too was aglow with white lights. She stepped out of the car carefully, her eyes still fixed on the building.

Behind her, Mrs. Winters got out as well. She seemed to be in a daze as Mr. and Mrs. Somber joined her on either side. Together, the four of them made their way towards the police station, their eyes wide and their hearts hopeful.

Inside, it was warm. The station was mostly deserted, and Cady realized that most officers were probably at home with their families for Christmas Eve. Tiny trees decorated with tinsil and colorful bulbs lined the lobby.

A young officer approached them, "May I help you?" he queried.

Cady stepped forward and met his chocolate brown eyes, "Yes, thank you. I'm Cady Somber." she said, sticking out her hand for a handshake.

The officer's eyes widened, "Wait here please." he said timidly, before turning and scurrying away.

The four of them exchanged glances, then took a seat in the lobby. They waited ten minutes before a large, stocky man appeared in the hallway. He stalked toward them, his broad shoulders swaying.