Chasing David

Chapter 3-The Letter.

         Matt hung his head low as he proceeded toward the door. He pulled an old copper plated key out of his pocket and stuck it in the lock. Still a bit shaken by what had just happened made me decide to grip the railing on the side of the cabin. Matt turned around and glanced over at me. His expression seemed concerned. His bright brown eyes tilted toward my sweaty palms. "Are you okay?" He asked. My reply was unsure. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'll be okay." I answered. 
       He opened the door. The first thing that caught my eye was the black leather couch. On the back of it hung a quilt. A bright sky blue quilt that was perfect for snuggling while sipping coffee after a long restful nights sleep. I slept easy with him in my arms. I felt safe. Everything was exactly as he had left it 2 years ago. The fireplace contained the ashes of the last night I spent with him. The variegated ivy plant we wasted hours picking out that spring hung limply over the edge of the kitchen counter.  It hurt. Seeing these things felt different than what I was expecting. Down a long empty hallway stood a door. Moving toward it I was hoping to find much more than some rings. I turned back to see my sister digging through the kitchen cabinets while Matt cracked open a cold beer from the fridge. They were distracted.
        I pushed the door open. My heart felt heavy as I walked into the room. I searched to find something of his. Something personal. Scanning the room with precision I noticed a grey sweater laid across the end of a rustled bed. I leaned against the foot board of the giant bed and swooped the sweater up in my arms. It was so soft. My fingers played with the fabric. There was a small red stain on the left sleeve. BOOM! It hit me. I remembered the night this happened. We had just gotten home from a wonderful evening filled with laughter and a little too much red wine. Every Thursday we would have dinner at our favorite Italian place in the city. This sweater was what I needed. But it also brought on the tears. I clenched the sweater tighter to my chest and buried my head right into the center of the soft grey fabric. It smelled like him. A sweet woodsy musk that sent my heart swirling into an oblivion. I slid down the foot board on to the floor, completely aware of what was fixing to happen. I would leave soon. So I cried. I cried for David..
          "Lilu." Taryn called out. I jumped up wiping at my eyes. I didn't want her to see the pain that I was feeling. Taryn is absolutely not a perfect sister, but when I cried so did she. When I was pissed so was she. I was thankful for that any other day. But not on her wedding day. "Yeah?" I managed to choke out. Matt entered the conversation with almost a nervous mumble. "Come take a look at this." He said. "This can't be right." The words he spoke would be my undoing.
         Walking into what looked like a study, I saw Matt and Taryn leaning over a desk. I've never really been in this room. All the times I have been here it just didn't seem to be a place where I was wanted. Like a private place David might have used to clear his head. The desk top was cluttered with stacks of paper, a few books, and an antique reading lamp. The study walls were covered in newspaper articles and what seemed like more old family photos. Crumbled up paper and empty ink pens were scattered across the floor. The room smelled just like the sweater.
          The desk its self was beautiful to look at. As I bent down in between the two of them I notice the giant family crest hand carved into the front of it. A crown with an eagle flying through it. It was unique. I've always loved it. While tracing my fingers along the grooves left behind from writing, I noticed a photo. In the photo was a curly haired brunette stepping out of a coffee shop. She was wearing a t-shirt and some old jeans. It was me! As I started to shift through the papers. My hand landed on another photo of me getting out of my old beat up mini van. My mind started to race. What the hell is going on. I thought to myself.
          It was strange. I gently pushed Matt and my sister out of the way and began rummaging through the drawers. "Any luck with the rings?" I asked Taryn. I was trying to take some of the attention off of what was going on. I hated the spotlight. I had no idea what I was looking for. But I felt hopeful. Opening the final drawer I hear a click. I stuck my hand as far back as it would go releasing what felt like a hidden compartment. An envelope fell to the bottom of the drawer. I could feel two rings inside as I pulled it out. "Found them." I said confidently. The two bewildered people just stared. I don't know if it was because they were just as weirded out as I was, or if it was because they knew it was difficult for me to be doing this. But they were speechless. And I was okay with that.
         The envelope was addressed to David. I stumbled backwards trying to blindly find a seat as I slid my finger under the top of the unopened letter. Hidden inside were the engagement rings and a note. I dumped the rings into my hand. I was so intrigued by this letter. My sister snatched the rings and took a step back. I unfolded the letter. It read..
           David. 
                       It seems that we have gotten a little off track. Let these rings be a friendly reminder that I will have what belongs to me. No matter what brother , she will be mine.
                                                              -Ben

I was unable to move. Staring straight ahead I wondered what it all meant. Who was Ben talking about? Where was David? And why was this hidden. Before I could stop her, Taryn yanked the letter out of my hand and started to read. Her pink lips whispering the words as she read. Her expression turned cold. She was angry. Storming out of the cabin she shoved the rings into her back pocket. I tried to yell out to her. But she didn't listen. She was on a mission. I was going to try and stop her. But not yet. I was on the same mission. I wondered who "she" was as well. I had to find out more. There had to be something else. Why was there strange photos of me on the desk? What was going on with the voice in my head? Not to mention the overwhelming feeling that I was now being watched.
Matt grabbed ahold of my arm and pulled me to attention. "What the hell is going on?" He asked. "I'd like to know the answer to that question as well Matt." I replied. " Did you know this was here? Did you have anything to do with this?" As I interrogated him he sat down looking away from me. "You act like I've been lying to you Lilu." His voice was so smooth. I felt terrible for being so forward with him. "I have not seen my brother in two long years. The fact that you even have to wonder astounds me. I love David. He's my brother. And judging by that look on your face tells me you think he's still out there." He paused. "Do you think he's still alive?" He sounded hopeful like I already knew the answer. I didn't. I could only muster up enough courage to tell him what I was sure of. "Matt I don't have any idea what is going on. "I seen disappointment in his perfect face. "But I'm going to figure it out."