Wattpad Block Party - Winter Edition III

TharronSkylor Presents: Journey of Two

Journey of Two
TS Forquer

PRELUDE: THE BEGINNING

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness. Filling your guts with food and laughter surrounded by your families and loved ones. Not for me. It's been almost two months since that fateful Christmas Eve, the day that changed my life forever. That's the day I received a knock at the door. On the other side, two Illinois State Troopers gave me the news that my parents and younger sister wouldn't be making it for the holidays. My drink fell from my hands and shattered on the frame of the door as I grabbed the wall for support, tears streaming from my face. I spent the rest of that weekend knee deep in a bottle of Pinot Noir, actually meant to be popped over Christmas Dinner when my little sister Julia announced her acceptance into Yale next Spring. My parents didn't know yet, I was the only person she told. She couldn't wait to tell everyone.

I'm pretty sure my phone rang over one-hundred times that weekend. It probably would have been more if I had put my phone on the charger, but I liked the silence at that point. It gave me a sense of comfort in my time of grief and loneliness.

Their presents are still gathered in the corner. I haven't found the courage to move them, or even open mine. I moped around in my pajamas for the rest of my Christmas Break... or at least I tried to. My friend Brian Hodges came pounding on the front door of my apartment a little after three in the afternoon. I was attempting to do the dishes, staring blankly out the dirt-spotted window that overlooked my second-story balcony. I cautiously walked to the door, moving my hands slowly toward the lock I laid my forehead on the back of the light brown metal door and took a deep breath before opening it.

"You scared me half to death Brian." I said, turning around to make my short stroll back to the kitchen.

"Nobody has seen you for days Tab. I was starting to worry about you. Hell, everyone is. I'm just glad to see you're okay."

His words soothed me. They always have. Ever since we were kids in middle school, Brian has always said things to show somebody cares. I turned around in front of the sink, placing my palms on the edge of the counter and looked up to see him, wrapped in a cream colored sweater and earth-toned scarf that seemed to compliment his chiseled biceps. He flipped his hair with his hand and continued,

"I'm so sorry for what happened. I wish I could do something to take away all the pain and make you smile, if only for a moment."

That smile of his always had a way of warming me up. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an official envelope.

"I almost forgot!" He said with an anxious grin.

Grabbing the small white letter, I saw the stamp in the corner,

"McHowell's & Jefferies: Attorney's at Law"

Just like that, my stomach dropped again. Brian placed his hands on both my hips and pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me. It felt like I had my head in his chest for hours before I handed it to Brian and made him open it.

"You've always been too shy to do things yourself Tab," he joked.

"Shut up and open it!" I laughed, slapping his shoulder and wiping the final tear from my eye.

He opened it, studying the paper for a few moments, letting out subtle facial expressions and gasps every few seconds. The look on his face as he flipped to the next page made my heart race.

"WHAT IS IT?" I shouted, trying not to snatch the letter.

"You should read this yourself Tabitha."